THE BANYAN TREE GHOST

It was a cold, misty evening in Champakvan and the jungle was unusually quiet.

- Manoj Kumar Das

Even the chirping crickets seemed to have fallen silent. Cheeku rabbit and Meeku mouse were returning home after a long day at school, chatting about the upcoming sports meet with Anandvan.

As they crossed the narrow path near the old banyan tree, an icy breeze blew, rustling the leaves. Cheeku froze in his tracks.

"A chill just ran down my spine. Did you feel that, Meeku?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Meeku gulped, “Y-Yes, but maybe it’s just the wind.” Suddenly, a spooky sound broke the silence.

“Wooooooooooooooo...”

In the dim moonlight, Cheeku and Meeku saw something that made their legs tremble—a pale white, glowing figure with red eyes was swinging from the branches of the banyan tree, its long arms stretched out.

“Who dares to disturb my peace?” the figure groaned.

“Cheeku, is that... a ghost?” Meeku stuttered.

“I-I think it is,” Cheeku replied, his teeth chattering. “Run, Meeku! RUN!”

They sprinted as fast as their wobbling legs could carry them, their hearts pounding like drums. Behind them, the wailing grew louder, and suddenly stopped.

When they finally reached the office of Prime Minister Shersingh lion, they collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath.

“Sir,” Cheeku cried, pointing behind him, “There’s a ghost in the old banyan tree!”

“It has red, glowing eyes and makes scary sounds!” added Meeku, shivering with fear.

“A ghost in Champakvan? That’s a serious matter. We must find out what’s going on, without panicking,”

Shersingh said, his voice calm yet commanding.