A Sad Story

One day, as I was sitting near a huge bamboo tree, nestled somewhere deep in my garden, I heard a groaning sound; as if somebody was in pain. At first I tried to ignore the groans thinking it was some ghost who had come to get me. I even wanted to get up and run but my legs would refuse to untangle from the cross- legged position that I was in.

Oh, how I wish I could run. Even if I had the last wish on Earth, I would have wanted to run. Run, somewhere far, someplace safer, someplace where these groans would not obstruct my time with nature.

The groaning became louder. I didn’t want to look in the direction of the sounds fearing the ghost would get to know that I was here. Maybe, he had still not seen me. I curled myself into a ball to hide myself. The drawing that I had been making effortlessly since the morning sun had risen over the clear horizon just flew with the gusts and went someplace unknown and got lost.

The groaning became louder and louder and louder. Then I heard sounds from the ghost. Somewhere in those groans I could hear the word “H-H-H-HEL-P-P!” This frightened me even more and suddenly tears began rolling down my precious eyes. Gradually, my cheek had become an ocean of crystal clear water.

Oh how I wished my parents were here. Had they not gone to work, they would have come to save me. I would have yelled, “Daddy, a groaning ghost is chasing me!” and Daddy would have come out with his sword and would have slaughtered anything that was trying to harm me, his gem. I would have shouted “Mama, Mama! Where are you?” and Mama would have flown out of the kitchen to save me with her angelic powers. But alas, today both have gone to work and nobody is here to protect me.

Once again to my utter horror, the groans produced sounds like the word “OLI-O-O-OLIV- OLIVE!” Why! The ghoul knew my name! He probably knew that I was a little child who was afraid of the dark and who hated broccoli. If he caught me, he would have taken me to hell and thrown me in a dingy- dark cell, and all I would have gotten to eat was broccoli. I’d rather die than eat those sick, green leaves.

But suddenly, I realize that Granny is also there. I had forgotten that Granny had come the night before while I was sleeping with lots of Candy for me. Maybe she can save me if I shout to her. But wait! Granny cannot hear properly! What if I shout and Granny cannot hear. Then the ghost will definitely know that I am here near the Bamboo.

All I can possibly do is run and call my granny before I am killed, or she is. What if the ghoul kills Granny? What will the helpless woman do? She doesn’t have s sword like Daddy nor does she have magical powers like Mama.

With this sudden upsurge of courage, I uncurl myself ready to leap towards the door. I will not let anything happen to my Granny. But as I am trying to uncurl myself, the groans have stopped. And I am unaware of the fact that they have stopped for good.

Now I think the ghoul has really gone inside the house. I cannot hear him groaning anymore. I do not need to hide anymore. I shall dash towards the house. I dash.

But then I notice, that a rather familiar figure is lying on the ground eyes wide open. This figure looks like my Granny. It is my Granny. I rush to my Granny’s help! But I am too late, the old woman was groaning for my help but I just ignored her and let her die.