In a small village near Gopeng, an Indian boy had to work in the rubber estate in the morning and study at night in Ipoh. From Monday to Friday that was his routine. In the morning, he helped his family supplement the income by tapping rubber trees in the estate. In the evening, he took up an accountancy course in Ipoh, about 16 kilometres from home.
Every evening, he would ride his bicycle from home along a lane to the main road. He would park his bicycle under a tree beside a Chinese temple. As the days went by he befriended the caretaker of the temple. He was an old man who was a friendly and jovial person. Jega, the student in the story and Ah Pek, the caretaker would chat and exchanged news and happenings while waiting for the bus.
In the evening, after his class, he would take his bicycle from under the tree and said goodbye before riding slowly home.
In those days, crime was unheard of and everybody was helpful. Life was difficult but everybody worked hard to maintain life and the family.
The strange tale took place one Friday evening. It was a cool and windy evening as Jega cycled to the temple. Thunder was heard in the distance and lightning flashed once in a while. Jega knew that rain would follow. He cycled faster as he knew that there would be shelter at the temple or even under the tree.
He approached the designated spot but he felt a little strange and sensed something amiss. The temple was in complete darkness and the usual oil lamps were not lighted. Maybe Ah Pek had gone home or he forgot to light the lamps. He called out to Ah Pek a few times but there was only silence. Even the insects were missing. The usual incessant crickets and the night creatures were quiet. This added to the already deadly silence except for the occasional flashes of lightning and the booming of thunder from afar. Rain had already fallen but luckily it was a drizzle.
He hoped that the rain or the drizzle was maintain it intensity until the bus arrived. He was lucky as the bus stopped as expected. The driver also knew that he would be waiting there. He hopped on with the usual greeting, paid the fare and took his seat.
After the class, as usual he got off the bus and crossed the lonely road to get his bicycle. The temple was still in darkness. His only explanation was the same. Ah Pek could have gone home or gone for a holiday.
Without looking around anymore, he got on his rickety bicycle and started to cycle home. The shower had been continuous and had turned into a ran. Pools of water were everywhere but luckily he was familiar with the road. He avoided the potholes and the puddles of water.
Up ahead was the small, narrow wooden bridge across a river. The bridge was only made for bicycles and the very few motorcycles; a handful at that time. He got off his bicycle as it was risky to cycle on the bridge. In times like these, the bridge was slippery and dangerous. Even the very brave ones had to tow their bicycles on the bridge to avoid any mishaps.
The rain was incessant and it made Jega quite disturbed and at the same time feeling cold. The sound of the water flowing under the bridge was loud and seemed to warning him.
He was just about to lift his bicycle onto the bridge when he felt a sudden chill going down his neck. It was the rain probably, thought Jega as he started to tow old faithful.
He could barely see the other end of the bridge because of the rain. But he was sure he saw a figure at the other end of the bridge. The rain could really play tricks with me, thought Jega. He was even more certain as he strode along. It was not any trick of the mind or the rain. Right in front of him, stood a boy, about his height from where he was.
What on earth is he doing there in the rain? Why is he standing in the middle and not moving away? He must be mad to be there in the freezing rain. Jega thought and thought as he struggled along.
The distance was only ten metres when he noticed that the boy was his best friend from the village. There was indeed something strange on his face. Normally, he had a broad smile that showed all his shining teeth, but here he was standing rigid with a sad and sorrowful look.
Another metre and it suddenly struck him like a bolt of lightning. He remembered that this best friend was found drowned in the river right under the bridge. He was speechless and his heart weighed a ton. He remembered seeing his body lying on the bank of the river after being fished out from the river. He was wailing his heart out for his dear friend. The other family members were calling his name and asking him to wake up. The recollection was so vivid. He had forgotten the cold and the rain and the sound of the water flowing under the river. He was lost and he seemed to be in another dimension.
He could now clearly see the sad and sorrowful features. His eyes was blank and lifeless. Slowly he stretched his right hand, an indication that he wanted to shake Jega’s hand.
Jega was totally absorbed by what he saw. He was in a trance. He was not frightened nor fearful. His heart was heavy. He wanted to shake the hand of this friend. In his mind he knew that this friend does not exist physically but spiritually.
He immediately knew that his friend wanted to say goodbye to him.
Now, I have to ask you readers. Would you shake the hand of this friend?
Jega did just that and do you know what transpired then.
Jega felt a terrible cold stabbing his heart and he fainted. He woke up three days later. He was lying on his bed at home. He opened his eyes and instantly his parents and family members were shouting and holding their palms together and praying aloud. He was lost for words. He was unable to comprehend the situation. The only memory was the journey home after class. The last thing that he remembered was towing his bicycle on the bridge.
His parents asked him a thousand questions but they were shot all at once and he had no time to arrange his thoughts.
The only question on his mind was why there was such a commotion in the house. Then his father said that he was found lying on the bridge in the cold rain by Ah Pek who was on his way home. Nobody could explain the cause and even the doctors were baffled. The doctors could not offer any explanation and had told the parents to take the boy home and hope for a miracle.
On the bridge? Then it struck him hard and intense. He then remembered the friend on the bridge and the out-stretched hand. He then clearly remembered he had shook hand with his best friend. The hand was cold and icy. There was not a single sign of a firm hand shake. It was more of a touch than a handshake. That was the last thing that he could remember. He slowly related his journey home until the handshake. His family members finally understood the whole incident.
They also related what happened during the three days when he was unconscious. He has only uttered the name Ravi several times when he was brought home by Ah Pek on his bicycle.
Ah Pek being the knowledgeable one knew there was something to do with the boy found dead in the river a few days ago; Ravi to be exact.
Ah Pek had bought some offerings of food and fruits and carried out a simple ceremony to appease the spirit of Ravi. It was all done with the consent and the cooperation of Jega’s family members.
Finally Jega wept and prayed that the spirit of Ravi would be free.
This is another story that is suitable for the Festival of The Hungry Ghosts. But this story was a true case of the supernatural that happened in 1971. Never mind what people say about superstitions but things like this do occur. We can never explain things that seem ridiculous.
If you have any such strange but true tales, do share them.
Thank you.
Every evening, he would ride his bicycle from home along a lane to the main road. He would park his bicycle under a tree beside a Chinese temple. As the days went by he befriended the caretaker of the temple. He was an old man who was a friendly and jovial person. Jega, the student in the story and Ah Pek, the caretaker would chat and exchanged news and happenings while waiting for the bus.
In the evening, after his class, he would take his bicycle from under the tree and said goodbye before riding slowly home.
In those days, crime was unheard of and everybody was helpful. Life was difficult but everybody worked hard to maintain life and the family.
The strange tale took place one Friday evening. It was a cool and windy evening as Jega cycled to the temple. Thunder was heard in the distance and lightning flashed once in a while. Jega knew that rain would follow. He cycled faster as he knew that there would be shelter at the temple or even under the tree.
He approached the designated spot but he felt a little strange and sensed something amiss. The temple was in complete darkness and the usual oil lamps were not lighted. Maybe Ah Pek had gone home or he forgot to light the lamps. He called out to Ah Pek a few times but there was only silence. Even the insects were missing. The usual incessant crickets and the night creatures were quiet. This added to the already deadly silence except for the occasional flashes of lightning and the booming of thunder from afar. Rain had already fallen but luckily it was a drizzle.
He hoped that the rain or the drizzle was maintain it intensity until the bus arrived. He was lucky as the bus stopped as expected. The driver also knew that he would be waiting there. He hopped on with the usual greeting, paid the fare and took his seat.
After the class, as usual he got off the bus and crossed the lonely road to get his bicycle. The temple was still in darkness. His only explanation was the same. Ah Pek could have gone home or gone for a holiday.
Without looking around anymore, he got on his rickety bicycle and started to cycle home. The shower had been continuous and had turned into a ran. Pools of water were everywhere but luckily he was familiar with the road. He avoided the potholes and the puddles of water.
Up ahead was the small, narrow wooden bridge across a river. The bridge was only made for bicycles and the very few motorcycles; a handful at that time. He got off his bicycle as it was risky to cycle on the bridge. In times like these, the bridge was slippery and dangerous. Even the very brave ones had to tow their bicycles on the bridge to avoid any mishaps.
The rain was incessant and it made Jega quite disturbed and at the same time feeling cold. The sound of the water flowing under the bridge was loud and seemed to warning him.
He was just about to lift his bicycle onto the bridge when he felt a sudden chill going down his neck. It was the rain probably, thought Jega as he started to tow old faithful.
He could barely see the other end of the bridge because of the rain. But he was sure he saw a figure at the other end of the bridge. The rain could really play tricks with me, thought Jega. He was even more certain as he strode along. It was not any trick of the mind or the rain. Right in front of him, stood a boy, about his height from where he was.
What on earth is he doing there in the rain? Why is he standing in the middle and not moving away? He must be mad to be there in the freezing rain. Jega thought and thought as he struggled along.
The distance was only ten metres when he noticed that the boy was his best friend from the village. There was indeed something strange on his face. Normally, he had a broad smile that showed all his shining teeth, but here he was standing rigid with a sad and sorrowful look.
Another metre and it suddenly struck him like a bolt of lightning. He remembered that this best friend was found drowned in the river right under the bridge. He was speechless and his heart weighed a ton. He remembered seeing his body lying on the bank of the river after being fished out from the river. He was wailing his heart out for his dear friend. The other family members were calling his name and asking him to wake up. The recollection was so vivid. He had forgotten the cold and the rain and the sound of the water flowing under the river. He was lost and he seemed to be in another dimension.
He could now clearly see the sad and sorrowful features. His eyes was blank and lifeless. Slowly he stretched his right hand, an indication that he wanted to shake Jega’s hand.
Jega was totally absorbed by what he saw. He was in a trance. He was not frightened nor fearful. His heart was heavy. He wanted to shake the hand of this friend. In his mind he knew that this friend does not exist physically but spiritually.
He immediately knew that his friend wanted to say goodbye to him.
Now, I have to ask you readers. Would you shake the hand of this friend?
Jega did just that and do you know what transpired then.
Jega felt a terrible cold stabbing his heart and he fainted. He woke up three days later. He was lying on his bed at home. He opened his eyes and instantly his parents and family members were shouting and holding their palms together and praying aloud. He was lost for words. He was unable to comprehend the situation. The only memory was the journey home after class. The last thing that he remembered was towing his bicycle on the bridge.
His parents asked him a thousand questions but they were shot all at once and he had no time to arrange his thoughts.
The only question on his mind was why there was such a commotion in the house. Then his father said that he was found lying on the bridge in the cold rain by Ah Pek who was on his way home. Nobody could explain the cause and even the doctors were baffled. The doctors could not offer any explanation and had told the parents to take the boy home and hope for a miracle.
On the bridge? Then it struck him hard and intense. He then remembered the friend on the bridge and the out-stretched hand. He then clearly remembered he had shook hand with his best friend. The hand was cold and icy. There was not a single sign of a firm hand shake. It was more of a touch than a handshake. That was the last thing that he could remember. He slowly related his journey home until the handshake. His family members finally understood the whole incident.
They also related what happened during the three days when he was unconscious. He has only uttered the name Ravi several times when he was brought home by Ah Pek on his bicycle.
Ah Pek being the knowledgeable one knew there was something to do with the boy found dead in the river a few days ago; Ravi to be exact.
Ah Pek had bought some offerings of food and fruits and carried out a simple ceremony to appease the spirit of Ravi. It was all done with the consent and the cooperation of Jega’s family members.
Finally Jega wept and prayed that the spirit of Ravi would be free.
This is another story that is suitable for the Festival of The Hungry Ghosts. But this story was a true case of the supernatural that happened in 1971. Never mind what people say about superstitions but things like this do occur. We can never explain things that seem ridiculous.
If you have any such strange but true tales, do share them.
Thank you.
