Once upon a time, an ancient castle called Ravenshire stood perched atop a misty hill. Legend had it that the castle was haunted by a ghost named Sir Whisp, who was infamous for frightening every visitor who dared to step inside. Sir Whisp’s spectral form was tall and translucent, often glowing faintly in the darkness, and he would bellow loudly,
“Get out! Leave this place! This is my home, not yours!” startling even the bravest souls.
For centuries, visitors were terrified of Ravenshire. No one ever stayed long enough to enjoy its grand halls or explore its history; they only wanted to escape the ghostly shouts and eerie whispers.
One day, a young traveller named Oliver arrived at the castle. Unlike others, Oliver was not afraid of ghosts. He had read stories of spirits and believed that they only wanted to be understood. When Sir Whisp appeared and roared, Oliver simply looked at him calmly and said,
“Hello there. Why do you scare people?”
The ghost was taken aback. No one had ever spoken kindly to him before.
“I frighten people because I am lonely,” Sir Whisp replied. “Long ago, I was a noble knight, but now I am trapped here, unseen and unheard. My only way to be noticed is to shout and scare.”
Oliver listened thoughtfully and then said,
“If you want to be seen and heard, why not try speaking softly or sharing your story? Maybe people would listen and learn about you.”
For the first time, Sir Whisp paused. He realised that his loudness only pushed visitors away and deepened his loneliness. From that day, he decided to change his ways. The next visitor who entered Ravenshire found the ghost not shouting loudly but softly whispering,
“Welcome, traveller.”
He told stories of the castle’s history and his own past as a brave knight. Visitors found the ghost’s new gentle demeanour more charming than frightening. They began to enjoy their visits, listening to Sir Whisp’s tales and marvelling at the castle’s mysteries. Thanks to Oliver’s kindness and understanding, the ghost’s appearance softened, and Ravenshire became a place where stories and spirits could coexist peacefully. And so, the ghostly goings-on turned from frightful to friendly, filling the castle with a new kind of magic, one born of compassion and empathy.
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 