Under the Banyan Tree

Under the Banyan Tree” There was a small village in Bengal called Hatkhola. On one edge of the village stood an old, massive banyan tree. Villagers used to say that no one should go near that tree after dusk because a “bald old woman” haunted it.

Many years ago, an elderly beggar woman had taken shelter under that tree. None of the villagers helped her; instead, they drove her away. She passed away under the banyan tree that very night, during a severe storm. After that, anyone who went near the tree after 11 p.m. claimed to have seen a woman in a white saree who was holding a stick and lacked hair. People say the old woman returns for revenge. Anyone who goes under her tree hears her whisper something in their ear… And within days, that person disappears without a trace. No one ever finds them again. Even now, when it gets dark, the people in the village lock their doors tightly. And occasionally, a faint whisper can be heard far away—

"Give me rice, please..."

"Rahul's Daring": Part 2

In the village of Hatkhola, there was a young man named Rahul. He studied in the city but had returned to the village for the holidays. When he heard the ghost stories, he laughed them off and said, “Nonsense! There’s no such thing as ghosts.” His friends warned him to be careful, but Rahul made up his mind—he would go to the banyan tree that very night. He carried a mobile phone and a flashlight. With confidence, he told his friends, “I’ll prove that all these ghost stories are just rumours.” At 11 p.m., the villagers had already locked their doors. The surroundings were silent. Rahul walked alone toward the banyan tree. In the dark, the tree looked even more terrifying—its branches stretched out like arms trying to grab him. Rahul laughed and exclaimed, "Hey, old lady, come out!" while standing under the tree. Let’s see if you can scare me!” Suddenly, the air around him went dead still. The leaves stopped rustling. His flashlight flickered and went out. Even his phone had no signal. And then, from behind, a cold breath touched the back of his neck. A whisper echoed in his ear— “Give me rice…” Rahul turned around—and there she was. An old, bald woman in a white saree, her eyes glowing in the darkness.

Part 3: “Rahul's Resolve”

Rahul gasped and turned around. The old, bald woman in the white saree was slowly approaching him. Her eyes gleamed brightly in the darkness, and though her face showed no emotion, her hands felt like fire. Rahul began to sweat despite the cold night. A wave of terror swept through him. He tried to scream, but his voice caught in his throat, choking him. The woman kept coming closer, and Rahul had no idea what to do. But one thing he knew for sure—if he didn't try to escape now, he might never make it back home. With no time to think, Rahul suddenly crouched down and picked up some dust from the ground, scattering it at the woman’s feet. "I don't have any rice," he said. "But I want to give you peace. You have been on your own for so long. Would you prefer peace instead of rice?" The woman took a moment to pause. The fire in her eyes dimmed slightly. She then silently stretched out her hand and stood next to Rahul, their eyes locking for a brief second. Then, in her strange, eerie voice, the woman spoke, "If you truly seek peace, you must remember—fear and peace are not the same." Hearing this, Rahul took a deep breath. The veil of fear that had gripped his heart seemed to lift. In that moment, Rahul realised that everything in life was symbolic. Ghosts, spirits—they were merely reflections of our invisible fears. Only a brave heart could conquer that fear. The woman's appearance gradually began to fade. Within moments, she vanished completely. Rahul stood there, stunned, as he saw that there was no ghost beneath the tree anymore—only a cool breeze and a sense of tranquillity that seemed to take a step closer. And so, Rahul’s test of courage ended. In the days that followed, the villagers came to know that Rahul had turned the ghost story into a reality.

He never, however, returned to that banyan tree. This is where the story ends, but Rahul’s battle against fear still circulates in whispers throughout the village.