The Clock of Secrets

In a corner of the village stood an old house. In front of the house was a large banyan tree, and beneath it, a stone bench. The house had once belonged to an elderly woman named Malati Devi. After her death, the house had remained empty. The locals claimed that Malati Devi’s spirit still roamed the house. But the most mysterious thing was an old clock hanging on the wall of the house.

No one wound the clock, yet it chimed every night at exactly midnight. The villagers said the clock was enchanted by Malati Devi. No one dared to touch it. But one day, a young woman named Meghla arrived from the city. She had studied science and didn’t believe in such stories. She told the locals, "There must be some science behind this clock. I’ll open it and see."

The villagers warned her, but Meghla didn’t listen. In the evening, she stood at the door of the house. Pushing it open, a cold breeze brushed against her. Inside, it was dark, with only the hands of the clock shimmering in the faint light. Meghla turned on her flashlight.

Looking at the clock, Meghla thought, "This looks like an ordinary clock. What mystery could it hold?" She began to open the clock. Suddenly, it started chiming. Meghla was startled. The hands of the clock moved toward 12, and then a voice came from the clock, "Why have you come here?"

Meghla stepped back. She thought, "Am I imagining this?" But the voice spoke again, "If you truly want to know, listen to my story."

Meghla gathered her courage and asked, "Who are you?"

The voice from the clock replied, "I am Malati Devi. This clock is the most precious thing in my life. My husband gifted it to me. But I lost him. Now, I reside within this clock."

Meghla, astonished, asked, "How are you inside the clock?"

Malati Devi’s voice said, "This is a magical clock. My husband was a magician. He created this clock. When I died, he trapped my soul inside it. Now, I live within this clock."

Meghla asked, "Is there a way to free you?"

Malati Devi replied, "Yes, there is. If someone breaks the clock, I will be freed. But no one has the courage to do so."

Meghla thought, "Is this real? Or am I dreaming?" But she decided to break the clock anyway. She fetched a hammer from the house and, looking at the clock, said, "Malati Devi, I want to set you free."

Meghla smashed the clock with the hammer. Suddenly, a bright light filled the room. Meghla closed her eyes. When she opened them, the clock was gone. In its place stood Malati Devi. She smiled at Meghla and said, "Thank you, Meghla. You have freed me."

Then, Malati Devi slowly faded away. Meghla walked out of the house. The villagers asked her, "What happened?"

Meghla replied, "Malati Devi is free now. The house is no longer haunted."

The villagers were amazed and thanked Meghla. From that day on, the house was reopened for people to live in.

Summary

In a remote village, an old, abandoned house is said to be haunted by the spirit of Malati Devi, an elderly woman who once lived there. The most mysterious object in the house is an old clock that chimes every night at midnight, despite no one winding it. The villagers believe the clock is enchanted and avoid touching it.

Meghla, a young woman from the city who studies science, visits the village and dismisses the superstitions. Determined to uncover the truth, she enters the house at night and examines the clock. As she tries to open it, the clock begins to chime, and a voice speaks to her, revealing itself as Malati Devi. Malati explains that her magician husband trapped her soul inside the clock after her death, and the only way to free her is by breaking the clock.

Despite her initial disbelief, Meghla decides to help. She smashes the clock, and Malati Devi’s spirit is finally freed. The villagers, amazed by Meghla’s bravery, thank her, and the house is no longer considered haunted. The story ends with the mystery resolved and Malati Devi’s soul at peace.