A story of a little ghost

Once upon a time, somewhere not very far (though the distance is relative) there was a forest. Completely ordinary forest: green in summer, white in winter, with birds, squirrels, small ghost and other animals. Ok, maybe the ghost is not so usual, but trust me, it was quiet, pale and even a bit friendly. Farmers from a nearby village never gave much attention to it, although if you’d meet a ghost on the dirt road you’d exchange small nods as greetings. And rare visitors never got to know about the ghost at all, ‘cause as I said – it was very quiet and unnoticeable.

Years passed by and nobody was counting them, until one day a new family moved to the village, an old married couple, tired from life in a big city. They were met with warm hospitality, which still exists in such closed secluded places. Farmers were using every chance to stop by and start a little chat, curious about everything that the old couple could tell: what was their work and how’s life in a big city, what are prices and how many children they have. And old couple was a bit surprised with such attention, then flattered, then a bit annoyed with repeating same stuff all over again. But I have to give them some credit: no matter what, they remain patient and polite. The evening of the same day farmers organized sort of a welcome dinner, with lots of food and drinks (everything as local and organic as it can get). And one word after another, somebody mentioned the ghost, I guess just to show that not only city has its attractions.

-       You said a ghost? – asked the old lady. – An actual real ghost?!

Farmers affirmed that yes, there is a small ghost living in a forest for many years.

-       But that is horrible! – claimed the old lady. – How can you sleep at night knowing that something…something so unnatural, dangerous is close? No-no-no, I will not let it go like this anymore.

-       Darling, - she turned to her husband who was more busy with a roasted chicken than with a talk. – We have to do something about it, since we are going to live here!

Then someone murmured that the ghost is completely harmless, so an old lady shouldn't worry so much, and  awkward topic was quickly changed.

The next afternoon old lady went to a priest to talk about the ghost problem. A priest had nothing against the ghost, but it is tough to live on donations in a small village and old lady hinted that if it would work out she gonna be very grateful. Long story short: in the evening priest was already in the forest with a book of exorcisms and other sacred stuff which he considered helpful. It took him some time to find a ghost, but finally he saw it sitting on a low branch, almost invisible in a rising fog.

-       Khm, - said the priest. –Khm, khm!

And when the ghost made a glance to his side the priest awkwardly said:

-       Good evening. Here is a thing… I came to expel you from the forest.

The ghost waved a bit, like a piece of cloth in the wind, and whispered:

-       Why?

The priest was surprised and a bit baffled, ‘cause nor he, nor anyone else, up to his memory, ever heard the ghost talking, beside the actual reason was so pragmatic he was ashamed to tell it. He took a minute or two to think and then said:

-       People in the village are uncomfortable that there is a ghost in the forest. That’s why you better make it easier for everyone and just go away.

The ghost signed:

-       I lived in this forest… for two hundred years… never made any harm to anyone.

It seemed to priest that it is struggling to talk, very quietly with big pauses, so the priest had to come closer to hear:

-       I like this place, looking at the rising sun in the morning…listening to the wind playing with trees at night…. Watching animals around: eating, hunting, having kids… the change of life... This forest... feels like home. Do I really have to leave?

The priest, confused, scratched his head:

-       I’m afraid so.

The ghost waved again and started to disappear little by little, getting more and more like a fog between the trees.

-Wait! – said the priest. – Why you are so quiet, so humble even now, when you are leaving this place forever? I thought that ghosts are evil spirits, cursing those who stand against them!

He was looking around, but couldn't find any sign of the ghost left, when chilly wind brought few words from nowhere:

-       I lived here for two hundred years, but I’m more than five thousand years old. This is not the first home I have to leave.

-       Then where are you going? – asked the priest. – Another forest? But eventually you’ll have to leave it too!

-       And why is it wrong… as long as there is a new home is waiting for me.