A Shady Plot
The writer, Mr Hallock, was told by his employer Mr Jenkins to write a ghost story. He told Mr Hallock to write a very horrifying story with supernatural elements because the public liked these kind of stories. The writer agreed to this proposal for no one else printed his stuff. He was surprised how he could have written the earlier ghost stories for he was not a specialist in this genre. Whenever he had decided to write a ghost story, surprisingly the plot had appeared from nowhere.
The writer sat down to pen the story, though no idea occurred to him. In fact his mind was wandering towards his wife’s shopping trips and other unghostly things. The writer loudly said, ‘‘This writing business is delightful, isn’t it?” and to his surprise a voice at the other end of the room said, “Yes it is.” The writer was surprised to see a figure taking shape gradually. It was a woman, tall and angular, with enormous fishy eyes, wearing spectacles. She came and stood before the writer. The writer wished to know why that woman had come. She gave a very surprising answer that the writer had only called her to help him in writing a story. Moreover she said that the ghosts were going on strike so the writer should stop bothering her for another plot. She elaborated that all the other stories that had been a hit had come from her only.
The ghost explained that she had been a writer in the earlier birth but now she had collected other ghosts like her and set up a ‘Writers’ Inspiration Bureau’. Now they extended help to a writer who had no ideas. The writer disagreed with the ghost’s views for he had never seen her before so how could she have inspired him. She explained that she had sat on the writer’s shoulder and had given him the plots. But now they were all fed up for being pulled out of beds at all times and had decided to go on strike. The ghost wanted the writer to call all his friends and stop using the Ouija board. The conversation of the writer and the ghostly figure was interrupted by the arrival of the writer’s wife who is surprised to see her husband sitting in the dark and talking loudly to himself. However, she was going gaga over a recent purchase she had made. On the writer’s query she revealed that she had bought Ouija board to help the writer to write the stories. She said that she wanted to make story writing easy for the writer from now onwards. The writer tried his best to dissuade his wife from keeping the ouija board but she refused to listen. The writer thought that he would reason with his wife later.
Next day the writer set out for his job. He worked as an accountant for a lumber company and could not give up his job and take to full-time story-writing due to financial problems. On reaching back home he was told by his cook to get ready and come down as his wife had invited some guests. When he came down eventually, he was surprised to see that their parlour was full of women belong- ing to his wife’s book club. They were sitting in two’s and between two friends there was a Ouija board. Immediately his wife appeared and she wanted the writer to be a partner of Mrs Hinkle, who was without any other friend.
Miss Hinkle took the writer’s fingers and started moving them on the Ouija board. Surprisingly the words spelt on the board were ‘TRAITOR.’ Mrs. Hinkle wanted the board to clarify as to who was a traitor. The Ouija board spelled out that it was Mr Hallock. On enquiring what the identity of the speaker was, the board revealed that it was someone with the name of Helen.
This fact created a furore in the entire room and the ladies along with the writer’s wife gathered around the writer and looked at him accusingly. All the Ouija boards signalled towards the writer. The writer could not answer. He fled the scene and went to sleep. Next morning, he noticed a slip of paper with the message that his wife was leaving him for good and her lawyer would communicate with him. The writer was shocked and surprised at this development. Meanwhile Helen, the ghost, reappeared and told the writer that she had been sent to ensure that his wife was going to get rid of that Ouija board. The writer was very angry and he retorted that the ghost had made the writer lose his wife, his home and his happiness. The writer’s wife Lavinia entered and told the writer that she was moving out. The writer was trying to shield and cover Helen, when his wife remarked that he was behaving very strangely. The Cook barged in and announced that she was not going to serve in a place where there were Ouija boards and activities relating to curses and charms. Lavinia was in no mood to be pacified. She sprang quickly to see who was standing behind her husband.
Helen did not disappear this time and boldly announced to Lavinia that she indeed was Helen. Lavinia felt very miserable to create such a ruckus and accuse her husband of infidelity. The writer felt inspired and realised that he had indeed hit upon an excellent plot for a ghost story.
(i) Do you agree with the narrator calling the assembly of women "manipulators?" Give reasons.
Ans. Assembly of Women were rightly called 'manipulators' by narrator as they very successfully and craftily manipulated the spirits to answer their questions. They extracted the message from the board so that they could gossip about it.
Page No: 50
8. Gladolia, the narrator's cook, is an African. The language she speaks is different from that of the others. This is known as Dialect. A dialect consists of words or phrases that reflect the regional variety of a language. An author often uses a regional dialect to make the dialogue more authentic. Initially a dialogue may seem a little difficult to understand. However, as you continue reading, the language will become more comprehensible.
Working in groups, write what Gladolia's words mean as shown.
9. Read and understand the following ghost phrases and expressions:
Summary of the Chapter
The writer sat down to pen the story, though no idea occurred to him. In fact his mind was wandering towards his wife’s shopping trips and other unghostly things. The writer loudly said, ‘‘This writing business is delightful, isn’t it?” and to his surprise a voice at the other end of the room said, “Yes it is.” The writer was surprised to see a figure taking shape gradually. It was a woman, tall and angular, with enormous fishy eyes, wearing spectacles. She came and stood before the writer. The writer wished to know why that woman had come. She gave a very surprising answer that the writer had only called her to help him in writing a story. Moreover she said that the ghosts were going on strike so the writer should stop bothering her for another plot. She elaborated that all the other stories that had been a hit had come from her only.
The ghost explained that she had been a writer in the earlier birth but now she had collected other ghosts like her and set up a ‘Writers’ Inspiration Bureau’. Now they extended help to a writer who had no ideas. The writer disagreed with the ghost’s views for he had never seen her before so how could she have inspired him. She explained that she had sat on the writer’s shoulder and had given him the plots. But now they were all fed up for being pulled out of beds at all times and had decided to go on strike. The ghost wanted the writer to call all his friends and stop using the Ouija board. The conversation of the writer and the ghostly figure was interrupted by the arrival of the writer’s wife who is surprised to see her husband sitting in the dark and talking loudly to himself. However, she was going gaga over a recent purchase she had made. On the writer’s query she revealed that she had bought Ouija board to help the writer to write the stories. She said that she wanted to make story writing easy for the writer from now onwards. The writer tried his best to dissuade his wife from keeping the ouija board but she refused to listen. The writer thought that he would reason with his wife later.
Next day the writer set out for his job. He worked as an accountant for a lumber company and could not give up his job and take to full-time story-writing due to financial problems. On reaching back home he was told by his cook to get ready and come down as his wife had invited some guests. When he came down eventually, he was surprised to see that their parlour was full of women belong- ing to his wife’s book club. They were sitting in two’s and between two friends there was a Ouija board. Immediately his wife appeared and she wanted the writer to be a partner of Mrs Hinkle, who was without any other friend.
Miss Hinkle took the writer’s fingers and started moving them on the Ouija board. Surprisingly the words spelt on the board were ‘TRAITOR.’ Mrs. Hinkle wanted the board to clarify as to who was a traitor. The Ouija board spelled out that it was Mr Hallock. On enquiring what the identity of the speaker was, the board revealed that it was someone with the name of Helen.
This fact created a furore in the entire room and the ladies along with the writer’s wife gathered around the writer and looked at him accusingly. All the Ouija boards signalled towards the writer. The writer could not answer. He fled the scene and went to sleep. Next morning, he noticed a slip of paper with the message that his wife was leaving him for good and her lawyer would communicate with him. The writer was shocked and surprised at this development. Meanwhile Helen, the ghost, reappeared and told the writer that she had been sent to ensure that his wife was going to get rid of that Ouija board. The writer was very angry and he retorted that the ghost had made the writer lose his wife, his home and his happiness. The writer’s wife Lavinia entered and told the writer that she was moving out. The writer was trying to shield and cover Helen, when his wife remarked that he was behaving very strangely. The Cook barged in and announced that she was not going to serve in a place where there were Ouija boards and activities relating to curses and charms. Lavinia was in no mood to be pacified. She sprang quickly to see who was standing behind her husband.
Helen did not disappear this time and boldly announced to Lavinia that she indeed was Helen. Lavinia felt very miserable to create such a ruckus and accuse her husband of infidelity. The writer felt inspired and realised that he had indeed hit upon an excellent plot for a ghost story.
5 )Answer the following
questions briefly.
(a) What genre of stories does Jenkins want the narrator to write? Why?
Ans. Jenkins wanted the narrator to write ghost stories. He wanted supernatural theme which gave horror and thrill to the public as ghosts were live propositions.
(b) Does the narrator like writing ghost stories? Support your answer with evidence from the story.
Ans. No, the writer does not like writing ghost stories. He himself says 'I didn't specialize in ghost stories.' Whenever he sat down to write a ghost story, he hadn't the shade of an idea. He had chased the inspiration in vain for months when he started writing ghost fiction for the first time. This all shows that the narrator was, though natural, an accidental ghost fiction writer.
(c) What makes Helen, the ghost, and her other co-ghosts organize The Writer's Inspiration Bureau?
Ans. In her previous life Helen had been an author and had often struggled for ideas. So when she became a ghost Helen and other co-ghosts organised The Writer’s Inspiration Bureau because they felt there were many writers without ideas and a vulnerable mind who were looking for an inspiration to write ghost stories. The bureau would assign a ghost to such a writer so that they could write good ghost stories.
(d) Why had Helen, the ghost been helping the narrator write ghost stories? Why was she going on strike? What condition did she place for providing continued help?
Ans. Helen had been helping the narrator because he was keen to write ghost stories but had no ideas and his mind was impressionable. But now the ghosts were fed up of being called too often from their beds. They had given up haunting and had taken up answering questions on the Ouija board but people had started pestering them too often. Helen promised to help the narrator if he would get his friends and acquaintances to stop using the Ouija board.
(e) How does the ghost undermine the narrator's faith in his ability to write ghost stories?
Ans The narrator is sure that ghost stories specialize in him.Whenever Jenkins asked for a ghost story,he had always been able to dig up one for him. So he had started feeling overconfident at his ability.The lady ghost tells him that he always called her to help him in writing a ghost story. Many a time she has leaned on his shoulder to give him ideas. Now, he will not get any more ideas or plots of ghost stories from her . In this way, the lady ghost undermines the narrator's ability to write ghost stories.
(f) Why does John want the ghost to disappear before his wife appears on the scene? What impression of his wife's character do you form from his words?
Ans. Lavinia, John’s wife, is a jealous lady. John does not want Helen to be seen by his wife for fear of complications in his married life. His wife is over sensitive and the sight of a ghost in her house will affect her badly. Lavinia is a nagging, suspicious and a jealous lady.
(g) Why does the narrator hesitate to be a partner to Laura Hinkle during the Ouija Board Party?
Ans. The narrator hesitates to be a partner to Laura Hinkle as he had promised Helen, the ghost, that he would influence his friends to stop using the Ouija board. It was only on this condition that Helen promised to help the narrator to write ghost stories. Secondly, he found Laura to be very flirtatious, which quite unnerved him.
(h) What message does the ghost convey to the group that had assembled in the narrator's house? What is their reaction to the message?
Ans. Through John and Laura’s Ouija Board , Helen called John a ‘traitor’ and then revealed that her name was ‘Helen’. The same message was echoed by all other boards in the room arousing everyone’s suspicion. After this revelation everybody suspected John of cheating upon his wife.
(a) What genre of stories does Jenkins want the narrator to write? Why?
Ans. Jenkins wanted the narrator to write ghost stories. He wanted supernatural theme which gave horror and thrill to the public as ghosts were live propositions.
(b) Does the narrator like writing ghost stories? Support your answer with evidence from the story.
Ans. No, the writer does not like writing ghost stories. He himself says 'I didn't specialize in ghost stories.' Whenever he sat down to write a ghost story, he hadn't the shade of an idea. He had chased the inspiration in vain for months when he started writing ghost fiction for the first time. This all shows that the narrator was, though natural, an accidental ghost fiction writer.
(c) What makes Helen, the ghost, and her other co-ghosts organize The Writer's Inspiration Bureau?
Ans. In her previous life Helen had been an author and had often struggled for ideas. So when she became a ghost Helen and other co-ghosts organised The Writer’s Inspiration Bureau because they felt there were many writers without ideas and a vulnerable mind who were looking for an inspiration to write ghost stories. The bureau would assign a ghost to such a writer so that they could write good ghost stories.
(d) Why had Helen, the ghost been helping the narrator write ghost stories? Why was she going on strike? What condition did she place for providing continued help?
Ans. Helen had been helping the narrator because he was keen to write ghost stories but had no ideas and his mind was impressionable. But now the ghosts were fed up of being called too often from their beds. They had given up haunting and had taken up answering questions on the Ouija board but people had started pestering them too often. Helen promised to help the narrator if he would get his friends and acquaintances to stop using the Ouija board.
(e) How does the ghost undermine the narrator's faith in his ability to write ghost stories?
Ans The narrator is sure that ghost stories specialize in him.Whenever Jenkins asked for a ghost story,he had always been able to dig up one for him. So he had started feeling overconfident at his ability.The lady ghost tells him that he always called her to help him in writing a ghost story. Many a time she has leaned on his shoulder to give him ideas. Now, he will not get any more ideas or plots of ghost stories from her . In this way, the lady ghost undermines the narrator's ability to write ghost stories.
(f) Why does John want the ghost to disappear before his wife appears on the scene? What impression of his wife's character do you form from his words?
Ans. Lavinia, John’s wife, is a jealous lady. John does not want Helen to be seen by his wife for fear of complications in his married life. His wife is over sensitive and the sight of a ghost in her house will affect her badly. Lavinia is a nagging, suspicious and a jealous lady.
(g) Why does the narrator hesitate to be a partner to Laura Hinkle during the Ouija Board Party?
Ans. The narrator hesitates to be a partner to Laura Hinkle as he had promised Helen, the ghost, that he would influence his friends to stop using the Ouija board. It was only on this condition that Helen promised to help the narrator to write ghost stories. Secondly, he found Laura to be very flirtatious, which quite unnerved him.
(h) What message does the ghost convey to the group that had assembled in the narrator's house? What is their reaction to the message?
Ans. Through John and Laura’s Ouija Board , Helen called John a ‘traitor’ and then revealed that her name was ‘Helen’. The same message was echoed by all other boards in the room arousing everyone’s suspicion. After this revelation everybody suspected John of cheating upon his wife.
(i) Do you agree with the narrator calling the assembly of women "manipulators?" Give reasons.
Ans. Assembly of Women were rightly called 'manipulators' by narrator as they very successfully and craftily manipulated the spirits to answer their questions. They extracted the message from the board so that they could gossip about it.
(j) Why is John's wife angry?
What does she decide to do?
Ans. John’s wife is angry because she, like other women, believed what the spirit said through the Ouija board, that her husband, John was a traitor and had been communicating with somebody named Helen. Lavinia thought that her husband was cheating on her. She decided to go to her grandmother’s house. She also decided to separate from her husband.
(k) Why does John wish he were dead?
Ans. John wished he was dead because the ghost Helen had created such situations that he was about to lose his wife, whom he loved dearly, it destroyed his happiness and home. This situation made him feel so helpless, embarrassed and humiliated.
(l) When confronted by Lavinia about his flirtations over the Ouija Board, John insists that 'the affair was quite above-board, I assure you, my love'. Bring out the pun in John's statement.
Ans. One of the meaning of the expression ‘above board’ is being honest and legal. John assures his wife that his flirtations with Helen the ghost are above board. He tries to tell her that whatever that has happened between him and Helen is over the board of Ouija and there was nothing that he wished to hide from his wife; in fact there was nothing to tell.
(m) John's apprehensions about his wife's reaction to her encounter with the ghost are unfounded. Justify.
Ans John thought that his wife would become hysterical if she saw the ghost Helen; however, when the encounter happened, she confidently spoke to the ghost and was not at all scared of it.
Read these answers (you don’t have to do in the notebook)
6. Answer the following questions in detail :
(a) After her reconciliation with her husband, John Hallock, Lavinia writes a letter to her friend expressing how her relationship with him had almost been on the verge of breaking and what saved it. Write her letter.
Examination Hall
Ans. John’s wife is angry because she, like other women, believed what the spirit said through the Ouija board, that her husband, John was a traitor and had been communicating with somebody named Helen. Lavinia thought that her husband was cheating on her. She decided to go to her grandmother’s house. She also decided to separate from her husband.
(k) Why does John wish he were dead?
Ans. John wished he was dead because the ghost Helen had created such situations that he was about to lose his wife, whom he loved dearly, it destroyed his happiness and home. This situation made him feel so helpless, embarrassed and humiliated.
(l) When confronted by Lavinia about his flirtations over the Ouija Board, John insists that 'the affair was quite above-board, I assure you, my love'. Bring out the pun in John's statement.
Ans. One of the meaning of the expression ‘above board’ is being honest and legal. John assures his wife that his flirtations with Helen the ghost are above board. He tries to tell her that whatever that has happened between him and Helen is over the board of Ouija and there was nothing that he wished to hide from his wife; in fact there was nothing to tell.
(m) John's apprehensions about his wife's reaction to her encounter with the ghost are unfounded. Justify.
Ans John thought that his wife would become hysterical if she saw the ghost Helen; however, when the encounter happened, she confidently spoke to the ghost and was not at all scared of it.
Read these answers (you don’t have to do in the notebook)
6. Answer the following questions in detail :
(a) After her reconciliation with her husband, John Hallock, Lavinia writes a letter to her friend expressing how her relationship with him had almost been on the verge of breaking and what saved it. Write her letter.
Examination Hall
New Delhi
30th October.
Dear Friend,
30th October.
Dear Friend,
How are you? Hope you
are doing fine. Sorry about delaying in replying to your letter. I was caught
in some personal problems.
I wished to share a
life-changing experience with you, my dear. About a month ago I, along with the
women in my group, was fascinated with Ouija boards and we organised a party at
my home. We were all excited and John had to substitute for someone. The party
progressed and you wouldn't believe what happened next. A ghost named Helen
tried to communicate with John through all the five boards and called him a
traitor. John looked uncomfortable and guilty. I was angry and jealous. I could
not believe it and spent the while night crying. By moving I had packed and
decided to file a divorce. I went to inform John and was shocked when he tried
to hide someone in the room from me. I thrust him aside was greeted with a
ghost! Can you believe it? She looked like phantom and I understood later that
she had been providing John with inspiration for his stories. She was somewhat
annoyed with him because she wanted him to convince people to stop using Ouija
boards. I am so glad that my marriage did not break up. A ghost saved it,
literally!
John and I share a
wonderful life now. I hope you enjoyed reading about my encounter with a ghost.
So much for now.
Look forward to your reply.Love
Yours truly
Lavinia
(b) John Hallock reflects upon his experience with Helen's ghost and in retrospect he finds it quite amusing. All the same he is relieved that he is no longer plagued by it. Ironically, the self same ghost inspires his creativity and he writes a diary entry reflecting upon the comical aspect of his experience. Write his diary entry.
Answer
30 November
Dear Diary
The past few days have been a roller coaster ride for me. I was sitting in my study trying to write a ghost story and suddenly a ghost appeared. At first I could not believe it, however, slowly I got talking to it. She declared that she and other ghosts were going on a strike. Imagine ghosts going on a strike! Apparently, she had helped me write all my earlier ghost stories, as what she claimed. She then appeared in the Ouija board session that my wife had organised for her friends. She called me a traitor openly in front of all my folks. My wife and her friends almost believed that I was cheating on my wife. Lavinia threatened to leave me. Here I was caught between a ghost who threatened to go on a strike and a wife who was on the verge of leaving me. Phew!!
Thankfully Lavinia, got a chance to meet and speak to Helen and her misunderstanding was cleared. One good thing came out of these encounters with Helen, I now have got an idea for my next story. This one is going to be my best story so far.John
Page No: 49
7. The narrator and his wife reveal something about their character in their words and actions. We also learn about them from what other people say. Can you pick out the words that describe them from the box given below? Also, pick out lines and instances from the story to illustrate your choice.
So much for now.
Look forward to your reply.Love
Yours truly
Lavinia
(b) John Hallock reflects upon his experience with Helen's ghost and in retrospect he finds it quite amusing. All the same he is relieved that he is no longer plagued by it. Ironically, the self same ghost inspires his creativity and he writes a diary entry reflecting upon the comical aspect of his experience. Write his diary entry.
Answer
30 November
Dear Diary
The past few days have been a roller coaster ride for me. I was sitting in my study trying to write a ghost story and suddenly a ghost appeared. At first I could not believe it, however, slowly I got talking to it. She declared that she and other ghosts were going on a strike. Imagine ghosts going on a strike! Apparently, she had helped me write all my earlier ghost stories, as what she claimed. She then appeared in the Ouija board session that my wife had organised for her friends. She called me a traitor openly in front of all my folks. My wife and her friends almost believed that I was cheating on my wife. Lavinia threatened to leave me. Here I was caught between a ghost who threatened to go on a strike and a wife who was on the verge of leaving me. Phew!!
Thankfully Lavinia, got a chance to meet and speak to Helen and her misunderstanding was cleared. One good thing came out of these encounters with Helen, I now have got an idea for my next story. This one is going to be my best story so far.John
Page No: 49
7. The narrator and his wife reveal something about their character in their words and actions. We also learn about them from what other people say. Can you pick out the words that describe them from the box given below? Also, pick out lines and instances from the story to illustrate your choice.
|
shy
|
arrogant
|
loyal
|
clever
|
overconfident
|
Manipulative
|
|
protective
|
self-disparaging
|
suspicious
|
sceptical
|
jealous fearless
|
Firm
|
|
shrewd
|
strong
|
gullible
|
sly
|
creative
|
Loves novelty and thrills
|
|
Answer
Person |
Extract from story
|
What it tells us about the character
|
|
John Hallock
|
1. …in the end things had
always come my Hallock way….. somehow I'd always been able to dig one (plot)
up for him, so I'd begun to get a bit cocky as to my ability (to write
stories).
|
1. Overconfident,
self-disparaging
|
|
2. "But my ghosts aren't
a bit like you----".
|
2. sceptical
|
|
|
3. We scout around until we
find a writer without ideas and with a mind soft enough to accept impression.
|
3. gullible
|
|
|
4. A ghost story
had been the first fiction I had written. Curious how that idea for a plot
had come to me out of nowhere after I had chased inspiration in vain for
months! Even now whenever Jenkins wanted a ghost, he called on me.
|
4. creative
|
|
|
5. I threw a protecting
husbandly arm about her to catch her when she should faint.
|
5. protective
|
|
|
Lavinia Hallock
|
1. …and how on earth I was
going to cure her of her alarming tendency to take every new fad that came
along and work it to death.
|
1. loves novelty and thrills
|
|
2. You know I bought the
loveliest thing this afternoon.
|
2. Spendthrift
|
|
|
3. Lavinia stopped and began
to look at me through narrowed lids much as she had done in the library the
evening before.
|
3. suspicious
|
|
|
4. She went on, “It is bad
enough to have you flirt over the Ouija board with that hussy…..
She thrust me back with
sudden muscle. “I will see who’s behind you! Where is that Helen?”
|
4. jealous
|
|
|
5. Buys the Ouija board but
says it is for John's research
|
5. manipulative
|
|
|
6. Does not flinch when she
meets the ghost but talks to her casually.
|
6. strong
|
Page No: 50
8. Gladolia, the narrator's cook, is an African. The language she speaks is different from that of the others. This is known as Dialect. A dialect consists of words or phrases that reflect the regional variety of a language. An author often uses a regional dialect to make the dialogue more authentic. Initially a dialogue may seem a little difficult to understand. However, as you continue reading, the language will become more comprehensible.
Working in groups, write what Gladolia's words mean as shown.
Answer
|
Column A
|
Column B
|
|
·
Misto Hallock
|
·
Mister Hallock
|
|
·
de Missus
|
·
the Mrs.
|
|
·
sho t'inks you's lost!
|
·
she thinks you are lost
|
|
·
she done 'phone you dis
mawnin'
|
·
she called you this morning
|
|
·
fo' de lawd's sake
|
·
for the Lord’s sake
|
|
·
not to stop to argify now
|
·
don’t stop to argue now
|
|
·
I's gwine t' quit.
|
·
I am going to quit
|
|
·
I don't like no hoodoos.
|
·
I don’t like voodoo magic
|
|
·
I'se done lef' dis place
|
·
I am done with this place and
I am going to leave this place.
|
|
·
I is
|
·
I am
|
9. Read and understand the following ghost phrases and expressions:
(a) To give up the ghost-- to
die or to stop trying
(b) A ghost of a chance-- a poor chance, not likely to happen
(c) The ghost at the feast-- something or someone that spoils your enjoyment by reminding you of something unpleasant
(d) Ghost town-- a town where most people have left-abandoned and deserted
(e) Ghost-write- to write for someone else
(f) Lay the ghost of something/somebody (to rest)-- to finally stop being worried or upset by something or someone that has worried or upset you for a long time
(g) Ghost image -- secondary image, esp. one appearing on a television screen as a white shadow, caused by poor or double reception or by a defect in the receiver
(h) the ghost of a smile - faint trace of a smile
(i) As white as a ghost- very pale or white in the face
Now complete the following story by using the appropriate phrases in the blanks given below:
I was alone in a place that bore a deserted look like that of a ghost town.
I increased the pace of my footsteps as I walked through the dark forest. I felt someone walking behind me. I turned immediately and spotted the contour of a figure in the form of a ghost image .
It smiled at me wickedly .I started shaking with fear and perspiring profusely when I felt its skeletal hand upon my neck. I woke up with a start, relieved that it was only a nightmare.
This was not the first time I had had one. It had all started when I had watched the horrendous horror film with a eerie ghost character that had a scary ghost of a smile on its face.It had been almost a month. The strange thing was that I saw a similar face at the station the next morning. That was uncanny.
I was to attend a dinner at my friend's at Northanger Abbey that night. I had decided to narrate my experience to the group that would assemble there although I knew there was a ghost of a chance that they would be convinced.
After everyone had finished pouring their drinks to themselves, I cleared my throat and started narrating my spooky experience.
However, every one of the group started accusing me of being the ghost at the feast and held me responsible for spoiling the spirit of revelry. I gave up the ghost and sat quietly waiting for the party to be over. Back at home, the fears returned .I knew I had to talk about my experience to somebody to feel better. I have now decided to ghost write and publish my experience under a pseudonym. Only then can I lay the ghost .
Page No: 52
Writing
11. Do you think a story has an atmosphere? Complete the following blanks to make up your ghost story by choosing the correct options.
A Ghost Story
She opened the _________________ (secret door/ spaceship's hatch/ door of the cottage/ cemetery gate/ door of the castle/ cockpit) _________________ (brashly/ loudly/ silently/ stupidly/ fearfully/ joyously).
Standing in front of her was a ________________ (terrifying/ handsome/ smelly/ anonymous/ tiny/ huge/ bossy) ___________ (policeman/ spy/ apparition/ witch/ prince/ wizard) with a _________________ (wand/ rose/ rod/ knife/ scythe/ coded message) in his/ her (its) _________________ (ghoulish/ bony/ beautiful/ fair/ manly/ gloved/ magical) hand.
Now that you have shared a ghost story/anecdote as well as completed a guided story in the class, create your own Ghost story on the basis of the starters given below:
(a) Stephen knew he would never sleep. The noises, those horrid sounds, would keep him awake...
(b) Tap, tap, tap. Was it the branches of the nearby tree, or fingernails against the window?
(c) People often say, 'There's no such thing as ghosts....
Answer
A Ghost Story
(b) A ghost of a chance-- a poor chance, not likely to happen
(c) The ghost at the feast-- something or someone that spoils your enjoyment by reminding you of something unpleasant
(d) Ghost town-- a town where most people have left-abandoned and deserted
(e) Ghost-write- to write for someone else
(f) Lay the ghost of something/somebody (to rest)-- to finally stop being worried or upset by something or someone that has worried or upset you for a long time
(g) Ghost image -- secondary image, esp. one appearing on a television screen as a white shadow, caused by poor or double reception or by a defect in the receiver
(h) the ghost of a smile - faint trace of a smile
(i) As white as a ghost- very pale or white in the face
Now complete the following story by using the appropriate phrases in the blanks given below:
I was alone in a place that bore a deserted look like that of a ghost town.
I increased the pace of my footsteps as I walked through the dark forest. I felt someone walking behind me. I turned immediately and spotted the contour of a figure in the form of a ghost image .
It smiled at me wickedly .I started shaking with fear and perspiring profusely when I felt its skeletal hand upon my neck. I woke up with a start, relieved that it was only a nightmare.
This was not the first time I had had one. It had all started when I had watched the horrendous horror film with a eerie ghost character that had a scary ghost of a smile on its face.It had been almost a month. The strange thing was that I saw a similar face at the station the next morning. That was uncanny.
I was to attend a dinner at my friend's at Northanger Abbey that night. I had decided to narrate my experience to the group that would assemble there although I knew there was a ghost of a chance that they would be convinced.
After everyone had finished pouring their drinks to themselves, I cleared my throat and started narrating my spooky experience.
However, every one of the group started accusing me of being the ghost at the feast and held me responsible for spoiling the spirit of revelry. I gave up the ghost and sat quietly waiting for the party to be over. Back at home, the fears returned .I knew I had to talk about my experience to somebody to feel better. I have now decided to ghost write and publish my experience under a pseudonym. Only then can I lay the ghost .
Page No: 52
Writing
11. Do you think a story has an atmosphere? Complete the following blanks to make up your ghost story by choosing the correct options.
A Ghost Story
She opened the _________________ (secret door/ spaceship's hatch/ door of the cottage/ cemetery gate/ door of the castle/ cockpit) _________________ (brashly/ loudly/ silently/ stupidly/ fearfully/ joyously).
Standing in front of her was a ________________ (terrifying/ handsome/ smelly/ anonymous/ tiny/ huge/ bossy) ___________ (policeman/ spy/ apparition/ witch/ prince/ wizard) with a _________________ (wand/ rose/ rod/ knife/ scythe/ coded message) in his/ her (its) _________________ (ghoulish/ bony/ beautiful/ fair/ manly/ gloved/ magical) hand.
Now that you have shared a ghost story/anecdote as well as completed a guided story in the class, create your own Ghost story on the basis of the starters given below:
(a) Stephen knew he would never sleep. The noises, those horrid sounds, would keep him awake...
(b) Tap, tap, tap. Was it the branches of the nearby tree, or fingernails against the window?
(c) People often say, 'There's no such thing as ghosts....
Answer
A Ghost Story
She opened the cemetery gate silently.
Standing in front of
her was a huge apparition with a scythe in his bony hand.
M G road was unusually lonely and deserted. It generally is crowded at the time. It was only half past six in the evening. Maybe the unusual downpour had forced people to leave their offices early. Darkness had descended earlier than the usual. Stephen had to stop and wait for the storm to halt. He had to break his journey that night. The weather did not seem to favour him. He spotted a motel and pulled in. He turned the car into their driveway. His room was on the top floor. Stephen knew he would never sleep; new places always unsettled him. As he tossed and turned in the bed, he heard strange noises. The noises died down after sometime, they returned again. Those horrid sounds were keeping him awake. He decided to investigate. Suddenly, he heard tap, tap on the window pane. Was it the branches of the nearby tree, or fingernails against the window? Stephen could not see anything. Maybe it was just a figment of his imagination. He tried going back to sleep; however, the incessant tapping on the window pane kept him awake. Maybe it was a ghost.
The storm seemed to abate a little. Stephen decided to go for a walk. The motel was all quiet except for a faint light at the reception. Stephen saw a frail figure bent over a book, probably trying to read something in that faint light. Stephen was happy. He had company now. He approached the reception. The old man’s back was against him. Stephen cleared his throat to get his attention. As the old man turned around to face Stephen…….Stephen screamed in horror….he had no face….there were just balls of fire in his eye sockets. Stephen ran out of the motel and sped away in his car. And they say, ‘There is no such thing as ghosts’.
M G road was unusually lonely and deserted. It generally is crowded at the time. It was only half past six in the evening. Maybe the unusual downpour had forced people to leave their offices early. Darkness had descended earlier than the usual. Stephen had to stop and wait for the storm to halt. He had to break his journey that night. The weather did not seem to favour him. He spotted a motel and pulled in. He turned the car into their driveway. His room was on the top floor. Stephen knew he would never sleep; new places always unsettled him. As he tossed and turned in the bed, he heard strange noises. The noises died down after sometime, they returned again. Those horrid sounds were keeping him awake. He decided to investigate. Suddenly, he heard tap, tap on the window pane. Was it the branches of the nearby tree, or fingernails against the window? Stephen could not see anything. Maybe it was just a figment of his imagination. He tried going back to sleep; however, the incessant tapping on the window pane kept him awake. Maybe it was a ghost.
The storm seemed to abate a little. Stephen decided to go for a walk. The motel was all quiet except for a faint light at the reception. Stephen saw a frail figure bent over a book, probably trying to read something in that faint light. Stephen was happy. He had company now. He approached the reception. The old man’s back was against him. Stephen cleared his throat to get his attention. As the old man turned around to face Stephen…….Stephen screamed in horror….he had no face….there were just balls of fire in his eye sockets. Stephen ran out of the motel and sped away in his car. And they say, ‘There is no such thing as ghosts’.
