Ghost Tales

Ricin took up the chat as Chade watched the ghost closely.  Apparently, he couldn’t believe ghosts didn’t exist any longer.  There was no doubting what his eyes saw, ears heard but had no scent at all to it.  The darker blue pup wanted to tell Ricin not to lay down but didn’t want to correct him in front of the wolf spirit.  Besides, maybe Chade was wrong and it was safe to lie down.  Chade didn’t like not knowing what to do or say and that was pretty much all he felt at this moment.  He preferred making quick decisions and how could he decide if he didn’t understand.

Chade shook his head at Ricin asking about the moon speaking.  Chade had to acknowledge ghosts did exist but there was no way the moon talked.  Chade looked up to the giant bright moon and acknowledged it as simply impossible.  The boy stayed silent as the lady spoke but then moved to one side as he stepped closer towards the dense part of the fog that hid everything from sight.  He had to test something that he’d regret not doing regardless of what happened!  Auntie was talking about having always known about spirits and how she’d heard the moon speak or some sort of stuff.  It reminded him of those fictional stories dad used to tell them.  Made up stuff but fun to listen to and imagine.  Chade assumed that was all this ghost was doing as well.  Maybe ghosts got bored?

Chade is just about to touch what seems like the tail of the ghost wolf when he hears Ricin asks how and he pauses the swat.  Chade looks about at the light, glancing up, “Ah c’mon Ry,” Chade points up with the paw that he’d been about to swipe with as if innocent of his near act, “Just the clouds messing with the light.” Chade refused to be fooled, obviously the more close-minded of the two.  “I don’t buy it,” he spoke flatly.

She goes back to talking to Ricin and Chade goes back to his plan.  A paw sticks through what should be a ghost-tail and sure enough finds nothing solid.  Growing bolder he walks through the foggy wolve, grinning at Ricin as he steps out the other side to walk back to where his brother lay near the ghost wolf.  Chade wasn’t going to lay down but he did sit at least.  “The moon’s big Auntie Vela, if it spoke everyone everywhere would hear it.  There’s no way it talks a lot, well, ever.”  Chade said this with a nod of his head as if this clarified it all.

The ghost hadn’t bothered watching Chade’s antics prior but now adds on, “So, you believe in ghosts now I take it?”  Assuming walking through her was good enough. “As to your point,” the old wolf says in her gentle nature, “Not all things talk the way we do.  Does the food have to touch your tongue to make you aware of how good it will taste, even things you have never tasted?  Did you have to learn a name and speak with every scent you smell to already know what source it comes from?  Do you wait for the dark clouds to realize rain is coming?”

“I learned the scent of things by experience,” Chade guardedly states but he had never thought about the food nor the weather and while there was surely an answer it was hard to think up on the spot.

“I see,” Vela responds with an amused smile, “It is something you two will have to decide to believe or not on your own.  If you are open to the idea though there are ways to make it easier to hear the moon and the other spirits.  There are ways to talk to them without necessarily using words.”  The ghost sighed a bit at that, “However, I am no longer part of this world and its not for I to pass on the ways of my family and generation.  Listen well if you want to share in a bond between the moon or other spirits.  Respect needs to be shown to spirits, to earth, stars, and the moon if you wish their aid, or even how to assist your own soul when needed.  The soul, more than any part of you, can feel the effects of such spirits.”

Chade was quiet, scowling as if he’d already decided to not believe.  He was only being quiet so Ricin could enjoy it.  Well, ok, maybe some part of him was a little curious.  Maybe he’d test whatever way she came up with just to prove to himself that she was wrong.  There was still a small soft part of his mind that had to wonder, what if he was wrong?

“The spirits watch for those who believe in them and offer respect.  Ceremonies and rituals are the way my family taught me.  Actions that were repeated at certain points in the year or when certain events came up.  We celebrated the birth of new life in the world.  When a mother had pups we always had a ceremony to ask that the moon always watches over our children to grant them wisdom and blessings.  Once a year rituals were held to ask the earth to always provide us with plentiful food.”  Vela looked up at the moon, smiling and she stood up, “My family is gone, I can tell.  All our ways are likely gone as well.  I suggest you both think for a while, question the land or moon how to show respect and to get its blessings.  You must open yourself up to the belief or you will be too closed up from the world to hear its answers.”

Chade stood up as she did, “Wait, where are you going?”

“I don’t belong here and so I should go back where I belong,” the ghost spoke.  Auntie Vela looked between them, “Was there something else you wanted to know before I left?  I have given you what I can.”

“Say Hi to our dad if you see him?” Chade hadn’t planned it but like a softly whispered plea.  Did ghosts see other ghosts?

"Speech"