Neighborly Ghosts

Mary Beth had gone to spend the summer with her aunt. Aunt Lyddie had bought a very old house that was haunted. Mary Beth was both excited and nervous at the possibility of sleeping in a haunted house.

The first night, Mary Beth saw a figure in the mirror. It was just a glimpse, but she was sure she saw it. Aunt Lyddie saw a ghost in the pantry. Night after night, the sightings continued.

One morning over breakfast, Mary Beth asked, “Aunt Lyddie, are you afraid of the ghosts?”

“Oh, maybe a little bit, but it’s all very exciting to own a haunted house,” she said.

Mary Beth thought about that and then asked, “Why are the ghosts here? What do they want?”

“That’s a very good question,” responded Aunt Lyddie. “I intend to ask the museum curator when he makes a visit later today.”

A few hours later, the museum curator came to the door. He came to examine some old artifacts Aunt Lyddie had found in the basement.

Aunt Lyddie couldn’t wait a minute longer. “Tell us about the ghosts that live in this house.”

“This house?” asked the curator. “This house isn’t haunted. It’s actually the house next door that’s haunted.”

“Oh,” replied Aunt Lyddie as the curator left. Mary Beth was looking out the window. “Oh, look, Aunt Lyddie, I think I see a ghost in the neighbor’s garden.” That raised Aunt Lyddie’s spirits, and off they went next door to investigate.