Chapter 4 – Folk-Tales of Bengal – The Ghost Brahman solution

Content Structure

  • 1. About the author – Lal Behari Dey
  • 2. Summary of the story The Ghost Brahman
  • 3. Word meanings

1. About the author – Lal Behari Dey

Lal Behari Dey was born on 18 December 1824 in Bengal during British rule. He was well known as an Indian writer, journalist, and Christian missionary. He was famous for his English writing and for collecting and publishing Bengali folktales. He studied in a missionary school and later became a teacher and pastor. His most popular book is Folk-Tales of Bengal, which shares the rich culture and stories of rural Bengal. He wanted people to appreciate his simple and powerful writing, which was respected widely. He died on 28 October 1892.

2. Summary of the story The Ghost Brahman

Once upon a time, there lived a poor Brahman who was not a Kulin Brahman, so he faced many problems in getting married. He went door to door begging from rich people, and after some time, he married and returned to his mother with his wife. After a few days, the Brahman told his mother that he did not have enough money to take care of both his wife and his mother, so he decided to travel to faraway places for many years in search of money. He gave his remaining money to his mother and left. That evening, a ghost appeared who looked exactly like the Brahman, which surprised his real Brahman wife. The ghost Brahman told her that the day had been bad and that he had earned more money to take care of her, so the ghost began living with the Brahman’s wife and mother. Many years passed, one day, the real Brahman returned home. Everyone was shocked to see both Brahmans, so they went to the king seeking justice but the king was confused after seeing the ghost Brahman, who looked exactly like the real Brahman. The confused king asked the real Brahman to come again the next day. The next day, while walking the same path, the real Brahman passed by some young boys playing. These boys had seen him walking there every day. One day, they asked him about his problem so with little hope, he shared his story with them. The boys promised to solve the matter if the king gave them permission so the real Brahman went to the king and requested permission, and the king agreed. The next day, the real Brahman, his family, and the ghost Brahman met the young boys. One of the boys brought a small bottle with a thin neck and said, “Whoever can enter this bottle easily will be the true owner of the house.” Hearing this, the real Brahman became angry, but the ghost Brahman agreed. He transformed into a small insect and entered the bottle easily. Immediately, the young boy closed the bottle with a cork and told the real Brahman to throw it into the middle of the sea and return to his home. The Brahman followed the boy’s advice and later lived in peace with his mother, wife, and children.

The Ghost Brahman Extra Questions and Answers

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3. Word meanings

WordMeanings
FlatteredSaid nice things to please someone
ScrapingGathering
AssumingActing
AppearanceLook
PretendTo act like something is true when it’s not
DrovePushed
WonderSurprise
MuteSilent
BethoughtSuddenly remembered or got an idea
LayingPutting something down
QuarrelFight
BesoughtBegged
WeepingCrying
StrikingHitting something
PossessionSomething that someone owns
FellowA man or boy
CowboysBoys who take care of cows
MeadowA grassy field
GrazeAnimals eating grass
VizierA minister who helps the king
SoughtAsked
Narrow neckA thin top of a bottle
PhialA small glass bottle
DeclaredSaid something clearly and firmly
IntellectThe ability to think and understand

Related Links

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