Ning's Ghost Story

Story told by Ning

It's the "Hungry Ghost Month" again.  Da usually gets very nervous during this time and tells me to be careful and not stay out too late at night lest I bump into some spooks.  Well, I'm not too concerned about this, not all spooks are evil, some are lonely old souls who miss their family, some died tragically in an accident or mishap.  They just want some friendly companionship and someone to listen to their woes.  I also believe they're there all the time, not only during this "Hungry Ghost" month.

Last night after leaving the Club at midnight, I decided to take a short cut to my hideout.  I hadn't used it for some time and it meant going through a path with trees and bushes but it would take me home faster.

I was trudging along in the semi-darkness when suddenly I felt a cold wind blow towards me.  Then I saw them - a young couple both dressed in white.  I knew at once that they were ghosts.  I wasn't the least bit scared, so I casually asked. "Hi, what are you two ghosts doing here?"

The young man (whom I shall call Ghost 1) looked surprised and asked, "Aren't you afraid of us, little cat?"

I laughed.  "Why should I be?  If you're going to suck my blood, you would have done so without wasting time talking."

Ghost 2 smiled and said, "We're not vampires.  You need not worry."

"Okay then," I said.  "Tell me what happened to you two!"

Well, they both had sad tales to tell and when they finished, I gathered that they had  died very young, in the same hospital, on the same day, at the same time one month ago .  He had cancer and she had leukemia and neither of them knew of this strange coincidence until now. 

"We only bumped into each other just now," said Ghost 2.  Then to my dismay, she burst into a flood of tears, saying how she missed her mum and siblings.

I had often heard Da speak of loving kindness and compassion and this lady ghost's tears were enough to melt any heart of stone.  I decided I had to help her in some way.

Meantime Ghost 1 had put an arm around her to comfort her and as their eyes met, I could see sparks fly!

So I said to Ghost 1, "Look, your friend needs someone to look after her, she's lonely and miserable and you're the perfect man ... I mean ghost .... for the job.  Why don't you help her, you'll be blessed with a good rebirth for your good deed!" (That was something Da also talked about - a good rebirth and it came in handy!)

Ghost 1 looked at Ghost 2 and whispered, "I'd be honored to take care of you .... may I?" I was very relieved when she smiled and nodded her consent.  

With that settled, I went home feeling very pleased with myself.  Never at any point in my life had I imagined I would play "matchmaker" to two ghosts!  Before they left, I asked for their names  (they were Wan  Don Yu and Luo An Jie (or Don and Anjie for short).  I carefully noted them down on a piece of paper before I went to sleep.

A couple of days later, I went to see Da and told him of my encounter with the two young ghosts.  He was stunned and found my story quite unbelievable! I then told him that I had  gone to the hospital to check their records and every detail was correct, just as they had told me - date of death, time, etc. and their file photos of course matched the apparitions I saw.

To me, their meeting in the afterlife was like pre-destined because in their earthly sojourn, their illness prevented them from leading a normal life.

I didn't see Don and Anjie again after that first meeting even though I took the shortcut to my hideout several times hoping to meet them.  

As Da would say, I wish them peace, happiness and eternal rest.

"Aren't you afraid of us, little cat?"

Cat Wisdom

Attachment

 

SADHU!  SADHU!  SADHU!

The Spooks are Here Again!

It's that dreaded time of year again - the 7th lunar month or the "Hungry Ghost Month"!  Most of you out there know how nervous I get during this time!  The entire Ghost Month runs for a month (from August 13) when the gates of the underworld open to let out wandering spirits!  So usually I sleep early with my blanket thrown over my head and shades over my eyes, so that I see nothing, hear nothing.

However, about two evenings after the Ghost Month began, I had a strange, if not unnerving experience.  I had gone to bed early and so had the nuns but I couldn't sleep.  So after tossing about, I decided to sit at the window of the kitchen to look at what's going on out there.

It was quite dark and all I could see were  shadowy bushes and plants in Head Nun's garden.  A few cars sped by, their headlights sometimes shining at the temple.  Then suddenly I heard someone call me.   I was about to turn and see who it was when I remembered what the humans said about hearing things at night during this spooky month, which is if you hear someone call your name or tap your shoulder from behind, you should avoid turning round to look because who knows who or what you're going to see!

So I froze on the window sill, my hair standing on end.  After a while, I thought it was safe to get down and go back to my basket but then again, I heard my name being called .... "Vege Cat"...... and the voice seemed to be getting nearer!

I panicked.  I jumped from the window sill and dived into my basket, threw my blanket over my head and froze.  After a while, nothing happened and finally I found courage to jump out of my basket.  I ran to APK's room and knocked on her door.

A very sleepy APK opened it and asked, "Vege Cat!  What do you want?  Why aren't you asleep yet?"

I told her in a shaky voice what had happened.  She smiled, gathered me up in her arms and said, "Aya, you silly cat.  Your fear has made you imagine all sorts of things.  For your information, I heard someone call my name too last night....."

"You did?" I gasped.  "Then what ... what happened?  Who or what was it?  Did you take a look?"

"Do you really want to know?" she asked, her face serious.

"Y-yes," I replied, goose pimples running up and down my spine.

"If I tell you, you're sure you won't be scared?" 

I gulped.  "I'm....I'm sure," I whispered.

She rolled her eyes, shuddered, then took a deep breath (at this point, I gripped her tight, my heart pounding) and in a quivering voice, she said, "I saw ...... HEAD NUN!"  

Then she broke into peals of laughter and seeing the expression on my face, said she was telling the truth - Head Nun did come to check whether she needed an extra blanket.  

If that was meant to be funny, I didn't think it was.  I heard what I heard but she didn't believe me. 

I shall have to ask Head Nun to buy me a pair of ear plugs when she next goes to town.

Goodnight, everyone and sleep tight ....if you can.

The Heaviest Burden

The Buddha taught that anger is a destructive, self-inflicted mental state.  It's like grabbing hot coal to throw at someone, but you are the one who gets burnt first.  Anger hurts your peace, equanimity, health, among other things.

So next time someone makes you angry, go drink a glass of cold water.  Take a walk and get away from the scene of anger.  Choose not to accept the abuse, leave it with the person who brought it, treat it like an unclaimed gift.

Walk gently, speak kindly.

Namo Buddhaya.

With Metta,

DA

Cat Wisdom

 

Happy International Cat Day

Happy International Cat Day to all my feline friends, especially Ning and Mi Mi!  May you all be blessed by the Lord Buddha and be well, happy and peaceful always! 

The photo above, taken by Head Nun, is a candid shot of APK and another nun in the temple kitchen.  The nun holding me helps Head Nun with the cooking and is a kind, old soul.  APK also did a colorful poster for ICD, a result of her flair for art!

I am grateful to the humans who have created ICD which falls on 8 August each year to raise awareness for cats and look into ways to help and protect us. God bless you all!

This is also an appropriate occasion to express my grateful thanks to Head Nun and her nuns for their love and kindness and for sharing the Buddha's wisdom with me.

Lots of love to everyone! 💘 

DA

The Wedding - Pt. 2

 

The next morning after the wedding, I was surprised to see Farmer Chen at the coop.  I happened to be there delivering some chicken feed and he asked to see Bruce Lee.  His face was grave and he clutched what looked like a letter in his hand.

When Bruce Lee came out, he said to him quietly, "I have some bad news about Ms. Penny."

"What?  What happened? Is she sick?* gasped Bruce Lee, quite alarmed.

Farmer Chen drew in a deep breath, then said, "Last night, Mr. Cluck Cluck ran away and left her devastated, she's been crying the whole night...."

When Bruce Lee heard that, he became very upset and yelled, "That scoundrel!  Wait till I get my hands on him!" 

"He gave her this letter which she asked me to show you," continued Farmer Chen. 

  Bruce Lee took it from the old man's hand and started reading it aloud.

"Ms. Penny, I am sorry ......"

"Ms. Penny, I am sorry but I cannot go through with it.  It was all a mistake, I should not have married you.  You see, I am tired of being cooped up at the coop, I want to go out and see the world but I know Bruce Lee will never let me go.  So I thought if I married you, I would get a chance to leave the coop.  I used you as a means to escape and I am truly sorry, please forgive me.  Signed: Cluck Cluck."

Bruce Lee threw the letter on the ground and stomped on it in anger.  "You bloody idiot, don't think you'll get away with this!" he raged.

Some of the hens had heard the commotion and they gathered round, some scolding Cluck Cluck.  TL told them to go back inside and asked Bruce Lee to calm down.

"Let's settle this rationally," said TL.  "There's no use scolding Cluck Cluck, he's young and hot headed and I can understand his feelings.  But I am surprised he didn't run away on his own long ago...."

"He didn't have the guts," snorted Bruce Lee.  "I should have seen this coming.  Some time ago I overheard him telling one of the roosters that he planned to run away one day but I didn't think he would actually dare do it!"

Farmer Chen then interrupted.  "Look, let's not cry over spilt milk.  Ms. Penny has asked me if she could stay for a while at my farm as she is too ashamed to come back here lest the other hens laugh at her.  I have no objection.  What about you, Bruce Lee?"

Bruce Lee hesitated, then said, "Alright, but you make sure she comes to no harm!"

Farmer Chen nodded, then took his leave.

(It was then that I understood why Bruce Lee looked disturbed after the wedding.  He had suddenly remembered what Cluck Cluck had said about running away and was afraid it might happen.  And it did.)

Bruce Lee made it clear that he was not going to let the matter rest.  

"I shall gather all the roosters and hunt him down!" he said, his face red with anger.

Thank goodness TL was quick to intervene.

"Look, don't waste your time, old friend," he said.  "By now, he would have gone miles away.  Let him be, it's his life, who knows he may regret it one day and come back to you."

Bruce Lee snorted again and after thinking for a while, said, "Alright, alright, I won't argue with you.  I don't know why I should listen to you but I hope you're right, he needs to be taught a lesson!"

TL then put a wing gently round Bruce Lee like he was his father and led him back inside the coop.  I'm so glad we have a sensible character like TL, he's always so wise and understanding and ready to pour oil on troubled waters!

Fortunately the story has a happy ending.  After Ms. Penny had spent a couple of weeks at Farmer Chen's farm, a middle aged rooster fell in love with her and wooed her until she agreed to marry him.  However, she asked to remain at the farm with her new husband to which Bruce Lee reluctantly agreed.

So all's well that ends well.  

Recently, Head Nun broached again the idea of giving away Bruce Lee and all the hens and roosters to Farmer Chen as she felt he could handle them better.  The idea sounded a practical one but then who's going to wake us up every morning after Bruce Lee is gone?

August Greetings

 

With Metta,

DA

The Wedding - Pt. 1

All of a sudden, things are livening up at the coop.  TL told me the other day that Ms.Penny had received a proposal of marriage from a young rooster by the name of Mr. Cluck Cluck.

"I am very happy for Ms.Penny," said TL.  "It's the best thing that could happen to her after that unfortunate incident with Ms. Brown.  I hear Mr. Cluck Cluck is a decent fellow, doesn't talk much and minds his own business."

Just then, Bruce Lee came striding out from the coop.

"Huh, are you talking about that Cluck guy?"

"Yes," replied TL.  "I gather that Ms. Penny has asked you for your blessings for her marriage to him and you have consented."

"So I have," said Bruce Lee.  "But I have warned that young fella that if he ever mistreats her or makes her miserable, I'm going to wring his neck and make mincemeat out of hm!" 

Bruce Lee had always been very possessive over his hens but obviously he cannot keep them all to himself.  I guess he realizes that he should not be selfish and I'm glad he put Ms Penny's happiness before his own.

So preparations for the wedding began.  Ms. Penny said that she wanted the marriage ceremony to be held amidst nature, so Mei (the white dove) who knows the nearby forest quite well, found a little clearing not far from the coop.  It has beautiful trees and a little brook, just the perfect setting for a wedding.

Devotees from the temple helped to put up an arch and decorated it with flowers, and some lights were also strung up around the trees.

So the big day came.  Head Nun and the nuns had of course been invited but could not attend due to temple duties.  The only guests were the hens and roosters from the coop as Ms. Penny preferred it to be a small quiet affair.  She herself looked resplendent with flowers on her head and the bridegroom looked handsome in his black tuxedo!

TL officiated the wedding and Bruce Lee like a proud father gave away the bride.  It was a lovely wedding and after everyone had wished the couple a "happily ever after" life, Mei took them to Farmer Chen's farm for the couple's honeymoon.  The old farmer had very kindly agreed that they could stay at his farm for a few days and enjoy the fresh, green surroundings.

So after all the excitement, I returned to the temple and the coop residents returned to the coop.  Everyone was in a happy mood but I noticed Bruce Lee looked a little disturbed. 

"Vege Cat, do you think they will be happy together?" he asked me suddenly.

"Oh, I'm sure they will be," I said.  

"Hmph," he grunted and went inside the coop.

I wondered what was on his mind but I knew he was not going to tell me, so I left it at that.

(To be continued)

A lovely whimsical wedding in a forest