The Ghost at the Crossroads | 十字路口的幽灵

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There is a village with several households in a wild land. Nobody from the village would go near the crossroads after midnight. Everyone said the place was haunted, and many claimed to have seen a white, one-eyed woman figure there, accompanied by a large black cat.

One night, Tom and Mick were in the village pub. They were discussing the ghost. "I don't believe in ghosts," said Tom with a smile. "I bet you won't go to the crossroads alone after midnight," challenged Mick.

Tom laughed and replied, "I'll go if you will." So, the two men agreed to meet at the crossroads at midnight.

Tom decided to play a trick on Mick. He arrived just before midnight, covered his face and hair with flour from a bag, and waited. It was a very dark and quiet night. As the village clock struck twelve, a shrill bird cry pierced the darkness, chilling the blood. Then he heard Mick calling, "Tom, are you there?" Tom remained silent, sitting perfectly still on a stone, struggling not to laugh.

When Mick came close enough to see Tom's flour-covered face, he took one look, screamed, and ran off down the road. Tom laughed so hard he fell off the stone.

Early the next day, Tom went to Mick's house. Mick was in the kitchen, having locked all doors and windows. A shotgun lay on the table. He looked tired and frightened, having stayed up all night.

"Well," said Tom, trying not to laugh, "did you see the ghost last night?"

"Oh yes," whispered Mick, "I saw her as plain as day."

"You fool!" Tom exclaimed. "That was me you saw sitting on the stone!"

"Oh yes," said Mick, "I saw you on the stone. And I also saw that evil one-eyed witch with her cat, standing right behind you."

Upon hearing this, Tom's face went quite white, as if someone had dusted it with flour again.

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