The Ghost and the Ancestral Home | 鬼魂与祖宅

English Original

There was once an Indian woman named Devi. She had a young son named Lahuve. They had fled their ancestral home years before because an evil spirit had killed eight family members, including Devi's parents-in-law and Lahuve's six uncles. They were the sole survivors.

Years later, the grown-up Lahuve asked about their origins. Convinced by his son's bravery, Devi agreed to return to their old home. However, fear still gripped her heart. Every day, she made food offerings to the ghost to appease it, which puzzled Lahuve.

One day, Lahuve wanted to eat the portion set aside for the ghost. His mother forbade him, explaining the ghost would kill them if not fed. Lahuve was skeptical.

That day, the ghost appeared. Lahuve confronted him. The ghost revealed he was Lahuve's granduncle, seeking vengeance for being robbed and left to die in poverty. He boasted of his power, claiming he could fly to heaven and the ghost realm instantly.

Lahuve then asked if the ghost could take a message to the angels: "How long will I live?" The ghost returned the next day with an answer: "Until sixty." Lahuve asked him to inquire if he could die earlier or live longer. The ghost returned with the final verdict: "It is not possible. The length of human life is predestined."

Upon hearing this, Lahuve immediately ate the ghost's offering, grabbed a burning piece of wood, and chased the ghost away. The ghost threatened them but, having heard the angels' decree himself, had no real power left. Lahuve had learned the truth, and the ghost could no longer threaten them.


中文翻译

从前,有一位名叫黛薇的印度妇女。她有一个年幼的儿子名叫拉胡维。多年前,他们逃离了祖宅,因为一个恶灵杀死了八位家庭成员,包括黛薇的公婆和拉胡维的六个叔叔。他们是仅存的幸存者。

多年后,长大成人的拉胡维问起他们的来历。被儿子的勇敢说服,黛薇同意返回老宅。然而,恐惧依然萦绕在她心头。每天,她都会向鬼魂供奉食物以安抚它,这让拉胡维感到困惑。

一天,拉胡维想吃留给鬼魂的那份食物。他的母亲禁止他这样做,解释说如果不供奉,鬼魂会杀了他们。拉胡维表示怀疑。

那天,鬼魂出现了。拉胡维直面他。鬼魂透露他是拉胡维的叔祖父,因被抢夺财产并在贫困痛苦中死去而前来复仇。他吹嘘自己的力量,声称可以瞬间飞往天堂和鬼界。

拉胡维于是问鬼魂能否给天使带个口信:“我能活多久?”鬼魂第二天带回答案:“直到六十岁。”拉胡维让他再去问问自己能否早死或活得更久。鬼魂带回了最终裁决:“不可能。人的寿命是天定的。”

听到这话,拉胡维立刻吃掉了给鬼魂的供品,抓起一根燃烧的木柴,将鬼魂赶走了。鬼魂威胁他们,但既然亲耳听到了天使的裁决,他已失去了真正的力量。拉胡维知晓了真相,鬼魂再也无法威胁他们了。

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