Mistiness, something out of the corner of the eye… there was a feeling in the air, a presence, a hint of sound.
In the ethereal world, the ghostly companion continued, “Lyle, being clear is essential to making yourself known.”
Lyle was worried, “We might scare them. I was scared of ghosts when I was with them.”
“If you’re clear, they’ll see you for who you were.”
Lyle tried again. His presence grew clear. His parents were startled at first but stood with tears in their eyes.
“Mumma, poppa, I’m okay. Nana is here with me. I love you both.”
His presence faded. His love remained.
Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.
Ross's Writing Blog 
The Writers Village
August 28, 2012 at 09:25
Nice, nice story. I like the sensitivity that the child displayed worrying about his parents seeing him as a ghost and scaring them as he was afraid of ghosts when he was alive; and then nana teaching him that if you’re clear, they’ll see you for who you are. And a great ending. All in all, very nice. Randy
Ross Mannell
August 31, 2012 at 22:13
Thanks for the comment.
For there to be an afterlife we could treasure, the love would have to go on. It would be a great comfort for parents to know a lost child was with loved ones.
Midlife Singlemum
August 29, 2012 at 01:58
This is exactly what the 100 word challenge should be – a whole story in 100 words. And it’s a wonderful story on every level. Well done!
Ross Mannell
August 31, 2012 at 22:14
Thanks for the comment.
Some challenges don’t lend well to stories if we are to accomplish them but this one was a chance to return to the short fiction I enjoy.
Delft
August 29, 2012 at 03:26
Nice take on the clear!
And lovely story.
Ross Mannell
August 31, 2012 at 22:18
Thanks for the comment.
One of the challenges I make for myself is to try to find a different way of looking at a task. Clear speech was the most obvious but I didn’t like the way my story was heading then the idea of a ghost child came to mind.
newpillowbook
August 30, 2012 at 07:10
Mmm – ghost’s eye view of a haunting! Very original take on the prompt, and a sweet story.
Ross Mannell
August 31, 2012 at 22:24
Thanks for the comment.
Many years back, a 10 year old student of mine said she had been frightened the night before by what she thought was the ghost of her grandmother. I had asked her if she loved her grandmother and her grandmother had loved her. She had said they loved each other very much. This roughly is what I said to her…
If your grandmother loved you so much, she wouldn’t want to scare you. If you did see her ghost, she would be checking to see if you were okay. That’s what people who love us do.
The girl smiled and left the room happy.
Susan Mann
August 31, 2012 at 22:59
Beautiful, bitter sweet, but lovely x
Ross Mannell
August 31, 2012 at 23:40
Thanks for the comment.
It would be reassuring to know the love goes on as the message in the “Ghost” movie told us a number of years back.