Mystery of the old bungalow

Minu's family moves into an old bungalow near a reserve forest. Minu hears strange animal noises and one day chases a mysterious girl in white. Her mother follows, but when she reaches the main road, Minu is gone and an old crone laughs eerily, reminding her of the estate agent's words: "You won't know until it happens." Is the house haunted?

“Is this house haunted?” Minu heard her mother ask the real estate agent.

The lady hesitated; then reluctantly said, “I wouldn’t know. Nor will you. Until it happens.”

Ma raised her eyebrows questioningly but the real estate agent would not say anything more. Minu’s father was unpacking the car and the lorry had arrived with their things, so there was no time for more talk. It was a late summer evening and the colours of the changing season were eye-catching.

Minu and her family quickly settled into the old bungalow below the reserve forest. That first night, as Minu lay on her bed, she was frightened. She thought she heard an elephant trumpet, a tiger growl and various other animal sounds. But, with daybreak, she knew that it was all only her imagination.

Weeks passed and there was nothing to bother the happy family. They settled down comfortably and Minu’s only grouse was that she had no friends to play with.

One afternoon, towards the end of the October, Minu went out into the garden. She walked around bouncing her ball, singing to herself. All of a sudden, the ball was snatched away from her. She heard the sound of running feet and a teasing laugh. She thought she caught a glimpse of movement behind the camellia bush. “Hey, that’s rude,” shouted Minu, as she gave chase.

Minu’s mother, who was watching from the window, was surprised to see Minu talking to someone. “Has she found a friend at last?” she wondered. She frowned, as she saw Minu shouting to someone and then haring off down the drive. Worried, she came out of the house.