Summary of The Ghost-Brahman

Summary of The Ghost-Brahman

In Lal Behari Dey's "The Ghost-Brahman," a poor Brahman leaves home to earn money, only for a ghost to usurp his identity and live with his family. When the real Brahman returns years later, the ghost drives him away. The confused King fails to solve the dispute between the look-alikes. However, a clever shepherd boy playing "King" intervenes. He challenges both claimants to enter a narrow-necked phial. The real Brahman refuses the impossible task, but the arrogant ghost shrinks and enters. The boy seals the phial, restoring the Brahman’s rightful life and family.

The Ghost-Brahman : Summary

In Lal Behari Dey's "The Ghost-Brahman," a poor Brahman marries and travels abroad to earn a living. In his absence, a ghost assumes his form and lives with his unsuspecting wife and mother. When the real Brahman returns years later, he is shocked to find an imposter. The ghost successfully drives him out, and even the local King is too baffled by their identical appearances to deliver a verdict.

Desperate, the Brahman meets a clever shepherd boy playing "King." The boy takes the case and challenges both men to enter a narrow-necked phial. While the Brahman mocks the impossible task, the ghost boastfully shrinks into the bottle. The boy quickly seals it, permanently restoring the Brahman’s home and family.

The Ghost-Brahman: Story Summary

In Lal Behari Dey's captivating folktale "The Ghost-Brahman," a poor Brahman leaves his new bride and mother to seek fortune abroad, only for a ghost to instantly usurp his identity. The imposter lives undiscovered for years until the real Brahman returns, leading to a bitter dispute over his home and wife. When the confused King fails to deliver justice, a clever shepherd boy playing "King" in the pastures intervenes. He challenges both claimants to prove their identity by entering a narrow-necked phial. While the human Brahman mocks the impossible task, the arrogant ghost uses his supernatural powers to shrink and enter the bottle. The boy quickly seals the lid, trapping the spirit forever and restoring the Brahman’s rightful life and family happiness.