Ghosts Of Christmas Past

Prompt by: Prompts of Resilience:Ghost Narrator

Prompt: Write a story in the voice of a ghost. Make sure to give the ghost a vibrant personality. Tell us a story they feel close to.

Photo by: Boston Public Library (@bostonpubliclibrary) | Unsplash Photo Community

“Ho, Ho, Ho,” he said in a loud and scary voice.

“What are you? The Ghost of Christmas Past?”

Cyril looked over at Martha.

“Shouldn’t you be celebrating Halloween instead of Christmas?” she continued. “Christmas is too good for ghosts.” 

“It was my favourite season,” Cyril replied. “Christmas Grog. Decorating trees, Christmas grog, wrapping presents, Christmas grog. It was a fine time to be alive,” he said as he eyed the egg nog drink that sat on the table. The oblivious inhabitants of the house had been tempting him for a few days now with their preparations. 

Cyril reached out to pick up the drink but his hand slipped right through the mug. He pulled his hand back and smelled it carefully. “At least the aroma stays for a while.”

“You are impossible,” said Martha stating the obvious. 

“At least this family knows how to celebrate Christmas! They look after their kids really well.”

“You can’t blame the last couple of families. They were older people who were waiting for their families who never came to visit.”

Cyril hustled over to the tree to help steady it. His hand slipped through the foliage.

Martha shook her head. “You are a disgrace,” she mumbled.

“I’ve got a gift for you,” he said with pride.

Martha’s body straightened a bit. She eyed him warily. “What gift could a ghost get another ghost?”  

Cyril smiled. “It could be a hug but that would need a body. It could be a scent but again it would be hard to get.”

“So you’ve got nothing.”

He pulled a picture out of his pocket where it fluttered to the ground. 

“Mommy! Look what I found,” said young Mara as she picked up the picture. Cyril tried to take it back but it was too late.

Mara’s mother looked at the picture. “I wonder who this is? The woman certainly looks happy.”

Martha sniffled a bit as she looked at her family portrait. “Thank you,” she said to Cyril. “It is one of the best Christmases I have had in the last hundred years.”

“Merry Christmas,” replied Cyril with a smile.