The Old Man, The Witch, and The Brave Children – A Supernatural Tale of Courage

In a quiet little town, not too far from where you and I live, there was once a retired schoolteacher named Mr. Shanker. He was a kind-hearted old man with a long, scruffy beard and hair so sparse it barely needed combing. His clothes were often shabby, and his face carried the weariness of a life filled with unspoken sorrow. The few students who had known him during his teaching days remembered his gentle manner and loving nature. But the rest of the townsfolk found nothing special about him—just an old man wandering the streets, lost in thought.

Every morning, Mr. Shanker took a solitary walk before sunrise. His days had become monotonous, his life an unchanging routine. But one fateful morning, as the sky began to glow faintly with the first rays of dawn, he spotted a tiny black puppy lying helplessly by the roadside. The poor creature was little more than a bundle of bones, its eyes sunken and lifeless. It looked as though it hadn’t eaten in days.

As he stood staring with pity, a passerby warned him, “Leave it, sir. It’s probably diseased. And if it survives, it’ll be a nuisance.”

But Mr. Shanker couldn’t ignore the frail life in front of him. He bought some milk from a nearby tea stall and gently fed the puppy by soaking a corner of his handkerchief in it. Slowly, the pup regained enough strength to lift its head and wag its tail feebly. Mr. Shanker smiled softly and carried the puppy to a corner of an old, crumbling building for shelter.

As he was about to leave, he noticed a skinny old woman watching him intently from the shadows. Her eyes glimmered unnaturally, sharp and piercing, making Mr. Shanker uneasy. He quickly turned away and went home, but the woman’s disturbing gaze lingered in his mind.

The next morning, he returned to check on the puppy, only to find it missing. His heart sank, but just as he was about to give up, he heard a faint whimper from a nearby ditch. The puppy had fallen in and couldn’t climb out. Mr. Shanker rescued it again, fed it more milk and biscuits, and decided to stay longer this time.

But then, he noticed the same eerie woman watching him again, her eyes as sharp as needles.

“What are you doing with that pup, old man?” she croaked. “Why save a creature already meant for death?”

Startled, Mr. Shanker replied, “Who are you to decide its fate? Not everything in life is about utility.”

The woman’s face twisted into something inhuman. “That pup is mine! I collect starved, abandoned creatures. But once someone touches them, I must wait twenty-four hours before I can claim them. You ruined that. But no more!” She snatched the puppy, stuffed it into her bag, and vanished into thin air.

Mr. Shanker stood frozen in disbelief.

Another passerby, who had seen the encounter, whispered, “She’s a witch. Stay away. Interfering with their business can be dangerous.”

That night, Mr. Shanker told his wife the entire story, but she dismissed it, blaming his old age and overactive imagination. However, two of his favorite pupils, a brave twelve-year-old boy named Pintu and his curious younger sister Tina, overheard the tale. Excited by the possibility of a real witch, the siblings decided to follow their teacher on his morning walk.

At the break of dawn, Pintu and Tina sneaked out and tailed Mr. Shanker at a safe distance. Soon, they watched the old man face the witch once again. The witch was furious and waved her hands, causing Mr. Shanker to collapse. Then, with a ghastly laugh, she dragged his unconscious body into a shadowy corner—and disappeared with him!

The children were terrified but determined. Tina, trembling, whispered to Pintu that they should pray, just as their teacher had once taught them. Together, with eyes shut and hearts hopeful, they prayed for help.

Suddenly, a shimmering fairy appeared, radiant and kind. “Courageous children,” she said gently, “because of your bravery and pure hearts, I have come to aid you.” She handed them two small pouches—one filled with red chili powder, the other with black pepper. “These are a witch’s greatest weakness. Use them wisely. And take this stick—it will shine light in the darkness.”

With the fairy’s guidance, a hidden trapdoor was revealed where the witch had vanished. Armed with light and courage, the children descended into a dark tunnel. There, they found their beloved teacher sitting despondently, the black puppy cradled in his arms.

Before they could escape, the witch returned, sniffing the air. She sensed intruders. As she tore aside a curtain where the children hid, Pintu flung the chili powder into her eyes. The witch screamed in agony, clawing at her burning face.

“You wretched children! What have you done to me?” she shrieked.

Before she could recover, Tina threw the black pepper onto her. The witch began to melt, her body dissolving into a pool of foul-smelling liquid, until nothing remained.

Freed at last, Mr. Shanker embraced the children. They explored the witch’s lair and discovered cages filled with starving puppies and kittens. Together, they rescued every one of them and returned to the surface just as dawn broke.

Back at Mr. Shanker’s home, his wife scolded him playfully for bringing stray animals, still dismissing the talk of witches. But Pintu, Tina, and the grateful old teacher exchanged knowing smiles. The little black puppy, healthier now, wagged its tail happily—it had found a new home, surrounded by kindness and courage.

Moral of the Story

Bravery, compassion, and faith can conquer even the darkest magic. When you choose to help the helpless, forces of good will always guide your way.