The Trishaw Man Who Didn't Believe

Most of the people who believe in ghosts are the ones who have gone through the experience.
In south east Asia, abnormal things do happen in the seventh month of the Chinese luna calendar.

This is also called 'The month of the Hungry Ghosts'. The month when the 'gates of hell' are opened to let out the hungry ghosts. Ghosts who have no offerings from love ones, ghosts who died a tragic death, ghosts who can't find peace because of 'unsolved problems in their previous life' and many more.

During this month, if you walk along the streets of china town, you would notice all the offerings left on the roadside for the 'hungry ghosts'.

Grandmothers would warn family members not to venture out late at night. Do what ever you have to do during the day and stay in at night, for fear you may bump into 'unwanted presences that follow you home'.

Stories told by my grandmother, aunties and friends are scary and frightening.
Some stories even leave you never wishing to be alone in the dark again.

Keep posted, more stories to come.

Copyright © 2005 May Fam


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THE TRISHAW MAN WHO DIDN’T BELIEVE

Copyright © 2005 MayFam

In the 1940s, the mode of transport was by trishaw or rickshaw, the trishaw moves faster because it’s got 3 wheels and the driver rides it like a bicycle. It’s got cushion seat for 2 adults and it’s got a bell and head lights for night transport.

In small kampongs and small towns, ghost stories are many and scary, some are from true experience. Usually the trishaw man stops work after 10pm because kampong people seldom go out late at night.

Ah Wang, being a hard working man, didn’t believe in such stories and would often work till quite late. Trying to make more money for his family.

One night, in the month of August [the Chinese believe this is the month when Hell is open to let out the hungry ghosts, ghosts who don’t have anyone to send them offerings. Ghosts on the loose for a month looking for offerings. During this month, a lot of families would leave offerings by the road for these hungry ghosts.]


That night, Ah Wang was disappointed by a lack of business. The whole night was wet, windy and raining. He thought, ‘who wants to go out on a night like this?’
As he turned a corner he saw a lady in a cheong sum with an umbrella. She waved to him, as he got near, he saw that she was a lady with class; her shoes, clothes and hair style were all perfect.
As she got in his trishaw, she gave him a piece of paper with an address and he peddled his way there. When they got there, she alighted and handed him a thick bundle of notes. He was very happy, seeing a big wad of money.

He hurried home to tell his wife, telling himself this last trip would make up for a few days of work. When he got in his house, his wife said, ‘you are late, its pass 12 midnight’. He replied, ‘not to worry, I made enough, to take a few days, off’.

As he took the wad of notes out of his pocket, he and his wife were so shocked by what they saw; he quickly threw the notes out the door. It was not money, but ‘hell money’ for ghosts and the dead.

Not being able to sleep the whole night, he got early the next morning, taking the address from his pocket he went to look for the house. What he found was not a house but a cemetery with a tomb stone number.

Ends.