Hakim and The Phantoms

The Abandoned Inn

In a certain village stood an old inn that had long since been abandoned. Now in ruins, no one dared approach it, for rumours circulated that it was haunted.

A Life of Addiction

Hakim, a resident of that village, was an opium addict. His greatest pleasure lay in smoking his opium pipe. Once he had indulged, he would lie for hours, as motionless as a log. Whatever money he earned, he spent on his habit.

A Desperate Situation

One day, Hakim found himself a pauper. All his money was gone, and even his stock of opium had vanished. He walked around the village begging for money, but no one was willing to lend him any. They knew too well what he would do once he got his hands on some cash.

A Mischievous Plan

In his state of despair, a group of mischievous lads from the village decided to play a prank on Hakim. They approached him and said, “Brother, we’ll give you some opium and food, but you must spend a night in the haunted inn. Do you agree?” Hakim eagerly nodded and replied, “Brothers, give me just a few ounces of opium, and I’ll even visit hell to please you.”

The Night at the Inn

The lads gave him a food packet and some opium. That night, they took him to the deserted inn and left him in the silent hall. Hakim smoked his pipe and gradually drifted away from the external world, oblivious to his surroundings.

The Ghosts’ Surprise

In that haunted house lived a host of phantoms who were surprised and then angry that their peace had been disturbed. They flitted across the hall silently to investigate and found Hakim resting against a pillar. They moved around him, jostling each other for a closer look. Their icy fingers rubbed against his face, but he remained still.

A Startling Revelation

One ghost approached Hakim’s face and screamed in fright when he saw that Hakim’s eyes were wide open, two pinpoints of bright flame, red and fiery. Little did the ghosts realize that he was simply under the influence of opium.

Seeking Food

At this point, Hakim woke up, sat straight, and felt very hungry. In the darkness, he searched for the food packet. Eventually, his fingers found the knot of the cloth bundle. “Ha, Top Knot, I’ll eat you first,” he exclaimed. He opened the bundle and pulled out a rice cake, chuckling, “I’ll swallow you whole, fatty.” His probing fingers then found an egg. He caressed it and said, “Bald Head, you’re next.” Finally, he took out a piece of coarse bread and remarked, “So there you are Furry Fur. I won’t leave you behind either.”

Phantoms in Fear

All the phantom listeners trembled in great fright. Some of their names were Top Knot, Fatty, Bald Head, and Furry Fur. They thought Hakim intended to eat them. They whispered to one another, “This man is no ordinary mortal. He knows who we are and says he’ll gobble us up. Let us appease him and then flee.”

A Surprising Outcome

In a panic, the phantoms retreated into the desolate rooms and gathered large hoards of gold and silver from their hiding spots. They placed the treasure near Hakim and pleaded, “Sir, take these and spare our lives.”

A New Dawn

Hakim’s bloodshot eyes opened wider, and he mumbled incoherently, “No, that won’t do. I’m very hungry. I must gobble up everything at once!” Upon hearing these words, the phantoms fled for their lives, not stopping until they reached another land.

A Treasure Found

In the morning, Hakim regained his senses and found himself surrounded by a veritable treasure trove. Naturally, he took it home and lived a happy life. When the village folks heard of his brave night confronting the ghosts in the haunted inn, they made him the next Mayor. In this new role, he had little to do, allowing him to smoke his opium pipe all day and live in bliss.

The Biggest Horse

What was thought to be the biggest horse on record was a Belgian stallion owned by a man in the American state of Iowa. In 1938, when the horse was nine years old, it weighed over a ton. Its owner famously turned down an offer of $32,000 for it. Since then, nothing more has been heard of this impressive stallion.