September 1. “Button, do you believe in ghosts?”

“I am confused.”

“Lots of people believe that ghosts exist. I have not seen one, though, nor felt its presence.”

“But have you noticed both Rani and Mowgli bark looking in the direction of the bedroom Dost’s mother occupied?”

“I have and the staff at home joke and frighten the others by saying things like Rani and Mowgli are barking because they must have seen a ghost. It could be something both of them have seen outside the window or heard something and the truth is that once either of them start barking, the other follows suit. But I don’t quite believe in ghosts.”

“But the fact that you say you don’t QUITE believe they exist means that you have that teenie weenie doubt in your mind.”

“I can say with firmness that I don’t believe in ghosts.”

“What are ghosts and why is everybody scared of them?”

“If I believed in ghosts, I would define them as a presence. When you see someone and interact with that person, his physical presence is assuring but not being able to see someone and feeling the person’s presence is eerie.”

“Do you know of someone who believes in ghosts and has actually felt its presence?”

“Can’t think of anyone.”

“What about ghost stories and horror movies?

“Must be somebody’s imagination running riot!”