The tree ghost threatens the barber who will frighten it with its reflection, Warwick Goble, 1912
The pale bearded ghost rises beside the seated barber and threatens to destroy him. Goble’s representation precedes the mirror trick; the ghost’s uncle is not individually shown, and the airy body is the artist’s interpretation.
Overview
A forest ghost descends toward a barber with spread arms and a gaping mouth, towering like a tall palmyra. The barber presents a mirror as proof that he has captured other ghosts in his bag. Mistaking its reflection for a prisoner, the ghost buys its freedom with a thousand gold coins and a granary filled with paddy.
Its uncle initially recognizes the barber’s trick, but becomes equally frightened when shown the mirror himself and promises another granary filled with rice. The uncle’s arrival produces a perceptible blast of wind. The ghosts and their labor are real within the tale; the claim that the barber has already captured spirits is the deception. The two unnamed relatives are kept in one family entry rather than giving the reflected images separate identities.
Origins & earliest records
Bengali oral storytelling translated by Lal Behari Day
Records & interpretation
Complete relevant tale, attached notes,1883 preface and1912 edition credits directly read.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Folk-Tales of Bengal
XX, The Ghost who was Afraid of being Bagged, pp.247–250; first edition1883, illustrationsWarwickGoble
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
Primary records and illustrations
Lal Behari Day, Folk-Tales of Bengal (Macmillan,1912; first edition1883)
XX. XX, The Ghost who was Afraid of being Bagged, pp.247–250
Complete tale and footnotes read, pluspreface andeditionhistory. Bengali oral informants described collectively, individual teller of this tale not identified. Original paraphrase; no source-image verification claimed.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Historical translated oral narrative and collector notesLal Behari Day, Folk-Tales of Bengal (1912), XX, The Ghost who was Afraid of being Bagged, pp.247–250Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationThe tree ghost threatens the barber who will frighten it with its reflection, Warwick Goble, 1912
The pale bearded ghost rises beside the seated barber and threatens to destroy him. Goble’s representation precedes the mirror trick; the ghost’s uncle is not individually shown, and the airy body is the artist’s interpretation.
