The Capybara and The Ghost - By Hanvitha Golla

Written By: Hanvitha Golla

Category: Story

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the captivating short story "The Capybara and The Ghost," Hanvitha Golla takes readers on a poignant journey of friendship and memory. This narrative is part of the esteemed Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar, showcasing the creative prowess of young writers. Through a tale that combines the ordinary with the supernatural, Hanvitha weaves a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

About the Work

Hanvitha's story delicately explores themes of friendship, loss, and reconciliation. The mood shifts from eerie to heartwarming as the narrative unfolds, revealing a touching reunion between a capybara and the ghost of his best friend. The story's rich imagery and emotional depth invite readers to reflect on the enduring bonds of friendship and the healing power of memories.

The Capybara and The Ghost

Original Submission by Hanvitha Golla

Name: Hanvitha Golla | Admission No.: 3775 | Grade & Division: Grade 6D

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The Capybara and the Ghost

― A Short Story of Friendship and Memory ―

Once upon a time, there lived a capybara who loved decorating his little home with beautiful paintings. One day, he ordered a painting that he had been waiting for.

When the painting arrived, he noticed something strange. There was a dark, unusual line in the painting that almost looked like a ghost.

“Hmmm… It must be a mistake,” he thought.

He didn’t think much about it and went to bed.

That night, something strange happened.

A dark, shadowy figure slowly emerged from the painting. It was a ghost!

The ghost moved closer and closer to the sleeping capybara. Suddenly, a strange sound woke him up. The capybara screamed and ran!

The ghost chased him through the house for what seemed like two long hours. Finally, the frightened capybara found a hiding place in the kitchen.

Then he remembered something he had heard before: “Salt can drive away ghosts!”

He quickly grabbed a handful of salt and threw it at the ghost. The ghost cried out in pain. Then, something unbelievable happened.

The black ghost slowly turned white. The capybara stared at it in shock. The ghost had the same shape as a capybara.

Then he realized the truth. It was his best friend!

Ten years earlier, the capybara and his best friend had been the best of friends. They did everything together. One day, they were crossing a road. His best friend crossed first, but before the capybara could follow, the traffic light changed. Suddenly, a truck came rushing toward them. The accident took his best friend’s life.

The capybara was heartbroken. The memory haunted him for a long time, but eventually, he learned to move forward with his life. Now, after all these years, his best friend had returned as a ghost.

The ghost looked at him gently and said, “I only wanted to see my friend one last time.”

The capybara stood silently, unable to say a word. For a moment, they looked at each other just like they had years ago. Then, the ghost slowly faded away. And just like that, he was gone.

The capybara looked at the painting. This time, there was no strange line. There was only a beautiful picture of two best friends standing together.

- THE END -

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the literary talents of writers across the globe. This platform invites participants to share their unique voices and creative expressions through poetry and storytelling, fostering a community of emerging and established writers.

Thank you, Hanvitha Golla, for sharing "The Capybara and The Ghost" with us. Your participation in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches the literary tapestry of Hashtag Kalakar. We look forward to seeing more of your creative endeavors in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.