{"id":1641,"date":"2026-11-03T18:29:05","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T12:59:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/?p=1641"},"modified":"2026-11-03T18:29:06","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T12:59:06","slug":"i-do-not-believe-in-ghosts-short-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/i-do-not-believe-in-ghosts-short-story\/","title":{"rendered":"I Do Not Believe in Ghosts \u2014 ICSE Short Story"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 8<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n
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ICSE English Composition<\/div>\n
\n \ud83d\udcd8 Classes 9\u201310<\/span>\n \ud83d\udc7b Short Story<\/span>\n \ud83c\udfaf 20-mark composition practice<\/span>\n \u23f1\ufe0f Up to 30 minutes<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n
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\u270d<\/div>\n

What this composition helps you practise<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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This story shows how to create suspense from an ordinary setting. Strange sounds, darkness and isolation make the narrator fear a ghost, while each new incident increases tension until a rational explanation is revealed after daybreak.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\ud83d\udcdd<\/div>\n
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Story Question<\/div>\n

Composition Prompt<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Write a story beginning with \u201cI do not believe in ghosts.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\ud83d\udd0e<\/div>\n
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Before You Read<\/div>\n

Composition at a Glance<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\ud83d\udc7b Suspense + Rational Reveal<\/div>\n
\n 20<\/span>\n marks<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n 1<\/span>\n Recommended length:<\/strong> approximately 300\u2013350 words<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 2<\/span>\n Point of view:<\/strong> first-person narrative<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 3<\/span>\n Recommended time:<\/strong> up to 30 minutes<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 4<\/span>\n Focus:<\/strong> suspense, fear, escalation, waiting and reveal<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\ud83e\udded<\/div>\n
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Plan Before Writing<\/div>\n

Story Outline<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n 1<\/span>\n When and how it happened.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 2<\/span>\n Fear of a ghost haunting.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 3<\/span>\n Aggravation of fear and apprehension.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 4<\/span>\n The painful wait for daybreak.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 5<\/span>\n Discovering the cause of the strange event.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\ud83d\udcd6<\/div>\n
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Read the Story<\/div>\n

Model Story<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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I do not believe in ghosts, but the tinkering of the cup and saucer placed on my study table was indeed mysterious. I had retired early to bed after a tiring day at school. My parents had gone out of town and being all alone, I felt a bit uncomfortable. On hearing a loud bang, I woke with a start and grasped for my torchlight, which I had kept under my pillow. Hesitatingly I called out \u2018Who is there?, and simultaneously flashed my torch in all directions. Wide awake and alert, I slowly crept towards the switchboard. Switching the light on, I went around the house, to find nothing amiss. I heaved a sigh of relief and sat on my bed, trying to fathom what could have caused the explosion. I noticed again the strange clinking of the cup in the saucer. I sat up tense and worried. The tentacles of fear gradually taking hold of me. I pinched myself to ascertain, if I was hallucinating. That was however not to be, for I was completely in my senses.<\/p>\n

The tinkering stopped and I took a deep breath. The very thought of a ghost in my room made my heart palpitate fast, but my mind refused to accept the logic. I had read many scientific reports, which had dispelled the hypothesis of ghosts, but the films and serials portraying them as real and wicked, mystified them.<\/p>\n

Sleep was by now miles away from me, so I decided to keep the lights on and be awake. A little later challenging my resolve to be brave, the curtain rod on the window came clanking down with the curtains. I sprang to my feet, rushing towards the window shouting, Who is there? Who is there? but to no avail. I was by now exasperated and hysteric with fear and apprehension. Glancing towards the wall clock, I saw the needle indicating 2 AM. There was still three more hours for daybreak. I prayed to get me out through the ordeal and save me from the clutches of the ghost, which I was sure was haunting the house.<\/p>\n

The next three hours were very painful, as I sat on the bed dosing and occasionally waking up with a start. I was glad to see the first stream of light from the Sun at day break. I got up and stretched my limbs. Venturing into the adjacent room, I found splinters of glass strewn all over the floor, in one corner of the room. A closer look revealed the remnants of a bulb, that had fallen the previous night and had caused the explosion.<\/p>\n

Switching on the TV for the morning news, I heard the newsreader say \u2018Lucknow experienced a mild earthquake measuring four to five in the Richter scale, leaving a trail of destruction______\u2019 The words of the announcer thereafter did not seem to register, for suddenly the truth of the mysterious events of the previous night dawned on me.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n Practice tip:<\/strong> Suspense becomes stronger when each new event raises a fresh question. Do not reveal the explanation too early. Let the reader experience the uncertainty with the narrator, then make the ending explain the earlier clues.\n <\/div>\n\n
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\ud83d\udca1<\/div>\n
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Story Technique<\/div>\n

Understanding This Story<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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1<\/div>\n

The opening creates immediate contradiction<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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The narrator begins by saying that ghosts are not believable, but immediately faces something mysterious. This contrast creates curiosity and establishes the central tension of the story.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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2<\/div>\n

Isolation makes the fear believable<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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The narrator is alone because the parents are away. That simple detail makes every unexplained sound feel more threatening and gives the suspense a natural setting.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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3<\/div>\n

The strange incidents escalate<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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The clinking cup, loud bang and falling curtain rod arrive one after another. Each event increases the narrator\u2019s fear, so the tension rises instead of remaining at one level.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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4<\/div>\n

Time slows during the wait for morning<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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The reference to 2 AM and the three remaining hours before daybreak makes the waiting feel long and uncomfortable. Time markers can be very effective in suspense writing.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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5<\/div>\n

The ending reinterprets the whole night<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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The broken bulb and the morning earthquake report provide a natural explanation for the mysterious events. A good reveal should make earlier incidents suddenly understandable rather than introduce an unrelated ending.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\ud83d\udcda<\/div>\n
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Language Builder<\/div>\n

Useful Vocabulary and Expressions<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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fathom<\/div>
To understand something difficult or mysterious.<\/div><\/div>\n
hallucinating<\/div>
Experiencing something that seems real but is not actually present.<\/div><\/div>\n
palpitate<\/div>
To beat rapidly or strongly, especially because of fear or excitement.<\/div><\/div>\n
dispelled<\/div>
Removed a belief, fear or doubt.<\/div><\/div>\n
exasperated<\/div>
Extremely frustrated, irritated or distressed.<\/div><\/div>\n
apprehension<\/div>
Anxiety or fear that something unpleasant may happen.<\/div><\/div>\n
ordeal<\/div>
A very difficult, frightening or painful experience.<\/div><\/div>\n
dawned on me<\/div>
Suddenly became clear or understood.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\u270d\ufe0f<\/div>\n
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Your Turn<\/div>\n

Try It Yourself<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Q<\/div>\n

Practice Prompt<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Write a story ending with the words: \u201cOnly then did I realise that there had never been anything supernatural about it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Write approximately 300\u2013350 words<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\u2713<\/div>\n

Before You Submit<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n
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1<\/span>Have you used the given opening line exactly as required?<\/span><\/div>\n
2<\/span>Does the setting make the suspense believable?<\/span><\/div>\n
3<\/span>Do the strange events become progressively more worrying?<\/span><\/div>\n
4<\/span>Have you shown the narrator\u2019s reactions through actions, thoughts and sensations?<\/span><\/div>\n
5<\/span>Does the ending explain the earlier clues convincingly?<\/span><\/div>\n
6<\/span>Have you checked grammar, spelling and punctuation?<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\ud83c\udfaf<\/div>\n
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Exam Tip<\/div>\n

ICSE Composition Guidelines<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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For ICSE Examination Year 2027, the composition should be approximately 300\u2013350 words<\/strong>. Question 1 carries 20 marks<\/strong>, and the specimen paper recommends spending no more than 30 minutes<\/strong> on it.<\/p>\n

For a story-writing<\/strong> task with a prescribed opening line, begin with that line and make the rest of the plot grow naturally from it. The story should have a clear development, climax or turning point, and a satisfying ending.<\/p>\n

Official ICSE 2027 English Syllabus<\/a><\/p>\n

Official ICSE 2027 English Language Specimen and Draft Marking Scheme<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\ud83d\udd17<\/div>\n
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Continue Learning<\/div>\n

Related ICSE English Resources<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\ud83d\udcda<\/div>\n
Explore More ICSE English<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n Hub<\/span>\n ICSE English Essays for Classes 9 and 10<\/span>\n \u2192<\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n \n Story<\/span>\n Knowledge Is Power \u2014 ICSE Short Story<\/span>\n \u2192<\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n \n Narrative<\/span>\n An Embarrassing Situation \u2014 Narrative Essay<\/span>\n \u2192<\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n \n Narrative<\/span>\n Heavy Rain and a Closed School \u2014 Descriptive Narrative Essay<\/span>\n \u2192<\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n \n Guide<\/span>\n Importance of Writing a Good Composition<\/span>\n \u2192<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reading Time: <\/span> 8<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span> ICSE English Composition \ud83d\udcd8 Classes 9\u201310 \ud83d\udc7b Short Story \ud83c\udfaf 20-mark composition practice \u23f1\ufe0f Up to 30 minutes \u270d What […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"iawp_total_views":2,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-english-essays"],"modified_by":"sanjjeett","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1641"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1641"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1641\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1645,"href":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1641\/revisions\/1645"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xamcontent.com\/cisce\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}