Black Statue

Past History

Far from the hustle and bustle of city life, the green rice fields lie in the remote village of Baliapur in Bangladesh. At night, the village shimmers in the moonlight, where lanterns burn inside the mud houses. Yet, this seemingly peaceful village hides a chilling secret - one that no one dares to speak openly.

On the northern edge of the village stands an ancient banyan tree, its massive branches seeming to engulf the entire village in its ominous shadow. The villagers tell legends about this tree, claiming that those who descend under it at night never return. It is said to be cursed, because a hundred years ago, the oppressed subjects of a cruel landlord sacrificed themselves under its branches. Their curse not only destroyed the landlord's lineage but also shrouded the entire village in a terrifying darkness.

One day, a young journalist named Raihan came to Baliapur, eager to uncover the truth behind this strange legend. He found lodging in an old mud house owned by an old man from the village, Majnu Mia.

“What happened to this tree?” Raihan asked.

Majnu Mia’s face darkened. “It is dangerous to question things that remain unknown. No one in this village dares to approach that tree after nightfall.”

Raihan laughed. “Ghosts are just old wives’ tales, uncle. I just want to see the tree.”

There was a silent warning in Majnu Mia’s eyes, but he knew the city boy would not accept it easily.

That night, Raihan walked towards the tree with only a flashlight and his camera. The villagers watched from a distance, their faces covered in silent fear, but no one tried to stop him.

Upon reaching the tree, Raihan was amazed. He had never seen such a huge banyan tree before. Its branches seemed alive, rustling eerily in the wind. He raised his camera, ready to capture its haunting beauty.

Then, the wind stopped. The silence of the night swallowed him. An earthen lamp burning beneath the tree. Who lit it? Raihan moved closer, curiosity gripping him.

A soft laugh echoed behind him. He wandered around and around - there was no one. Yet the air was filled with whispers, voices as soft as leaves.

"Who's there?" Raihan shouted.

Suddenly, a black shadow descended from the tree. His flashlight fell to the ground. A touch of ice wrapped around his arm, he froze in fear.

By morning, Raihan had disappeared. The villagers found his flashlight and camera near the tree, but there was no sign of him. When they replayed the camera footage, they saw Raihan’s frightened face – and a shadowy figure looming behind him.

Since that night, no one has dared to approach the tree. Raihan’s story has become legend, swallowing the silence of Baliapur. But the tree still stands, casting its eerie shadow over the village. Some say the cursed spirits are still waiting for their next victim.

If you ever find yourself in Baliapur, heed this warning: Stay away from the tree after dusk. Who knows? The shadow might still be watching.

Current Story

In the quiet village of Matikhola in Comilla, time once flowed peacefully. Golden paddy fields, tall bamboo groves and the melody of the evening sky captured a captivating scene. But in recent years, fear has taken over this harmony - an unspoken terror that keeps the villagers locked in their homes at night.

The elders whisper of a curse surrounding a mysterious black statue, yet the truth is even more terrifying. At the heart of this mystery is a notorious thief from Baliapur - Jabbar.

Jabbar, the most cunning thief in Baliapur in Matikhola, honed his skills since childhood. For years, he would rob houses and hide his stolen goods under that old tree in Baliapur. To keep people away, he made a terrifying black statue. But finally, he was caught by the law in Matikhola and sentenced to seven years in prison. The people of Baliapur could not know anything about this because of the communication system at that time. They knew Jabbar as a good man who had left his home for a business trip abroad.

In prison, Jabbar befriended his co-criminal Suman. After Suman's release, Jabbar married his daughter Reena while in jail. Together, Suman and Reena became a powerful gang, organizing numerous robberies across the city.

After his release, Jabbar returned to Matikhola with a cunning plan. He realized that the village was easily frightened. Calling Suman and Reena, they conspired to revive the legend of the black idol and exploit the villagers' fear for their own gain.

One fateful night, Jabbar covered himself in black clothes, wore a long cloak, and a strange mask. With a bamboo pole in his hand, he wandered the village streets. A lone farmer saw his long shadow and unusual movements.

"Ghost!" The farmer ran away in fear and screamed. Others rushed to the spot but were shocked to see Jabbar's monstrous statue.

Thus, the legend of the black statue was reborn. After nightfall, no one dared to step outside, Jabbar and his associates were able to plunder the village freely. Hiding behind trees, dressed in black, they roamed in the darkness, striking fear into the hearts of the villagers.

One after another, rumors of evil spirits spread. Some claimed that it was a ghost, while others claimed it was a spirit. After a few days, Jabbar decided,

“I have had enough here. Now I will go to Baliapur. After spending some time there, I will go to the city with the wealth I have stolen from the tree cave. I will first perform Hajj and then start a new life.”

They left for Baliapur.

In Baliapur, they began the old mourning. Fear of theft, robbery and black idols reign supreme in Baliapur, with a series of thefts and rumors of evil spirits spreading. Some claim it is a ghost, others a spirit. But a young man named Mehedi refuses to believe in such superstitions. He remembers the disappearance of Raihan—his own cousin—seven years ago. Suspicion leads him to Suman and Rina, who had arrived in the village when the terror began.

Determined to uncover the truth, Mehedi and his friends hatch a plan. Armed with an old hunting rifle, they lie in wait. One night, they see a shadowy figure behind a bamboo grove. As Mehedi approaches, Jabbar pounces on him. But Mehedi was prepared. With the help of his friends, he catches Jabbar and unmasks him.

Meanwhile, Suman and Rina are caught by the villagers in another robbery. Cornered, Jabbar confesses everything - the black statue was nothing more than a ruse to cover up their crime.

The villagers hand them over to the police, who recover the stolen goods hidden under an old tree. Due to Jabbar's criminal history, his punishment was harsh, while Suman and Rina also face trial for their crimes.

With their arrest, the village of Matikhola finally regains its peace. But the story of the black statue serves as a lasting lesson: sometimes, fear is nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion, and true courage lies in the will to seek the truth.

And so, Matikhola and Baliapur remain - haunted not by spirits, but by the shadows of human greed and deceit.

................................................... The End ..........................................................