Wisp

Who is Wisp?

Wisp is the smallest of the little paper ghosts who live in Hollow House. Wisp is no bigger than a handkerchief, with two worried holes for eyes.

Like all the ghosts of Hollow House, Wisp can only be seen in the dark. In bright light, Wisp flickers and starts to fade.

What does Wisp do?

One night at midnight, there was a knock on Vela’s wardrobe door. It was the politest knock you ever heard. It was Wisp.

The ghosts of Hollow House were getting ready for the Midnight Ball, the night the whole house dances. But something in the attic kept flashing bright, and every time it did, the ghosts faded. Wisp asked Vela to help with the monster in the attic.

Wisp was very scared. But Wisp followed Vela all the way up the crooked stairs anyway.

What is Wisp like?

Wisp is small, polite, and brave even when scared. Wisp is also very kind, even to someone who was frightening everyone.

Wisp once said something that Vela never forgot: “It helps to be scared together, doesn’t it?”

Try this tonight

The ghosts of Hollow House only come out in the dark. When the lights go off tonight, look around your room. What looks different in the dark? Tell someone what you see.

Mysteries

Some things about Wisp are still a mystery, even to us:

• How long has Wisp lived in Hollow House?
• Who taught the ghosts to dance?
• Does Wisp have a favourite song for the Midnight Ball?

Maybe the stories will tell us one day.