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Ghost story

The grey old man of Lake Kahala

Old people in Kuusalu said the spirits of Lake Kahala were always at war with those of Lake Maardu, raiding each other although many miles lay between them. Once a thick cloud rose from Kahala, flew to Maardu, sucked up its water and carried it back, dropping a piece on the way. A traveller on the Narva road once heard a voice from the lake sending greetings to the mistress of Maardu. Two women raking hay on the shore saw a grey old man walking on the water; when they glanced towards Uuri village and back, he was gone. Lake Kahala lies just north of the Tallinn–Narva highway in Kuusalu parish.

Open it on the map See the spot on the old maps and as it is today

Eesti keeles

Kuusalu vanarahvas rääkis, et Kahala järve vaimud olid alati tülis Maardu järve vaimudega ja käisid üksteist riisumas, ehkki nende vahel oli palju maad. Kord tõusis Kahalast paks pilv, läks Maardu kohale, tõmbas sealt vee endasse ja tõi selle tagasi, pillates teel ühe tüki maha. Narva maanteel käinud mees kuulis kord järvest häält, mis saatis Maardu järve perenaisele tervisi. Kaks naist, kes kaldal heina riisusid, nägid halli vanameest vee peal kõndimas – kui nad Uuri küla poole ja siis tagasi vaatasid, oli ta kadunud. Kahala järv asub Kuusalu vallas Tallinna–Narva maanteest põhja pool.

Map of the area around The grey old man of Lake Kahala
59.48394° N, 25.53162° E · Map: Maa- ja Ruumiamet

Source: Estonian Folklore Archives E 51361/2 and ERA I 3, 638 (Rehepapp database); M. J. Eisen, 'Näki raamat' no. 32 ↗

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