Ghoul facts for kids
A ghoul is a scary creature from ancient Arabian stories. These monsters often live in old burial grounds or lonely, empty places. The word "ghoul" comes from the Arabic word ghūl, which means "demon". In some stories, ghouls are a type of jinn, which are spirits.
Contents
What is a Ghoul?
Ghouls are often described as shapeshifting demons. This means they can change their shape. They might look like an animal, especially a hyena. Ghouls are known for trying to trick people. They might try to lure travelers into the desert where they live.
Ghouls in Different Cultures
In some Iranian stories, ghouls are seen a bit differently. They are creatures that look like humans but are much bigger. These ghouls are often not as smart as humans. They are also not always evil. Sometimes, people who speak Persian might use the word "ghoul" to describe a very large person. It's like saying someone is a "giant".
The Star Algol
Did you know that a star is named after this creature? The star Algol gets its name from the Arabic word for ghoul. This shows how old and well-known the stories of ghouls are.
Ghouls in Popular Stories
Ghouls and similar creatures appear in many modern books and stories. They are often shown in different ways.
- In Larry Niven's "Ringworld" series, ghouls are a type of creature.
- J.K. Rowling included ghouls in her famous Harry Potter series.
- You can also find ghoul-like characters in The Chronicles of Narnia.
- Other authors like Brian McNaughton, Michael Slade, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Laurell K. Hamilton (in her Anita Blake series), and Jim Butcher (in The Dresden Files) have also written about ghouls.
See also
In Spanish: Gul para niños
