In 1912, the Theosophical magazine “Ultra” (Revue Théosophique) published a remarkable account by Captain Florendo Battista of Italy:
In August 1905, my wife was three months pregnant. While lying awake in bed, she suddenly saw the apparition of our daughter, who had passed away three years prior. The apparition said to her, “Mama, I will return to you.” Then it vanished. My wife recounted this strange event to me and expressed her desire to name our next child Blanche, after our deceased daughter, if it were a girl. I dismissed it as a dream, but despite my skepticism, I agreed to appease her. I must admit that, at the time, I did not believe in the concept of reincarnation.
Six months later, my wife indeed gave birth to a girl who bore a striking resemblance to our Blanche. My wife was overjoyed. This resemblance did not surprise me, as I assumed that when a pregnant woman dreams of someone, the child may resemble that person.
As our little girl turned six, the resemblance to her older sister became even more pronounced, extending to her mannerisms and speech. However, I still couldn’t bring myself to believe in reincarnation. It wasn’t until the following incident that my perspective changed.
Previously, we had entrusted Blanche to a nanny named Marie, a Swiss woman who spoke fluent French. Marie often sang a French lullaby called “Cantilène” to soothe the baby.
After our daughter’s untimely passing, the nanny was no longer needed and returned to her homeland. From then on, we never heard that song again in our house, and no one else knew it.
Nine years passed. One day, my wife and I were busy working near our younger Blanche’s room when we suddenly heard someone singing “Cantilène” from within.
Astonished, we rushed into the room and found our little Blanche, eyes wide open, singing the lullaby in perfect French, with remarkable clarity and composure.
When my wife asked her what she was singing, she replied that it was a French song (though no one had taught her French).
When asked who taught her the song, she insisted, “No one taught me. I just know it.”
From that moment on, I became a believer in reincarnation.
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