Rosa
Once upon a time, there was a peasant girl called Rosa. She was a plain faced, little girl of sixteen. The village girls and boys would make fun of her name. "Why give such a blunt-faced girl the name Rosa?" they would say. But her father had decided to name his only daughter Rosa, in memory of his late wife. Theodius, Rosa's father, was a mason. He worked day and night at Tarrow Site, leaving his daughter to look after the house. One night, while he was away at work, Rosa saw that the loaf of bread which she would share with her father each night was gone.
"Oh where could it be?" she wondered. She looked inside every cupboard and even under chairs and tables but it was nowhere to be found. In her dismay, she sank to her knees and wept quietly, "Oh, what am I to do? What shall Papa eat when he gets back?" She remained on her knees with her hands clasped in prayer when all of a sudden she heard a noise nearby. She tilted her head toward the backdoor and stared at it doubtfully. It seemed to be coming from the backyard. Getting up off the floor she lifted her chin and courageously marched toward the backdoor.
The noise seemed to grow louder. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.
She blew a sigh of relief.
It was only Matty, their neighbour's dog, and in her mouth, was a loaf of bread.
"Oh Matty! You naughty dog!" Rosa scowled.
"Shoo! Go away to your master!"
Matty ran away with the bread in her mouth and Rosa sighed.
"What am I to do?" She thought. Maybe she could walk to the bakery nearby, but her father had told her never to leave the house alone at night. But what else was she to do? Hoping she would get back in time, she put on her brown cloak and went outside.
It was a cold November night. The moon was streaked with clouds and only one star shone bright. The path was dimly lit by lantern posts at short distances but it was still very difficult to see. Halfway to the bakery, Rosa heard a song. It was very faint and seemed to be coming from the shrubbery nearby. She paused to listen more and walked slowly toward the shrubbery. It was a very beautiful tune; sometimes happy, sometimes sad, thought Rosa.
"I wonder who plays this."
Pushing the branches of the shrubbery aside, Rosa decided to follow the little dirt path. Inside the pathway, it was very dark, but she was not afraid, for the music made her forget where she was. Happily skipping, Rosa danced her way into the depths of the woods, unaware that her feet had been blistered by the unruly undergrowth. The music grew louder and sweeter as she drew nearer to its source. The little path opened into a small clearing.
Rosa paused and looked. In the middle of the clearing was a rock. There was something seated on the rock, facing it's back toward Rosa. It was big and lumpy and seemed to be playing a flute.
Pushing her fear aside, Rosa decided to walk up to it. When she reached the rock, the music stopped and a deep voice spoke.
"Who goes there!"
Too scared to speak, Rosa merely stood where she was.
The creature turned around to look at Rosa.
It was ugliest thing Rosa had ever seen. Hunched and big eyed. It observed her silently, with its deep blue giant orbs of eyes.
"You don't scream?"
Rosa was confused by this question and simply shook her head.
Shifting its legs, the creature asked, "Well, then what are you here for?"
"I-I h-head your m-music and thought it was nice so I followed the tune."
The creature blinked, one eye at a time.
Looking down she apologized.
"I am sorry I interrupted you sir. Please, do continue."
"I will only play more music on one condition." the creature said.
"You must come here again after dinner. Make sure you eat a lot."
Rosa thought this was an odd command but merely said "Yes…"
The creature smiled, revealing rows of crooked teeth.
"Bobbeth. My name be Bobbeth"
Turning around, she hurried back to do as she was bid.
"Goodbye Bobbeth!"
Once she was gone, the creature laughed, low and sinister.
"It's been a long time….."