She was young, beautiful and the sun rose in her eyes. A stranger child… found by the wayside and raised by the elders. The village lads vied for her favour. Their mothers nodded doting heads and grandfathers remembered their vigour when the sun struck her midnight tresses, painting them blue.
Superstition is insidious.
The small creatures of wood and field came to her hand and flowers bloomed brighter where she passed. She healed the wild things with her herblore and the dogs were silent as she passed.
Jealousy is a black art.
She danced for joy beneath the full moon, crowned with oak leaves and they who watched saw a shower of stars fall to earth.
They gave her a house, a tiny house, built just for her upon the bridge that spanned the stream, surrounded by stone and far from the green places she loved.
They don’t burn witches any more. Not even here.
Witches cannot cross running water.
The perfect prison.
Centuries later, the house remains.
So does she.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
And so she who was to the benefit of all is now to the benefit of none.Such cruelty and stupidity man is capable of.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Far too often the case, sadly, David.
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Is that Ambleside, Sue?
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Possibly, Richard…it’s Steve’s photo.
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I see
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It is Richard. It’s the Bridge House over the Beck. I’ll be doing a roundup tomorrow.
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Ah, thanks, I thought I recognised it. We love Ambleside 🙂
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We do, too. We are lucky, living about forty minutes away.
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Ooh, you are. 😄
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Reblogged this on Matthews' Blog.
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Nice Sue. Loved this.
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Thank you 🙂
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Perfect story.
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Thanks, Bernadette.
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excellent Sue.
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Thanks, Geoff.
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Love this story!
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Thank you!
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You are welcome!
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Nice !
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Thank you 🙂
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I like that story. I’m glad her ending wasn’t grisly (and wasn’t even really an ending). Incidentally, does the thing about running water mean witches always have to take baths rather than showers? Poor things. That will definitely increase their electricity bill.
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Only crossing the stuff is a problem… speaking from experience 😉
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It must complicate bus and train travel, having to cross reference the routes with topographical maps and all that. 🙂
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Let alone the broomstick 😉
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Such a beautiful, evocative story ~ leaves me spinning right there, outside this tiny house’s door.
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It is a curious little place…
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Ooh, I love the linger in this story Sue. 🙂
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Sun in Gemini and commented:
Sue’s ‘darkly rendered’ response to #NoirWednesday The Little House.
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This is excellent Sue, lovely exploration of the topic and history..
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Thanks, Michael 🙂
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Fantastic writing!
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Thank you, Dany.
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Pingback: #NoirWednesday roundup – ‘The Little House” – Sun in Gemini
Fantastic! I loved your story.
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Thanks, Michelle.
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Absolutely love this short, Sue.
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Thank you, Sarah 🙂
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