The Bunga Man
“Little Children Little Children beware for he watches you with a treacherous stare. Little children. Little misbehaving children take care of you must always be aware. Little children Little poor children do not turn your heart to stone or you will be far away from home. Little children, little disrespectful children listen to your guardians for they know what's best, don't listen to the rest. Do as I say and you may live to see another day let this message land and you will never see the big ole bugga man”.
That was the rhyme that was told although out the “big yard” otherwise known as the island of andros. A beautiful island surrounded by coppice and pine trees that grow to the sky and water so clear your reflection can be seen. Every day kids of all ages would run up and down the street playing and they would always pass by ole rosie's house. Occasionally she would tell the folktale of the bugga man to the children who often stopped by. With silver white hair, skin as white as snow, sightless eyes and wrinkles that spoke of age ole rosie would often be spotted weeding in her yard or sitting on her front porch. When spotted she would invite the children on the porch and tell the story of the bugga man and a child who went missing.
“White pasty skin, glowing red eyes,silver hair and to match long nail-like claws are all features that are used to describe the bugga man. It is said that he hunts misbehaving children, stealing them in the night” said ole rosie to the children.
“It was said that he did this to force the children to respect their parents. Now let me tell you the story of Destiny Knowles, the girl who went missing decades ago ” Said ole rosie.
The children watched with open curiosity and recounted the tale of destiny knowles. It was a cold wednesday night and destiny knowles an 18 year old teenager was fighting with her parents.
“ I don't want to sing in the church do yall even care about what I want?” destiny screamed at her parents
“Of course we care dear, we just think that this will be good for you and it can help you.” destiny’s mother Maria said
“And maybe you'll stop hanging out and drinking with those heathens” destiny’s father James said
“Leave me and my friends alone! I hate both of you WISH YOU WEREN'T MY PARENTS!” destiny screamed as she ran to her room, slamming the door behind her.
Later that night sari’s parents were in their bedroom when all of a sudden they heard destiny scream from her room. They bolted to her room slamming open the door and they were met with a horrifying sight. Her room was destroyed, broken furniture ripped pillows and claw marks all over the walls and floor. Most importantly they noticed that the sari was gone. The Knowles searched for years but they never found her, the police declaring it a closed case.
“ Destiny was never seen again so respect your parents' children be respectful no matter what” - Ole rosie finished telling her story and then sent the children home as it was late then went inside her house to sleep. I screamed and cried until my voice was hoarse and I could no longer talk or cry. I walked aimlessly for miles night and day trying to get back home, my feet were sore and my body ached all over. One day i stumbled across a pond and while drinking water i looked at my reflection in shock my once baby blue eyes had turned red, my hair was starting to turn white along with my skin and i grew to six feet. I tried to scream once again to no avail. It's been decades since then and now I've now aged. I now spend my days sitting on my front porch telling my tale warning children to respect their parents or else they'll end up like me.