Twelve year old Roberta stood naked and alone atop the huge stone that loomed to a great height at the center point in the river and located slightly down river from the rock faced falls that spanned from shore to shore. The water appearing blood red in the setting sun and swirled violently thirty feet below Roberta. She had been placed there by the people of the village as a sacrifice. Her older brother Robert and their father John were scaling the rock face of the falls trying to reach a walkway that had been pulled back from the stone pedestal. The difficulty of the trek was made even more perilous as they were under fire by a dozen archers on each bank.

          Roa, Roberta’s mother was red faced and hopping mad. She was jumping up and down on the west bank directing swarms of furious fairies that were buzzing the frustrated archers spoiling their aim. Most of the Villagers had gathered at the edge of the village. Many were armed with pitch forks and other crude instruments. Some appeared to be quite angry, but the look of fear in their eyes was even more evident. A small chubby gnome of a man who seemed overly irate and frustrated broke away from the mob and headed directly towards Roa.

          “Stop witch! Stop, You must not interfere!” He screamed franticly, The village will be destroyed and many will die if there is no sacrifice!

          “You will not sacrifice my daughter. You little worm.” Roa shouted back, The only sacrifice there will be today will be your own miserable hide unless you stop this nonsense now.

          It was then that loud gasp of horror was heard coming from the villagers. Raising from the depths of river rose a frightening serpentine shaped head atop a long slender neck that stretched several feet higher then the top of pedestal of stone where little Roberta stood proud and defiant face to face with the beast. An impossibility long forked tongue slithered forth from the head of the snake caressing Roberta’s still form. Then the head drew back into what appeared to be a stance that it was about to strike, It’s jaws opened wide revealing huge dipping fangs, closed and again revealed a very animated forked tongue. The serpent began swaying back and forth, up and down, all the while flicking his tongue with menace. The head went forward again until it was eye to eye with Roberta who had remained quite stoic through the snakes gyrations. Much to the surprise of the villagers, Roberta began to dance.

          Comments and murmers could be heard coming from the villagers. “She’s insane! How beautiful! Have you ever seen anyone dance like that? What is she doing? Why is she dancing? Look! She as mesmerized the beast.”

          The head of the snake slowly moved to the side and to within a few feet of Robert for a short period before moving on slowly to view John all the while seeming intrigued by Roberta’s dancing. It then lowered it head to get a closer view of Roa and scattering the archers along the beach. The fairies had left the beach to surround and dance with Roberta. The serpent returned to concentrate it’s gaze on Roberta and the fairies dancing. With a very low graceful bow, Roberta finished her dance. Slowly the head of the beast sank into the swilling waters as it made it’s way downstream away from the village.

          The little gnome of a man now quite shaken confronted Roa, “I…I demand to know what just happened!”

         With a half grin and quick smile she replied sweetly, “ It seems my daughter just had a little conversation with your monster. You needn’t worry, he won’t ever return again. That is unless you dare call me witch again or ever put my daughter in danger again.” she added.

         “Please oh please forgive me my lady, but it was my daughter Anna who was selected by me for the sacrifice. Roberta, your daughter volunteered to take my poor Anna’s place. She begged me. What was a father to do? I was weak. Can you ever forgive me?” he replied bowing his head in shame.

         “I will have to forgive you for letting Roberta talk you into this mess, She very good at wrapping any man around her little finger, but I am still not happy with you for calling me a witch and demanding that I answer your questions.” Roa finished sternly.

         “I..I meant no offence my lady, but everyone calls you the good witch of the woods. You have helped and healed so many in the village. We would all be honored if you and your family would join us as guests of honor in a celebration to the end of that evil serpent.” he beamed in anticipation of the grand party he was planning.

         Roa smiled warmly, “Perhaps we will, but later, for now we must return to our home in the woods. Roberta must be punished for being so foolish and the other children at home need to be better supervised and punished if they have gotten into any mischief while we were gone."

         Turning away to rejoin her family she added, "Send us an invitation with the time and date.”

         The little man turned to rejoin the crowd of villagers, “I really thought fairies were a myth.” he muttered to himself as he walked toward the village shaking his head.