The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GHOST STORY OF BONITSIA, GREECE

THERE WAS AN EVIL OLD WOMAN LIVING IN THIS TOWN. SHE
WAS A RECLUSE, EXCEPT FOR HER DAUGHTER WHO LIVED AND
TOOK CARE OF HER. THE OLD WOMAN WAS VERY JEALOUS OF
ANYBODY WHO EVEN DREAMED OF TAKING THE GIRL AWAY.
THERE WAS A BOY IN THIS TOWN WHO MANAGED TO TAKE THE
GIRL AWAY. HE WAS VERY MUCH IN LOVE WITH HER AND
PERSUADED HER TO LEAVE HER MOTHER AND TO GO LIVE WITH
HIM AND HIS FAMILY. EVENTUALLY, THE OLD WOMAN DIED
AND ALL WAS FORGOTTEN.
ONE WINTER, WHEN THE HUSBAND WAS ALONE, HE HEARD A KNOCK
ON THE DOOR, BUT WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR ONLY THE WIND
WAS THERE. HE THEN HEARD A TAPPING ON THE WINDOW AND
THERE AT THE WINDOW, HE COULD SEE A WHITE FACE IN A
BLACK SHROUD CURSING HIM. THIS WAS, OF COURSE, THE
DEAD MOTHER. THE MAN CALLED OUT THE SOLDIERS AND THEY
SAW THE APPARITION AND SHOT IT. NEXT DAY, THEY COULD SEE
BLOOD STAINS ON THE GROUND. IN BONASTIA, TODAY, THE
CURSE OF THE OLD WOMAN CAN BE HEARD IN THE WIND ON
COLD WINTER NIGHTS.

Submitter comment: JAMES'S GRANDFATHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; GREECE

Date learned: 10-10-1967