Mother is what people call her. She was too cautious and too safe. People say she killed all her children with her madness. Anytime they visit, many feet scurried inside. Fear and fright etched in each step they took. Mother always comes out, with her broom to chase off the invaders.

The people wonder and curiously ask a haunting question. “Where have you buried your children? Please tell me.”

“I will not tell you.” Mother replied.

“How long, Mother?” They ask.

“As long as the sun keeps shining and the world stays.”

“You can't keep them hidden.” They say. “One day, they will leave you and run away.”

“I keep them safe.” Mother says. “Now go away.”

They come and ask again. This time with sad faces and the sun almost setting, leaving the sky with blood. “Where did you bury your children? The stories you fill in their heads, the curtains you weave over their eyes will not keep them safe. They will be afraid and die.”

“I keep them safe.” Mother says. “Now, you go away.”

The people come again. This time with grieving sorrow, eager to spare Mother of her madness. The sun has set and the sky was black. They ask again. “Where did you bury your children? Tell us now!”

“As the hour keeps running and the world stays, I will not tell you.”

“The starry ceilings and sweet talks will not keep them safe.”

Ghostly figures with song like voices start to speak from inside the cottage. “You can't keep us caged forever. We will fight and run away.”

“I keep them safe!” Mother cries. “Go away!”

“You can't keep us safe. Please, Mother. We will go far away. Tell us we can go out to play.”

Mother screams. “I keep them safe. Go away.”

The people shake their heads in pity. Mother collapses to the ground and cries. They do not hear the voices, for there are none. Just an empty cottage. The people move closer and ask again. “Mother, where have you buried your children? Tell us, please.”

Only Mother sees her children. Only she can hear them. The ghostly figures continue singing. Mother refuses. And the people whisper. “She can't keep them caged. She will suffer forever. What can we do?”

Nothing, unfortunately. Mother keeps her children safe from the world that stole them away from her. She promised her children that the world will never touch them again. But the children cry. They want to go to Paradise to play with the other children. The people want them to rest in their small caskets, in peace. But Mother refuses.

“I keep them safe. Now you go away.”