These things happened to me nearly ten years ago.

I lived in the city, but city was hot in the summer.

I wanted to see the country, I wanted to walk in the woods and see green trees.

I had a little red car and I had a map too.

I drove all the night out into the country.

I was happy in my car, we had a very good summer that year.

The country was very pretty in the early morning.

The sun was hot and sky was blue.

I heard birds in the trees and then my car stopped suddenly.

What's wrong, I thought.

Oh, Dear. I haven't got any petrol. Now I have to a walk.

I'll found a town and buy some petrol.

But where am I? I looked at the map.

I wasn't near a town, I lost in the country.

And then I saw the girl, she walked down the road with flowers in her hand.

She wore a long dress and hair was long too, it was long and black.

And it shone in the sun. She was very pretty.

I wanted to speak to her. So I got out of the car.

Hello, I said. I lost, where am I?

She looked afraid, So I spoke quietly.

I haven't got any petrol, I said. where can I find some?

Her blue eyes looked at me and she smiled.

She's very pretty girl. I thought.

I do not know. she said. come with me to the village.

Perhaps, we can help you. I went with her happliy and we walked a long way.

There isn't village on the map, I thought. Perhaps, that's a very small village.

There was a village and there was old and pretty.

The houses were black and white and very small. There are a lot of animals.

The girl stopped at a house and smiled at me.

Come in, please. she said.

I went in. The houe was very clean, but it was strange, too.

There was a fire and some food above it. I felt hungry then.

That's strange. I thought.

They cooked their food over a wood fire.

Perhaps, they have no money.

I met her father and mother. I like them. They are nice people.

But their clothes were strange. sit down, said the old man.

Are you thirsty after your walk. He gave me a drink and I said thank you.

But the drink was strange, too. It was dark brown and very strong.

I didn't understand, but I was happy there. I asked about petrol. but the old man didn't understand.

Petrol, he asked. what is that? This is strange. I thought.

Then I asked Do you walk everywhere?

The old man smiled, Oh, no. we use hourses. He said.

Horses, I thought. Horses are very slow.

Why don't have cars? But I didn't say that to the old man.

I felt happy there, I stayed all day and I ate dinner with them that evening.

Then the girl and I went out into the garden.

The girl's name was Mary. This is nice. she said.

We like having visitors, we don't see many people here. we spoke happily.

she was very beautiful, but after a time she began to talk quietly and her face was sad.

Why are you sad? I asked her. I can not tell you. she said.

You are only visitor here. we have to say goodbey tonight. You have to go now.

I didn't understand. I loved her, I knew that.And I wanted to help her.

Why did I have to go. But Mary said again in a sad voice.

You have to go, It is dangerous here.

So I said, I go to the next town and find some petrol then I'll come back.

she didn't speak. I love you, Mary. I said. and I'll come back to you.

You won't stop me, she said goodbye to me at door.

Her face was very sad, and I was sad too. I didn't want to go.

It was midnight, the night was very dark, but I walked and walked.

I was very tired when I saw the lights of the town.

I found some petrol, and then I asked the name of the village.

But the man at the garage, gave me a strange look, what village, He aksed.

I told him about the village, I told hime about the old houses and people was strange clothes.

Again, he gave a stranger look, he thought and then he said there was village there.

But it isn't there now, there are stories about it, strange story.

what do people say about it. I asked. He didn't want to tell me.

But then he said there was a big fire in the village. Everybody died, there aren't people or houses there now.

How did it happen? I asked. And why. Oliver Cromwell killed them.He said.

He was angry with villages because they help the king in the war.

I couldn't speak, this isn't right. I thought. That war happened 350 years ago.

Then I remember the strange clothes, the long hair, the food over the fire and the old houses.

And I remember too about horses. But I don't understand. I cried, I saw the people and the village.

I spoke to some people there. The man looked quickly at me.

And the he spoke, there is an interesting story about the village.

For one day every ten years, it lives again, but only for one day.

Then it goes away again for another ten years.

On that one day, you can find the village, but you have to leave before morning or you will never leave.

Can this be right? I thought. Perhaps it was.

Mary said, you have to go. She loveed me, but she said we have to say goodbye.

She was afraid for me, now I understand. I thought.

I went back to the village but it wasn't there. I looked again and again.

But I couldn't find it, I saw only the flowers and trees, I heard only the sound of birds and wind.

I was very sad, I sat down on the ground and cried, I'll never forgot that day.

I remember Mary and I always love her.

Now I only have wait two months, the village will come back again.

On the right day, I will go back, I will find her again.

My love with long black hair and this time I will not leave before morning.

I will stay with her.

出处：见配图水印