Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

The monk left the gypsy cart and shuffled solemnly over to the young swineherd.

“I have bought you,” he told the girl.

The girl gaped at the monk in shock. “You have BOUGHT ME?” she gasped, looking back at the cart. A man and woman sat in front, waving. “Why have you bought me? To sell me into some illicit harem, to barter my young flesh for foreign coin, to use me for your own depraved purposes?”

“No, no,” the monk said haughtily, “On the contrary: I will teach you to read, educate you. I will instruct you in the ways and workings of life, the stars above, the meanings of numbers, of other lands and other languages. You will learn of science and nature, humanity and art. I’ll take care of everything.”

The girl considered the monks words for a moment. “And what of Men?”

“Wh-ah, I,” stuttered the monk before composing himself. “After I have completed my teachings, no man will ever possess you. You will be your own person, a woman of the world, free and unfettered.”

“So, no Men.”

“Buh,” said the monk. “You, you, you would know of biology and anatomy, the, the workings of the human body and mind—“

“And Sex?”

“Oh, my, ah,” supplied the monk, further, “well, ah, perhaps the, uh, the—no, not them, but, ah…”

“So, no Sex, either,” the girl frowned. “I’m rather disappointed. I was looking forward to a harem.”

The monk gaped at her.

“Or at least being a concubine.”

“You’re a bit of slut, aren’t you!” spat the monk. The girl shrugged. “That’s it! I’m taking you back!”

“You aren’t getting the money,” said the man on the cart. The monk glowered at them as he left.

“I get half,” said the girl. “Next village?”