“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. Using the 360 degree view of the location provided, you must write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page, from where you can also get the Inlinkz code.
“When I first saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful girl in the world,” sighed Chanvatey.
Achariya giggled, and pushed herself up from him. Her face shone in the moonlight, and her eyes were bright
“And now?” she asked.
“Now I know you’re the most beautiful.”
“When I first smelled you, you were all sweaty in the bottom of the trench.” She tickled him.
“I’m an archaeologist! That’s what we do! That’s why we can come in here at night – ow, stop! Mercy!”
“I must tell my family about our engagement tomorrow.” Achariya stopped teasing, and looked serious. Chanvatey squeezed her hand. “It’ll be okay,” he said.
But it wasn’t.
“Son Chanvatey, you said?” Her father’s expression was dark. “Son is a bad name around here, bad blood. The killing fields…” He bit his lip.
“I forbid this marriage,” he declared. “You must never see this man again.”
In the 1970s, Cambodia was ruled by the Khmer Rouge, who tried to impose an egalitarian society based solely on agriculture. They killed about two million of their own citizens in a reign of terror. Intellectuals and professional people were particularly targeted. Even wearing spectacles could have you hauled off to prison, tortured and executed. The places where people were executed became known as the killing fields.
Son Sen was a leading member of the ruling party.
The country has set up structures in educational establishments to help bring about reconciliation.
Such a horrible bit of history. I was not aware of that. Your lovely story was both tender and tragic.
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Thank you, Karen. I thought it likely that many people wouldn’t know this bit of history, hence the notes.
When I saw the prompt, my heart sank because I couldn’t ignore that history. I tried to find a way of writing about it that would show how long-lasting and virulent was the legacy of the period.
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You did it beautifully.
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A very convincing story Penny. Very well written and a surprising turn at the end. So much harmony and joy at the beginning and then the talk with the father. Still here, you are relaxed as a reader, because an discontent father is no obstacle for them to marry anyway.
You have perfectly managed to come from a very personal, emotional beginning of history to a political background. The dimension of this background is becoming conscious. It was not clear to me when your story was playing. In the 70s or later. Is this still the “heritage” which destroys the happiness of the couple?
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Dear Anie,
The story is in the present day. The father’s family – like almost all families in Cambodia in the 1970s – lost several members to political murder.
I don’t think the couple will be able to marry, I’m afraid.
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Yes, I can imagine that. Once the hatred is so great and passed on to the next generations. It would be desirable to try to restore peace after such atrocities. Alone for the generations afterwards
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It’s sad that the parent’s deep seated memories of those awful times, are to be taken out on the innocent young lovers of the present times
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Yes, very sad. And I can not really imagine that. I mean, here in Europe the war is not so long ago and I do not think, that there are many left, who have grief and hatred.
I always think of my grandfather, who was in captivity, when my son plays the national anthem of festivals in the orchestra. It is not about which nationality the victims of crime and war have. All of them should be commemorated!
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It never seems to end, I so wish and dream for world peace
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so do I, and with everybody just be a little bit more friendly with others, this would be already a big change in the world. So you did already start here in this community.
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Thanks, every little effort helps
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Dear Ivor
Thank you for commenting. You’re right – it is sad, but inevitable where such horrors have been perpetrated. That is one reason why I think we all need to struggle to our utmost to be humane, loving individuals, and to oppose organised violence like war in all its forms.
With very best wishes
Penny
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I remember hearing of the killing fields when I was a kid – unbelievable murder and torture, a true horror story in a beautiful country. For some reason it’s always more – slightly more – horrifying when you realise these crimes were committed by the government on their own people. Unimaginable.
Your dialogue in the opening is very sweet and playful – your feel that excitement of young love coming through. Then the memories of those bad days resurface and we have our tragic ending.
Beautifully done Penny
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Dear Lynn
Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
I was distressed when I saw this week’s prompt, because there was no way I could write something that didn’t refer to the killing fields – and I really didn’t want to. I’ve tried to imply eventual hope. The youngsters weren’t aware of the hatred they were ‘supposed’ to feel. Although they will never marry, the hatred is weakening, and the next generation should be okay.
With very best wishes
Penny
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After such devastation it’s inevitable scars will take generations to heal. Let’s hope it happens eventually
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that is hard and bitter!
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A shame he should be tarred by his name, but it must be difficult for people to forget something so horrific.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Iain.
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This was a a really good idea,Penny. There is too much hatred and war on Earth, we must send some signs of Hope!
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It is easy to say i f you never had to suffer like them, but Deep in my heart I feel,they would live netter with forgiveness. Foregiveness makes big, hate makes poor.
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Yes, forgiveness matters even more to the person forgiving than to the offender
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this is so true, but unfortunately not to recognize at once.
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Well done story of that terrible time. This it is ever so in revolution: the people rise in idealistic fervor, the streets run with blood, and like as not the same people reassume their positions of power.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Josh.
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Dear Penny,
A very sad bit of history. People in every culture can find any reason for slaughter and, worse, justify it. Horrible history. Good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you thought it was a good story – thank you!
All the best
Penny
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It was indeed a very good story!
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Ah, so that’s what the ‘killing fields’ are. Something I’ve rarely heard said, let alone explained. Thank you. How terrible.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Jelli.
The news of the killing fields was first reported in the press about 1980, I think, so it was very much ‘current affairs’ to me, rather than history.
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Ah, I was about 10 yrs or so then… probably the fartherest thing from my mind. At that time, I was out bef/aftr school working at whatever job I could find to pay rent and buy groceries. That said, it gives me a research project for the library this week, so it’s good! 🙂
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When I read about Khmer Rouge in school, I had many sleepless nights. Very sad bit of world history. Loved the write.
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I’m not surprised you had sleepless nights. It’s hard to comprehend how men can do such things.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Lavynia
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Such a beautiful place harbors such a menacing history. I don’t believe there is any place on earth that is devoid of such horror stories… Sad and poignant Penny.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Fluid Phrase.
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I didnt know about this bit of history Penny – thanks for sharing. However, parental pressure on children to marry as per their wishes is an all too common and often tragic story in this part of the world. Yet things are changing. I have to confess I loved the first half of the story more than the latter half 🙂
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Dahlia. It would be a happy world in which true love was always triumphant, but in this imperfect life that doesn’t always happen. There is a saying “If you can’t have the one you love, love the one you have,” which contains quite a lot of truth, I think.
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it is unbelievable how much discussion has arisen through your story, Peggy! Phantastic! For me, this saying does not count. You’re right the circumstances in the world are difficult and often unfair and inhuman. We can be so lucky that we can live our free will and not have to compromise! We should thank god for this, and pray for all, who are not so lucky!
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So true! Besides sometimes even if you have the one you love you have to work at continuing to love the one you have 😉 😀 Cheers Penny
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this is very wise! Of course love must always be cultivated and groomed, especially if you already have it!
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do you really think this saying contains truth? Why should I love the one I have, does loving has anything to do with will? Can I decide whom I love? Maybe there is something completely wrong with me, but for me love is not controllable!
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I agree with Dahlia 100%, thank you Dahlia!!
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Thank you Marvel 🙂
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you are welcome Dahlia!!!
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You’re exactly right, Dahlia! You have to work at continuing to love the one you have. But what a pleasure that work can be, even when it’s not easy!
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Yes indeed Penny 🙂
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well can you ever be sure what you have or not. But this may be exactly the hardest part of all. It´s a pleasure you are so right Penny, but allways this bitter pressure inside of fear to loose.
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I thought of the killing fields, too, when I saw Cambodia as the Pegman Prompt. I’m glad I didn’t follow my instinct to write about them – you did a splendid job.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Alicia. It always amazes me how many varied stories are written in response to the same image.
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