“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page, from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s location is Greenland.
Image by Ellasommer on Pixabay
The Ice Maiden
Lars sighed and looked up from his homework. It was no use. He was going to have to see her again.
After the indoor smell of food, the autumn air felt fresh and chill. A dog howled somewhere.
Was he foolish, leaving without a rifle? A bear had been seen pillaging trash cans. He shrugged. If he went back into the house, his mom would probably catch him and make him go back to his studies.
It grew ever colder as he walked out of town, but his clothes were warm. His fingers tingled and his mouth was dry with anticipation.
And there she was. Beautiful. Perfect. The moonlight shone through her, making her glow with every shade of blue. Her sculpted features were proud and yet alluring, warm and yet ice-cold. Pinpoint reflections of stars sparkled on her like scattered diamonds.
Lars sank to his knees – and worshipped.
Autumn Leaves 
Great story. You captured the sense of place very well.
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Dear Josh,
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the sense of place.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Now I really want to know what happens next! Who is she? Is she real? Is he imagining her? Great characterization and a compelling set up.
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Dear Karen
Thank you for reading and commenting. She is literally an ice maiden, as she is an ice sculpture. The story is an allegory.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Dear Penny,
Stunning photo and wonderful story. Like Karen, I’m wanting to know more. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for reading and commenting. Lars has been intoxicated by the beauty that the ice sculptor has created in the form of this ice maiden.
Shalom
Penny
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A couple really sophisticated moves here: changing smells to indicate he is now outside, on his way; the bear and increasing cold, to indicate potential threat to his life; and the shaft of light through the ice to indicate she is literally sculpted. Lovely description of the light and ice.
My question is, is it his creation, his Pygmalion?
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Dear Andi
Thank you for reading and commenting. I really appreciate the care and detail of your analysis. You are absolutely right to deduce that Lars has risked his life for this moment in front of the sculpture. It’s not his Pygmalion, though – it is the work of a professional ice sculptor.
The story is, as I expect you’ve already guessed, an allegory with multiple possible interpretations.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Hopefully, she’s not one of those mythical beings that lure men to their deaths! Beautifully descriptive writing.
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Dear Mags
Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comments. In a way, she could lure men to their deaths – Lars is risking both bear and cold to spend just a few moments gazing at the Ice Maiden, who is an ice sculpture.
With very best wishes
Penny
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The Ice Maiden has certainly robbed Lars of his senses!
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A modern day, ice bound Pygmalion. Captivated by a woman too perfect to age and grow ugly, too solid to argue with him. I agree with Josh, you capture the place so well, just the hints at the cold tell us all we need to know beautiful but I worry for Lars.
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Dear Lynn
Thank you for reading and for your kind comments. Like you, I worry for Lars; in fact, in the original concept he was going to freeze to death. But if we worry for Lars, we should also worry for ourselves, for we, too, love beauty and art…
With very best wishes
Penny
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