Today Pegman takes us to Kampala, Uganda.
Feel free to stroll around the area using the Google street view and grab any picture you choose to include in your post.
To enjoy stories inspired by the What Pegman Saw prompt or to submit your own 150-word story, visit the inLinkz button:
For guidelines and rules for the What Pegman Saw weekly writing prompt, visit the home page.
Many thanks to J Hardy Carroll and K Rawson for hosting this challenge that I can’t seem to resist.
Due to another insanely busy weekend and no extra head space, I’m a bit late for the party. This was a learning experience for me.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 150
LORD OF ALL BEASTS
Assa handed the young woman a package filled with herbs. “Put these in your tea and, in less than a year, you will hold your little one in your arms, Dembe.”
Dembe’s full lips spread into a smile and her dark cheeks shone with tears. “Thank you, I hope he will be a strong, handsome boy like yours, Mrs. Dada.”
“Call me Mzazi, for I am not longer a wife, only a mother.”
Gazing out the window, Assa watched her ten-year-old son trudge up the dusty road. His slow pace and stooped shoulders told her he was weary from a day of working in the fields. This would not be so had Andreas not cast them out, swearing the child was not his. Her anger burned white-hot.
“Jambo, Miss Dembe.” He bowed as he entered the house.
Hugging her package to her chest, Dembe nodded. “Jambo yourself, Bwana Idi Amin.”
.
.
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Wow. Just. Wow.
Showing the humble beginnings….
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Dear Dale,
It’s mind boggling, but they all start a children. Thank you!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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True. All the evil ones were probably mostly sweet children at one point…
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Such a monster he turned out to be. You have to wonder what events turned him from humble beginnings to what he became. Good story, as usual.
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Jan, we went the same thoughts on this one. you do have to wonder what it is that turns a good soul bad.
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Dear Jan,
There are monsters everywhere, aren’t there? We don’t have to look far. Thank you for reading and commenting as always. ❤
Love,
Rochelle
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Wow, Rochelle, you really know how to make us all sit back and ask ourselves the deep questions. I spent decades studying WW2 trying to answer Jan’s wonderful question of what it is that turns a soul to the dark side. So very sad, too.
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Dear Jelli,
Perhaps it’s a good thing we don’t understand that kind of evil. How the Imins and Hitlers of this word function and sleep at night is way beyond me. Thank you for your generous comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice scene Rochelle, the simplicity congrats and highlights what he was to become. Like others have commented, trying to pin down what turned the humble rural kid into the monster is a fascinating mystery.
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Dear Iain,
As I’ve said before, it’s mind boggling to me. Who would have guessed in the 1930’s that the boy would become such an animal? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! And to believe that out of such innocence sprang the face of evil. Great writing.
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Dear Neel,
We all pretty much come into the world the same way, don’t we? Everyone was at one time, the innocent fruit of someone’s womb. I can’t imagine what causes a person to turn to the dark side like that. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It sounds like he had a rough start. It possibly built up resentment and a great desire for power. Powerful writing, Rochelle. —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I’ve no doubt that resentment had a lot to do with it. It also boggles my mind that someone with a fourth grade education can rise to such power. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As ever I’m blown away by the way you bring history to life and leave me left with something to ponder. Thanks Rochelle.
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Dear Karen,
I mulled over Uganda for a couple of days, not having a clue what to write. Then this one dropped into my lap. Your words are validating and generous. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was a knockout story, Rochelle. Thank you.
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Thank you, Hilary. You made my day.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I find it amazing how you lure me into a thought provoking history lesson each week – superb.
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Dear Dahlia,
Happy to lure. 😉 Thank you for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. Idi Amin casts a huge shadow over Uganda. I hope that my grandchildren will not have reason to still talk about the current president!
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Dear J Hardy,
And don’t we all share your concern. We live in “interesting times,” don’t we? Idi Amin was a monster and, I read, a great fan of Hitler. Go figure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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