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 Karen Rawson and her highly significant other J Hardy Carroll for co-hosting this challenge.
One of the differences you might notice in my Pegman stories is that my stories do fit the prompt more closely than in Friday Fictioneers. The difference is that participants in this challenge can ‘make the punishment fit the crime.’ 😉 In other words, as long as we stay in the vicinity, we can choose the photo we want to use. Not to mention, there’s the sheer luxury of 50 more words. 😀
Today Pegman takes us to Christchurch, New Zealand
No surprises. My story is Historical Fiction. A little more recent than most, this takes place in Christchurch on February 22, 2011 when the city was shaken to its foundation by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake.
Word Count: 150
ACT OF GOD
Sack full of cardboard containers in hand, I pushed the restaurant door open with my foot. The aroma of soy sauce and seafood made my empty stomach growl.
I shoved the dog that blocked my path. “Out of my way! You’ll make me late for work.”
Her ribs practically poked through her black fur. “Poor thing.” I reached into my sack and pulled out a piece of shrimp. “Now scat!”
Moments later, amid screams, barking and smashing glass, I lay trapped under piles of debris.
Two weeks later, following extensive surgery, my right leg and life as I knew it were memories. 185 of my coworkers at CTV had perished.
The authorities wanted to euthanize the dog for she’d lost her hind legs. I couldn’t let them, could I?
Today, Awhina the Wonder Dog shares my home. Looking back over the past two years, I ask myself, who saved whom?
Note: Awhina, pronounced ‘Afeena,’ is a name that means ‘help or support’ in the Maori language. Kia Ora and thank you for reading. 😀
Beautiful and heartwarming story created from a historical event, Rochelle. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I’m glad you enjoyed my story and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That earthquake was very devastating. Good story of placing a little humanity, and unexpected gift, in a tragic experience. You just never know. Good job.
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Dear Jan,
I’ve learned to look for the human face of history. Without it, we write dry textbooks that are easy to forget. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wonderful, upbeat story, in the end anyway. I saw a lot of rubble when looking around Christchurch, too. ?????
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Dear Alicia,
I veered away from the Google map page early on. 😉 There are plenty of pictures from the earthquake available. I was kind of ashamed that I knew nothing about it until this morning when it only happened 6 years ago. We are polarized, aren’t we? Or, at least, I am. I’m glad you liked my story. It kept me awake half the night. Big mouthed muse. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have trouble with the Google Map thing and usually find out where Pegman is then go to a website and get a picture. I can’t seem to capture a Google Map picture. (Oh! I did ONCE) Sorry your muse wouldn’t leave you alone last night!
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I’m not sorry, Lish. I like my story. Maybe a nap this afternoon, though. When I do choose a Pegman shot a I use my computer’s snipping tool. comes in very handy for saving photos or turning PNGs into Jpgs.
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Snipping tool? What’s that?
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I’m such a dinosaur.
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Expertly woven tale. Really brings the facts and humanity together beautifully. Selfishly glad your muse kept you up.
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Dear Karen,
I’m so glad you enjoyed my story. I’m yawning with delight. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful story, Rochelle. Uplifting, but of course so sad too. Suffering is dreadful, but it can make people better.
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Dear Luccia,
It seems that major disasters can bring out the best or the worst in people. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is really powerful, Rochelle. You captured the moment perfectly. Nice job
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Thank you, Josh. Your words bring a smile to these lips.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Who saved who, indeed! A beautiful story for this most blessed day! 🙂 ❤
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Dear Jelli,
Sometimes I wonder if animals don’t fall under the category of the angels we entertain unaware. 😉 Thank you for your sweet words and Resurrection greetings. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You, Madam, have a gift! This was a beautifully woven tale showing there is always a way to find a silver lining!
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Dear Dale,
You turn my head. <3:D Thank you for such lovely words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😘
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What a heartwarming tale in the midst of catastrophe! Really enjoyed this story.
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Many thanks, Magarisa. (I just realized I’ve been spelling your name wrong. Sorry). I’m glad you enjoyed my story and took the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the way your stories bring out the humanity of history. You bring history home to the heart. A wonderful story, Rochelle. I loved it.
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Dear Eric,
This might sound weird or self-serving, but my own writing has helped me put a face on history for me. Hope that made sense. thank you for such a wonderful comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense. Writing can be therapeutic or place things in better perspective for the writer. It’s one of the side benefits of writing. 🙂
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Dear Rochelle,
Now you’ve managed to fill my eyes with happy-sad tears. There’s something about the way humans and dogs interact and bond — how they look out for each other — that will always move me deeply.
Well done, for tugging on the heartstrings with this story.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I don’t think an author can receive higher praise than tears. Thank you.
If you haven’t seen this I think you’ll appreciate it. One of my favorites even though I don’t have a dog in residence, I adore them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wWHLdHroyQ
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Oh, what a soppy video. Now I’ve got wet eyes again.
Have you ever come across the speech by Senator George Vest delivered in court in 1870, titled “Eulogy to a Dog” http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/vest.htm
All best wishes,
Sarah
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I love that, Sarah. How many dogs have I seen in the news that belonged to fallen war heroes that kept vigil. Touching. Now it’s I who am misty-eyed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wonderful story dripping with humanity or should i say doganity.
You captured the symbiotic relationship between humans and our four legged wonders very well, Rochelle.
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Dear Neel,
I believe you’ve created a new word. 😉 The loyalty and courage of some animals is amazing. I had hoped to capture that with Awheena. Thank you for your wonderful comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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