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. Thanks as always to Karen Rawson for facilitating this growing challenge. I must say it’s quite habit forming.
This morning I’m actually caught up on Friday Fictioneers so in the wee early hours I had some time to write. Following the research trail, I learned something new about an obscure and dying custom of the remote Kreoung tribe in Cambodia. As westerners many of us would shake our heads. Scandalous? I’ll leave that decision to the reader.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 150
LOVE SHACK
“When will you decide, daughter?” Mae clucked her tongue and shook her head. “When I was your age I had given birth twice. What about Heng or Phala? I happen to know both have visited you more than once. Either would make a good husband.”
Nineteen-year-old Duong Dara grimaced as she picked at her rice. “Phala fidgets and Heng’s breath is terrible.”
“Your mother is right.” Pa frowned. “Your sister has given us two grandsons and she is younger than you.”
Hours later Dara shrugged off their words as she peeked around the opening of her maiden hut. The power of choice was in her hand.
Chann approached. Moonlight haloed his gleaming hair. His mouth spread in a broad smile revealing even white teeth. Her heart raced and her breath caught in her throat as she anticipated those tender lips against hers.
Tonight the moon and stars belonged to them.
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*Note: Chann means Moon and Dara means Star. 😀
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Evocative and romantic. Love how you brought this custom to life through their point of view. Improper or empowered? You make us think, Rochelle.
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Dear Karen,
The articles I read and videos I watched actually supported the custom. Although to our western way of thinking it sounds improper. The women interviewed felt empowered. I couldn’t help but look for the romance in it. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A well written story of yet another culture so different from ours, and soon to disappear. Love the names, Moon and Stars. Once again, good job.
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Dear Jan,
If the custom hasn’t disappeared already. The articles and videos were all older than two years. Then you to the moon and stars, m’love.
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for a nicely told story that realises the tradition of the Kreung. Thank you, too, for translating the names and providing a link to the fascinating article.
Shalom
Penny
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Dear Penny,
When I started to suss out the story I didn’t actually have the names for the characters. But I found those on a list of male and female Cambodian names…well…just had to go there, didn’t I? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Standing right there beside her. Lovely setting for romance, and a beautiful story to go with. 🙂 Enjoyed that one, Rochelle. ❤
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Dear Jelli,
Thank you for such a sweet comment. I couldn’t resist a little romance this week. 😉 ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Romantic and hopeful in the context of the story. Dará is able to choose the father of her child.
Still I find it hard to feel any sympathy for people/countries who have such blatant disregard for women, even if they blame culture/beliefs or whatever.
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Dear Luccia,
I understand your feelings. I have my reservations for the custom myself. Although it’s two sided. The boys are sent to bachelor huts at a certain age as well. And, again, the girls are in control of whom they choose as a life partner. In instances where they don’t like the boys they aren’t obligated to engage with them either.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It doesn’t sound so bad when you explain it fully, but it makes me feel grateful I was born and live in western Europe.
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Fantastic write once again, Rochelle. A small tidbit of information: ‘Chand’ and ‘Tara’ in the Indian language of Hindi means the exact same things.
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Dear Varad.
I wonder if Hindi and Cambodian are drawn from the same lingual roots. Thank you for your kind comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story today. I love the pacing.
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Thank you, Josh. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Loved your inLinkz photo. 😉
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Oh! Love is in the air, along with a bit of rebellion.
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Dear Lish,
Dara is a bit headstrong isn’t she? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story! Very empowering for the women, who are trusted and in charge. And according to the article, the boys very much behave. Actually sounds quite civilised to me. And in some European countries the age of consent is as low as 14 rather than the usual 16.
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Dear Ali,
According to a couple of videos I watched the Kreung tribe had less incidents of rape or spousal abuse. Interesting, eh? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Different tribes have different beliefs. In today’s world where the population is swelling old ways are bound to change. I’m not going to judge another people’s beliefs. Good writing as always, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
This was my first knowledge of this custom. Although, to the chagrin of some, this one is fading away. I’ve seen less civilized behavior in western culture. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another bit of interesting (probably or at least soon to be) history penned in your own inimitable style 🙂 Btw in Hindi (and Bengali my mother tongue) Moon is called Chand and Tara is a star (taare is the plural) – not so different right?
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Dear Dahlia,
Varad told me earlier about the names in Hindi. Fascinating. I’m glad you both shared this with me. It makes me wonder if Hindi, Bengali and Khmer stem from the same lingual root. 😀 Thank you for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I write the is for the 2nd time – I must have missed pressing “post comment” properly and then flushed my comment! Aaargh!
Love the attitude of this tribe. Interesting how so much more respectful of women they are. So many cultures could learn from this. Too very sad they are being taken over…
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I understand frustration in commenting. Mine kept going to spam last week. It only took a whole day for the Akismet team to rectify the problem. 😉
In all the articles I read and videos I watched the Kreung are very respectful of the women. I knew nothing of them until Sunday when I went for a walk on the research trail. Thank you for dropping by…twice. 😀
Shalom and hugs,
Rochelle
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😄
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Such a lovely read.
Such a beautiful concept this tribe has; I hope they keep up their attitude even after being captutred
Click Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says
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Dear Dee Dee,
I have mixed feelings about the custom. Glad you liked my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am a sucker for romance and so what it if it comes alive in ancient custom of the
of the Kreung.Besides, i find the idea of women being allowed to chose who they cohabit with make fathers of their children very democratic and empowering. Much better than some of the modern day pseudo cultures that predominate the world.
As usual, another wonderful treat from the grand dame of flash fiction. Keep it coming, dear Rochelle.
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Dear Neel,
I’m a sucker for romance, too. I didn’t know about the custom until stumbling upon it on my research trail. I couldn’t resist. 😀 Thanks, as always, for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I see she has a different fellow in mind from those Mama picked out for her.
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Dear James,
A belated reply to this comment. In the end, among the Kreung, the final decision belongs to the daughter. Sorry this is late. Just seeing the comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No worries, Rochelle.
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Enjoyed your fresh batch off your word factory! Rochelle rocks as usual.
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