This week Pegman takes us to Nigeria. Feel free to use the location chosen or chose from one of the many photo spheres available throughout the country of Nigeria. if you drift over to Lagos along the southwest shore, you’ll also be able to take a streetview.
The Pegman challenge is to write 150 words inspired by this week’s location. Will it be historical fiction? Fantasy? Contemporary? Or does the location bring out your poetry muse? It’s up to you. When your piece is polished, please share a link to it at the linkup below:
Although the photo I chose is from the Pegman buffet and is the Garura Waterfall in Nigeria, I traveled far afield. What can I say? Tis the season when a Jewish princess’ thoughts turn to Moses, Matza and Maror (bitter herbs). Enjoy! Chag Samayach (Happy Holiday) Whether you celebrate Passover, Easter or all or none of the above.
As always, many thanks to Karen and Josh for hosting the Pegman Party.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 150
DELIVERANCE
Yosi pushed at the door, but before he could open it, his mother shoved him aside and shouted, “No! Not tonight. It’s not safe.”
Yosi’s lower lip quivered. His black curls clung to his forehead. “Your cooking makes me hot.”
Dafna whisked him into her arms, kissed his cheek and sat him on the floor beside the infant who slumbered peacefully in her basket. “You must watch your sister for me while I gather our belongings for our journey.”
“Why are we leaving Egypt? Where are we going? Why is this night different?”
“So many questions, Yosi, my firstborn son?” Oriel dripped lamb’s blood on the doorpost. He smiled and shrugged. “Someday you’ll understand and teach your own children.”
***
Forty years later, Yosi recalled the parting of the Reed Sea and prepared the Passover in the Promised Land.
“Abba,” Yosi’s son asked, “Why is this night different from all others?”
***
COMING SOON!
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Thank you. This is certainly the perfect day for such a story.
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Dear James,
Tis the season. I couldn’t resist. .;) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent story for the day, Rochelle. I always think of Twain where Huck is talking about “Moses and the bullrushers.” Better than Charlton Heston, I guess 😉
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Dear Josh,
Mr. Heston will always be remembered as Moses I think…alongside Yul Brynner as pharaoh. Many thanks for your comments. I raise my concord grape and say “L’chaim.”
Shalom and Happy Holidays,
Rochelle
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A fitting story. Love the way you show tradition literally passing on.
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Thank you, Karen. It seemed like the thing to write this week. 😉
Shalom and Happy Holidays,
Rochelle
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Ah, tradition passed from one hand/mind/ story to the next. Well captured.
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Dear Lish,
In Hebrew we say, “L’dor v’dor.” From generation to generation. Thank you.
Shalom and Happy Holidays,
Rochelle
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I can only imagine what a confusing and terrifying night that would have been, but what a way to end the story — that he survived, to pass on the tradition to his own children.
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Dear Joy,
After all the plagues and upheaval, no doubt that was a night to remember. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom and Happy Holidays to you and yours,
Rochelle
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Happy Holidays to you too, Rochelle.
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Thank you broadening my world view yet again 🙂
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My pleasure, Dahlia, as you have broadened mine. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Yes, perfect timing for this wonderful story. You do have the knack for bringing humanity into everything. Love the video too because we non-Jews have some inklings of what Passover is all about but not the fun games and songs attached thereto.
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
One has to wonder, whether or not you accept the story as fact or myth, what it would’ve been like.
As for the video, I wish the woman would slow down a bit. Still it was the best I could find as far as a concise explanation.
Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment, my friend. ❤
Shalom and Happy Holidays,
Rochelle
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Nice rendition of a historical event. What a terrible and confusing night that was for all peoples involved.
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I can’t imagine what that night was like. And you certainly wouldn’t let your firstborn outside. Thanks, m’luv. 😉
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Tradition is continuous as the ocean, and just as deep, and as wild, and as calm. Much like your storytelling, Rochelle.
Shalom
Kelvin
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Dear Kelvin,
Your comment is like poetry. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. For the video too. There was so much I did not know about such a big event of history.
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Dear Shivam,
That’s the beauty of blogging, isn’t it? We teach each other. (If only the rest of the world were like this.) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember learning about Passover at school. We held a meal and I remember the bitter herbs particularly – I did not like them at all!
Truthfully I find the Passover story chilling. Chilling for the first born but chilling for what the plagues came out of – centuries of slavery and oppression. Horrifying, what people do to one another. I felt the bonds of tradition in your story, the importance of a shared history and never to forget. Happy Passover, Rochelle
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Dear Lynn,
The bitter herbs at our seders are horseradish. For me, the hotter the better. 😉 The Passover story is chilling. It pleases me to know my story evoked emotions. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very emotional, but then that is often the crux of your stories, the strong bonds between people
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Dear Rochelle
You’ve written a model piece of flash fiction. So much significant detail, and such a lovely construction, which shows so effectively the power of the oral tradition! The drama of your narration reminded me of the whole Exodus/Passover narrative. Thank you!
Shalom
Penny
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Dear Penny,
Your comments made me smile. Thank you so much for that.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I could see Yosi and his mother clearly in my mind’s eye. You really brought this historical event to life!
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Dear Magarisa,
Comments like this give me cause to smile and then smile again. We writers are word picture artists, aren’t we? When someone says they see it clearly it’s the utmost compliment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Writers are word picture artists indeed. 🙂
You are most welcome, Rochelle.
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A lovely passing on from one generation to the next. Like others I also find the Passover quite chilling. The end result was good, but the thought of the spirit of God swooping around looking for unmarked houses is quite scary.
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Dear Ali,
It must’ve been a terrifying night for those with children…or those who were the firstborn. L’dor v’dor as we say in Hebrew, from generation to generation. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gorgeously written story that fits very well with Easter.
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Dear Lisa,
Compliments don’t get much better. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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