Today Pegman heads west to the quaintly-named Happy Jack, Arizona. Your mission as always is to use the photosphere/street view part of Google Maps to wander around and find something that inspires you to write up to 150 words, then post your work to the InLinkz below. Reading and commenting on other stories is part of the experience, so you won’t want to miss out! Do you best, and have fun!
I didn’t really have a clue until this morning what to write. On the other hand, I needed a diversion and it’s not like I have anywhere special to go. Many thanks to Josh and Karen (Good to see you back!) for hosting the challenge.
Such a peaceful setting. I would love to be there right now.
Genre: Historical Fiction
(I imagine this to take place before the Conquistadors. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 😉 )
Word Count: 150
SPIRIT OF LOVE
During her eighteenth summer Sicheii told Johona he had given her to Kai, a man from another Diné clan. In her anger, she stomped her feet and wailed, beating the air with her fists. “I don’t want a man.”
“My decision is made. Kai is a dependable man,” her grandfather told her. “He will give you a home and many children.”
The Spirit had not blessed Kai with good looks. His nose was too big and his eyebrows too thick. Johona wept bitterly on their marriage night and refused to share her bed with him.
Kai did not force her. “My hogan is yours. I’ll wait. “He flashed a crooked-toothed smile.
Two summers later, Johona gave thanks to Mother Earth at the ceremony celebrating her son’s first laugh. She rested her head on Kai’s broad chest.
“This child brings joy!” Sicheii proclaimed
“And,” Johona beamed, “he’s handsome like his father.”
*Sicheii is Navajo for Grandfather
Parents, remember your baby’s first laugh? What a sweet sound. Imagine a ceremony to celebrate it? How beautiful is that? When I read about it, I had to write about it. 😀
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Apparently he proved himself during that first year that let her learn to love him. Great story of love conquering all.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, m’luv ❤
LikeLike
Sweet story. Love how this moves through time. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…although sometimes it takes longer to behold it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Karen,
It felt like a good time to write something uplifting. Glad you came by to read. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom and good health.
Rochelle
LikeLike
Oh, I love this! Such a patient man. You know, I think I’d like to meet him. Stay well, friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lish,
I was in the mood for a good romance this morning. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom and good health, my friend,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good health to you!
LikeLike
Lovely story, Rochelle. You showed Johona’s changed attitude with skill. I really like the idea of a celebration of baby’s first laugh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Penny,
I love the celebration of the baby’s laughter, too. Such a sweet tradition. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
Such a beautiful story. His patience was rewarded. And you know it is so true how someone becomes more attractive to us the more we love them. He was a wise man to give her the time she needed.
I loved the video. Did you notice how he barely looked at the camera? The indigenous do not like cameras as they fear they take their soul. So kudos to him for putting himself at risk to teach us the importance of laughter.
Shalom and lots of laugh-filled love,
Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
Love does make the difference, doesn’t it? I see Kai as a very kind and gentle man, and maybe not quite as ugly as Johona’s original assessment. (Hate can make someone repulsive to look at even if they’re handsome, no?)
I was happy to find the video on the research trail. Now that you mention it, he didn’t look at the camera. A lovely tradition for what ever reason. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa celebratory hugs,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! A “homely” man becomes a handsome one through love just as a handsome becomes ugly through hate.
I know this because we have an Indian friend who gives me shit every time I try to take his picture 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your story. Thanks for sharing.
SHalom,
Ronda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ronda. It seemed a good day to write something uplifting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I’m a sucker for the love story where the other person seems plain at first, even ugly — until you get to know them, and their beauty shines out from the inside and fills your whole heart until you can’t understand why you didn’t see it before. And I also love the idea of celebrating a child’s first laugh — how lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Joy,
I’m the same way with love stories. And when I found that the Navajo actually do have a ceremony to celebrate a child’s first laugh, I was all over it. 😉 Thank you for such an affirming comment.
Shalom and good health,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
How did I miss this? It’s so lovely. That seeming mismatch of people who grow love between them. And a ceremony for baby’s first laugh is just a wonderful idea. As always with to, a lovely take told with great humanity
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lynn,
To be fair, I was late to the party last week. Thank you for not being put off by my fishing for a comment. 😉 Yours are always so delicious. I fell in love with the idea of a ceremony for the first laugh and had to build a story around it. In my mind, this takes place before the Spaniards arrived. Thank you again.
Shalom and good health,
Rochelle
LikeLike
It’s a lovely story and no apology needed – I’m very glad you brought it to my attention ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person