Offering Oneself

~ Kelvin M. Knight's blog

This week, Pegman takes us to the Sambor Prei Kuk Temple in Cambodia.

Funny the places that the internet will take you…As I was working my novel-in-progress, I was trying to describe the abundance of humidity in a particular location. Which got me wondering where was the most humid location in the world? Which led me to Cambodia (among other places). And when I happened to land here, I couldn’t resist selecting this as a Pegman destination. Hope you find it inspiring too.

Your mission is to write a 150-word (or less) story about the selected destination. Feel free to wander about. You may capture your own photo to use in your post. Feel free to select from any street view or photo sphere in the vicinity.

Have fun and don’t get lost!

To enjoy stories inspired by the What Pegman Saw prompt or to submit your own 150-word story, visit the inLinkz button:

Following Karen’s lovely introduction above, I did some research on the temple, and stumbled upon the picture below, after which my story below roared off my fingertips.

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OFFERING ONESELF

by

Kelvin M. Knight

The stone lions’ gaping mouths roared at Kaitlin. The sound was distant, as distant as her offering to the goddess Shakti; an offering their tour guide insisted upon yesterday.

Sighing, Kaitlin studied the lions’ stance: a cross between leaping to play, and standing on guard. Was Shakti telling her she should stop being guarded, that she needed to be playful?

‘And why not,’ she said mechanically.

Regarding the lions’ stone-leafed manes, Kaitlin tried to imagine them rustling. If only there was a breath of wind, then this heat, this humidity wouldn’t be so inhumane.

Stoney-faced, Kaitlin ambled forward. Between the lions, she span around and squatted like them, knees shoved wide, her arms ramrod straight.

Nurtured by the other tourists’ disdainful glares, Kaitlin opened her mouth and roared until she could roar no more.

Feeling her creativity flowing, she guffawed. This holiday was the correct decision after all.

(150 words)

 

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Published by Kelvin M. Knight's blog

I am a reader, a listener, a writer. I love helping people. I love storytelling... story showing. I love cycling, too.

34 thoughts on “Offering Oneself”

  9. Sighing, Kaitlin studied the lions’ stance: a cross between leaping to play, and standing on guard This line made me return to the picture and I thought, “Yes, he’s caught the posture just right!”

    All I can say is “Go! Kaitlin!!!!” Wonderful take on the prompt.

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  11. I had a bit of fun with the goddess and creativity too, but I took it in a very different direction. When Kaitlin squatted, I didn’t know what to expect. Look up “Yoni” and see what I mean.

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  13. Haha, hope she doesn’t end up in trouble. There are many museums and temples and cathedrals that I’ve visited where you want to do something like this instead of the revered silence you are forced to adopt. Nice take.

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  14. I’m imagining the young lady Kaitlin, squatting there like your stone lions and letting out an almighty roar, and I’m thoroughly smiling to myself and thinking, yes what an enthusiastic way to start your Cambodian Holiday

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    1. Your imagination is perfect, Ivor. Your no fear Australianness is lovely. Definitely an enthusiastic way to begin (and end) and holiday or soul-searching journey. Roooooooaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Not squatting though, me olde knees won’t take that position!

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