Songxicun, China | Gao Shian, Google Maps
The tea merchant’s daughter was as luminous as the full winter moon over Jade Dragon mountain, and one day, Lin Bao would marry her. This he decided when he saw her kneeling before the tranquil pool beneath the tea merchant’s shop. She was feeding a handful of sticky rice to the koi. She looked up, her dark eyes wide, her pink mouth abloom like an orchid.
“Oh,” he said. It was all he could think to say. He turned around and ran up the cobblestone street. His bare feet pounded fast as his heart as he hurried back to the two-room where he lived with his parents and brothers.
If he didn’t marry her, life wasn’t worth living. He smoothed his hair as he walked inside. There were so many things to do. To court, to woo, to win. And first of all, to learn her name.
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148 words
This has been an edition of What Pegman Saw. To read more stories inspired by the prompt, click here.
k. Rawson 
A smile slowly develops as that last line approaches. 🙂
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I’m so glad to hear this. Thanks Crispina!
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I had trouble finding an image, but I eventually managed it and will post my offering on Monday.
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Super, so glad to hear it. There were not many in that area. But if you run into this problem again, you are always welcome to expand the geographical area until you can find something that suits you.
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Okay, will do. Ta muchly. 🙂 🙂 🙂
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What a beautiful tale. I loved the koi smile…
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Thanks so much Violet 🙂
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Lovely story. I like how he’s made all these decisions based on a wholly imaginary situation. Great stuff, especially the language.
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Thanks so much. I think sometimes that is what love is like–imaginary.
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[…] to Karen and Josh for hosting this weekly […]
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Dear Karen,
Love this story! The title has me humming and the last line made me laugh out loud. Delightful.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, I am delighted by your reaction. I had a lot of fun writing it 🙂
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Oh, how I enjoyed that story! It brought back warm memories from over half a century ago. That moment when you see someone who is. just. it! All illusory, of course, but what a sweet illusion!
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Aw, Penny what a great compliment. I’m so glad the story had that effect.
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Lovely! Oh! to be a teenager in love……Although?????? Nice story. 😊
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Haha, the being in love part is always nice, but being a teenager? Maybe not so much. Thanks for reading!
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Oh. I suppose that would translate to wow, now. Hope she feels the same, and that it matters to him that she does.
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I hope so too. And if she doesn’t, then that he can move on. But I’d rather imagine them living happily ever after.
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I wonder what her name is? And his. A match made in heaven, struck on earth, for sure. A beautifully told tale, Karen. No monkeys required I am sure!
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Lol, you crack me up. I’m so glad you liked it! She needs a very special name, I think.
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Reblogged this on Kelvin M. Knight and commented:
One of the best stories I have had the pleasure of reading this year.
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Oh wow Kelvin, how very kind! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it. High praise coming from you, whose work I admire so much. Thank you for the reblog.
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Awesome read
Ghost Town
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Thanks for taking the time to read and comment!
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Ah… Let’s hope that he’s successful and both of them have a happy married life.
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