Short Story

LONGYEARBYEN

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for The Unicorn Challenge,
and oh, what a challenge it was this time!
Here is my response to the photo prompt below.

© Ayr/Gray

Little Arvid was just a wee babe when his parents were tragically killed in a sledding accident. The only family he had was his Uncle Gunnar and Aunt Sigrid, who happily took him in to live with them. They were childless and lovingly raised their nephew.

Gunnar and Sigrid were little people, married for so long, neither one could recollect; their devotion was so rare, it kept them young. In fact they hadn’t aged at all since the day they married!

They lived in a tiny house in the world’s northernmost town of Longyearbyen, just 650 miles from the North Pole.

As Arvid grew, it became obvious that he, too, would be a little person; this was no problem because almost everyone in the town of Longyearbyen was a little person.

When Arvid reached the age of 8, Gunnar and Sigrid knew it was time for “the talk”. With great care they led Arvid into a small privy which was so secluded, Arvid had never seen it before. There was an imposing teal blue safe inside …. how very curious! Arvid was even more surprised when Uncle Gunnar opened the safe’s door to find it led directly outdoors!

The little family hopped on a long sled parked outside and sped down the snowy mountains until they reached the most magical place of all …. The North Pole! Soon, alongside his aunt and uncle, Arvid learned the mystical wonders of life …. helping Santa make toys for good girls and boys.

NAR © 2023
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-01/12/23

Ho! Ho! Ho! This is “Jingle Bell Rock (Daryl’s Version)” by Hall & Oates, pre-restraining order, don’t you know. Yeah, it is! 🎅🏼

36 thoughts on “LONGYEARBYEN”

  3. This is great. That photo was a challenge, I agree. I think you’re the only one who used the safe as a portal to go through. How clever of you. I love that idea. And your characters are gorgeous.

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    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed my story, Margaret!
      When I first saw the pic, I wasn’t thrilled with it and nothing came to me until the next morning when I woke up and just started writing. I’m happy I didn’t give up on this one; it’s something I’m quite proud of.
      Thanks again!

      Liked by 1 person

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  7. Delighted to see you took the safe way out of the toilet, Nancy!
    Lovely tale, and you led us through it so beautifully.
    But enough with the wretched Xmas songs already, or we’ll be forced to make Rule 2!

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