My favorite readings from this semester include: Sita Sings the Blues, The Missing Queen, and Twenty Jataka Tales. In Sita Sings the Blues, I loved the idea of watching a movie and the animation and the songs were very entertaining. The Missing Queen is a fantastic modern version of the Ramayana. I loved that it was sort of like a detective story and it was told from a character that was not in the original story. I did the same sort of thing with my storybook and it was nice to see someone else's take on the same concept. I loved the Twenty Jataka Tales because I love seeing different culture's children's stories. I feel like you can tell a lot about a culture based off of the life lessons they teach their children in their stories.
Some suggestions for future students would be to plan ahead and stay on top of your readings. There is a lot of reading for this class and it can become difficult to stay on top of. Especially when your other classes start to get crazy.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Reflections
I am most proud of my storybook project for this class. It was a joy for me to revisit characters from my project in Mythology and Folklore and I had so much fun. I am proud of myself for developing the characters personalities more in this storybook. I will really be sad to see Wolfgang and Hunter go.
One of the most valuable take aways from this class is creative writing. Writing the stories for this class was a great stress reliever. I would like to continue this. Who knows? Maybe one day I will write a book or something from my creative writing.
Tech Tip: Weather Widget
I added the weather widget to my blog today! I wish I would have done it sooner! I think it is a great addition to the blog!
Famous Last Words Week 14
This week I would love to take a moment to talk about a recitalnado.
What is a recitalnado? Well, I'm about to tell you.
This Friday I went to one of my best friends senior recital. As a music education major this recital is something she has been working for over the past four years. I don't know if you realize this but being a music major is harder than you think. You would think that it would be easy but it is not. They spend hours in class and some classes don't even have credit! On top of that they spend countless hours working on perfecting their skills. She bought a brand new dress, picked out music, food for a reception, she even wrote a song and dedicated it to her parents. The weather was getting bad and she was stressing herself to try to be done before it got worse. About halfway through the recital someone came into the room and told us we needed to leave Catlett and take shelter at the Physical Sciences Center. I felt so awful. She had spent countless hours preparing for this moment and because of the weather she was not going to be able to finish. The Physical Science Center was complete chaos. Everyone and there dog was there. Not joking. There were so many dogs! Which I love! Once norman was in the clear we decided to go back to Catlett and let her finish her recital. She was so grateful for everyone that came and was able to have a great attitude about the entire situation. She was absolutely amazing and I am so proud of her! She definitely had a recital that no one will ever forget!
Here is a picture of her after the tornado. Isn't she gorgeous?
What is a recitalnado? Well, I'm about to tell you.
This Friday I went to one of my best friends senior recital. As a music education major this recital is something she has been working for over the past four years. I don't know if you realize this but being a music major is harder than you think. You would think that it would be easy but it is not. They spend hours in class and some classes don't even have credit! On top of that they spend countless hours working on perfecting their skills. She bought a brand new dress, picked out music, food for a reception, she even wrote a song and dedicated it to her parents. The weather was getting bad and she was stressing herself to try to be done before it got worse. About halfway through the recital someone came into the room and told us we needed to leave Catlett and take shelter at the Physical Sciences Center. I felt so awful. She had spent countless hours preparing for this moment and because of the weather she was not going to be able to finish. The Physical Science Center was complete chaos. Everyone and there dog was there. Not joking. There were so many dogs! Which I love! Once norman was in the clear we decided to go back to Catlett and let her finish her recital. She was so grateful for everyone that came and was able to have a great attitude about the entire situation. She was absolutely amazing and I am so proud of her! She definitely had a recital that no one will ever forget!
Here is a picture of her after the tornado. Isn't she gorgeous?
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Week 14 Storytelling: Girl on the Flyer
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| Missing Person from Stidhamreconstruction |
I looked at the flyer with a photo of a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. The caption read in bold letters "MISSING TEENAGE GIRL". I turn away from the flyer with tears in my eyes. That is not just any teenage girl. That is my sister.
It started like any other day. My alarm went off about four times and I pressed snooze every time. I did not want to go to school. I wanted to keep dreaming the day away. My mom came in and told me to get up and get ready or else I would be late. Not that it really mattered. Groaning in protest I got up and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and do my hair. I had just put toothpaste on my toothbrush when my mom pounded on my door.
"Nancy. Is your sister in there with you?"
I rolled my eyes, "No. Why would we be in the bathroom together mom? That is weird."
"You sure?" my mom asked nervously.
My mom's tone was starting to make me worry. I opened the door. "Yeah, mom she's not here." I saw the panic in her eyes. "Mom, what's wrong???" She runs down the hall, grabs her phone, and dials 911. "MOM!" I yell.
I hear a voice on the phone "911 what's your emergency?"
My mom's voice trembles, "Yes, I can't find my daughter. I think she's been kidnapped."
Suddenly I feel the world spinning around me. I run to my sisters bedroom and the window is open and her stuff is everywhere. Drawers were on the ground and I saw scratch marks on her headboard. I fall on the ground as the world goes to black.
I wake up in my bed. It was only a dream. I sit up and hear a lot of people in the house. Police are everywhere. They are asking my parents questions about my sister. My mom pulls out a photo of her from our family vacation over spring break. I run back to my room and slam the door.
How could I have let this happen? I was in the next room. How could I not have heard her? I hope and pray that someone, anyone could find my sister and bring her home to me.
Author's Note: I based this week's story off of The Missing Queen by Samhita Arni (2014). In this version of the Ramayana, Samhita mentions Sita's sister Urmila. It made me really think about how difficult Sita's disappearance would be on Sita's family. I really wanted to focus on how Urmila may have felt when she discovered her sister was missing. The story made me think of how I would respond if my little sister went missing, so I wrote how I think I would have reacted.
Reading Diary Week 14: Missing Queen Part D
The Missing Queen by Samhita Arni (2014)
I thought this was a great story and I would recommend this novel to anyone! It wasn't quite what I had expected, but I loved the modern take on the Ramayana. It was really interesting to see the story of Sita unfold from the perspective of a journalist.
Something that I would love to elaborate on is Sam Bhoo Kha's story. I love the idea of the matriarchal society that he was a part of before Ayodhya came. The queen was in power, women had no shame and did not wear shirts because it was more convenient to feed the young, and they had freedom for women that was not common. My history teacher used to say, "behind the downfall of every man lurkes a woman." However, the queen was trying to avoid war and turmoil for her people. It was a man (brother to a girl that was assaulted) that started the war between Sam Bhoo Kha's tribe and Ayodhya. Although, some could argue that it was the girl's fault for going into the Ayodhya emissioner's tent. Regardless, I think this would be a fun story to tell.
I also loved how this version of the story ended compared to the original story that we read in class. As I was reading, I liked the fact that Sita died and Rama did not just take the boys and leave Sita in a forest. I thought that was a more suiting end because Sita could not survive on her own without her boys. Then there was the cliffhanger at the end. I would love for that to be Sita alive and well, however, part of me also wishes that it wasn't. I can't imagine Sita sitting in a cabin somewhere content in life when her sons are with their father that had abandoned them before they were born and thought their own mother was dead.
I thought this was a great story and I would recommend this novel to anyone! It wasn't quite what I had expected, but I loved the modern take on the Ramayana. It was really interesting to see the story of Sita unfold from the perspective of a journalist.
Something that I would love to elaborate on is Sam Bhoo Kha's story. I love the idea of the matriarchal society that he was a part of before Ayodhya came. The queen was in power, women had no shame and did not wear shirts because it was more convenient to feed the young, and they had freedom for women that was not common. My history teacher used to say, "behind the downfall of every man lurkes a woman." However, the queen was trying to avoid war and turmoil for her people. It was a man (brother to a girl that was assaulted) that started the war between Sam Bhoo Kha's tribe and Ayodhya. Although, some could argue that it was the girl's fault for going into the Ayodhya emissioner's tent. Regardless, I think this would be a fun story to tell.
I also loved how this version of the story ended compared to the original story that we read in class. As I was reading, I liked the fact that Sita died and Rama did not just take the boys and leave Sita in a forest. I thought that was a more suiting end because Sita could not survive on her own without her boys. Then there was the cliffhanger at the end. I would love for that to be Sita alive and well, however, part of me also wishes that it wasn't. I can't imagine Sita sitting in a cabin somewhere content in life when her sons are with their father that had abandoned them before they were born and thought their own mother was dead.
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| The Chicago Massacre of 1812 from Wiki Commons |
Week 14 Reading Diary: Missing Queen Part C
The Missing Queen by Samhita Arni (2014)
I think that Sita's sister, Urmila, has a great story to be told. I have a little sister and if she suddenly went missing I would do all that is in my power to find her. I don't blame her for being upset with her husband for getting rid of her sister. I don't think I would ever forgive my husband if he made my sister leave, especially without letting me say goodbye. I love that Urmila stood up to Rama in this story and said she did not want him to find another wife because he was still married to her sister. I know that must have taken a lot of bravery because in this world women don't seem to have a lot of power. If I wrote a story I would love to have it be right after Sita went missing. It would concentrate on Urmila and her efforts to find her sister and then the betrayal of her husband. I could only imagine how Urmila would feel when finding out that her own husband got rid of her sister.
Another scene I found interesting was the bar scene in chapter 21. I could either write the story about a regular customer that likes to come there and listen to the music or I could write about the singer herself. The song that she sung seemed to really hit home for a lot of people including the singer. I feel like there was a backstory to this song. I would love to create it. Perhaps her mother wanted her to marry an Ayodhya man, or maybe she had a friend that fell into the trap?
I think that Sita's sister, Urmila, has a great story to be told. I have a little sister and if she suddenly went missing I would do all that is in my power to find her. I don't blame her for being upset with her husband for getting rid of her sister. I don't think I would ever forgive my husband if he made my sister leave, especially without letting me say goodbye. I love that Urmila stood up to Rama in this story and said she did not want him to find another wife because he was still married to her sister. I know that must have taken a lot of bravery because in this world women don't seem to have a lot of power. If I wrote a story I would love to have it be right after Sita went missing. It would concentrate on Urmila and her efforts to find her sister and then the betrayal of her husband. I could only imagine how Urmila would feel when finding out that her own husband got rid of her sister.
Another scene I found interesting was the bar scene in chapter 21. I could either write the story about a regular customer that likes to come there and listen to the music or I could write about the singer herself. The song that she sung seemed to really hit home for a lot of people including the singer. I feel like there was a backstory to this song. I would love to create it. Perhaps her mother wanted her to marry an Ayodhya man, or maybe she had a friend that fell into the trap?
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| Singing woman in red from Shutterstock |
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Storytelling Week 13: Goodnight Princess
Trijatha was getting ready for bed when her father walked in.
"You all ready?"
"Yup!" she said with a smile!
"Brush your teeth? Wash your face? Comb your hair?"
"Yup, yup, and yup!"
"Did you give your old man a hug and kiss goodnight?"
"Not yet!" Trijatha said. She then ran up to him and gave him a big hug. Her father picked her up and tucked her into bed.
"Goodnight princess," Trijatha's father said as he turned off the lights and closed the door.
Trijatha laid her head on her pillow, closed her eyes, and fell asleep within minutes.
Trijatha was standing in the middle of a field she looked around to see the whole world burning around her. She looked around to see bodies piled up, some without their heads or limbs. Among the bodies she notices her uncle, Ravana, his eyes were open with no life left in them. Trijatha turned to see a beautiful woman and a man that was almost godlike embrace each other after what looks like a long separation. The man then turns to a Trijatha's father and hands him the crown. Trijatha's father places the crown on his head and turns toward Trijatha, now king of Lanka. Trijatha catches her father's eye and he smiles. "Come princess," he says, "let's find your new room."
Trijatha wakes with a start. She closes her eyes but all she can see are the bodies of thousands of men that surrounded her in her dream. "It was only a dream", she reminds her self. The darkness of the room seemed to only hide monsters that could be lurking. Trijatha gathered all of her courage and dashed across the room and opened the door. She had to find her father, he would know how to reassure her. Dads always know what to say after a nightmare. The door to her father's office was cracked open and Trijatha peeked inside. Her father was arguing with her uncle Ravana. Right before Trijatha walked into the room to ask for her dad, she noticed something in her father's eyes. There was hatred for Ravana in them. Trijatha knew in that moment that her dad was capable of anything to get rid of her uncle and fear took ahold of her. She ran back to her room and hid under the covers. Trijatha understood that this was not just another nightmare, this was the future. At some point, her father was going to betray her uncle and there would be a battle that would kill thousands of people, all so her father could be king of Lanka.
Author's note: I based this story off of the novel "The Missing Queen". This is a more modern version of the classic Indian story "Ramayana". In this version, Trijatha tells the journalist about a dream she had before the war about what was to happen. I wanted to tell the story as if she had the dream as a child. I thought it would be tragic for a young girl to realize that her father is not the man she thought he was and to know that one day he would betray those that you love.
Bibliography: The Missing Queen by Samhita Arni (2014)
"You all ready?"
"Yup!" she said with a smile!
"Brush your teeth? Wash your face? Comb your hair?"
"Yup, yup, and yup!"
"Did you give your old man a hug and kiss goodnight?"
"Not yet!" Trijatha said. She then ran up to him and gave him a big hug. Her father picked her up and tucked her into bed.
"Goodnight princess," Trijatha's father said as he turned off the lights and closed the door.
Trijatha laid her head on her pillow, closed her eyes, and fell asleep within minutes.
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| Elk Bath by John McColgan from WikiCommons |
Trijatha was standing in the middle of a field she looked around to see the whole world burning around her. She looked around to see bodies piled up, some without their heads or limbs. Among the bodies she notices her uncle, Ravana, his eyes were open with no life left in them. Trijatha turned to see a beautiful woman and a man that was almost godlike embrace each other after what looks like a long separation. The man then turns to a Trijatha's father and hands him the crown. Trijatha's father places the crown on his head and turns toward Trijatha, now king of Lanka. Trijatha catches her father's eye and he smiles. "Come princess," he says, "let's find your new room."
Trijatha wakes with a start. She closes her eyes but all she can see are the bodies of thousands of men that surrounded her in her dream. "It was only a dream", she reminds her self. The darkness of the room seemed to only hide monsters that could be lurking. Trijatha gathered all of her courage and dashed across the room and opened the door. She had to find her father, he would know how to reassure her. Dads always know what to say after a nightmare. The door to her father's office was cracked open and Trijatha peeked inside. Her father was arguing with her uncle Ravana. Right before Trijatha walked into the room to ask for her dad, she noticed something in her father's eyes. There was hatred for Ravana in them. Trijatha knew in that moment that her dad was capable of anything to get rid of her uncle and fear took ahold of her. She ran back to her room and hid under the covers. Trijatha understood that this was not just another nightmare, this was the future. At some point, her father was going to betray her uncle and there would be a battle that would kill thousands of people, all so her father could be king of Lanka.
Author's note: I based this story off of the novel "The Missing Queen". This is a more modern version of the classic Indian story "Ramayana". In this version, Trijatha tells the journalist about a dream she had before the war about what was to happen. I wanted to tell the story as if she had the dream as a child. I thought it would be tragic for a young girl to realize that her father is not the man she thought he was and to know that one day he would betray those that you love.
Bibliography: The Missing Queen by Samhita Arni (2014)
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Reading Diary Week 13: The Missing Queen Part B
The Missing Queen by Samhita Arni (2014)
One story within this novel I found really intriguing was Lankadevi's story of the battle at Lanka. It was interesting to read about the effects after the war from a child's point of view. Especially from the side of the war that did not win. I would really like to develop more on the part where she first sees Sita. Young Lankadevi is so mad and all reason goes out the window as soon as she sees Sita. I would like to go more into what the young girl is thinking as she marches toward Sita over all of the dead bodies and then her realization that Sita has suffered too.
Another story I loved was Trijatha's dream. She dreamed before the war even started about what her father would do and the war that was to come to Lanka. I would like to start the story with her father telling her goodnight and calling her his little princess before tucking her to bed. Then Trijatha will go to sleep and have a very detailed dream about a war to come and her father's betrayal. Trijatha would then wake up confused but see her father with her uncle the very next day with deceit in his eyes and at that very moment Trijatha would realize that her dream would come true.
Although it is not part of the original Ramayana story, it would also be interesting to talk about our journalists days inside the prison. One of my favorite movies is The Count of Monte Cristo and I could almost picture the journalist inside of a place like Chateau d'if. I can only imagine the torment one would face when left in a cell for months with no contact with the outside world.
One story within this novel I found really intriguing was Lankadevi's story of the battle at Lanka. It was interesting to read about the effects after the war from a child's point of view. Especially from the side of the war that did not win. I would really like to develop more on the part where she first sees Sita. Young Lankadevi is so mad and all reason goes out the window as soon as she sees Sita. I would like to go more into what the young girl is thinking as she marches toward Sita over all of the dead bodies and then her realization that Sita has suffered too.
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| Emerald and Diamond Tiara by Ernesto Moreira (2005) from Wiki commons |
Another story I loved was Trijatha's dream. She dreamed before the war even started about what her father would do and the war that was to come to Lanka. I would like to start the story with her father telling her goodnight and calling her his little princess before tucking her to bed. Then Trijatha will go to sleep and have a very detailed dream about a war to come and her father's betrayal. Trijatha would then wake up confused but see her father with her uncle the very next day with deceit in his eyes and at that very moment Trijatha would realize that her dream would come true.
Although it is not part of the original Ramayana story, it would also be interesting to talk about our journalists days inside the prison. One of my favorite movies is The Count of Monte Cristo and I could almost picture the journalist inside of a place like Chateau d'if. I can only imagine the torment one would face when left in a cell for months with no contact with the outside world.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Reading Diary Week 13: Missing Queen Part A
The Missing Queen by Samhita Arni (2014)
I have really enjoyed this story so far! I love that it is a more modern take on the story of Sita. It is an easy read and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
So far, the story has not gotten so far into the kidnapping of Sita. It is more conspiracy of where she went and who she was before she was taken. I like the idea of Sita as a cute southern belle country girl. I think it could be fun to write a story about her country life before she met Rama. It could be doing daily things to help her saint of a father that took her in and her experiences. Another good story is to describe Sita's first time going into the big city after living a country life. It could have been a real culture shock for her.
Another person I was interested in was Rama's secretary. Could you imagine being secretary to a king? Now think if this king was Rama. I can only imagine how crazy Rama's life is, but can you imagine being the one that is control of how busy he is. Who will Rama see today? How long will he see them? It almost reminds me of my trip to Mount Vernon over Spring Break. George Washington had several rooms in his house and when people showed up the butler would put them into different rooms based off of the guests importance. I can definitely imagine Rama's secretary doing something similar.
I have really enjoyed this story so far! I love that it is a more modern take on the story of Sita. It is an easy read and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
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| Sita from Vedicgoddess |
Another person I was interested in was Rama's secretary. Could you imagine being secretary to a king? Now think if this king was Rama. I can only imagine how crazy Rama's life is, but can you imagine being the one that is control of how busy he is. Who will Rama see today? How long will he see them? It almost reminds me of my trip to Mount Vernon over Spring Break. George Washington had several rooms in his house and when people showed up the butler would put them into different rooms based off of the guests importance. I can definitely imagine Rama's secretary doing something similar.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Storytelling Week 12: A Rabbit's Tale
Robert Rabbit sat by the fire next to his hundreds of grandrabbits. This had been an eventful evening! He had taught his youngest grandrabbits how to make s'mores and only one managed to burn themselves. Harper, one of his eldest grandrabbits, soon asked for a story.
"A story, eh? Robert said with a grin. "I know just the one! Have I told you the story of how I fought elephants?"
The older grandrabbits rolled their eyes. They have heard that story hundreds of times. However, the little ones were jumping with excitement. "You fought an elephant Grandpa Rob???" They all questioned.
Robert cleared his throat and began his story, "Once upon a time, there was a young rabbit (that's me!) who decided to take a walk through the woods. Suddenly, the whole earth began to shake! The rabbit ran to find shelter from this earthquake and just managed to get out of the way before a whole herd of elephants ran through right where he was standing! The rabbit was furious that the elephants could be so careless, so he emerged from safety and yelled at the elephants to stop. The elephants all turned around to see who was yelling at them and started to laugh. It was only a rabbit. The rabbit was offended by the elephants and challenged them to a fight if anyone dared. The elephants only laughed harder at the young rabbit. The rabbit started to get really upset and called the elephants cowards. If it was so easy to beat a rabbit then why wouldn't the fight him? The leader of the elephants then stepped up to the rabbit to accept his challenge. Another elephant counted down. 3, 2, 1, FIGHT! The elephant charged at the rabbit, but the rabbit was too fast for him. He jumped around the elephant's legs and dodging everything the elephant threw at him (literally there were some branches thrown). Finally, the elephant had an idea: he would squish the rabbit. The elephant weight about 300 times what the rabbit weighed. This would be an easy victory. He went to squish the rabbit and the rabbit jumped up on top of him and the elephant fell. With one swift movement the rabbit kicked the elephant in the head so hard that he knocked the elephant out. The rest of the herd than ran scared and never came back to the forest again."
"What happened to the elephant leader, Grandpa?"
"He woke up and then left to find his herd." Robert said with a shrug. "However, I sure taught them a lesson! They have not dared to come this way again!" Robert was beaming at the memory of him defeating a mighty elephant.
"Grandpa, I want to be like you someday!" One of the grandrabbits said and was soon echoed by many of their siblings and cousins.
"You will have adventures of your own! Perhaps one day you can tell your grandrabbits stories from your adventures! How cool would that be?"
All of the grandrabbits smiled and later that night each of them had dreams of adventures that are all their own.
Author's Note: I chose to write this week's storytelling post based off of "The Elephant Fighting Hare" from Indian Fables and Folklore. I decided to write this as a grandpa telling the story to his grandkids (in this case grandrabbits) because I feel like this was a story that this particular rabbit would want to tell everyone for the rest of his life. In the original, the rabbit did not knock the elephant out. The rabbit was simply on top of the elephant as he was laying down and the other elephants thought the rabbit was holding the elephant down with all of his strength. This scared the other elephants into leaving. The elephant that fought the hare then realized he was all alone and ants got into his trunk and then he left as well.
Bibliography: The Elephant Fighting Hare from Indian Fables and Folklore by Shovona Devi (1919).
"A story, eh? Robert said with a grin. "I know just the one! Have I told you the story of how I fought elephants?"
The older grandrabbits rolled their eyes. They have heard that story hundreds of times. However, the little ones were jumping with excitement. "You fought an elephant Grandpa Rob???" They all questioned.
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| Boxer Bugs by Buster126 from Deviantart |
Robert cleared his throat and began his story, "Once upon a time, there was a young rabbit (that's me!) who decided to take a walk through the woods. Suddenly, the whole earth began to shake! The rabbit ran to find shelter from this earthquake and just managed to get out of the way before a whole herd of elephants ran through right where he was standing! The rabbit was furious that the elephants could be so careless, so he emerged from safety and yelled at the elephants to stop. The elephants all turned around to see who was yelling at them and started to laugh. It was only a rabbit. The rabbit was offended by the elephants and challenged them to a fight if anyone dared. The elephants only laughed harder at the young rabbit. The rabbit started to get really upset and called the elephants cowards. If it was so easy to beat a rabbit then why wouldn't the fight him? The leader of the elephants then stepped up to the rabbit to accept his challenge. Another elephant counted down. 3, 2, 1, FIGHT! The elephant charged at the rabbit, but the rabbit was too fast for him. He jumped around the elephant's legs and dodging everything the elephant threw at him (literally there were some branches thrown). Finally, the elephant had an idea: he would squish the rabbit. The elephant weight about 300 times what the rabbit weighed. This would be an easy victory. He went to squish the rabbit and the rabbit jumped up on top of him and the elephant fell. With one swift movement the rabbit kicked the elephant in the head so hard that he knocked the elephant out. The rest of the herd than ran scared and never came back to the forest again."
"What happened to the elephant leader, Grandpa?"
"He woke up and then left to find his herd." Robert said with a shrug. "However, I sure taught them a lesson! They have not dared to come this way again!" Robert was beaming at the memory of him defeating a mighty elephant.
"Grandpa, I want to be like you someday!" One of the grandrabbits said and was soon echoed by many of their siblings and cousins.
"You will have adventures of your own! Perhaps one day you can tell your grandrabbits stories from your adventures! How cool would that be?"
All of the grandrabbits smiled and later that night each of them had dreams of adventures that are all their own.
Author's Note: I chose to write this week's storytelling post based off of "The Elephant Fighting Hare" from Indian Fables and Folklore. I decided to write this as a grandpa telling the story to his grandkids (in this case grandrabbits) because I feel like this was a story that this particular rabbit would want to tell everyone for the rest of his life. In the original, the rabbit did not knock the elephant out. The rabbit was simply on top of the elephant as he was laying down and the other elephants thought the rabbit was holding the elephant down with all of his strength. This scared the other elephants into leaving. The elephant that fought the hare then realized he was all alone and ants got into his trunk and then he left as well.
Bibliography: The Elephant Fighting Hare from Indian Fables and Folklore by Shovona Devi (1919).
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Reading Diary Week 12: Indian Fables and Folklore Part A
Indian Fables and Folklore
The Elephant Fighting Hare
I absolutely loved this story! I thought it was so cute! I would love to write a story about the hare fighting the elephants. Perhaps he could be telling his friends and family about it at home. I think it would be great if he was an older hare now and it was like he was telling a war story. It may also be exaggerated over time. Maybe this one hare saved the village or something of the sort. There are so many things that I could do with this short story.
The Moon in the Well
I actually think I have heard this story before! I think I would rewrite this so no monkeys died though. Perhaps the moon really was stuck in the well and they create a very elaborate rescue mission for it. Almost like a mission impossible version of the story. I think that would be a fun and new way to write my story this week. I haven't done anything like that and it could be quite the challenge.
The Gifts of the Sun
I thought this was a cute and interesting story. The sun was so polite to the sage. The sage was very daring. The sun could have scorched the earth because of what the sage did. It could be a fun approach to tell the story like the sun did release all of its wrath. Perhaps people could be telling stories and fables about how the world was before the sun scorched the earth. Green trees, flowers of every color. It could sound crazy to someone that only knows desert.
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| Wedding Invitation - The Sun and Moon by Madame-Dei from Deviantart |
The Elephant Fighting Hare
I absolutely loved this story! I thought it was so cute! I would love to write a story about the hare fighting the elephants. Perhaps he could be telling his friends and family about it at home. I think it would be great if he was an older hare now and it was like he was telling a war story. It may also be exaggerated over time. Maybe this one hare saved the village or something of the sort. There are so many things that I could do with this short story.
The Moon in the Well
I actually think I have heard this story before! I think I would rewrite this so no monkeys died though. Perhaps the moon really was stuck in the well and they create a very elaborate rescue mission for it. Almost like a mission impossible version of the story. I think that would be a fun and new way to write my story this week. I haven't done anything like that and it could be quite the challenge.
The Gifts of the Sun
I thought this was a cute and interesting story. The sun was so polite to the sage. The sage was very daring. The sun could have scorched the earth because of what the sage did. It could be a fun approach to tell the story like the sun did release all of its wrath. Perhaps people could be telling stories and fables about how the world was before the sun scorched the earth. Green trees, flowers of every color. It could sound crazy to someone that only knows desert.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Storytelling Week 11: Keep Your Eyes Wide Open
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| Shiva from Shivaho |
I have never been so tired in my entire life. You don't realize how much you want to do something until you can't do it anymore. You see, if I ever closed my eyes the world would cease to exist. My darling wife Parvati tries to support me with her love and care. She is probably the only reason I have been able to keep my eyes open for so long. She is the most beautiful thing in all of the universe. With a view like her it makes it easy to keep my eyes open. I mean why would I ever want to stop looking at my beautiful wife? However, it can get to be difficult and tiresome at times. My eyes get so dry. Parvati gives me eye drops from the Ganges River that flows from my hair. This helps a lot with preventing my eyes from getting too dry. However, many years ago, I had to blink. This was before my eye drops and I had not blinked my eyes in many millenia. I just couldn't do it any more. I could feel my eyes were as dry as sand paper. When I blinked the whole world went into complete chaos and froze over. People on earth now call that time period the Ice Age. I opened my eyes to see a completely different world. Instead of the world being full of color like it was before I closed my eyes, the world was full of whites, blues, and purples. It was really interesting to watch the earth warm up again. I was sad to see some of the animals from the ice age go. I really loved the wooly mammoths and the sabertoothed tigers. I like that some of their ancestors are still alive today. Elephants are by far my favorite recent animal but don't tell Airavat the flying elephant. He could become too proud. Since then, my wife has been on my hide about keeping my eyes open. The Ice Age was too close for comfort for her. She said she would rather I keep my eyes open for eternity so she does not have to bundle up for extremely cold weather again. I wish I could see her all bundled in a giant coat but she refuses to show it to me because she thinks I may want to close my eyes just to make her wear the thing again. I am really just curious! I do not want to risk all of the lives on earth just to make a joke. Maybe I will be able to talk her into it someday.
Author's Note: I based this story off of Shiva from 7 Secrets From Hindu Calendar Art. I was really intrigued by the fact that Shiva must always have his eyes open. If he closes his eyes then the world will end. I thought I would show a little mishap on his part by talking about the ice age. This is not necessarily what happened but I think that it could. I mean could you imagine having to have your eyes open at all times? That would suck! The eye drops were also my own creation because I felt like Shiva deserved a way to help him keep his eyes open. It is a lot to ask of one person. Even if that person is a god.
Bibliography: Hindu Calendar Art by Devdutt Pattanaik (2009).
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Reading Diary Week 11: Hindu Calendar Part A
I like the story where the son runs around his parents three times and says that it is his world I think it's really sweet and I could write a story based off of that. I could make it a race in a tournament. Perhaps instead of trying to win a mango they would win a trophy of some sort. I could make the trophy a mango shaped just to tie in the mango part of the story. Not to mention the bragging rights of being the best son. However, I would hope this is just a temporary position and that the parents actually love them and think they're both the best.
That is a lot of pressure for Shiva to keep his eyes open because if he closes them the world no longer exists. It could be an interesting story to talk about how tiring it gets for him. Maybe he's really tired and is trying to find ways to keep himself awake or maybe his wife is trying to help him since she is the goddess of love.
I'm really intrigued by The God Who lives I think underground sleeping on snakes that are on top of an ocean of milk. That is very interesting and I feel like I could be nice to kind of like do a story of best cribs or something like that. He could be like a reality show where this snow is showing off his crib to the rest of the world.
I also really liked the comparison of Hindu gods and goddesses with Greek gods and goddesses.
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| Vishnu and his snakes from Onlineprasad Also, I liked when they |
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Week 10 Storytelling: How Grandma Married Grandpa.
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| Hey Grandma, Tell Me A Story from Saritharao Blogspot |
"Hey Grandma Coral! I was wondering... How did you and grandpa meet? How did you marry him?"
"O! That is a great story sweetie! When I was younger, people said I was very beautiful. So one day three separate brothers came up to my father and asked for my hand in marriage."
"Wait grandma! You were going to marry a man before you met him?!?"
"Yes dear, that is how it worked back then." Grandma Coral said while nodding her head. "My father decided he would give me to one of the brothers, however, I did not want to marry one of them because I did not want to hurt their feelings."
"That is nice of you Grandma!"
Grandma Coral laughed to herself and then continued. "The brothers stayed all day and night and we had a great dinner and afterwards I danced with all three of the brothers. In all of the excitement I got a fever and died."
"YOU DIED????? But you are alive now! What happened???"
"I am about to tell you little one!" Grandma Coral said as she scooped up her grandchild and placed them in her lap. "The brothers then burned my body. One of the brothers slept on a bed of my ashes, The second took my bones and dipped them in the sacred Ganges river. The third brother becaume a monk and wandered through many countries. In his travels, the third brother discovered a magic spell that could bring me back to life! He came back to my ashes and the bones that were dipped in the river and brought me back to life."
"YAY!" the grandchild exclaimed.
Grandma Coral chuckled, "Yes! Yay! I came back to life! Then the brothers started to argue over who should marry me. The third brother thought he should marry me because it was his spell that brought me back to life. The second brother thought he should marry me because he dipped my bones in the sacred river which helped bring me to life. The first brother aruged that he should marry me because he kept my ashes safe. Which one do you think got to marry me?"
The grandchild scrunched up their face, deep in thought. "I think it was the brother who kept the ashes."
"You are right! Your grandpa kept my ashes! My father decided that your grandpa deserved to marry me because he did what a true lover would do. He kept my ashes safe by sleeping with them and truly mourned me when I was dead."
"I am glad he chose grandpa! I love him!"
Grandma Coral smiled. "I love him too."
Author's Note:
I based this story off of The 2nd Goblin's riddle. In the original story a goblin tells a riddle to a king that he must answer correctly or die. I rewrote the riddle in the perspective of the girl that died, Coral. I liked the idea of a grandchild wanting to know more about their grandparents that love each other so much. I stayed pretty on target with the original story line. I just condensed it and had the child guess the answer to the riddle the grandma was asking.
Bibliography: The 2nd Goblin from Twenty-Two Goblins by Arthur Ryder (1917).
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Reading Diary Week 10: 22 Goblins Part F
Twenty-two Goblins
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| A lions yawns at Nairobi's National Park on March 11, 2013 by Marko Djurica—Reuters from Time |
I love how they say that these three things that are fickle and bring sorrow at the last: evil friendships, a flirt, and money. I have to agree. You cannot try to find happiness with these things. However, I don't understand why this statement made the brothers want to find their talents. Perhaps the knowledge would bring them power. The brothers's talents are quite interesting. I like how they coordinate together to finally bring life. It is unfortunate that the animal ended up being a lion. I think it may be interesting to write a story where they made a bunny or something and there was a happier ending. Or maybe keep the story with the lion but there were no teeth to let the lion eat the brothers. The lion could be tame and they ride the lion into the sunset. I also believe that it is the last brother's fault that they died because he could clearly see that it was a dead lion. What did he expect to happen???
Conclusion
First of all I completely respect the king for going back to get the goblin every time he ran off. That is real dedication. I am also kind of surprised that the monk was evil the whole time. I am glad that the goblin respected the king after all of those riddles and told him the monks plans. I also thought it was weird that what the king wanted was for the whole world to know the riddles the goblin shared with him.
Reading Diary Week 10: 22 Goblins Part A
Twenty-two Goblins
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| Goblin by Throne Rush from Wikia |
I wonder why there are gems inside of the fruit the monk gives the king? I liked that the monk's name is Patience. I definitely feel like there is some significant meaning with that name. I was really confused when the goblin was in the dead body. Originally I did not realize that there was a dead body. I just assumed that what the king thought was a dead body was actually a goblin. Nope. I was definitely wrong. The goblin was just inside of the dead body.
I definitely would have not guessed the correct answer for this riddle. First of all, I think what all the brothers did after Coral's death was weird. Making a hut on her ashes and begging for food is obsessive and scary. Dipping her bones in a river is also a bit strange. Honestly becoming a monk was not too bad, but seemed a little extreme. When the monk brought her to life, I was a little confused. I thought monks were like nuns and could not marry. So I didn't think that marrying Coral would be an option for him when she came back to life. I was kind of shocked to hear that the answer to the riddle was the brother that built a hut on her ashes. Like I said before, I think that is scary obsessive. However, I couldn't have come up with a better answer. I think a good story would be to have Coral talk about what happened after she died (like a ghost) and to be weirded out, yet also touched by what happened.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Week 9 Storytelling: Timmy the Turtle
Once upon a time, there was a turtle named Timmy. On the day he cracked his egg he looked up into the sky and saw birds flying. "I want to do that!" he declared. All of his brothers and sisters laughed at him and his mom looked at him with sad eyes said, "You will never fly Timmy. You are a turtle."
So while Timmy grew up he tried all sorts of things to fly. He jumped from tall rocks, he spun around really fast, he even made a ramp and tried to skateboard into the sky! However, none of them worked. His siblings would gather around every time he tried so they could laugh at him when he failed.
Around the Fourth of July, Timmy had a great idea! He was going to attach one of the rockets to his shell! That HAD to make him fly! Timmy's brothers and sisters were all gathered around eating popcorn as they waited to see what happened next. Timmy duck taped the rocket onto his shell, put on a helmet, and lit the fuse.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BLAST OFF!
The rocket erupted and instead of taking Timmy up into the sky it took him forward. He moved so fast he was not able to control where he was going and he smashed into a tree. Timmy heard the eruption of laughter behind him. He tried to hold back tears but he couldn't so he retreated into his shell. He was done. He was never going to fly. Suddenly he heard a loud flapping sound and a thud as someone landed right beside him.
"Who in the world bumped into my tree?? the voice asked. "Whoever did it must be as mighty as a bear because it shook the whole tree and woke me up at the very top!"
Timmy slowly emerged from his shell and saw a large bird looking down at him. "I am sorry." said Timmy. "I ran into your tree because of the rocket. I did not mean to wake you up!"
"Why do you have the rocket?" the bird asked.
"Because I wanted to fly..." Timmy said looking down in embarrassment.
"Wanted to?" asked the bird.
"Well I have wanted to since I was a little hatchling. I keep trying Mr. Bird, but I can't do it."
"What's your name turtle?"
"Timmy."
"I am going to help you fly Timmy the Turtle." the bird said. He looked around and saw a stick. "Grab onto this Timmy and hold on tight."
Timmy grabbed it with his mouth and held on as tight as he could. Mr. Bird took off and lifted Timmy with him high above the clouds. Finally, Timmy could fly.
Author's note: I based this story off of The Tortoise and the Geese. In the original story the tortoise is carried by the geese and then falls because he wants to say something to those that are making fun of him. This becomes a lesson to a talkative king that then learns to only say something when it is necessary. I was inspired by this story and I wanted to change it to a turtle who dreamed about flying. I did not want to end with him falling so I ended with him living his dream.
Bibliography: The Tortoise and the Geese by Noor Inayat (Khan)
So while Timmy grew up he tried all sorts of things to fly. He jumped from tall rocks, he spun around really fast, he even made a ramp and tried to skateboard into the sky! However, none of them worked. His siblings would gather around every time he tried so they could laugh at him when he failed.
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| Turtle on Skateboard from Inspirational Feed |
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BLAST OFF!
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| Small Turtle with Rocket from Marketing Edge |
The rocket erupted and instead of taking Timmy up into the sky it took him forward. He moved so fast he was not able to control where he was going and he smashed into a tree. Timmy heard the eruption of laughter behind him. He tried to hold back tears but he couldn't so he retreated into his shell. He was done. He was never going to fly. Suddenly he heard a loud flapping sound and a thud as someone landed right beside him.
"Who in the world bumped into my tree?? the voice asked. "Whoever did it must be as mighty as a bear because it shook the whole tree and woke me up at the very top!"
Timmy slowly emerged from his shell and saw a large bird looking down at him. "I am sorry." said Timmy. "I ran into your tree because of the rocket. I did not mean to wake you up!"
"Why do you have the rocket?" the bird asked.
"Because I wanted to fly..." Timmy said looking down in embarrassment.
"Wanted to?" asked the bird.
"Well I have wanted to since I was a little hatchling. I keep trying Mr. Bird, but I can't do it."
"What's your name turtle?"
"Timmy."
"I am going to help you fly Timmy the Turtle." the bird said. He looked around and saw a stick. "Grab onto this Timmy and hold on tight."
Timmy grabbed it with his mouth and held on as tight as he could. Mr. Bird took off and lifted Timmy with him high above the clouds. Finally, Timmy could fly.
Author's note: I based this story off of The Tortoise and the Geese. In the original story the tortoise is carried by the geese and then falls because he wants to say something to those that are making fun of him. This becomes a lesson to a talkative king that then learns to only say something when it is necessary. I was inspired by this story and I wanted to change it to a turtle who dreamed about flying. I did not want to end with him falling so I ended with him living his dream.
Bibliography: The Tortoise and the Geese by Noor Inayat (Khan)
Monday, March 21, 2016
Week 9 Reading Diary: Twenty Jataka Tales Part B
I really really liked this story. If I were to choose this for my storytelling this week I would like to tell the story from the point of view of the man that discovered that they were in a goblin town. I think it would be nice to stay along the same plot line but go deeper into it. It could start with the boat having trouble and then the crew knowing it was going to sink and how relieved they were to find land. I think the goblins were like sirens so I would like a description of how beautiful they were before they realized it was a deception.
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| Elephant from The Safari Guide |
I found this story very touching. It really captures the meaning of sacrifice for others. If I chose this as my story for this week I would retell it as a person that sacrificed something or themselves for their friends.
This story has everything you could want including a flying lion! I like that this story had a "boy that cried wolf" feel to it. However, I feel like it ended too calmly. I know that if I were one of the animals running for my life because the earth was breaking I would be happy that it was not, but I would also be a little upset at the little hare for overreacting and causing the huge stampede that almost led all of them to their deaths. I would probably tell the story after the lion came back and use those emotions toward the little hare.
Week 9 Reading Diary: Twenty Jataka Tales Part A
Twenty Jataka Tales
The Guilty Dogs
I want to mention this one because I think it would be a cute case for Wolfgang to solve in my storybook project. Wolfgang could solve for who ruined the straps on the royal chariot. Perhaps the chief of the dogs would seek out Wolfgang for help so that all of the dogs in the city would not be slaughtered. It would be cute because it would be like the children's stories Wolfgang had solved in the past and because it would introduce talking animals into this new world he has found himself in called India.
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| The Tortoise and the Geese by yam50 on Deviantart |
The Tortoise and the Geese
I enjoyed this story. I like the lesson that just because you can talk doesn't mean you always should. Some things are better left unsaid. I am curious like the children though as to why the tortoise was flying. I know the story says he was going to see the home of the geese, but I think it would be cute to write a story about a tortoise or turtle that really wanted to fly. He had a friend that was a goose and agreed to take him into the sky. However, once the children started to make fun of them he decided to make a remark back. This was a very bad decision because when he fell he broke his shell and couldn't walk or fly ever again. Or perhaps something similar. I may change for a happier ending, It would be terribly tragic if the dreaming turtle died. However, he should still be punished for talking because that is the lesson for the children hearing the story. Or I could be completely different and teach the children to dream instead.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Reading in weeks 9-14
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| Jataka Tales from ani-la |
Week 9
I want to use some of the Jataka tales in my storybook so in week 9 I would like to read more of the children's stories. Twenty Jataka Tales
Week 10
I have previously read some of the goblin tales in Mythology and Folklore and I really enjoyed it. I would like to read more of them. This is also something that could be used for my storybook.
Twenty-two goblins
Week 11
The story The Missing Queen has intrigued me since I first saw it listed at the start of the semester. I think I would love it and I am excited to read the Ramayana in a more modern setting.
Weeks 12-13
I really enjoyed watching Sita Sings the Blues, so I would like to watch another movie. I would love to learn more about the indian gods and goddesses so I believe Overview: Pattanaik. Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art. would be a great fit. I also love that it is two weeks.
Week 14
I would like to watch the movie about the Mahabharata because I had a hard time getting into the epic when I read it. I am hoping this gives me a better understanding of the epic.
Epified Mahabharata
Monday, March 7, 2016
Time Management
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| Hourglass from Mark Mallett |
For the second half of the semester, I am going to stick to my current schedule to accomplish all of the assignments in this class.
MON: Reading1, Reading2
WED: Storytelling
FRI: Project, Project Feedback, Blog Comments
My primary strategy for time management has been to have a schedule. I have to block out time for me to do my homework, otherwise it would not have been done. I work 9-5 in okc on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so by the time I get home the last thing I want to do is to do homework. To avoid this I cram all of my work into Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Tech Tip: Embeded YouTube Playlist
In this playlist are a few of my favorite music videos. There is a wide variety. Some will hit you right in the feels and some are pretty lighthearted and fun.
My YouTube use is pretty light. Being a captain in the Pride of Oklahoma Colorguard, I have used YouTube to get inspiration or to learn new moves for a routine. I do like to subscribe to my favorite artists on YouTube so I can see their official music videos.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Week 7 Reading Diary: Mahabharata Part D
Mahabharata PDE
Bhishma Falls
You can really see in this story the regret of the Pandava brothers for being in this war. They really were pained by the loss of Bhishma even though they were the cause of his death. It is sad that this did not budge Karna's need for revenge on Arjuna. His own father was dying and all he wanted was revenge. I would like to recreate this to where this is not an issue. The dying words of Bhishma would convince Karna to not seek revenge on his brother. I think this would be a great twist and end to this story.
Abhimanyu and Jayadratha
I would like to go more into Abhimanyu's death. I feel like this should be a main focus instead of a side note that drives other things to happen. To make this more of an impact, I would have Arjuna see the whole thing. This may sound cruel but I think this cold be very impactful to the readers to have Arjuna's reaction. He could have Abhimanyu's life flash before his eyes. Start with his birth and how proud and scared Arjuna was to become a father. Then, I could flash forward to Abhimanyu's first time playing with a sword and seeing his sons fighting skills progress over time. All of this could happen in moments as Abjimanyu was dying. Arjuna could rush to his son's side and have a moment in all of the chaos of battle. Ignoring everything that is happening around him so he could mourn his son.
Bhishma Falls
You can really see in this story the regret of the Pandava brothers for being in this war. They really were pained by the loss of Bhishma even though they were the cause of his death. It is sad that this did not budge Karna's need for revenge on Arjuna. His own father was dying and all he wanted was revenge. I would like to recreate this to where this is not an issue. The dying words of Bhishma would convince Karna to not seek revenge on his brother. I think this would be a great twist and end to this story.
Abhimanyu and Jayadratha
I would like to go more into Abhimanyu's death. I feel like this should be a main focus instead of a side note that drives other things to happen. To make this more of an impact, I would have Arjuna see the whole thing. This may sound cruel but I think this cold be very impactful to the readers to have Arjuna's reaction. He could have Abhimanyu's life flash before his eyes. Start with his birth and how proud and scared Arjuna was to become a father. Then, I could flash forward to Abhimanyu's first time playing with a sword and seeing his sons fighting skills progress over time. All of this could happen in moments as Abjimanyu was dying. Arjuna could rush to his son's side and have a moment in all of the chaos of battle. Ignoring everything that is happening around him so he could mourn his son.
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| Abjimanyu from Mythologies Revisited |
Tech Tip: Side Navigation
I really liked how the vertical navigation looked on my site Fairytale Case Files: India Edition. I think it is easy for readers to use and to understand on my storybook site. I also was finally able to figure out how to change my introduction from a subpage to a page. It was really frustrating me so I am glad to have finally figured that out!
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Week 7 Storytelling: A Shadow
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| The Third Man Movie from Enoch Nederostek's blog |
Just a shadow in the corner. Just a gunshot in the night. Just a couple of seconds ended a mans life.
(5 minutes earlier)
Brandon Carter sat in the corner of an alley waiting and thinking about his gorgeous wife. She was one of the maids of the Lord Hammel of Rowland Abbey. She loved her job, loved the people she worked with. She honestly had a God given passion for serving others that this job was able to satisfy. Just last week, there was a visitor at the abbey. The visitor was the widely known Lord Kendrick. Lord Kendrick was a celebrated war general and was never quite the same after he returned from the battlefield. He was a harsh and mean individual that got everything he ever wanted because of his previous accomplishments. When he first saw Mrs. Carter, Kendrick knew he had to have her. She was the most uncommon common woman he had ever seen. She had fair skin, beautiful hair, and eyes that seemed to dance. As Mrs. Carter was cleaning the house, Kendrick grabbed her and took her into his room. When she refused him he struck her in the face. Mrs. Carter managed to escape Lord Kendrick's grasp and ran out of the room all the way back to her home to Brandon Carter. In tears, she told her husband everything. Brandon tried to calm his hysterical wife and comforted her until she fell asleep.
After his wife had finally gone to sleep, Brandon left the bed, got dressed, wrote a note in case his wife awoke worried, grabbed his gun, and headed to the town. With revenge in his eyes, headed toward the local bar where he recalled a neighbor mentioning seeing Lord Kendrick. He waited in the alleyway for hours. For every minute he sat there his anger builded, it took everything in him to stay calm and silent like a shadow. He wanted, no, he needed to defend his wife's honor. He could not believe someone could be so cruel to the nicest woman he had ever known. Once he thought he reached his breaking point, the door of the bar opened and Lord Kendrick emerged, proud and drunk. Carter stood raised his gun and said "This is for Rebecca" and pulled the trigger. The sound abruptly broke the silence of the night and Brandon Carter walked away from Lord Kendrick's body and never looked back.
Author's Note: I based this off of the story Bhima and Kichaka from the Mahabharata. As I read this story, I was reminded about an episode of Downton Abbey. I decided to do a blend of this story and Downton Abbey. In the original story, Kichaka was brutally murdered, I wanted to make it a little less messy and just have Brandon kill Kendrick with a gunshot. In this version of the story, Bhima is Brandon, Kichaka is Kendrick, and Draupadi is Rebecca.
Bibliography: The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (1921)
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Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Reading Diary Week 7: Mahabharata Part C
Mahabharata PDE
Arjuna and Shiva from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).
I really loved this story. The fight between the hunter and Arjuna over the boar was really cool! I think I would basically stay along the same storyline, but perhaps go more into the fight and the boar itself. I think you could improve the story a lot by adding more details. It has the bones but give it more meat!
Riddles at the Lake from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
It is crazy to me that two of the brothers were written out and died within the same paragraph and it was so casually done! I actually really wanted to save this because it is a good potential case for my detective to solve in my storybook. He could answer some of the riddles at the lake.
Bhima and Kichaka from The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (1921)
I loved how Bhima defended the honor of his wife. It sounds like Kichaka took advantage of so many women and I am glad that he got what was coming to him. I think it would be great to go into this entire story. I think I would switch it up and write it like it was in the early 20s. Perhaps it would be like in Downton Abbey. There is actually an episode where Mr. Bates reminds me a lot of Bhima in this story. Downton Abbey is one of my favorite television shows so I think it would be really fun to incorporate it into this class. Not to mention I have never written anything like it. It would be a great new challenge.
Arjuna and Shiva from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).
I really loved this story. The fight between the hunter and Arjuna over the boar was really cool! I think I would basically stay along the same storyline, but perhaps go more into the fight and the boar itself. I think you could improve the story a lot by adding more details. It has the bones but give it more meat!
Riddles at the Lake from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
It is crazy to me that two of the brothers were written out and died within the same paragraph and it was so casually done! I actually really wanted to save this because it is a good potential case for my detective to solve in my storybook. He could answer some of the riddles at the lake.
Bhima and Kichaka from The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (1921)
I loved how Bhima defended the honor of his wife. It sounds like Kichaka took advantage of so many women and I am glad that he got what was coming to him. I think it would be great to go into this entire story. I think I would switch it up and write it like it was in the early 20s. Perhaps it would be like in Downton Abbey. There is actually an episode where Mr. Bates reminds me a lot of Bhima in this story. Downton Abbey is one of my favorite television shows so I think it would be really fun to incorporate it into this class. Not to mention I have never written anything like it. It would be a great new challenge.
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| Bhima and Kichaka from Kidsgen |
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Storytelling Week 6: The Hubby Bros
The Hubby Bros |
| The Pandavas with Draupadi, in a playful mood by Mahayug on Behance |
Hello everyone! I am Draupadi and I am married to the five most famous men in all of India! This is about our lives and how we get along and live together. Some people may think it is crazy, but we manage to make it work!
I remember the first time I saw my husbands. They were all disguised so no one would recognize them. My father was holding a contest to see who could string a bow and then knock a fish out of a bowl. I know it sounds weird, but my dad likes to try to keep things interesting. After several men attempted in vain to knock down the fish, Arjuna stepped forward. He strung the bow and then released the arrow knocking the fish right out of the bowl! I was excited someone succeeded and was ready to meet my future husband! He and his brothers were all still very cautious of revealing who they really were. They took me to meet their mother and soon revealed who they really were. Their mother was so sweet, however, she decided that I could not just marry one of her sons. If I was going to have one, I must have them all!
You can only imagine how I felt at the time I heard her say that. I started laughing! I thought it was a joke! I had never heard such a thing! One woman with five husbands! It was absurd! However, it was not a joke. Before I knew it I was being prepared to walk down the isle to my five husbands on the other end! I was so nervous. However, when I saw each of them looking at me with love and respect in their eyes I realized I had the biggest blessing a girl could ask for. I would not only have one husband that would love me unconditionally but five husbands! I only hoped I would be able to love them as much as each of them loved me!
We have now been married for five years! My husbands have the running joke that we have really only been married one year. One for each. They think they are so funny. It really is not as bad or as crazy as you would think! I really try to spend as much time with each of them and not favor one over the other. That sometimes this is difficult not because I favor one but because there's only so many hours in the day. Think about it, there are only 24 hours in a day. Not counting sleep, my daily duties, and eating that is less than 5 hours per husband. This can make things interesting when trying to help your relationship grow with each husband. One of my husband's make it jealous when the other gets more time, but we eventually figure it out. I mean we've been living this crazy lifestyle for five whole years! I think we can figure out anything life throws at us.
Author's note: I chose to do this story as a spin off to "The Sister Wives" because as soon as I read that Draupadi married all five brothers I realized that this sounds like something that would be a reality show in today's society. I wanted to reflect off of the moment that Draupadi realized she was going to marry the Pandava brothers in Draupadi's Swayamwara and The Wife of the 5 Pandavas. I chose the picture because it really represents my story. The idea of the photographer was to capture what the Mahabharata would look like if it happened in present day.
I remember the first time I saw my husbands. They were all disguised so no one would recognize them. My father was holding a contest to see who could string a bow and then knock a fish out of a bowl. I know it sounds weird, but my dad likes to try to keep things interesting. After several men attempted in vain to knock down the fish, Arjuna stepped forward. He strung the bow and then released the arrow knocking the fish right out of the bowl! I was excited someone succeeded and was ready to meet my future husband! He and his brothers were all still very cautious of revealing who they really were. They took me to meet their mother and soon revealed who they really were. Their mother was so sweet, however, she decided that I could not just marry one of her sons. If I was going to have one, I must have them all!
You can only imagine how I felt at the time I heard her say that. I started laughing! I thought it was a joke! I had never heard such a thing! One woman with five husbands! It was absurd! However, it was not a joke. Before I knew it I was being prepared to walk down the isle to my five husbands on the other end! I was so nervous. However, when I saw each of them looking at me with love and respect in their eyes I realized I had the biggest blessing a girl could ask for. I would not only have one husband that would love me unconditionally but five husbands! I only hoped I would be able to love them as much as each of them loved me!
We have now been married for five years! My husbands have the running joke that we have really only been married one year. One for each. They think they are so funny. It really is not as bad or as crazy as you would think! I really try to spend as much time with each of them and not favor one over the other. That sometimes this is difficult not because I favor one but because there's only so many hours in the day. Think about it, there are only 24 hours in a day. Not counting sleep, my daily duties, and eating that is less than 5 hours per husband. This can make things interesting when trying to help your relationship grow with each husband. One of my husband's make it jealous when the other gets more time, but we eventually figure it out. I mean we've been living this crazy lifestyle for five whole years! I think we can figure out anything life throws at us.
Author's note: I chose to do this story as a spin off to "The Sister Wives" because as soon as I read that Draupadi married all five brothers I realized that this sounds like something that would be a reality show in today's society. I wanted to reflect off of the moment that Draupadi realized she was going to marry the Pandava brothers in Draupadi's Swayamwara and The Wife of the 5 Pandavas. I chose the picture because it really represents my story. The idea of the photographer was to capture what the Mahabharata would look like if it happened in present day.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Week 6 Reading Diary: Mahabharata Part B
Mahabharata PDE
Bhima and Hidimbi from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
I thought this was an interesting story. I would like to go more into depth of the wedding between Bhima and the demon woman. I feel like it would be difficult to really care for and love a demon. Also, to have a half demon spawn. I am sure that kid has some problems. Besides being a demon, he is also a bald child. I am sure that kids made fun of poor Ghatotkacha as he was growing up.
Bhima and Baka from The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (1921).
The story really intrigues me. The tax that the chief set as payment for protection was really insane. I would like to go more into depth of how the family felt trying to decide among them who went to sacrifice themselves for the town. I may write it so there is not a happy ending to show how the previous families felt before Bhima was there to rid them of this monster.
Wife of the 5 Pandavas from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
This story sounds like a reality tv show. If I would write a story about this that is exactly what it would be. Can you imagine being the wife of 5 men? Not to mention the fact that they are all brothers. That would definitely be some sort of reality tv show today. Instead of "sister wives" it would be "Hubby bros" except they really are all related! I can almost hear the drama with living that kind of life. I would never be able to share a spouse! I feel like this would definitely be a MTV show.
Bhima and Hidimbi from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
I thought this was an interesting story. I would like to go more into depth of the wedding between Bhima and the demon woman. I feel like it would be difficult to really care for and love a demon. Also, to have a half demon spawn. I am sure that kid has some problems. Besides being a demon, he is also a bald child. I am sure that kids made fun of poor Ghatotkacha as he was growing up.
Bhima and Baka from The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (1921).
The story really intrigues me. The tax that the chief set as payment for protection was really insane. I would like to go more into depth of how the family felt trying to decide among them who went to sacrifice themselves for the town. I may write it so there is not a happy ending to show how the previous families felt before Bhima was there to rid them of this monster.
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| Draupadi and the Pandavas from Wiki Commons |
Wife of the 5 Pandavas from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
This story sounds like a reality tv show. If I would write a story about this that is exactly what it would be. Can you imagine being the wife of 5 men? Not to mention the fact that they are all brothers. That would definitely be some sort of reality tv show today. Instead of "sister wives" it would be "Hubby bros" except they really are all related! I can almost hear the drama with living that kind of life. I would never be able to share a spouse! I feel like this would definitely be a MTV show.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Thoughts about Comments
My favorite comments I have been receiving are the ones about my storytelling posts. I love getting creative with my stories and I love having feedback on those stories. The encouragement I receive from those comments are awesome! I have also received some good critiques that I have tried to apply to future posts. I also always love hearing how cute my dogs are from my introduction post. I mean, how can you not love those faces?? I think there is always room for improvement in everything. Therefore, I could improve my comments. I could go more into how the stories made me feel or give suggestions with how they could improve their blog. I think one thing that makes comments stand out is the questions people may ask. If someone asks me a question, I am likely to answer it. This gives the author and the reader a chance to interact with each other than simply stating what they liked about the blog post.
Week 5 Storytelling: Tournament of the Lotus
Welcome to the Tournament of the Lotus!!
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| Lotus Flower from Spritual Journey Guide |
I am your host Ali and let me tell you the prize is INSANE this year for the winner of this already prestigious tournament. What is this prize you ask? Not one, or even two, but THREE princesses!
The prince to beat in this tournament would have to be Shawn. He is the regions best archer and no one could pass him in a chariot race. However, we do have some new faces. Representing the kingdom of Shantanu, we have Brayden. We have yet to see his skills for the tournament but he does not look like a guy to be ignored or messed with.
The chariot races are the first event. The princes are all lined up. Shawn waves at the crowd and blows the princesses a kiss. The flag is waved and they are off! The race this year is just one lap around the rest of the tournament activities. The lap itself should take a total of 10-12 minutes for our contestants. They are rounding the first corner and Shawn is in the lead with Brayden not too far behind! Brayden cuts the corner a little too sharp and almost loses control of his chariot! That is going to set him back a bit, I don't know if he will be able to recover from that. Shawn is already half way through the lap, it looks like he is going to be our winner and he knows it! You can see that smile for miles, he stood up a little straighter to give the audience a good show. Wait! What is that? That is Brayden! Somehow he has been able to make up for his sharp turn at the beginning of the race and has now caught up to Shawn! Shawn is still racing for show he doesn't realize that he is about to be passed and he is! Brayden just passed Shawn and has gained a lead before Shawn could recover! Folks this is hard to believe but I am seeing it with my own eyes and Brayden just passed the finish line! He has won the chariot race! Brayden is a true contendor for these princesses! I am interested to see how he will do in the other competitions!
Now we have come to our final event of the tournament: archery. Today has been a true battle between Shawn and Brayden for our victor. Brayden surprised us in the chariot races as well as winning the ax throwing event. However, Shawn has kept Brayden on his toes. He has won the swordsmanship event and horseback riding event. That's right folks! We are all tied up going into the last event of the tournament!
The way this works is each contestant gets a chance to shoot at a target. They are attempting to shoot an arrow into the very middle of the target and get a "bullseye". This is very difficult to do so the winner is the person who can get the closest to that in three shots. Since Shawn won the last event, he gets to go first. His first shot is no good. He got a piece of the target but is far from the center. The second shot is better but is to the right. His final shot is GOOD! HE GOT A BULLSEYE! Brayden still gets his turn but Shawn set the bar high for this event. If Brayden does not get a bullseye then he will lose the tournament and Shawn will win the Tournament of the Lotus and win the three princesses! The crowd is silent as Brayden grabs his bow and three arrows. You can feel the tension as we all wait to see what will happen in these next three shots. Brayden shoots his first arrow. He is close, within a couple inches of the center. It is a good shot but not good enough. He shoots his second arrow and.... I don't believe it. It is a BULLSEYE!! Now Brayden has a chance to end the archery event and this tournament right now. It is a long shot, but if he mangages to split his arrow and hit the bullseye he could win it all. Brayden takes a second to compose himself and gets his final arrow ready. He takes a breath and let's the arrow fly. The arrow cuts through the previous arrow like butter and finds its mark.
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| Splitting a Wooden Arrow from Cardio Trek |
BRAYDEN DID IT! The entire crowd is on their feet cheering on the new Tournament of the Lotus Champion. This tournament came down to the wire, but in the end it was a new face that won the whole thing and is taking home the three beautiful princesses! Man what a warrior! I have never seen anyone with his skill! No one could ever say that he did not deserve this win! This is a day that no one here will easily forget!
This is your host Ali signing off! See you next year at the Tournament of the Lotus!
Author's Note: I decided to write my story this week based off of the tournament that Bhishma went to in order to win brides for his half brothers. In my story Brayden is Bhishma and Shawn is Shalwa. I chose to change the names because the original names are so uncommon and I wanted to make it something easy to read. In the original story, there was not a tournament in the more common sense. Instead, it is all the contestants fighting each other until there is one victor that has all three of the princesses. Whoever has them at the end gets to keep it. In the original story, they talked a lot about how great of an archer Bhishma was. Because of this I decided to make archery the deciding factor for who would win the princesses.
Bibliography: Bhishma at the Swayamvara from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).
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