I added a new HTML/javascript text box to my blog, and I think it's really neat!
I like that I can add whatever I want there, and I can also move it around how I please. Maybe you will consider the same.
Until next time!
Friday, April 8, 2016
Tech Tip: Blog Profile
I did not end up making any changes to my profile, but it is nice to know where all the changes are at if I decide to once the class is over. I have always been hyper-aware of my name and cyber presence, because I hope to have a great job one day. In having that great job, I don't ever want a stupid myspace picture or idiotic tags of me to be what comes up when my name is searched. I have gone as far as to delete accounts that my name showed up with when googled (like youtube playlists and pinterest pins). I want as little of me on the internet as possible, and this class is a huge branch out for me.
Portfolio Index
This post is the index of my Portfolio. I hope you find something fun for you to read!
Story Guide
The Golden Shoes - This story is about the worker taking care of the sandals that Bharata was using as a stand-in for Rama on the throne.
Bharat, A Future Undecided - This story is about Shakuntala and Dushmanta's son Bharat (NOT the same as Rama's brother in The Ramayana). He is a small character from the epic Mahabharata. Is he ready to rule the kingdom without his parents? Find out!
Uttarai's Sacrifice - This is another story based on R.K. Narayan's Mahabharata, two children are pledged to each other: Arjuna's son and Virata's daughter. This short story epic follow Uttarai in her thoughts and actions up until the wedding.
A Goblin Gone Good - A follow-up to The Goblin and the Sneeze, this story follows a goblin, a son, and a father into the city. Find out what follows!
Mighty Princess Maya - This story follows a brave leader and warrior named Maya into the evil filled woods behind her land. Here, we find out if she is able to save her people from destruction hiding in the trees!
Thanks for stopping by!
Story Guide
The Golden Shoes - This story is about the worker taking care of the sandals that Bharata was using as a stand-in for Rama on the throne.
Bharat, A Future Undecided - This story is about Shakuntala and Dushmanta's son Bharat (NOT the same as Rama's brother in The Ramayana). He is a small character from the epic Mahabharata. Is he ready to rule the kingdom without his parents? Find out!
Uttarai's Sacrifice - This is another story based on R.K. Narayan's Mahabharata, two children are pledged to each other: Arjuna's son and Virata's daughter. This short story epic follow Uttarai in her thoughts and actions up until the wedding.
A Goblin Gone Good - A follow-up to The Goblin and the Sneeze, this story follows a goblin, a son, and a father into the city. Find out what follows!
Mighty Princess Maya - This story follows a brave leader and warrior named Maya into the evil filled woods behind her land. Here, we find out if she is able to save her people from destruction hiding in the trees!
Thanks for stopping by!
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Week 11 Storytelling: A Love Untrue
They sat at dinner for what felt like the millionth time. Something was wrong though. She could sense it. Raymond, her husband, looked so troubled.
"Is everything okay, honey?" Sally passed him the gravy.
"I need to move to Italy," he stated slowly, looking her in the eyes. "Nonee is too sick, and she has no one to help her. She completely refuses to leave, but she is on her deathbed alone." Sally took in his words, hearing each one but shocked at how unexpected it was.
"Well, I guess you have to do what you have to do," Sally stood up to fill up their tea's.
He spoke with his employer and booked his flight. Before she knew it, she was sleeping alone. The days were easy, because Sally was always at work. The nights were what made it hard. Weeks passed by, and then months. They rarely got to speak due to the cost of calling.
Sally's family began questioning Raymond's story. Some said that he must have moved on, because they are never able to speak. Sally showed them the letters he had written her. They were so passionate, and all he talked about was how much he loved and missed her. Despite her debating their constant questions, she too began to question her husband's love after many more months passed.
One day, Sally received a call from Raymond that finally ended their strife. He said he had finally saved enough money to come home, and that he would be there on the next flight. She was both overjoyed and filled with dread at the same time.
Raymond arrived two days later, and Sally was as cold as ice when he stepped off of the plane. He could not understand what was wrong. She handed him the car keys and then she took the subway back to their apartment.
"I can't be with you anymore," Sally picked up the living room nervously. Raymond was shocked.
"What? What have I done? Is it someone else?" Raymond cried. He had not even considered her being unfaithful, but what if that was it?
"Hah. A handsome man like you. There is no way you went a year without sleeping with anyone." Sally shouted. She handed him his suitcase. She calmly walked to her bedroom and locked the door. Her mind was completely made up, and he was not changing it. After a short time of silence she finally heard the front door open then close.
It is what had to be done. Her family would now leave her alone, and she could move on with her life. She knew if she had stayed with him her family would have questioned her judgement and forever questioned her dear Raymond.
She swore to never love another, as did he. They lived unhappily ever after.
Author's Note. This story is loosely based on Rama (Raymond) and Sita (Sally) in the Ramayana. This week, I watched the film "Sita Sings the Blues" and I was (once again) shot in the heart by the terribly sad ending to this love story. Because of this, I decided to write a story similar in modern days terms (and reverse the male/female roles) to, once again, show how silly it was that Rama did what he did.
Bibliography. The film "Sita Sings the Blues" was created by Nina Paley in 2008. It can be found on YouTube here.
"Is everything okay, honey?" Sally passed him the gravy.
"I need to move to Italy," he stated slowly, looking her in the eyes. "Nonee is too sick, and she has no one to help her. She completely refuses to leave, but she is on her deathbed alone." Sally took in his words, hearing each one but shocked at how unexpected it was.
"Well, I guess you have to do what you have to do," Sally stood up to fill up their tea's.
He spoke with his employer and booked his flight. Before she knew it, she was sleeping alone. The days were easy, because Sally was always at work. The nights were what made it hard. Weeks passed by, and then months. They rarely got to speak due to the cost of calling.
A telephone similar to the one Sally and Raymond talked on (Wiki)
Sally's family began questioning Raymond's story. Some said that he must have moved on, because they are never able to speak. Sally showed them the letters he had written her. They were so passionate, and all he talked about was how much he loved and missed her. Despite her debating their constant questions, she too began to question her husband's love after many more months passed.
One day, Sally received a call from Raymond that finally ended their strife. He said he had finally saved enough money to come home, and that he would be there on the next flight. She was both overjoyed and filled with dread at the same time.
Raymond arrived two days later, and Sally was as cold as ice when he stepped off of the plane. He could not understand what was wrong. She handed him the car keys and then she took the subway back to their apartment.
"I can't be with you anymore," Sally picked up the living room nervously. Raymond was shocked.
"What? What have I done? Is it someone else?" Raymond cried. He had not even considered her being unfaithful, but what if that was it?
"Hah. A handsome man like you. There is no way you went a year without sleeping with anyone." Sally shouted. She handed him his suitcase. She calmly walked to her bedroom and locked the door. Her mind was completely made up, and he was not changing it. After a short time of silence she finally heard the front door open then close.
It is what had to be done. Her family would now leave her alone, and she could move on with her life. She knew if she had stayed with him her family would have questioned her judgement and forever questioned her dear Raymond.
She swore to never love another, as did he. They lived unhappily ever after.
Author's Note. This story is loosely based on Rama (Raymond) and Sita (Sally) in the Ramayana. This week, I watched the film "Sita Sings the Blues" and I was (once again) shot in the heart by the terribly sad ending to this love story. Because of this, I decided to write a story similar in modern days terms (and reverse the male/female roles) to, once again, show how silly it was that Rama did what he did.
Bibliography. The film "Sita Sings the Blues" was created by Nina Paley in 2008. It can be found on YouTube here.
Week 10 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues (Part B)
Author: Nina Paley
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008
The part where Sita sings is a bit crazy. I couldn't even figure out what was going on. When Rama kicked Sita out, I was still as mad as I was the first time. I legitimately hate this story.
The sad part is that Sita is the one punished for everything. Even when she had her sons and told Valmiki their story, she still made him out to sound fantastic.
Sita Sings the Blues excerpt (Wiki)
Week 10 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues (Part A)
Author: Nina Paley
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008
Oh my! This is very bright, colorful, and fun. I like the three people arguing over what happened. It makes the story more real and less documentary-like. Sita singing is PERFECT. This new take is fantastic. I could re-write the story of Sita convincing Rama she needed to go with him into the forest.
I have always really enjoyed all stories about Hanuman (monkey warrior, son of Shiva), so a story about Hanuman would be a good idea. Something like a conversation between him and other monkeys or between him and Rama on the journey.
The battle where Sita sings through it is one of my favorite parts!
Another story possibility is that I could make a story where Rama and Sita are in modern times and something happens similar to the story. Maybe this would make Rama's actions looks even more stupid than they already were.
Sita Sings the Blue poster (Wiki)
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Week 10 Storytelling: Mighty Princess Maya
One day, the mighty princess Maya stood on the tallest rock in the forest and admired her kingdom. Before she took over, the dense forest had been run by rakshasas and lowly folks such as robbers and thieves. Every time someone in her father's city tried to hunt in the woods they either ended up robbed or badly injured, or they never returned. This caused a great famine in the city, so princess Maya decided she was going to put an end to this madness.
During the first sign of spring that year, she and her company men and women started on the outside of the forest with torches and began burning any bush too thick to see through. By doing this, she planned to void the trees of all places that were previously used for hiding and treachery. Just a few weeks into their journey, rakshasas stormed their camp and abducted three men! Maya knew she had to save these men without losing any more, so she threw on her armor and readied her weapons. Her favorite weapon was the sword, but she was a master of them all. She was the top at javelin throwing in her kingdom, and her sword abilities could cut anything clean and through. Her boomerang would hit anything she aimed at and return. Maya's most favorite weapon was her bow. For this trip, she decided to leave the javelin at the camp so it didn't weigh her down.
She set out in darkness to find where the rakshasas stayed. Not long into her journey she heard cackling like that of a jackal. She crouched down and edged closer. Peering through a thicket, she saw three of her men tied to poles surrounding the massive bonfire the demons had erected. A few of the stronger looking rakshasas picked up the man closest to her and began parading him through the camp over their heads. Onlookers yelled and cheered while eating their fest, which consisted of the last men that were wandering through the forest. These side rakshasas threw sticks and bones from their supper at the man as he passed by on the large rakshasas shoulders.
Maya had had enough. She burst through the bush and ran at the demon closest to her. With her mighty fists she punched two at the same time, knocking them out. Pulling out her bow, she began shooting arrows at every breathing creature but her men. The rakshasas advanced, less shocked now, and drew their swords. This was no match for Maya. Five, ten, fifteen at a time they came in raids and in one swipe of her sword she took them all out. Finally only a few were left. They were hiding behind the tent, so she pulled out her boomerang and took all of their heads off with one swift throw.
Finally, she had killed all of the demons, and she rushed to untie the three men from her company. They were so grateful that they each pledged their life, stating that they would follow her wherever she went and do what she needed done. They finished cleaning up the forest, and even started preparing some farming land for the farmers hiding behind the walls of the city.
Until Maya's last breath, the city was safe from any outside peril.
Author's Note. This story idea comes from the story The Felon Demon in Indian Fables and Folklore. It is about a demon with a shovel gifted from a god that has allowed him to be an all-powerful demon. No one could defeat him, not even an entire army. One day, he kidnapped the king's daughter (the princess). The king said that whoever saved her would be permitted to marry her. One prince was willing, and he fought the demon for three days straight. In the end, the prince won the battle and also won the princess.
I feel like this stories (and many I read like it) are so old times where the poor princess was a damsel in distress that couldn't lift a pinky for herself. This is why I decided to write a story of my own where the woman saved the man.
The picture I selected was done so very carefully. Joan of Arc was a famous warrior in France in the 15th century, and I likened my character, Maya, to her. The picture (painting) is of Joan in her battle gear, very similar to what I pictured Maya wearing. They both were also loyal to their country, and they only wanted the best, gender norms aside.
Bibliography. This story, The Felon Demon, comes from a compilation of short stories, Indian Fables and Folklore, by Shovona Devi in the year 1919.
During the first sign of spring that year, she and her company men and women started on the outside of the forest with torches and began burning any bush too thick to see through. By doing this, she planned to void the trees of all places that were previously used for hiding and treachery. Just a few weeks into their journey, rakshasas stormed their camp and abducted three men! Maya knew she had to save these men without losing any more, so she threw on her armor and readied her weapons. Her favorite weapon was the sword, but she was a master of them all. She was the top at javelin throwing in her kingdom, and her sword abilities could cut anything clean and through. Her boomerang would hit anything she aimed at and return. Maya's most favorite weapon was her bow. For this trip, she decided to leave the javelin at the camp so it didn't weigh her down.
The great Joan of Arc, another mighty warrior like Maya (Wiki)
She set out in darkness to find where the rakshasas stayed. Not long into her journey she heard cackling like that of a jackal. She crouched down and edged closer. Peering through a thicket, she saw three of her men tied to poles surrounding the massive bonfire the demons had erected. A few of the stronger looking rakshasas picked up the man closest to her and began parading him through the camp over their heads. Onlookers yelled and cheered while eating their fest, which consisted of the last men that were wandering through the forest. These side rakshasas threw sticks and bones from their supper at the man as he passed by on the large rakshasas shoulders.
Maya had had enough. She burst through the bush and ran at the demon closest to her. With her mighty fists she punched two at the same time, knocking them out. Pulling out her bow, she began shooting arrows at every breathing creature but her men. The rakshasas advanced, less shocked now, and drew their swords. This was no match for Maya. Five, ten, fifteen at a time they came in raids and in one swipe of her sword she took them all out. Finally only a few were left. They were hiding behind the tent, so she pulled out her boomerang and took all of their heads off with one swift throw.
Finally, she had killed all of the demons, and she rushed to untie the three men from her company. They were so grateful that they each pledged their life, stating that they would follow her wherever she went and do what she needed done. They finished cleaning up the forest, and even started preparing some farming land for the farmers hiding behind the walls of the city.
Until Maya's last breath, the city was safe from any outside peril.
Author's Note. This story idea comes from the story The Felon Demon in Indian Fables and Folklore. It is about a demon with a shovel gifted from a god that has allowed him to be an all-powerful demon. No one could defeat him, not even an entire army. One day, he kidnapped the king's daughter (the princess). The king said that whoever saved her would be permitted to marry her. One prince was willing, and he fought the demon for three days straight. In the end, the prince won the battle and also won the princess.
I feel like this stories (and many I read like it) are so old times where the poor princess was a damsel in distress that couldn't lift a pinky for herself. This is why I decided to write a story of my own where the woman saved the man.
The picture I selected was done so very carefully. Joan of Arc was a famous warrior in France in the 15th century, and I likened my character, Maya, to her. The picture (painting) is of Joan in her battle gear, very similar to what I pictured Maya wearing. They both were also loyal to their country, and they only wanted the best, gender norms aside.
Bibliography. This story, The Felon Demon, comes from a compilation of short stories, Indian Fables and Folklore, by Shovona Devi in the year 1919.
Week 10 Reading Diary: Indian Fables and Folklore (Part B)
Title: Indian Fables and Folklore
Author: Shovona Devi
Year: 1919
Reading Part B
Shibi and the Hawk
Author: Shovona Devi
Year: 1919
Reading Part B
Shibi and the Hawk
This story is bold, but insane. Maybe I could re-write this to come up with a better food for the hawk (that is the bird or the man's flesh).
Ekalavya and Drona
A red-tailed hawk like the one in Shibi and the Hawk (Wiki)
Ekalavya and Drona
I passionately hate this story. I remember it in previous readings in this class, and it is so messed up that Drona took advantage of the boys faithfulness. I HATE this story.
I thought someone would end up killing each other, but they became friends at the end! I must say, this was quite unexpected.
This is weird. She's married to a doll, people.
This is an excellent life lesson. Be careful that you don't ask too much, or it could be the end of yourself. I could write a story similar to this as storytelling.
This is way too old school for me. The poor princess needed saving, blah blah blah.
This reminds me of karma; where you get a punishment or reward based on something previous you have done.
Well, he is definitely logical. He did follow the instructions...
So I think the lesson here is that you can't take for granted what you have been given. It seems like a weird lesson to me.
I seriously just have no clue. Don't be mean? Don't be a bully? Don't show off? I am clueless.
SO the way to win is to lie? I am really starting to hate these stories...
Another damsel in distress... Yay.
The guy didn't like the sage, so he became him?
Not my favorite story.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Week 10 Reading Diary: Indian Fables and Folklore (Part A)
Title: Indian Fables and Folklore
Author: Shovona Devi
Year: 1919
Reading Part A
The Man in the Eye
Author: Shovona Devi
Year: 1919
The Man in the Eye
I have never heard of the man in the eye, and to be honest it's a little creepy.
The Hare in the Moon
This was a good lesson for the big elephant, but I don't understand if the moon was everywhere because the story was true or it was a trick of water.
I really enjoyed this. The hare fooled the elephants in more ways than one!
This makes elephants look bad, because when the elephant didn't get what he wanted, he stomped his feet and broke things. Suddenly, he had everything he wanted by being a jerk.
This was mean to monkeys.
The story of the girl that became a rat was very cute. I like that it is a circle of life.
The story about the rat to cat to dog to tiger was a valuable lesson on understanding your strengths.
A rat like the one in A Rat's Syamvara (Wiki)
The snake out-smarted the frogs...I could write a story where the opposite happens.
WOW. Because he was ungrateful, he was cut into chunks of meat but none of the vile animals would even eat him. What the heck.
So the Goddess turned good? I don't know... It is very neat that this is the back story for Valmiki, the guy who is the reason The Ramayana exists!
No one in the family wanted to rule the kingdom; this is odd.
SO this is the origin of parasols and shoes. This is a fun story.
The lesson here is good, but I can't exactly put a name on it. When he lived low no one wanted to ruin him, but when he became powerful people suddenly wanted to ruin him.
I like this story. "All Dogs Go To Heaven" comes to mind here.
These dogs sound very evil and creepy.
I did not know that this is specifically how the Pandava's survived in exile.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Week 9 Storytelling: A Goblin Gone Good
Author's Note. The story was inspired by the happenings of the short story The Goblin and the Sneeze. A goblin lives in an old house and eats anyone who sneezes. The only way to stop the goblin is for someone to say "God bless you" and then the sneezer has to say "The same to you!" One day a father and son realized they must stay in the abandoned house because they had to wait until dawn to enter the city. The goblin stirs up dust to force one to sneeze and the father began sneezing sporadically. As the goblin goes in to kill the father, the son sees the goblin and yells "God bless you!" and the father returns with "the same to you!" The goblin is hungry so he comes out angry. The son does not react with hatred or mistreatment, but instead is kind to the goblin. He suggests he come with the father and son and be a decent person.
Now comes the next story! It is the continuation of the father, son, and goblin and where they go from here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The son grabbed the goblin's hand. Gobby looked up at his new friend, a tear in his eye. The three got up to the gate and the security guard stopped them quickly.
"He can't come in here!" the security guard yelled with a finger pointed towards the city. His eyes were red and fuming, for he had heard the stories of the goblin.
"It is okay, my friend! He is a changed goblin; he no longer wants to hurt people!" the son pleaded with the guard. Gobby smiled as big as he could with his crooked and yellow stained teeth showing fully. The guard grimaced and then looked away.
"He is your complete responsibility." The guard pointed at the son and father. "If he so much as kills a kitten it is completely on you." This was unnerving to the father, but the son agreed promptly and did not hesitate to take blame for any troubles his new friend could cause.
The guard opened the gate slowly and motioned for the three to enter into the city.
Gobby did exactly as he said he would. He held hands with both the son and father, and they walked merrily along the paved main road. They came across little shops, food carts, and salesman throughout the streets. They hadn't realized it, but suddenly the streets were very full of other customers. The father purchased three giant, juicy apples and they each ate one on a quiet curb.
"He is your complete responsibility." The guard pointed at the son and father. "If he so much as kills a kitten it is completely on you." This was unnerving to the father, but the son agreed promptly and did not hesitate to take blame for any troubles his new friend could cause.
The guard opened the gate slowly and motioned for the three to enter into the city.
Gobby did exactly as he said he would. He held hands with both the son and father, and they walked merrily along the paved main road. They came across little shops, food carts, and salesman throughout the streets. They hadn't realized it, but suddenly the streets were very full of other customers. The father purchased three giant, juicy apples and they each ate one on a quiet curb.
The father, the goblin, and the son from The Goblin and the Sneeze
Suddenly, Gobby heard something he thought he had put behind him.
"Aaachoooooo!" sneezed the donkey tied to the eggs and chickens cart. Gobby's eyes started burning, and his fingers curled. He took a few more bites of the apple trying not to draw attention to himself.
"I have to go to the bathroom," Gobby announced as he stood up. He had eaten the entire apple, even the core. "I will just run to that alley right over there and be right back." He pointed to a small opening between carts about a hundred feet away. Before he could hear an answer, he hurriedly rushed toward the alley... and the donkey.
With a quick flick of his sharp claw he cut the rope tying the donkey to the cart. He discreetly pulled the rope behind his back towards the empty alley. In a matter of seconds he was standing on the donkey's back, ready to take the first glorious bite of flesh he had tasted in months. He dug his claws in and as his face got closer he felt a sudden pain in his neck. He could no longer move. Wait, no, he was spinning. It was dark. Gobby blinked. He was on the ground, sideways. So dark...
"Well, you didn't have to go to quite that length," the son yelled as he turned the corner just in time to see his father standing over the lifeless Gobby. "Maybe stopping him with your hands could have helped him learn better than cutting off his head!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The stories in "The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India" are painfully sad. The majority of the characters end up dying a gruesome death because of their foolishness. I really enjoy happily ever afters, so this was a branch out for me. This story was one of the few with a happy ending so I decided to rewrite it to match the rest.
The picture I chose came from the book listed above. I wrote the part of the story where they enter the city to look like the picture depicted.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Week 9 Reading Diary, continued: The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India, Part B
Title: The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India
Author: W. H. D. Rouse
Illustrator: W. Robinson
Year: 1897
Author: W. H. D. Rouse
Illustrator: W. Robinson
Year: 1897
Reading Part B
Birds of a Feather
This story was adorable. The wild horses would hurt everyone, but they loved and were kind to each other. I did not expect this ending. I was pleasantly surprised.
The monkey lost one pea, but in his greed and tunnel vision he didn't realize that many more had fallen out of his hands and mouth while he panicked for the one. This is a good lesson on greed.
Silence is Golden
[skip: The Great Yellow King and his Porter]
[skip: Pride Must Have a Fall]
WOW. I definitely did not see it ending this way. A storytelling idea could be to write a different ending where the crane changed his ways and became a good crane! Maybe even a vegetarian one...
These stories do not have happy endings. I am assuming they are to teach a lesson as they definitely don't have any happily ever afters. This one in particular ends with a simple sentence saying the main characters were then taken home for dinner...
Silence is Golden
This reminds me of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He wasn't exactly like the others so he was made fun of. Unfortunately it doesn't have the happy ending like Rudolph did; it only ended in them making fun of him (how sad).
Silence is Golden (Gutenberg)
[skip: The Great Yellow King and his Porter]
These stories really know how to end gruesome. I have heard the final phrase before and I am curious if this story is where it came from.
[skip: Pride Must Have a Fall]
The guy seems pretty stupid, but I guess you could say it is bold since he didn't get punished.
That lion girl is a jerk. She did not even deserve to be proposed to by a jackal is she is going to be such a snooty snob.
I wonder if it is coincidence the similarity to The Boy Who Cried Wolf. They questioned the boar at first, then they didn't believe him at all the second time.
Wow again. This story was ridiculous. I have no idea what the learning point was here.
The lesson here is that honesty is the best policy. That it is! This would make a good pre-story for the old man losing his nose.
This was a great lesson in terms of being a good person. I also liked that the "better" king still went out of his way to make the other king just as great.
Week 9 Reading Diary: The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India, Part A
Title: The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India
Author: W. H. D. Rouse
Illustrator: W. Robinson
Year: 1897
The Giant Crab
[skip: The Axe, the Drum, the Bowl, and the Diamond]
[skip: The Grateful Beasts and the Ungrateful Prince]
Author: W. H. D. Rouse
Illustrator: W. Robinson
Year: 1897
The Giant Crab
What a fun story this could be! A giant crab alone in the sea with no one quite his size.
What a lesson to be learned. The head rat was very intelligent here.
This was a very fun story. The monkey easily outwitted the crocodile, who had an evil plan for him from the beginning.
[skip: The Axe, the Drum, the Bowl, and the Diamond]
I still do not understand what has happened in this story, and I read it twice... I am sure it has something to do with the "tell-tale tit" phrase he keeps repeating. I tried googling the phrase with "old english" in the phrase as well but I was still stumped.
The Wise Parrot and the Foolish Parrot (Gutenberg)
This was a fantastic story on the golden rule "Honesty is the best policy." I really enjoyed this; a by-product would make a great storytelling idea.
This story was quite grim. The cat was simply following its' instincts. This is not my favorite story. The ending was positive for two of the three.
Wow. This was incredibly grim. I guess the moral of the story is you shouldn't always talk? OR that there is a time and place for speaking? I am not sure what to take away from this.
Okay these stories are not getting any happier. I did enjoy the lesson here. If you trust a fool to handle your affairs, then you are an even bigger fool. This is true in all aspects of life.
This would make a great story; what happens next with the goblin and his two humans! Maybe it could be a story where they go into the city the next day and have to convince people they won't die.
[skip: The Grateful Beasts and the Ungrateful Prince]
I like how the man came up and saved the day. What a good lesson concerning both the evil goblin and the thoughful monkeys.
How cute! Even though he ended up messing up the verse, the king thought it quite hilarious and decided to give him six instead of just one.
What a great lesson of patience. The wolf was punished because both he couldn't keep a promise and he was impatient. probably much deserved!
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Tech Tip: Weather Widget
The weather widget is something I have wanted for a while! I have seen it on a few other student pages, and now I have one too!
You can get your own at this link.
Thanks for reading!
Tech Tip: Embedded YouTube
I never realized how simple it is to put a YouTube video right where you want it in Blogger. I will have to start adding more videos to my posts!
Tech Tip Poster
The text is from an unknown author. This is one of my favorite quotes (which I also posted in my Introduction). I really like how easy this site was to use, and I am sure i will be using it again.
Poster made using AutoMotivator
Tech Top: Reverse Image Search
This was a great tech tip! I have never reverse searched an image. This might be ignorance though, because I knew it was possible I just never tried to find out how. This will be a great tool for when I enjoy an image but it is too small.
My Larger Image of Buddha!!!
The picture is of Buddha. I can't find more information on it, as all sources led somewhere completely different.
Google Timer Tech Top
I currently try to time myself every time I do an assignment. I do this to ensure that I am not only managing my time, but I am using focus management.
A timer would be a wonderful addition to my homework (or just life) routine. It would encourage me to move faster and get things done more efficiently.
A timer would be a wonderful addition to my homework (or just life) routine. It would encourage me to move faster and get things done more efficiently.
Future Reading
Week 9
The first set I am going to read is "Giant Crab" by WHD Rouse in 1897. It is a bunch of short stories that describe the various birth stories of Buddha. It looks really cute, and the description said it has fun illustrations. I think this will give me a lot of leeway in my storytelling as well.
Week 10
The next stories I will read are "Indian Fables and Folklore" by Shovona Devi in 1919. Apparently I am really into short stories. We have read so many long stories lately that I feel like I needed a change.
The first set I am going to read is "Giant Crab" by WHD Rouse in 1897. It is a bunch of short stories that describe the various birth stories of Buddha. It looks really cute, and the description said it has fun illustrations. I think this will give me a lot of leeway in my storytelling as well.
The title page for Giant Crab
The next stories I will read are "Indian Fables and Folklore" by Shovona Devi in 1919. Apparently I am really into short stories. We have read so many long stories lately that I feel like I needed a change.
Blog Post about Blog Posts (Blogception)... AKA Blog Ideas
The first blog I went to, the student had very soft colors with dark lettering for a great contrast. I had the same widgets, but the font is what attracted me the most.
The second blog I liked had a weather widget. I have not noticed one of these thus far, and I really enjoyed this!
The third blog that caught my eye had a lot of fun fonts that I did not expect to be as cute as they were. The title was all caps with fuzzy. The titles of the blogs were orange with white blog words.
The second blog I liked had a weather widget. I have not noticed one of these thus far, and I really enjoyed this!
The third blog that caught my eye had a lot of fun fonts that I did not expect to be as cute as they were. The title was all caps with fuzzy. The titles of the blogs were orange with white blog words.
Time Time Time
We talk about time so much that we waste it just talking about it. I plan so many things to get done in a day. Each one is based on a realistic time frame that I have pre-set. Then real life happens. The baby's running a fever, my husband building a mailbox (that is literally what he is doing right now in front of me!), or I end up in a never ending loop of netflix (see below -__- ).
This semester, I have yet to have two consistent weeks, and I don't even mean in a row.
I set my schedule as two hours Monday, two hours Wednesday, and two hours Friday. So far, the Monday and Friday have been pretty close to dead on. Wednesday is my jumping day. Sometimes I do four hours Monday and two on Friday, and other times just time opposite. Tuesday and Thursday have come into play once or twice too! Whatever I'm doing seems to be working because I haven't missed an assignment yet!
For the second half of the semester, I would like to finish things earlier. Based on past experience, this will probably not happen. Despite this, I will still try!
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Week 7 Storytelling: Pandavia
I held momma’s hand tight as we walked under the giant arch. This new city, Pandavia, had streets of gold with shiny things white and clear everywhere. I bent down to pick one up but they were stuck in the ground! I let go of momma’s hand and dropped to the ground to get a closer look.
“Momma! Papa! Look at all the shiny rocks!” I screamed.
“How beautiful! They are diamonds and pearls, my son.” Mother grabbed my hand gently and pulled me closer to the cart. We had to be close, right? My feet were so tired. We had been walking for AN HOUR and I just couldn’t take it anymore.
Following the shiny road even further, we walked under what looked like a horseshoe but bigger than life! The two legs of the horseshoe were on each side of the road. Letters! They were in line across the top of the upside-down horseshoe.
An arch in India similar to the one the boy sees (Wiki)
“Pandavia,” Papa stood still, staring at the letters in the sky. That must be what it says. People behind us were getting closer, so we kept walking. The palace looked like it popped up right out of one of my nightly storybooks. I’ve never seen anything so pretty! There are so many colors! Smiling people with big soft colorful robes walked towards us. A purple robe man in the group embraced papa, and momma began crying.
“What is going on…” I whispered loudly, staring. Papa started following the purple robe man and momma and I were right behind. The sun was getting warmer as we continued walking. To my left, a girl and her family walking with a yellow robe man. I waved at her and she waved back, and then they went down a different road. Ahead of us were rows and rows of giant carts bigger than our old house! They were filled with oranges, grapes, apples, watermelons, cucumbers, broccoli, kiwi, and every other kind of food I’ve ever known and even more!
We passed the carts and came upon a house fit for a king. The purple robe man walked up to the door and turned the key. I dropped momma’s hand and ran inside first faster than a jackrabbit.
The colors! Reds and blues and purples and yellows! The fabric on the windows was more beautiful that his mother’s finest dress, and it was tied back on each side with gold string! We toured the entire house, and I got to pick a room to be my very own. I just know we will be happy here. I love Pandavia!
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Author’s Note. For this storytelling, I wanted to show the Pandavas city (which I renamed Pandavia from the Mahabharata’s Indraprastha) from the eyes of a child. In this story, a boy and his mother and father are in the caravan of families moving from Hastinapura to Pandavia. The walk the streets of gold, and move into their house fit for a king.
The idea for this story came from the detailed description in the Mahabharata. As I was reading, I pictured myself walking into this heavenly sight. Even better, through the eyes of an innocent child. A child does not see riches, but he does see beauty.
Bibliography. Epified TV in India by unknown authors. The series began in April 2015.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Week 7 Reading Diary: continued, Epified TV in India (Part B)
Title: Epified TV in India
Author(s): Unknown
Created: April 2015
The book did not cover the many trainers Karna tried to attain in archery. He was not able to because he was not of the right status. It is crazy how when two people are not of the same status that they are not allowed to interact. The sad part is that if the “lower” is better than the “upper”, then the lower is punished.
In this story, the Pandavas were able to escape the fire, but no one was actually in this fire. In the book, there was another five men and a woman who were killed in their place.
In Episode 24, Bhima was shown to be the greatest hero in keeping the pandavas and their mother alive. I did not know that he did all these great things for his family. A story similar to this would be good for storytelling. I also enjoyed the story about Bhima killing the rakshasa.
A good story from Episode 27 would be when Duryodhana tries to lift Drupada’s bow. What was going through his head, what he looked like, and how he felt after are just a few of the things that could be covered.
What it would be like to be a person from Hastinapura that goes to live in the Pandavas new city. This is a completely different idea from my typical. It would be the outside point of view of the Pandavas, and how awesome they might have seemed to the people. From the eyes of a child would be very neat as well.
Author(s): Unknown
Created: April 2015
Bhima fighting Bakasura the rakshasa (Wiki)
In this story, the Pandavas were able to escape the fire, but no one was actually in this fire. In the book, there was another five men and a woman who were killed in their place.
In Episode 24, Bhima was shown to be the greatest hero in keeping the pandavas and their mother alive. I did not know that he did all these great things for his family. A story similar to this would be good for storytelling. I also enjoyed the story about Bhima killing the rakshasa.
A good story from Episode 27 would be when Duryodhana tries to lift Drupada’s bow. What was going through his head, what he looked like, and how he felt after are just a few of the things that could be covered.
What it would be like to be a person from Hastinapura that goes to live in the Pandavas new city. This is a completely different idea from my typical. It would be the outside point of view of the Pandavas, and how awesome they might have seemed to the people. From the eyes of a child would be very neat as well.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Week 7 Reading Diary: Epified TV in India (Part A)
Title: Epified TV in India
Author(s): Unknown
Created: April 2015
Bhishma steals the three princesses
I did not realize Bhishma stole Amba, Amica, and Ambalica. I also thought it very odd that Amba could not go back to the man she loved. She was never with or married to any of the men, so I don’t quite understand why he would not take her. I also did not realize that Amba is a strong reason in everything that happened to Bhishma.
Kunthi
I just realized that the story of Karna sounds very similar to the Christian story of Moses. A baby who could not be kept that the mother knew was destined for great things. I did not notice while reading the Mahabharata that there is such a timeline hole with Karna (basically his whole life until the last ~ten years). This might be a good storytelling.
The 100 Sons
I had no idea about the lump born to Gandhari that became the 100 evil sons. It is actually quite gross to think about. I know there could be many stories that come from this weirdness.
Duryodhana pushed Bhima into the water! In the Mahabharata, this specific story did not happen. This just made me hate Duryodhana that much more. Video 15 would be such a great story to embellish. I wish I had read more about this in the book.
Astras were briefly mentioned when they discussed Drona. I have read multiple students stories about astras and I think it would be neat to write one of my own. Maybe this time I will try doing so with a different storytelling method.
Author(s): Unknown
Created: April 2015
Bhishma steals the three princesses
I did not realize Bhishma stole Amba, Amica, and Ambalica. I also thought it very odd that Amba could not go back to the man she loved. She was never with or married to any of the men, so I don’t quite understand why he would not take her. I also did not realize that Amba is a strong reason in everything that happened to Bhishma.
Kunthi
I just realized that the story of Karna sounds very similar to the Christian story of Moses. A baby who could not be kept that the mother knew was destined for great things. I did not notice while reading the Mahabharata that there is such a timeline hole with Karna (basically his whole life until the last ~ten years). This might be a good storytelling.
The 100 Sons
I had no idea about the lump born to Gandhari that became the 100 evil sons. It is actually quite gross to think about. I know there could be many stories that come from this weirdness.
Duryodhana pushed Bhima into the water! In the Mahabharata, this specific story did not happen. This just made me hate Duryodhana that much more. Video 15 would be such a great story to embellish. I wish I had read more about this in the book.
Bhima (Wiki)
Astras were briefly mentioned when they discussed Drona. I have read multiple students stories about astras and I think it would be neat to write one of my own. Maybe this time I will try doing so with a different storytelling method.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Week 6 Storytelling: Uttarai's Sacrifice
An Indian Wedding (Wiki)
Author’s Note. The origin of this story idea came from R.K. Narayan’s The Mahabharata. When Virata finds out that the men who have been working for him are the five Pandavas, he suddenly promises his daughter, Uttarai, to Arjuna’s son, Abhumanyu. After the nuptials, nothing more is spoken of her until the end of the epic where her son becomes the sole heir to the Pandavas. I decided to embellish on her life (and make her a little modern). I got the idea while reading The Mahabharata and noting to myself that I didn't think it fair that the king just promised her off in a moment's notice.
In my storytelling, Uttarai does not want to marry Abhimanyu, for she loves another man. She is stubborn but wise (as you will see), and ultimately believes her father only wants the best for her. Will she get what she wants? Or will she obey?
The picture I have selected is of a modern Indian wedding. I could not find much information on ancient wedding ceremonies, so I was a little confused on what to write when I got to the actual wedding part. Hopefully I have done this amazing culture its due justice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Wedding
“I just don’t think this is fair!” Uttarai stomped over to the dressing stage. Uttarai’s maid, Jen, walked over to grab the royal dress of the day.
”Uttarai, you knew this day would come. Why are you surprised? You know it is the tradition of our land to have the suitor of a woman chosen by her father.” Jen walked around Uttarai wrapping the sari around her.
After all of her morning preparations, Uttarai began walking through the garden alone to collect her thoughts. It was unfair that she had no say in who she was to marry. She didn’t even know this man and he was supposed to be her husband next week!
She heard a man’s voice and hid behind the massive bush of pink roses. Peering through a small hole, she saw the massive man talking with one of her father’s advisors. He was handsome. An innocent smile shone on her face, and then she remembered he couldn’t even see her. He leaned over and picked up Uttarai’s small dog. He pet him gently and spoke with silliness as one does with a child. Why couldn’t she be with him? He was perfect, and she wanted him.
“This is just unfair!” Uttarai stomped back to her dressing room. She wept on Jen’s lap until no more tears would come. She regained her composure and decided to go speak with her father.
Her father was sitting merrily on his grand chair in the dining hall for breaking fast.
“My dearest daughter, what is troubling you?” King Virata took another bite of his eggs.
“Oh Father! I believe you to be a just man. Please, Father, please do not make me marry Abhimanyu!” She fell at his feet and began crying once more.
”My love, my life,” Virata caressed her hair gently, “Abhimanyu is the grandson of a God. He is mighty at war, but kind in heart. He is respectful and knows no separation of persons. These are all the traits I ever wanted in the man I gave your hand. Please, sweet Uttarai, obey my command. It is not a punishment, but a reward!”
“Father, I will obey you, but I do not wish to meet him until the day we wed. I fear I will scare him off with my endless stream of tears.” Uttarai lifted her head. She now knew there was no other way; she had to marry a man she didn’t even know.
Three days later, the wedding party met in the marble hall. As promised, Uttarai did not attend, and Virata did not call for her.
Saturday came and it was time. Jen was the one weeping this time as she got Uttarai dressed. Today, they began much earlier than normal. Uttarai had accepted her fate. Jen was a mess, and she hugging Uttarai randomly and bowing every time she leaned back to take in her masterpiece.
Uttarai walked down the grand staircase. Oh no! There was the perfect man from the garden!
“Great,” she thought, “not only do I have to marry a man I don’t want to, but now I have to do so in front of the man I truly wanted!” Her seeming smile changed to a frown. Suddenly the man walked up to her and put his arm out.
“Hello, Princess Uttarai.” He bent down and kissed her hand. “I am Abhimanyu, and you are perfect.”
Bibliography: R.K. Narayan’s The Mahabharata written in 1978.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Week 6 Reading Diary: continued, R.K. Narayan's The Mahabharata (Part D)
Title: The Mahabharata
Author: R.K. NarayanYear: 1978
Part C, pages 132-176
Though Bhishma was on the wrong side of the war, I really liked him. He was so smart, and his entire purpose was to suffer on earth. I found this very sad. Even the Pandavas so dearly loved him that they went to see him right before he died. His story of how he came about blew my mind. How his father finally saved his eighth child that Ganga was going to drown was mesmerizing. I don’t even know what I would write about, but I like Bhishma. I think it is so neat that his mother is Ganga, and also that he has been allowed to choose when he would die.
Epilogue – Re-vamped
I enjoyed the epilogue given in the book, but I think I would like to write my own. I have never done so, and I think it would be a new and exciting story type to try for storytelling. This area is left open to so many possibilities. I could change how they died, or introduce other people’s children/lineage and change up who later ruled Hastinapur.
I am not a huge fan or war in writing. but I don’t mind it in movies or television. When reading roughly the last 20 pages of The Mahabharata, I kept getting confused about who was who, and what side each person was on (there were WAY too many names to remember exactly who was on what side). Because of this, I could not get into what I was reading during most of the war.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Week 6 Reading Diary: continued, R.K. Narayan's The Mahabharata (Part C)
Title: The Mahabharata
Author: R.K. Narayan
Year: 1978
Part C, pages 85-131
Year: 1978
Part C, pages 85-131
Draupadi from Mahabharata (Wiki)
Wedding between Abhimanyu and Uttarai
This could be a fun story. Maybe the climax could be that she refused to marry a man she didn’t know (super modern, right?) but then she meets him without knowing it was her future husband and falls in love with him. Then she goes to her father to convince him to not force her to marry this “dreadful guy” (who is actually the one she loves). The end could be really cute, where he walks in after spying on her talking. Or her father forces her anyway, and as she walks down the aisle, her true love is waiting at the end.
Duryodhana Dies
This man drives me crazy. Because of this, I would not be upset if he died before this apparent “war” even starts. One possibility is that he is killed by Arjuna. Arjuna said that he would not be the first to shoot an arrow, so if Drona or Duryodhana do it first. If this happens, Arjuna has the perfect explanation to take both of their lives. This might not be a great story idea, because I know he will probably end up dying. I guess I will just have to wait and see!
Draupadi’s Gandharvas – A Children’s Story
This could be the story of Draupadi and her gandharvas, but a much more child friendly version (instead of her getting abused and the brother getting killed for it). One possibility might be a small girl who really does have five gandharvas, and there are various scenarios where she is saved because of them.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Thoughts about Comments
My favorite kind of comment on one of my stories has multiple parts. They don't always have to be the same parts, but a variation of comment type is just what I need for proper feedback. The most helpful is whether a person enjoyed the story or not. The second is their favorite/least favorite parts, and the third is any advice. The most helpful thing in a comment is when someone provides a kind but constructive criticism. This way, I am able to fix what is needed.
In the beginning, I tried to only say the nicest things in comments. With time, I realized it is perfectly fine to still be kind and honest about a persons writing, but throw in some curve balls too. Sometimes it is a question on the plot or with a character, and other times it is just a question I want to know. This way a person can fill in any plot holes they have.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Week 5 Storytelling: A Woman in Exile
Draupadi's Diary
Day 1 of Year 1
I cannot believe What Yudhishthira has done to us, to me! Even after I saved him from his gambling addiction and convinced King Dhritarashtra to release us, he still returned once more to get us exiled…FOR THIRTEEN YEARS!!!
Day 14 of Year 1
We have been walking through this forest for quite some time now. My husbands are growing weary, as am I. I should not be living the life of a hermit, I am a royal! Yudhishthira has been trudging around for days now. No one will speak to him, and this is beginning to weigh on him. It is unfair for him to be labeled the leader just by being the oldest, but that is how society works.
Day 312 of Year 1
My time with Yudhishthira is coming to an end. I have finally released my underlying grudge for him by washing in the Ganga. I fasted for two days, and did nothing but pray. Upon leaving the glorious river, I felt like a new woman. I approached my husband and he noticed the change as well. He sent the others away so we could spend some happy time together. I have to start focusing on the positive.
Day 1 of Year 2
Today is my first day with Bhima. This is one of my least favorite parts of having five husbands. My relationship with Yudhishthira grew the most ever has in these last few months, and now I am supposed to forget it all and get reacquainted with the man I have not been with in four years! I truly love Bhima, so I will not complain. He was so excited to see me, to be with me, to be able to think of me all he wants again; I must not take this overflowing love for granted.
Day 1 of Year 3
Now it is Arjuna’s year. We as a caravan are getting very good at coming up with games to play, and things to do. There are blooms on the trees, and the birds sing such glorious songs. Though I am anxious for my husbands to defeat Duryodhana and his army so we may return to the throne, it is days like today that I understand the life of a hermit. Arjuna made us a picnic and we went alone to a beautiful green spot by the river flowing from the mountain. It was a wonderful way to start our year. Though I would never admit it aloud, Arjuna is my favorite husband to be with.
Day 1 of Year 4
Nakula was so anxious to attain me today that he had me blushing in front of everyone with his sweet words. Every year has gone by faster and faster. I do hope it slows down a little, because I don’t want my life to suddenly end because I was wishing it away.
Day 1 of Year 5
After this year, the cycle of my husband’s begins all over again. I am so ready to be with Sahadeva, for I love him dearly. Hopefully I will not bear a child while in this forest. We have moved once more to a beautiful area, but I am ready for the life I was supposed to live.
Author’s Note: I have not written a diary story before now, and to be honest I am not a huge fan. I couldn’t figure out how to add climax and resolution to the story, so for now it looks like I just filled in a few gaps in the 12 years I have read thus far. I got the idea to do a diary because I have read another student’s diary storytelling post and I really enjoyed it.
I chose to make Draupadi very stubborn in this diary. She had a right to be mad at Yudhishthira, but at many points she was completely blowing up. In The Mahabharata, she made numerous statements that basically stated she was severely being mistreated because she was supposed to be a royal and live in a palace. Based on what I have read thus far, she has always been pretty spoiled where ever she ends up.
The picture I have selected is of Draupadi and her five husbands. I couldn't find one of her in exile. I really enjoy this picture because it is all the main characters in her diary in one picture.
Bibliography: R.K. Narayan’s The Mahabharata written in 1978.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Week 5 Reading Diary: continued, R.K. Narayan's The Mahabharata (Part B)
Title: The Mahabharata
Author: R.K. NarayanYear: 1978
Part B
Draupadi from The Mahabharata (Wiki)
Draupadi's Diary: A Woman in Exile
This would be a new story type I have not tried. I believe it would be a great idea to give more insight into what the one woman in this caravan was thinking when alone. She makes many of her thoughts clear in the beginning of the exile, but little is known of what happened throughout. If she is still switching husbands every year, I could make five entry posts about the five different husbands and how they vary from each other.
Duryodhana
I don't exactly know what I would write about this guy, but I really am starting to hate him (though this was probably the authors intent). He is vile, and untrustworthy in all senses of the word. I believe the book explains it best when calling him a jackal over and over. I'm sure I could come up with a great story out of the passionate hate I have developed for this apparent antagonist. I really want to write an ending now where he just dies, but I have a feeling something bad is going to happen after the curse put on him at the end of chapter 8.
Arjuna With Indra
I really enjoyed reading about how Indra took his son in and helped him in every way he could (though oddly, he even tried to hand him a hooker...unsuccessfully). If I were to choose to write about Arjuna's time here, I would have a lot of freedom for creativity, because very little was written for a total of a five year stay.
Week 5 Reading Diary: R.K. Narayan's The Mahabharata (Part A)
Title: The Mahabharata
Author: R.K. Narayan
Year: 1978
Author: R.K. Narayan
Year: 1978
Part A
Vyasa telling the story of The Mahabharata (Wiki)
Ganga Raises Devavratha
This possible story could be the few years where Ganga takes Devavratha into the river to train him. Maybe it could include some other Gods he met while preschool age, and a more in-depth version of the things he learned while with his mother. There could even be a part where Santanu is waiting at the river impatiently every week, hoping his son would appear.
Arjuna vs. Karna
This is way off normal track, but this could be a story where King Dhritarashtra literally sees things for the first time where he keeps dreaming of fights between Arjuna and Karna, where each subsequent duel is more realistic, and more compelling. Dhritarashtra is confused, and tells no one but his wife, who is at a loss for what to do. One day, the King dreams that Arjuna is dueling his son, Duryodhana, and he is nearly stricken with death at the thought.
More About Draupadi
There is an excerpt in the book that is a mini story telling of Draupadi's previous life as Nalayani. I think it would be a fun idea to expand on this small portion of the text. I think giving her a more realistic and exciting front would be interesting, as not too much is said about her. I could do the flip of this, and make something similar to a diary entry, one entry for each husband she has. I might not be able to do this yet, because I am just now to the part where they decide how she will be split up.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Week 4 Storytelling: Bharat, A Future Undecided
“My sweetest husband, I believe it is time to retire to the forest,” Shakuntala said gently to Dushmanta, her husband of twenty years.
“Though I enjoy the life of the palace, a hermitage is my home, and my aging body yearns for it,” she continued.
“For you, my dearest wife, I would do anything. But how should we know if our offspring is ready for the heavy duties of a king? How will we know if it is still too much for him? What if he is an unjust King, how will I live?” Dushmanta emotionally asked.
“We will test him.” Shakuntala stated, as if a light had come on, for she glowed with the essence of her idea.
“I’ve got it!” he yelled. “We will see if it is his heart of gold he will lead with, or if he has selfish intentions. We will send him to Jabro, the poorest area of our city, and put him with a harsh servant who does not do all he asks, as he is used to. She will be our eyes; only then will we see the true heart our son possesses.”
“Very well, my greatest, see it through,” Shakuntala stated, after pondering idea. It seemed harsh, but in the end, it truly would test his temper, as well as his compassion for others.
So Dushmanta went to his favorite nurse, Jana, and asked if she knew anyone that would be fit to fulfill this deed. As it would be, she did: a fellow nurse by the name of Seila. She was an older woman, but not frail. She was strong and level-headed. Dushmanta and Shakuntala met with Seila and explained all they needed from her. She feared them initially (because of their royal status), but she realized by the end that all they wanted was to know that their son was truly ready to rule a kingdom.
The following week Bharat showed up to the home he would be staying at while conducting royal duties his father set for him. When he got out of the chariot he stood curiously at the door, and read the name of the inn repeatedly. It was nothing more than a shack, and he wondered if someone even lived there. Nevertheless, he decided to go in.
“Hello? Is anyone here? I was told I am to be expected. My name is Bharat,” he stated as he walked through the door. His eyes widened. The decor did not improve from outside to in; it actually got worse!
“I am Seila. And look here! You didn’t even wipe your shoes off!” a woman smarled as she turned the corner. “Go through that door there and set your stuff down, and then please come help me wash up for dinner.” She pointed to a sheet on the wall over a hole that Bharat could only assume was the door spoken of.
“Madam…” Bharat began, but he soon decided it was not worth the words. He did not believe she meant to be harsh, but rather, firm. He was about to remind her who he was, but he wanted to see how the night went. He set his belongings on the cot and returned to the main room.
Seila put a pot of chicken on the kindled fire. “Please finish the washing of these dishes and when you’re done let’s head to the river for the some cool drinks.”
Bharat considered what his father and mother would do in this situation. Despite the small fire brewing inside him, he realized that she had lived a life much harder than his, and she deserved to be a little bitter. Maybe he could help her out.
Finally, he walked over to the grand pot with dirty dishes in it and began cleaning them.
Author's Note. This story is a small piece of a larger story, with the main piece coming from Nine Ideal Indian Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala. This idea came from the third story, Shakuntala. I was so entranced during this story that I'm not sure if I blinked the whole way through! I enjoyed the plot and story line too much, so I decided not to make any changes to those. Instead, I decided to add a little fill where there was nothing more than a paragraph (the one at the end where Bharat suddenly grows up, becomes king, and has a great reign).
The ring in this story was not selected by chance; in the story of Shakuntala and Dushmanta, Dushmanata married Shakuntala in the forest and gives her a ring so his men could come back and get her. He became cursed to forget the one he loved until a token of his love (the ring!) was shown to him. Shakuntala lost it, and Dushmanta did not recognize her when she went to find him while very pregnant with their son, Bharat. A few years later, some fisherman find the ring and it is returned to Dushmanta. Once he sees the ring, he realizes what he had done and he finds Shakuntala and Bharat. Later in life, Dushmanta gave this ring to Bharat. This is why this ring is so important!
Bibliography. This story's characters come from Nine Ideal Indian Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala by Sunity Devee in 1919.
“Though I enjoy the life of the palace, a hermitage is my home, and my aging body yearns for it,” she continued.
“For you, my dearest wife, I would do anything. But how should we know if our offspring is ready for the heavy duties of a king? How will we know if it is still too much for him? What if he is an unjust King, how will I live?” Dushmanta emotionally asked.
“We will test him.” Shakuntala stated, as if a light had come on, for she glowed with the essence of her idea.
“I’ve got it!” he yelled. “We will see if it is his heart of gold he will lead with, or if he has selfish intentions. We will send him to Jabro, the poorest area of our city, and put him with a harsh servant who does not do all he asks, as he is used to. She will be our eyes; only then will we see the true heart our son possesses.”
“Very well, my greatest, see it through,” Shakuntala stated, after pondering idea. It seemed harsh, but in the end, it truly would test his temper, as well as his compassion for others.
So Dushmanta went to his favorite nurse, Jana, and asked if she knew anyone that would be fit to fulfill this deed. As it would be, she did: a fellow nurse by the name of Seila. She was an older woman, but not frail. She was strong and level-headed. Dushmanta and Shakuntala met with Seila and explained all they needed from her. She feared them initially (because of their royal status), but she realized by the end that all they wanted was to know that their son was truly ready to rule a kingdom.
The following week Bharat showed up to the home he would be staying at while conducting royal duties his father set for him. When he got out of the chariot he stood curiously at the door, and read the name of the inn repeatedly. It was nothing more than a shack, and he wondered if someone even lived there. Nevertheless, he decided to go in.
“Hello? Is anyone here? I was told I am to be expected. My name is Bharat,” he stated as he walked through the door. His eyes widened. The decor did not improve from outside to in; it actually got worse!
“I am Seila. And look here! You didn’t even wipe your shoes off!” a woman smarled as she turned the corner. “Go through that door there and set your stuff down, and then please come help me wash up for dinner.” She pointed to a sheet on the wall over a hole that Bharat could only assume was the door spoken of.
“Madam…” Bharat began, but he soon decided it was not worth the words. He did not believe she meant to be harsh, but rather, firm. He was about to remind her who he was, but he wanted to see how the night went. He set his belongings on the cot and returned to the main room.
Seila put a pot of chicken on the kindled fire. “Please finish the washing of these dishes and when you’re done let’s head to the river for the some cool drinks.”
Bharat considered what his father and mother would do in this situation. Despite the small fire brewing inside him, he realized that she had lived a life much harder than his, and she deserved to be a little bitter. Maybe he could help her out.
Finally, he walked over to the grand pot with dirty dishes in it and began cleaning them.
"I must find a way to help this woman," he thought to himself. "What can I do to show her that we, the royal family, still care for her?"
Bharat and Seila cleaned and cooked in silence, until Bharat broke had an idea.
“Dearest Seila, it is clear you have lived a hard and tiresome life, but you have stayed devoted to your King through it all. For that, I want to give you my favorite ring.” He removed the diamond-encrusted gold band from his finger, and placed it in her palm.
She stood wide-eyed, in shock. She did not expect this at all.
From the moment Dushmanta and Shakuntala found out their son’s great reverence, they knew his purity of heart was true. Dushmanta made Bharat the King, and his reign was peaceful. He was such a great king that the country of India still bears his name today.
Bharat and Seila cleaned and cooked in silence, until Bharat broke had an idea.
“Dearest Seila, it is clear you have lived a hard and tiresome life, but you have stayed devoted to your King through it all. For that, I want to give you my favorite ring.” He removed the diamond-encrusted gold band from his finger, and placed it in her palm.
She stood wide-eyed, in shock. She did not expect this at all.
From the moment Dushmanta and Shakuntala found out their son’s great reverence, they knew his purity of heart was true. Dushmanta made Bharat the King, and his reign was peaceful. He was such a great king that the country of India still bears his name today.
Indian King (Wikipedia)
Author's Note. This story is a small piece of a larger story, with the main piece coming from Nine Ideal Indian Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala. This idea came from the third story, Shakuntala. I was so entranced during this story that I'm not sure if I blinked the whole way through! I enjoyed the plot and story line too much, so I decided not to make any changes to those. Instead, I decided to add a little fill where there was nothing more than a paragraph (the one at the end where Bharat suddenly grows up, becomes king, and has a great reign).
The ring in this story was not selected by chance; in the story of Shakuntala and Dushmanta, Dushmanata married Shakuntala in the forest and gives her a ring so his men could come back and get her. He became cursed to forget the one he loved until a token of his love (the ring!) was shown to him. Shakuntala lost it, and Dushmanta did not recognize her when she went to find him while very pregnant with their son, Bharat. A few years later, some fisherman find the ring and it is returned to Dushmanta. Once he sees the ring, he realizes what he had done and he finds Shakuntala and Bharat. Later in life, Dushmanta gave this ring to Bharat. This is why this ring is so important!
The picture I selected was done so very carefully. I did many searches for both Bharat and Shakuntala, where I almost always attained the same few pictures that I had already seen (though they didn't fit the idea I had in my head). I finally got the idea to look up Indian Kings, and I went through a few before I found a picture of one I thought looked noble enough to look similar to the gentle King Bharat. If you want to read more about King Shivaji (pictured), see here.
Bibliography. This story's characters come from Nine Ideal Indian Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala by Sunity Devee in 1919.
Week 4 Reading Diary, continued: Nine Ideal Indian Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala
Title: Nine Ideal Indian Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala
Author: Sunity Devee
Year: 1919
Part B: Promila and Shakuntala
Indrajit’s Rage
This is slightly gruesome, but I could write a story where the kingdom sent repeated messengers to tell Indrajit of the grave state of Lanka and his giant brother, but he never believed them and killed them. Then, finally, someone he knows, his sweet old nurse as a child comes, and he believes her. This is nothing more than an expansion on the current story, giving it a more detailed reason as to why he wouldn’t believe anyone.
Promila – The Alternate Ending
The ending of this broke my heart. Even though they were technically the bad guys, the writers of this story really made me root for Indrajit and Promila’s love. Though still sad, this alternate ending would consist of Indrajit still dying (because, well, he has to so Rama can win), but Promila becomes a strong woman, and lives out her days with her maidens in paradise. I could discuss how she came to this decision, and the journey back.
Bharat Becomes King
In this side story, I would show the transition to when Bharat, the son of Dushmanta and Shakuntala, goes from prince to King. Maybe a series of tests? Or his father is waiting for something specific? Maybe someone made a prediction on what Dushmanta and Shakuntala were looking for to know the time their son should be king. I plan on making his demeanor and attitude to all people the same that his mothers would be. At the end, Dushmanta and Shakuntala will retire to the forest as hermits, just as the prediction.
Author: Sunity Devee
Year: 1919
Part B: Promila and Shakuntala
Indrajit’s Rage
This is slightly gruesome, but I could write a story where the kingdom sent repeated messengers to tell Indrajit of the grave state of Lanka and his giant brother, but he never believed them and killed them. Then, finally, someone he knows, his sweet old nurse as a child comes, and he believes her. This is nothing more than an expansion on the current story, giving it a more detailed reason as to why he wouldn’t believe anyone.
Promila – The Alternate Ending
The ending of this broke my heart. Even though they were technically the bad guys, the writers of this story really made me root for Indrajit and Promila’s love. Though still sad, this alternate ending would consist of Indrajit still dying (because, well, he has to so Rama can win), but Promila becomes a strong woman, and lives out her days with her maidens in paradise. I could discuss how she came to this decision, and the journey back.
Promila and Her Maidens (Nine Ideal Indian Women)
Bharat Becomes King
In this side story, I would show the transition to when Bharat, the son of Dushmanta and Shakuntala, goes from prince to King. Maybe a series of tests? Or his father is waiting for something specific? Maybe someone made a prediction on what Dushmanta and Shakuntala were looking for to know the time their son should be king. I plan on making his demeanor and attitude to all people the same that his mothers would be. At the end, Dushmanta and Shakuntala will retire to the forest as hermits, just as the prediction.
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