Essay: Tricksters and Fools

(arctic fox, photo by Will Brown)

Table of Contents

Pâtussorssuaq, Who Killed His Uncle has a very interesting trickster in the story. The man, whose name is the first word of this paragraph, killed his uncle because he wanted his wife. This man who killed him though already had a wife. So, he thought all was fine and he would just keep living his life. In the following days though, something happened. He was attacked by a fox. The fox was his amulet. He survived the fox. That didn't last long though. The next day he was attacked by a bear and was killed. All of this happened because of his actions against his uncle. The trickster in the story was the man himself who thought he could get away with murdering his uncle. It turns out, he ended up being the fool as well getting himself killed. 

The Wife Who Lied had a similar outline. A woman is not satisfied with her life so she goes from her husband's tribe and back to her native tribe. She tells her native tribe a lie and they go to kill every woman in her husband's camp. They do this and when the husband's cap follows them for revenge, they kill them too. In the process though, the woman's native tribe discovers she lied. So, two men that laugh crazily drag her off while all the fighting is going on. The killed her without hesitation. This ending is similar to the story above. The woman is the trickster when she tells her tribe a lie and they believe her. The lie got her killed though, which makes her the fool in the story also. 

This is the first time I have seen that the trickster and fool are one character in two stories this semester. They are ind of sad, but very interesting stories! 

Week 10 Storytelling: Regret

(The Wife Who Lied)

One day a woman was in her village, but she was not satisfied with how her husband was treating her. He was gone for long hours hunting and she would get lonely. So, she thought of a way to fix her situation. She could not see things getting any better, so she went to her original tribe. 

She told them, "My husband has abused me physically and verbally." 

The men of the tribe then went to go find her husband's tribe. They traveled for a long time through the snow. Men were getting sick. They finally made it to the tribe though. They found only women there. The men killed every single woman to send a message to the woman's husband. When the husband's tribe got back and found all of the women slaughtered, they geared up to go find the perpetrators. 

The husband's tribe traveled back to his wife's native tribe. The lined the front of the wife's camp in the morning until the whole camp woke and saw the husband's tribe. 

The husband said, "Why did you kill all of our women?" 

The wife's tribe's leader responds, "Because this woman's husband abused her."

The husband replied, "I am her husband. This is not true. Do you see any physical marks on her that show I hurt her?" 

The wife's tribe checked her body and found no trace of abuse. 

Her tribe's leader says to her, "You lied!" 

The wife cowers in fear. 

The leader frustrated asks the husband what he wants. The husband responds, "I want her gone from both tribe's. She must fend for herself now in everything. "

Both tribe's send her into the wilderness. The woman was never seen again. 

Now, the tribe's stayed together that night and enjoyed one another's company at a huge bonfire. They danced and prayed to their spirits for healing. They started eating and the husband sees something. He looks in the woods and sees his ex-wife staring at the bonfire. The husband could not find forgiveness in his heart. The whole camp went to sleep. 

The next morning they woke they saw a totem pole that sends the message "I am sorry, and I know I deserve this sentence after what I've done. Please just never forget me. I am on my own now."

The camp knew this had to be a supernatural power because no one could lift, much less, make a totem pole in one night. So, they did remember the husband's ex-wife as a message to never act in the manner she did. 

Author's Note: The Wife Who Lied I wrote in third person narration to give more detail and description to the story. My main goal was to make the story's ending not so gruesome. 

In the original, the wife goes to her native tribe's camp and lies to them about how she is being treated. Her tribe then goes and kills all of her past tribe's women. Next, they kill everyone else at her old camp. Her native tribe finds out she lied though after all of that and kills her. 

In my story, the woman goes to her native tribe and she lies differently. She says her husband is treating poorly. So, her native tribe then goes and kills all of the women in her past tribe. Her husband's tribe then goes to attack his wife's native tribe where it is discovered that he did not abuse her in front of the whole tribe. The wife then is exiled from each tribe. Supernatural powers help her and she makes a totem pole that both tribes wake up to one morning. The message on the pole serves as a reminder of how not to act within the tribe. The story then ends. 

Bibliography: The Wife Who Lied, Eskimo Folk-Tales by Knad Rasmussen (1921)

Reading Diary B: Eskimo Folk Tales

(The Wife Who Lied)

Table of Contents

The Wife Who Lied is probably the most intense story I have read. There are Native Americans, way back when, that do eat people. This was a story about a whole tribe that did attacking one that didn't. The reason they attacked is because the main woman said her husband had done her wrong to he original tribe. So, her tribe went and killed all of her husband's tribe's wives. The main woman lied though so her tribe killed her. The thing that stood out to me the most in this story is the detail. It makes you think that this actually happened. Moving on, I believe this story was written as a message. This story is supposed to send a message to be careful of your actions because you never know what the repercussions might be. 

Pâtussorssuaq, Who Killed His Uncle is another very intense story. The most interesting thing I find about this story is how moral beliefs align with quite a few other beliefs in stories we've read already. Specifically, the belief I am talking about is karma. So, a man kills his uncle because he wants his wife. That man gets killed for his misdeed by his amulet which is a fox and bear. So, this reminds me of the stories from the Eastern part of the world that incorporated hinduistic ideals (karma). In a way, it's like they are all connected somehow. These stories, although intense, are great examples of how never to treat people. 

Reading Diary A: Eskimo Folk Tales

(makite)

Table of Contents

Makite 

Makite was very interesting. A Native American, Makite, decides to go live on his own, but encounters another man. This man wanted to kill Makite. Makite escaped though. Finally, Makite went and fought with some dwarfs. The thing I found the most interesting about this story is how much detail it held. You could tell that this story has been passed down from generation to generation. People I am sure say, "How could one believe in this?" I'm also sure that's what people say about me and my beliefs. Who really knows? My professor is Cherokee and he speaks of "little people" like the dwarfs in this story. He says they roam around and he is one-hundred percent serious. So, I find the content and detail extremely fascinating. 

The Giant Dog

This story was interesting. There is a giant dog given an amulet that protects it from death. The dog terrorized inland-dwellers and killed many of them. The dog also killed the mightiest dogs that the story says were "big as bears." I would be really afraid myself if I saw that! so, the most interesting part to me is that inland dwellers, from what I have learned in other classes, really are still afraid to this day of dogs. You want to know why this is so? It is because of these tales like The Giant Dog that have been passed down through generations. So, as crazy as some of these stories sound, they have a real impact on many. 

You see, I love dogs! 

Battle Inferno

(dragon illustrated by Henry Pitz)

Beowulf, Eve, Adam, Alice, and Mr. Rabbit walk to find the dragon. 

Beowulf speaks, "Be on your guard. I have seen this beast kill more than I wish. We must use caution."

The whole company walks for three hours. They pass through forests, an abandoned home, and finally come to a stony, desolate land. The air smells like dead bodies and the heat keeps rising. Everyone looks around with sweat drenching their bodies. They hear something. It is a loud bang every couple of seconds. 

Adam points, "Behind that huge boulder. That's where the sound comes from." 

Beowulf signals for them to stay put. He walks and sneaks up behind the massive stone Adam directs him towards. With his back against the boulder, Beowulf peeks around the corner to see what the commotion is about. He sees the dragon's tail making the sound. As the dragon dreams, it moves its tail. Beowulf signals for everyone to quietly come to him. They all tip toe to him. 

Alice says, "What do we do?"

Mr. Rabbit speaks, "Yeah, what now?"

Beowulf tells them, "In order for me to kill the beast, I'll have to get close enough to where I can pierce its heart. This means I am going to need a lot of distractions." 

Everyone gulps. They all stare at each other and hear another slam of the dragon's tail. 

Beowulf continues, "Mr. Rabbit and Alice, can you go to the dragon's tail? Pull it only once I've gotten close enough. When it stands with its belly off the ground, I will go for the heart." 

They both look back and nod their heads. 

Beowulf speaks his last words, "Adam and Eve, you are to watch my back. If anything is going wrong, signal me immediately."

Adam and Eve look back nodding their heads grudgingly also. 

They all move into position. Alice and Mr. Rabbit go to the dragon's tail, dodging it as it swings about. Beowulf starts walking towards the dragon, feeling its hot breath. Beowulf slowly walks step by step to not wake the beast. The dragon breathes extremely hard blowing Beowulf back. Everyone else watches in terror. The dragon shudders in a dream and Beowulf falls to the ground like he's dead, thinking it was awake. It's still asleep and Beowulf keeps walking. He signals to Alice and Mr. Rabbit to pull its tail. They do so and when the dragon stands, it disappears. It was a spell that the dragon used. All of a sudden, Adam and Eve feel hot breath on their necks. They turn around and see the dragon. It lets out a huge roar. Everyone runs for their lives. 

Beowulf yells, "I'm coming, Adam and Eve! Run!"

They run towards Beowulf and get behind him. The dragon sees his old foe. 

The dragon says, "Hello, Beowulf, any last words?"

Beowulf responds, "My last words will be the ones I say at your funeral." 

The dragon grimaces and becomes angry yelling, "Lets see about that!"

The dragon breathes fire at him left and right. Beowulf rolls and dodges with all of his might. 

Beowulf says, "You've gotten slow, old friend." 

The dragon keeps breathing fire. Beowulf keeps taunting him. 

The dragon yells, "Fine. If you won't come out, I'll go after your friends!"

Beowulf yells, "Wait!"

There is so much smoke the dragon cannot see Beowulf. 

Beowulf speaks, "You know how you killed my family?"

The dragon smiles. 

Beowulf continues, "You know how you're destined to burn in hell?"

The dragon responds, "No man will kill me." 

There is dead silence. The dragon looks through the smoke to locate Beowulf. 

Beowulf runs and jumps off a rock while yelling, "That day is today!"

Beowulf flies through the air with his sword in one hand. He loses his balance and his hands tire. He finally gets to the dragon and stabs it in the heart, hanging in mid-air. The dragon yells out a moan that rattles the gates of hell. 

The dragon dies yelling, "No!"

Author's note: Again, I chose third person narration because it offers many more options when writing. It lets you add so much more detail! My main goal for this story is to create tension and intensity from the time everyone meets the dragon until the time it dies. 

In the original story, Battle with the Dragon, Beowulf fights a dragon the entire time, but in the end it says Beowulf grows tired. It is initiated by a man disturbing the dragon. The man is in the wrong place at the wrong time and the dragon thinks he has come to steal his treasure. Beowulf goes to protect his people from the dragon. Beowulf actually dies during his fight with the beast. He wins the fight though, with the aid of his companion, Wiglaf. 

In my story, Beowulf does fight the whole time, but in order to save his friends. The dragon tricks them with a spell, which it couldn't do in the original, and surprises everyone. Beowulf then seeks to save Adam and Eve by having the dragon breathe fire at them so smoke will give them visual cover. Lastly, my story actually has a conclusion and it ends with Beowulf jumping into the air stabbing the dragon in the heart. 

Bibliography:Battle with the Dragon, The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs (1933)

Essay: Tricksters and Fools

(flint arrowheads)

Table of Contents

Flint Visits the Rabbit has a trickster that will also show up in the second story I analyze. In this story, the animals in the forest ask a rabbit to take care of a hunter called Flint. The rabbit asks Flint to go back to his place for dinner. Flint then says he's got to do something, but rabbit tells him he can do that later. When they get close enough to rabbit's home, rabbit stabs Flint and sprints into his home. The rabbit is the trickster in the story and is extremely persuasive with Flint coming up with anything as an excuse for Flint to make his way to his home. The rabbit knew he had to be fast since Flint had a gun. So, he waited until he was close to his home to attack and sprint there. He was very smart and saved the forest! 

Why the Possum's Tail Is Bare had a similar trickster from the last story. The rabbit in this story is jealous of the possum and his tail. The possum is extremely prideful about his tail and the rabbit is sick of hearing about it. So, like in the last story, the rabbit gets clever. The possum asked him to brush his tail and make sure it looks great for the dance (since the rabbit set him up to purposely be the center of attention after he is done with his tail). The rabbit does so, but asks the cricket (the dresser) to take the hair off the possum's tail. This happens and at the dance the possum notices when everyone is laughing at him. The main difference for this rabbit trickster from the last story is that the protagonist gave the rabbit an excuse and chance to shave his tail. In the last story, the Rabbit had to go persuade Flint to go with him. Also, the main difference in general is that in one story a character died from the trickster while the other story just had embarrassment involved. 

Week 9 Storytelling: A Possum Tail

(possum)

One day a possum named John walks through town to show off his glorious tale. All of the animals stand and stare when the possum walked by. There was one possum though that did not like John very much. This possum's name was Tuck who happens to be John's brother. Tuck never had a full glorious full haired tail like John. John always gets the girls and all the attention. Tuck is not the most popular and feels he isn't noticed. So, Tuck comes up with a plan to take his jealousy out on John. 

Tuck told John to come over for dinner one night and to bring food. So, a week passes and the day has finally come for Tuck's plan to unfold. John shows up to Tuck's house and knocks on the door. Tuck has put a flammable grease on the mat outside his door. Tuck's goal is to have John's tail glide over the mat. John walks in, tail dragging in on the mat, and sits by the fire that Tuck has made that evening. They both share in conversation enjoying the evening. Tuck has placed John where his tail is directly in front of the fire. Tuck waits any moment now for John's tail to catch fire. 

All of a sudden, John smells something. Tuck sees smoke rising from behind him. John starts screaming realizing that his tail is on fire. Tuck acts like he is trying to help put out the fire, but does nothing. John runs outside rolling on the ground to put the fire out. Finally, after three minutes of rolling the fire and pain John was experiencing are over. John looks at his tail and starts to cry. Tuck talks to him letting him know everything will be okay (as he smiles on the inside).  Tuck takes John home to rest. 

Tuck finally got his brother back and now he will get all the attention. Tuck strolls into town one day and see John and his naked bare tail. Tuck is shocked though and fins he is surrounded by girls still that sympathize for the guy whose tale got burnt. Tuck then picks up the newspaper that day and sees a story about John surviving catching on fire. Tuck's plan did the opposite of what he hoped. Instead of getting his brother less attention, he managed to give him even more attention by setting his tail on fire. Tuck goes home and is defeated. John called to him though. John told him to come hang with he and the other girls. Tuck couldn't believe it. Both possum's became even better friends through this situation. 

Author's Note: I chose the third person narration style for this story because it helped me simplify my writing more. It didn't make things too complicated. My main goal for the story was to have the antagonist fail and for their to be a happy ending. 

Why the Possum's tail is Bare originally is a story about a possum that gets his tail burned because a friend doesn't like the main possum. The story ends after the possum's tail gets its hair torn off by a rat and explains that's why the possum's tail is bare to this day.

In my story, I made the animal that didn't like the main possum John another possum Tuck who is his brother. Instead of ripping hair off of his tail, Tuck burned John's tail. The last change is that John ends up getting more attention and Tuck's plan is foiled. John calls Tuck over to him though so he can hang with him. They both start to get to know each other better and become even closer family. 

Bibliography: Why the Possum's tail is Bare, Myths of the Cherokee, James Mooney, (1900)

Reading Diary B: Cherokee Myths

(owl)

Table of Contents

The Owl Gets Married is interesting, but again I am rather confused. The form each character takes is not clear. I do not know if someone is an owl at one point or if they are humans the whole time. That was the other thing. The reaction of the wife seeing her husband turn into an owl (I think) is not realistic. The husband comes home  and she isn't weirded out by him being an owl. She is just mad that he doesn't provide enough food for her. The wife is extremely selfish and the husband gets kicked out. The logic of the story is just off. 

Now, I really did like the plot and the conflict elements. There is a ton of controversy to play with and use. 

I did not understand the last part. The husband gets kicked out and lives until there is no flesh left on any part of his body except his head. I don't know what that means. He is completely owl or what? 

The Rattlesnake's Vengeance was a really intense story for me to read. The wife killed a snake and the husband agreed with a snake clan to let one serpent follow him to kill her to equal things out. The snake killed her and gave the husband a song to sing that heals if he should ever be attacked by a snake. 

I could never do what that man did. I realize I would've died, but my wife would be alive. M mind doesn't work like that. I have noticed that these Cherokee stories are kind of heartless. Now, all Cherokee are not like this, but man it makes you wonder about their societies. I have studied Cherokee, the language and history, a while now. They do not seem like what these stories present them to be. 

Reading Diary A: Cherokee Myths

(Flint Arrowheads)

Table of Contents

In Flint Visits the Rabbit I thought it was okay, but I was pretty confused when I was reading the story. The ending particularly was confusing. The Rabbit stabs Flint with his make shift knife. Next, the Rabbit runs back into his hole and he hears an explosion. Suddenly, Flint is flying everywhere. I probably misread it, but I see no point where it makes sense for an explosion to occur at this time. So, the story for me needs a better clearer conclusion. Otherwise, it is not effective. 

In Why the Possum's Tail is Bare there is some heated action. I feel it is too short and does not have the best storyline. The story is only about the antagonist getting the protagonist. The rabbit makes the possum's tail bare and embarrasses him at a dance. The story ends right then when the possum rolls over and doesn't move. I think we need a longer plot that shows what the possum does after that situation. 

Secondly, it doesn't feel like a happy ending. Give the audience what everyone wants: a happy ending. Although this type of thing could happen in real, the story seems evil without a happy ending. It seems like a cynical way to view life. I wonder if who wrote this was jealous at one point. 

Also, the paragraphs could have been broken up to make the story easier to read. It would also move the story along even faster. I know it is a true story, but I think this suggestion should hold true in any form of writing. White space is not a bad thing. 

Finding Beowulf

(illustration by A. R. Skelton) 

Mr. Rabbit, Alice, Adam, and Eve all stand up looking around at the new world that is before them. It is cold and night time. They stand in the middle of the woods hearing moans from bears and wolves. All look around to assess the situation.

Adam says, "Where has this black hole taken us?"

Eve responds, " I do not know."

Mr. Rabbit tells everyone, "Be on your guard. If what God says is true, Satan lurks wherever we are, seeking to destroy us."

Alice says, "Well, what do we do then?"

Eve points towards a little flicker of light she sees in the distance and yells, "Guys! Come on! Follow me!" 

They all file in following her lead. 

Mr. Rabbit says, "Why should we go that way?"

Eve responds, "Do you have a better idea?"

Grudgingly, Mr. Rabbit continues to follow. They are closer now and start to marvel at a miracle they are seeing. 

Alice says, "What is that?"

Mr. Rabbit says, "It looks like a flaming sword."

All of a sudden, the wind whirls and blows them to the ground. The sword is no longer flaming. Eve picks up the sword.

Eve speaks, "Oh my gosh, it is freezing! How could this be?"

They all hear an ominous voice. "Oh, hello there. I see you all have found my sword."

Adam replies, "Where are you? Show yourself!"

The voice says, "Ahahahaha. I do not answer to men, Adam." 

A black huge body reveals itself; it is a dragon. 

Mr. Rabbit yells, "Run!"

They run into the woods, but the dragon is too fast flying through the sky. They will soon be killed if they do not find shelter. 

"Over here!" a voice says. 

Adam sees the person and tells all to follow him. They do as they are told and go into a hole in the ground. 

Eve asks, "Who are you?"

"I am Beowulf," the voice says. 

Adam replies, "Wait, the Beowulf?" 

Beowulf replies, "You know me?"

Adam tells him, "I am Adam, and this is Eve. God created us first, and he told us many stories of his greatest warriors to be. You are at the top of the list." 

Beowulf says, "Really? Pleased to meet you! Oh my gosh, what do you have there?" He points at the sword. "That is the sword of life only given to those working for God's cause in the end of times."

Mr. Rabbit gulps, "You mean the end of the world?" 

Beowulf nods. 

Alice says, "Beowulf, your name is on the sword! What does this mean?"

Beowulf tells them the prophecy, "It is said that the one who uses that sword will slay one of Satan's greatest and first powers. This person will then lead God's army against Satan's after defeating Satan's first creation: the dragon. I believe the dragon is one of Satan's."

Eve says, "Is that what was chasing us?" 

Beowulf says, "Yes, yes, it was. That thing has killed my whole family and destroyed my whole kingdom."

Eve tells him, "It's because you are going to help us save the world from Satan. It all makes sense now. That sword was sent as a gift to us, and we were put here to protect you as you fulfill your destiny to slay one of Satan's greatest powers, the dragon. That sword is for you and you are to lead God's armies!"

They all discuss what to do in the hole in the ground for an hour. 

Beowulf calls for silence, "Okay, it is settled then. Tomorrow we send the foul dragon back where he came from! Glory to God and may we see that wretched beast burn!"

Beowulf raises a glass and then all join him. 

Beowulf yells, "To our heavenly father and to the saving of our world!" 

Author's note: This is the second story in my time traveling series. I chose third person narration because it allowed me to incorporate detail about the story, environment, and characters' dialogue. My main goal for this story was to set the stage for the next one, which will be about the battle between all the characters and the dragon. 

In the original story The Arrival of the Dragon, Beowulf is a king and is sitting in his chambers. A stranger that will not reveal his name tells the king that there is a dragon he has seen. Beowulf hears what he has to say and questions the man telling him he will die if he lies. The stranger presents him a jewel that could only belong to a dragon.  He then plans to kill it. That is how Beowulf finds out about the dragon in that story.

In my story, Beowulf is one of the last living men in his village and family. His kingdom gets destroyed because of the dragon. The dragon chases Adam, Eve, Mr. Rabbit, and Alice into Beowulf's home in the ground. Beowulf tells them the prophecy that I created, but then the four main characters tell him the piece of information he never knew; he is the chosen one to slay the dragon. This is confirmed with Beowulf's name when they all see Beowulf's name engraved on the sword. They all decide after this to go and defeat one of Satan's greatest powers: the dragon. So, the whole state Beowulf is in before he meets the characters is different from the original. Also, the reasoning for going to defeat the dragon is different. Lastly, obviously all of the characters have never been in a story together before. 

Bibliography: The Arrival of the Dragon, The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs (1933)

Reading Plan

(Beowulf Pic Un-Textbook)

Reading Plan:

Unit: Myths of the Cherokee - Week 9
Unit: Tales of the North American Indian - Week 10
Unit: Beowulf - Week 11
Unit: King Arthur - 12
Unit: Brothers Grimm (Hunt) - 13
Unit: Grimm (LibriVox) - 14

I am really excited about these reading choices! I chose all of them because I have learned about each topic in college. I hope to learn more so I can apply the knowledge I get to the stories I write and make them even more entertaining. Make sure to stay tuned into my stories if you're reading this!

Reflections: Looking Forward

(Inspirational Pic)

One main thing I would change is finding a way to have more time to put into my schoolwork here during the weekend. I travel with the OU football team and work all weekend so it is really difficult to find time. I edit on my computer all of their footage on the way back because they want to see it as soon as possible. The thing is I am exhausted by that point and in no shape to do homework. So, here is my solution. I am going to start getting up early in the morning on weekends so I can just get all of my homework done and have enough time to do it well. I have read about many people who do the thing they have the least amount of time for in the morning and it has changed that aspect of their life drastically. 

This is just a small thing, but I think I am going to try and be more inspirational to others and myself on some posts. I think it will increase my morale and hopefully others too. I am so tired all the time because I constantly do homework and have my other jobs. So, I will start to put small little inspiring quotes or messages here and there I think for the class to see. This will be therapeutic for me because I like helping people and it’s a positive message I can take in also. I do not have time to go help people like I used to. Its time to get creative! These may sound like small things, but let me say they are huge impacts on my life. My time is precious and these tips will help me use it wisely. 

Week 8 Reflections: Looking Back

Portfolio Guide

(Illustration  by Sir John Tenniel)

Alice and Rabbit in Eden is by far what I have loved the most about this semester. I have learned how to be creative much more and performed on a higher level in my daily writing. This story started out truly as a joke. I thought it was not going to work. I took an idea though and just went with what I though was funny. As a result, I have now set up a series of time traveling stories, which I believe are some of the most fun pieces I have ever written. I encourage you to go to my portfolio guide at the top and see the next story! It is called finding Beowulf. I promise it is worth your time! 

I have figured out what schedule works for me even though it is daily work. I have no other option, but to do it daily since I work everyday and weekends. I also have class every morning and night. I have successfully made it through though! 

I have really enjoyed working with the class also! Everyone has been extremely helpful and I have taken their comments to heart applying them to my writing. 

Overall I am in a great place this semester at this point! 

Essay: Tricksters and Fools Between a Monkey and Turtle

(Philippine turtle, by P. Fidenci)

Table of Contents

In the Monkey and the Turtle,  those two characters mess with each other so much it is unbelievable.  So, first the turtle asked the monkey to bring down some fruit from the tree, but the monkey ended up eating all of it. So, the turtle became the first trickster in the story and put sharp sticks at the bottom of the tree. When the monkey came down the next time, he injured himself very badly. The monkey seeks to revenge himself now. He went and found the turtle, but the turtle told him that he can have some food he was guarding for the king only if he eats it once far away from the area so turtle wouldn't be punished. The food burned the monkey's mouth and he was angrier than before. This is the second time the turtle is the trickster in the story and the monkey is the fool.  Now the monkey went to find the turtle to finish this once and for all. The turtle yelled though, asking if the monkey wanted to wear the King's belt. The monkey replied of course he did! The turtle told him to wait outside of a hole and it will come out soon. A snake came out of the hole and when the monkey grabbed it, it almost killed him squeezing him near to death. This is the third time the monkey was fooled. Lastly, the monkey sat on a coconut-shell and called out to the turtle. The turtle called out "here I am" several times.  The monkey could not see the turtle and thought it was his stomach yelling. The monkey became so angry with his stomach that he hit it brutally with a stone many times. The monkey died from all of the hits he took. This is the fourth and last time the monkey was fooled. 

Storytelling Week 7: The Cost of Love

(macaque)

One day a Prince walks to the market to get fruit for the feast his father would be having later. He gets apples, bread, meat, and grapes. On his way back he ran into someone. He sees a girl and is completely entranced by her beauty. He approaches her with confidence. 

The Prince says, "Excuse me, what is your name?"

The girl says, "Natalie."

The Prince replies, "Oh what a lovely name."

Natalie blushes. She hopes he will ask her to do something sometime.

The Prince goes on, "How would you like to have dinner with me?"

Natalie responds, "When?"

The Prince continues, "Actually, there is a banquet tonight. Would you like to join me?"

Natalie says, "Yes, I will see you tonight Prince."

Both part ways. There is an issue though. Natalie is the daughter of the King's arch rival, the Witch. The King is the Prince's father.

Natalie tells her mother, the witch, she is going on a date. The Witch is curious about this man she is seeing, so she spies on Natalie the whole night.

The Prince and Natalie meet up and head to the banquet. They arrive and the Prince's father sees him with a date and approaches him, "Who might this be son?"

The Prince says, "Father this is Natalie."

The King responds, "It is nice to make your acquaintance Natalie."

Natalie replies, "The pleasure is all mine sir."

All of a sudden, everyone starts dancing. The Prince takes Natalie's hand and takes her to the dance floor. They look at each other in absolute joy. They both flirt back and forth and do not leave the dance floor for an hour. The Prince in the final dance picks Natalie up and performs a huge lift. He finishes by dipping her. The scene is still and the y stare into each other's eyes. The Prince goes to kiss Natalie, but at the last moment Natalie's mother barges through the door.

The Witch yells to the King, "How dare you try and turn my own daughter against me!"

The King with a strange look on his face replies, "What do you mean Witch?"

"Natalie is my daughter," the Witch said.

The King looks at his son in disappointment.

"Witch we have no quarrel with you. Now, go on about your way and we can speak later," the King said.

The Witch does not waiver and starts performing a spell. Natalie sees what spell she is creating and decides to stop it.

The Witch yells, "This is what you get King. I hope it was worth it. With all the power I possess in me change this King's entire destiny!"

The Witch sends the spell towards the King with her hand as Natalie runs with a metal tray towards him. Natalie leaps in front of the King and deflects the spell. The spell bounces back and hits the Witch. The Witch is turned into a monkey. Everyone is safe and now needs attention. The entire crowd takes all precautions necessary and heads home.

Author's note: I chose third person narration style for this story because it allows me to write naturally. If I write another way it feels pretty awkward for me. My main goals for this story was to change the fate of the Prince. and to focus more on the connection between he and Natalie.

The Enchanted Prince originally has the Witch's daughter fall in love with the Prince. The Prince decides to marry someone else though because of pressure from his father the King. So, the Witch's daughter casts a spell on the Prince that turns him into a monkey. He stays a monkey for five centuries until he found a new love that broke his spell and loved him for who he was.

I changed it to where the Witch is the one casting the spell because of her daughter falling in love with the Prince. The Witch gets turned into a monkey though because it bounces off a metal tray her daughter put in front of the King to save him. So, the Prince and Witch's daughter got the happy ending they always wanted, but the Witch would stay a monkey for a long time.

Bibliography: The Enchanted Prince, Filipino Popular Tales, Dean S. Fansler, (1921)

Reading Diary B: Filipino Tales Unit

Table of Contents

(Weaver Ant)

The Ant was interesting because it seems that the story was not written by a person that believes in the Christianity form of God. However, I will draw one correlation that was interesting. So, Satan used to be an angel of God. Satan was jealous of his power though and that got him condemned to hell. The correlation I see is that this story takes place (fictionally) before Satan's fall. The snake is Satan to me and takes the power God has given him, but abuses it later. He uses his new power for the wrong reasons and now only has venom to protect himself. It got me thinking about new ideas for my stories as well! 

The Lost Necklace  was interesting because I never have really thought about why chickens peck at the ground. It is kind of a sad story though. The crow takes a hen's chick each day until she finds the necklace. The story never concluded either. This means that to this day the crow is still taking the hen's little chicks. It was a very creative way to explain why chickens peck at the ground. However, I feel like there could be a better more unique reason that could be used to show why a chicken pecks the ground. Maybe a hen ate a special bean on the ground that made her larger than others chickens. So, to this day they continue to look for that bean. Many chickens find them now, so they are able to live in more wild environments. I don't know, just something a little different. 

Reading Diary A: Filipino Tales Unit

Table of Contents

(macaque)

The Enchanted Prince intrigued for many reasons. So, in short a witch curses a prince, but the destiny of the curse was what is unique to me. The prince gets turned into a monkey for marrying another girl than the witch he was in love with. The witch he was in love with was the daughter of the king's arch enemy Queen witch. The young witch the prince was in love with is the one who turned him into a monkey for five centuries until a girl falls in love with him to break the spell.

That last part was so interesting to me because most people would not even offer a way out from hatred and anger towards someone after a situation like that. So, the witch still cared about her prince and wanted him to be happy. That is amazing to me and what true love is all about. True love is loving someone even when they've wronged you.

The Monkey and the Turtle was intriguing because how easily it was for someone to write it. The monkey and turtle become great enemies and the monkey dies in the end. This kind of hatred does not sit well with me and kind of makes me cringe that someone could just come up with this idea so easily.

These stories feel like they were written to send a moral message, not just to entertain. In movies its expected to see things like this to portray reality. This story I think shows what happens if you do not reconcile with people period as a warning. I didn't expect to see something like this in the story. How its different from other entertainment to me is that it felt personal. I feel like someone didn't get along with someone and wrote this as an outlet to purge emotion. Hatred builds and relationships are broken. It was very sad and its important to be accountable to your actions.

Essay: Tragedy and Pathos

(hawk)

Why a Hawk Kills Chickens

In this story, the reason for why hawks kill chickens is explained through a fictional tale. A chicken decided to go back on her dowry agreement to marry a hawk. Instead, she married someone else. The hawk's king told him that it was okay for him to kill any child that his ex-mistress conceived. This is the part of the story that is filled with tragedy; the part that isn't told to the reader. I believe this for two reasons.

First, it is sad to think about anything losing its child. So, personally it made me think about what I would do if someone hurt my kids in the future. 

Secondly, this story has Nigerian origin and it made me fearful for the reality it might reflect their. Women in this part of the world are completely not valued. They are sold as slaves, wives, etc. A large part of this is done through the dowry system. When I read that the chicken was being exchanged through the dowry system, it made me think of all the girls that are being mistreated, Again, it made me think about my mom and sister personally. Men will do what they wish even here in the U.S. Some systems are not justifiable. 

Those are the two reasons I found that story tragic.

Why the Bat Flies by Night 

In this story, the Bat killed a Bush Rat. That is the tragic part to me. The fact that just out of jealousy the Bat killed the Bush Rat is incomprehensible to me. The Bat's reasoning was poor. 

Secondly, how the Bat killed the Bush Rat is tragic also. The Bat told the Bush Rat that he jumps into the boiling water and the juices that come off of his skin give the food its great flavor. So, the Bush Rat tried it at home, but died from the boiling water. The Bush Rat's wife was very sad and had the king search for the Bat. It was the loss of life and the Bat escaping that gave this part of the story its awful feeling. 

Table of Contents