Thursday, March 31, 2016

Week 10 Reading Diary: Jataka Tales

Week 10 Reading diary post from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt


The Girl Monkey and the Sting of Pearls
-I don't blame the monkey, pearls are awesome.  But the monkey should have known not to take something that didn't belong to her.

The Three Fishes
-I love the idea of the names of the fishes, It would have been more interesting to see that Very-Thoughtful fish was to give his life while helping the other two fish to teach them a lesson about being very-thoughtful.

The Tricky Wolf and the Rats 

-Can’t be tricky forever… I liked how the Rats were able to overcome the Wolf’s tricks. 

The Woodpecker, Turtle, and Deer 
-What a great story about three different types of characters (friends) being able to help each other out in different ways. 

The Golden Goose
-The mother should have not taken advantage of the goose.  This is what happens to people that have kind hearts sometimes, just get walked all over. 

The Stupid Monkeys 
- In all fairness to the monkeys I think that the king should have known that they wouldn't be able to do it the right way.  And plus they were just trying to figure out which tree needed more water.

The Cunning Wolf
-I'm glad that the wolf was able to see the trick the man was trying to play.

The Penny-Wise Monkey
-"To get more, I there away what I had" very powerful lesson to learn.

The Red-Bud Tree
-This was a fun a way for the brothers to learn about the four different seasons.

The Woodpecker and the Lion
-I mean the lion was right, he did chose to not eat the woodpecker, but he should have been more thankful.

The Otters and the Wolf
-This was smart of the wolf to get the fish from the otters. 

Monday, March 14, 2016

Storytelling Week 2: Heart Full of Hate

Heart Full of Hate

 

There once was a boy named Robert. He mostly went by Rob, unless his friend Sally was talking to him.  She always referred to him as Robert. Sally was actually the only person Rob would allow to call him Robert; this was because Rob thought Sally was the prettiest girl he ever did see. Rob and Sally had lived by each other their whole lives. In fact they lived just three doors down from each other, and because they lived so close Rob and Sally’s parents carpooled to school ever since they were in kindergarten.  When Sally and Rob were younger they were the best of buds.  You could always find them outside climbing trees or playing street hockey.  Growing up Rob would do anything Sally asked because he never once stopped thinking she was the prettiest and wisest of all girls. It wasn’t until about sixth grade when they stopped being such good friends. 

You see Robert was more of a shy, quiet kid, while Sally was wild and loud.  Sixth grade was the first year that you could choose where you wanted to sit during lunch.  Rob was pretty nervous that he wouldn't have anywhere to sit, but he was sure that Sally would sit with him!  When the bell rang for lunch, all sixth graders hurried because they were excited to be sitting with all their friends.  When Rob made it into the cafeteria, he scoped out the room in hopes of seeing Sally waving for him to come sit down.  After standing in the doorway getting bumped into person after person, he finally saw Sally sitting with a group of people.  With a sigh of relief, he started walking towards her table. Approaching the table he yelled for Sally, “Hey! Hey Sally!!”

As he yelled her name, the other kids at the table whispered to Sally, “You know this nerd?”

As Rob reached the table, everyone was staring at him including Sally.  Rob then again said hello to Sally as she just sat there in silence.  A boy named Reese broke the silence and shooed him away saying, "Get lost, nerd!"  Rob couldn't believe that Sally had just ignored him like that, but from then on out he knew that they wouldn't be friends anymore. 

The worst part about Rob and Sally not being friends anymore is that they still had to carpool to school every day.  Through middle school and all the way though high school.  The car rides in the morning were never too bad until junior year of high school.   You see until then they always had a parent in the car, and never had any awkward silence.  Junior year Sally got her driver's license and they started taking her dad’s regular cab small truck.  The first day Sally drove, Rob sat in complete silence the whole way. Actually the first month they sat in complete silence.  This was Rob’s most dreadful 23 minutes of his day.   

Sally had been dating Reese for two years--yes, the same kid Reese that booted Rob away from the lunch table in sixth grade.  Rob hated that Sally and Reese dated, and out of jealousy his heart filled with hate over the years, so much hate that he became evil.  He set out to ruin their relationship. 

Rob had a plan, and the first step was to become friends with Sally again, and Rob knew exactly how to do that.  One morning Rob broke the dreadful silence for the first time.  All Rob could get out at first was “Hey Sally," and a confused yet shocked look came across Sally’s face as she responded softly, “Hey.”  Speaking those short words to Sally brought up more emotions than he expected, but the hate in his heart was so strong that he stuck to his plan.  He explained to Sally that he didn't care that they weren’t friends, and that he only wished for decent conversations in the mornings.  Sally giggled with relief and was happy to hear that he didn't hate her, and agreed to talkative mornings.  And just like that step one was complete.

The next step for Rob was getting an invite to one of Sally and her friends’ parties.  This step took the longest for Rob.  It took a few mornings driving to school for Rob and Sally to get comfortable with each other.  Finally after two and a half weeks Sally decided to ask Rob to come to a party at her house after that week’s basketball game. 

The final step for Rob to ruin their relationship would happen during this party.  Rob had an evil plan to set up Reese to cheat on Sally.  Standing by the punch bowl Rob started talking to Katie, a beautiful girl with strawberry blond hair, and knew that she would step up and take the job he had to offer.  Katie only said yes to seducing Reese if Rob would do her homework for pre-calculus the next month. Of course, to Rob that was worth her service, and he agreed. 

It didn’t take long for drunken Reese to agree to Katie’s offer and that's when Rob swooped in and grabbed Sally.  He explained to her that he needed to talk to her immediately and led her to the same room Reese was.  And just like that his plan was complete. Sally felt that her life was over because her heart had been broken. Even though Rob had made Sally sad he found joy out of being evil, by taking away Sally’s love for Reese.

Author's note: 

I strayed a lot from the original story. My main focus from the PDE Ramayana story was the part from the ‘Golden Deer.'  Ravana was a demon that tricked Rama and Sita multiple times because he wanted Sita for himself. That is what happens here with Rob, Sally, and Reese.  Rama was living in exile with Sita when Ravana planned his tricks. Ravana lured Rama away with the golden deer, he told the golden deer to fake Rama's voice, and he also pretended to be an old brahmin so that Sita would invite him in the house.  These tricks are very different than the ones that happen in my story.  Rob gets a girl named Katie who acts as the ‘Golden Deer’ in this story to trick Reese into cheating on Sally with her.  My goal with this story is to explain that there can be a golden deer in any situation.  People will play hateful tricks on one another. No one thought of Rob as a bad guy, but he is still the one that sent the golden deer. Not saying you shouldn’t trust people, but you should always be aware of how you treat people for they could send the golden deer your way. Overall the purpose of this story is to remind people to always treat people kind even if they aren’t the same as you, or you feel that you are more popular than someone.  We should try to treat people the way we would want to be treated.

Bibliography:
"Heart full of Hate"comes from covering the story Public Domain Edition: Ramayana, focused on Reading part B Number 33 The Golden Deer.  

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Week 8: Future Readings

I really enjoyed reading the Jataka Tales so I have decide to continue with that collection and read  Giant Crab, and the other Tales from Old India by Rouse.  I enjoy how they turn around these stories in a way that is fun for children to read! I also like that you can read these for free online!

The next option I looked at is a version of the Mahabharata. It was really interesting to me that the author Samhita Arni started this project when she was eight years old. I am excited to read this story and experience the epic's in a new way.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Week 8: Blog Ideas

The first blog that caught my eye was Ashlyn's Epics of India blog. The layout to her blog is very fun, and seems to explain her personality well.  Her blog has inspired me to be more creative with mine!

The second blog I took a look at was Roshni's Epics of India blog.  Her blog has a lot of character with the green background and faded out post section.  I also like that she has changed the font up a bit!

The last blog that I looked at is similar to mine. Andrew's Epics of India blog's background is light blue, and I love that! The light blue makes it easy for people to stay focused on what they are reading.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Week 8: Time

My time strategies changes week by week.  I have two jobs and have to work around them to get my homework done.  Because my schedule changes often my weeks can differ from each other.  A plus side to one of my jobs is that I get to make my own schedule. So for the second half of the semester I plan to try and make at least two to fours hours a day to do homework.  This will allow me to get most of my work completed.  I would like to find myself more ahead of the game than behind this second half of the semester.  I would like to be doing my storytelling on Wednesdays, and that will give me more time to get my weekend assignments finished on Friday or maybe Saturday.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Week 7 Storytelling: Dying Peacefully

Dying Peacefully 

It was two-thirty in the morning when I received the phone call about my grandfather being in the hospital.  Being away from college had its pros and cons. Pros I had freedom, cons when something happens with your family you’re miles away.  My grandpa Willie was one of the best people I knew.  Actually he was the best guy I know.  I lived 9 hours away from my hometown, so I got home as quick as I could.  As soon as I arrived in town I head straight to the hospital.  The doctors explained to me that my grandfather had had a heart attack, and was in critical condition.  They told me that at the moment he wouldn't be able to talk.  Also that it would be a while before he woke up, maybe even weeks.

My family and I sat day in and day out with my grandpa in the hospital room. We all went around telling our most favorite memories with him. For my brother it was when he took him to his first hockey game, and for my mom it was it was when he told her he loved her like his own daughter.  My father talked about him like he was the wisest man he had ever meet. And my grandmother told us of there one of a kind love story.  For me it was when grandpa Willie would take me fishing. Finally, after four days my grandfather started to open his eyes.


We each took our times to talk with him and squeeze his neck.  The doctors suggest that he stay in the hospital for another week to get a little stronger.  It was nice to have him join on with all the great stories we had to tell about him.  It was all going good until a day before he was to be released. He had a stroke and this left him extremely weak, and the doctors didn't feel well about it.  My grandpa started showing weak signs and told us he was ready to go. We told him to not stop fighting and that he would pull through. But he explained to us that it wasn’t that he was done fighting. He explained to that he had had a great life, that he had do his good, and had the love of his life for over 50 years.  He told us that he was ready to let go, and go peace.  And that's exactly how he went peacefully surrounded by family.

Authors note: This story is based off the character Drona, from Public Domain Edition: Mahabharata.  The only way Grandpa Willie and Drona were alike was the way they died.  They both wished to die peacefully and that is how I created this story. 


Bibliography: Public domain Edition: Mahabharata, based off the episode Death of Drona. Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Reading Diary: Mahabharata Part D


1.Bhishma Falls
-I like how they described Bhishma,, like a lordly elephant and like fire which burns up a dry and withering forest.

2. Drona in Command
-Arjuna is cool to vow to defend his brother even at the sake of his own death.

3. Abhimanyu and Jayadratha
-Arjuna of course doesn't die, but he does get bad news that his son had died.  Kishna and Arjuna seek revenge.

4. Ghatotkacha
-now Bhima losses his san by the mighty warrior Ghatotkacha

5. Death of Drona
- I always liked Drona, I thought it was pretty cool that he laid down his own weapons and sat in the chariot fixing his mind on itself.


6. Bhima and Dushasana
- Bhima meets his long desired evil hearted son. As they are fighting Dushasana fals on his back and hurts himself.

7. Arjuna and Karna
-I can believe that Arjuna shot Karna when he heard his sons’ name being called.

8.Duryodhaha in the Lake
-Now that Karna is dead, Duryodhana is still alive and he will use supernatural powers to take refuge.

9. The Night Raid
-Ashwatthaman seeks vengeance for the death of Drona. When Duryodhan died in the joy of vengeance his bosom and he died a happy death… I wouldn’t call it a happy death.

10. Ashwatthaman Cursed
-Arjuna of course helped Ashwattaman, and returned with him and the jewel.

11.  Mourning
-Everyone is in mourning of the hundred of sons that have died.  They are always so brutal with there killings.  They want to crush the head of Bhima.


12. The Pandavas and Bhishma
-I thought it was cool that Bhishma had the gift of choosing the way of his own death.

13. Parikshit
-It is confusing that a “dead chilf” could be born… what does that even mean? I thought it was sweet that Krishna told Uttara will be her little son asking if that would confort her.

14. King Yudhishthira’s Horse
-Very srange that the Goddess of Parvati cursed a horse, and that it was bale to turn into any animals. 

15. Horse Sacrifice
-I like how they would only sacrifice if the animal was pure. 

16. The Mongoose
-Interesting twist when a mongoose tells a story.

17. The Forest and its Ghosts
-Seriously anything can happen in these stories. Now Vyasa is conjuring up the ghosts of the dead warriors.

18. Death of Krishna
-I hate that Krishna dies he was one of my favorite characters. Also his death of course was presaged by terrible omens.

19. The Pandavas Depart
-Whoa did not expect that the Pandavas and Drauapdi would end their time on this earth and leave the kingdom in the hands of Parikshit, which is Arjuna’s grandson.

20.  The Afterlife

-I like how this ended with afterlife.  And how afterlife sounds almost inviting with gentle words. 

Reading Diary: Mahabharata part C

Mahabharata: Public Domain Edition Part C

1. Life in the Forest
-I don't know what it is about being sent to exile, but just like Rama the Pandavas will now enter exile. 

2. Krishna’s Visit
-Krishna pays a visit to the Pandavas in exile.

3. Arjuna and Shiva
-Arjuna the adventurous person he is, goes to find weapons for the Pandavas because they will need them.  So that is pretty cool!

4. Arjuna and Indra
-I would want to live in Swarga, because the town seems like it could be a happy place. It’s bright, and flowers are always blooming there with sweet music always playing. 

5. The Himalayas
-The Pandava brothers in exile go on an adventure to the Himalayas.

6. Bhima and Hanuman
-Why are Monkeys always the animals that come around.  I think that it’s cool that it's the same monkey from Rama’s adventures.

7. Duryodhana and the Gandharvas
-Karna is serious about slaying Arjuna he even said that he wouldn't eat meant or wash is feet.

8. Karna and Indra
-Karna is so cool to be born with a clad in golden armor earrings, so I wouldn't want someone to that from me.  But he gets a dart in exchange, a very powerful dart.

9. Jayadratha and Draupadi
-Draupadi is going to see that life is going to get hard in the forest.

10. Riddles at the Lake
-Why would people keep drinking from the pond if people keep falling dead? 

11. The Court of King Virata
- Since this si the final year of exile the Pandavas must spen it in hiding. 

12. Bhima and Kichaka
-My heart hurts for Draupadi as Prince Kichaka tries to rape her.

13. The Cattle Raid
- I think it is funny that they only stole the Kings cattle. 


14. Preparations for War
-Yay! That the Pandavas brother are out of exile. 

15. Krishna and His Army
-I think it is sweet that Arjuna is glad to just have Krshna by his side. 

16.Krishna’s Mission
-I really like Krishna, because she doesn’t want war, but only peace and love.

17. Krishna and Karna
-I still find it interesting that even though Karna is actually one of the Pandavas brothers, and he has been fighting them!

19. Bhagaved-Gita
-The ‘Lord’s Song”

20. The Battle Begins

-Duryodhana warns Duryodhana of the dom that awaits them.