Reading Diary A: Stories from Congo

The link to this reading unit can be found here.

How Gazelle Got Married

• Taking husbands theme
• Interesting how it focuses on animals as if they were humans. 
• The back and forth journey of the dog was kind of funny; getting hungry, satisfying that hunger, forgetting the names of the daughters, then getting thirsty, satisfying that thirst and forgetting the names again.
• Bargain between dog and Nsassi
• I like the name Nsassi for a characters name, I probably wouldn't change this
• Haha, another funny part how on the way to see the two girls both Nsassi and the dog had forgotten the names and the dog had to go once more to figure it out. 
• I think the ending was kind of out of the blue how the antelope returned in the plot but it was interesting to see how they tied up that end.

The Vanishing Wife

• Reminds me of the contrast between Anansi and Nothing
• I like how the dream portion became a reality the next day for Buite
• It's sad how the story ended, and how his brother continued to treat him. I feel that I might change the ending up a bit. I think it might make for sense for the dream to have just been a dream, of course, but stories have the ability to be however they want to be.
• If I retold it I would probably have Buite keep his riches and his brother lose his and then go from there

The Younger Brother Who Knew More Than the Elder

• Wondering why the younger brother left
• Weird how the agreement turned out when the wife was lost
• I enjoyed the ending how the elder brother turned out to help his younger brother and in a clever way

"Gazelle"
Source: MythFolklore UnTextbook

Week 5 Review

For this week's review post I decided to take something from this weeks announcements (which can be found here). The post that caught my attention was the under the Words of Wisdom section from yesterday, Sunday, September 27th. The words of wisdom was "The fuller the cup, the sooner the spill." And it came with a picture as well:

"Full Cup"
Source: MythFolklore Class Announcements 

The reason I chose this post besides the fact that I really enjoy quotes, is that I feel like I can relate to and understand what it's saying. Sometimes people try to cram in their schedules or certain things in their life in order to make room for something else, finish early, finish ahead of time or something of those sorts. I've done this too. However, I've found that it's really important to take a step back and separate things in a better manner rather than trying to do everything at once. It may sound good at the time, but it can definitely become extremely overwhelming. For this reason, I try to plan stuff out using a planner, notes, etc. so that I can leave space for other things and not have an over packed schedule. Planning things for me is really a life saver because it helps to keep my life in order and make it more calm.

Famous Last Words for Week 5

I really enjoyed the reading this week because I had the opportunity to read from the West African Folktales unit (which I'll probably read from next week, too)! I was looking forward to this unit and the Nigerian unit because my parents sometimes told me folk stories and I was interested to see if I recognized any of them. I find the stories really interesting to read and it's a nice feeling to have a connection to them as well! I chose the story: Anansi and Nothing to retell from this unit. I kept the plot pretty similar but still changed a few things and the way it was written. I also really liked how I told the story this week. I decided to switch up my writing style for this particular story and when I reread it, I enjoyed how it flowed and especially the ending. That would probably have to be my best writing for this week. I definitely think I'm going to try using that method of writing for future stories and explore other different ways to write a story. I honestly think this will help me in my writing overall. This way, I can be more creative and not just stick to one certain way of writing!

Besides this class, my other classes are somewhat quiet right now (which I'm sure will change soon), so I'm enjoying the silence. I've been trying to finish up miscellaneous things, get ahead on assignments and finish up my pharmacy application so hopefully the time is well spent. I've also started a personal blog to encourage me to write often, no matter what the subject. I'm truly excited about this and I'm hoping I can keep it up! Just writing a little bit a day for myself is my goal.

Storytelling for Week 6: The Letter

Anansi had been trying to kill Nothing for months. It was a weird kind of situation, you see, because these two used to be very good friends. But along the way Anansi had become very greedy and wanted not just some of Nothing's wealth and fortune, but all of it.

There was one particular incident that lead to Anansi's thirst for his friends blood. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Anyways, I'm getting sidetracked. That is besides the point. On a day that the two were walking through the town market together, Anansi had seen many beautiful women and asked that they switch clothes so that he can gain the affection of them. Nothing agreed, for it would only be for a short time. Anansi succeeded in his mission and had four beautiful women follow him home, two on each arm. Nothing, in all his rags, did not expect to find someone, but there he found his wife who loved him for him and not what he had. Nothing had never found someone so special.

However, upon finding that Anansi was poor, the women left him. He had found out that Nothing still got what he wanted even pretending to be poor, so he became envious. And not a simple kind of envious, but an envious that takes over your whole being and clouds your mind. This is what became of Anansi. All he wanted was revenge.

So, every few days, Anansi would subtly try to kill Nothing. Whether it be a slip of poison, a sly trap, or random arrows shot from a far distance. It is said Anansi became the most clever in these days, because he spent all his time thinking of creative ways to execute his mission. To his dismay, though, each of his plans was thwarted either by Nothing's wife, or the extra protection from guards she sought for them to have. Anansi grew to hate her too, for she stood in his way.

Every time Nothing had caught a glimpse of his friend turned enemy, he saw the distraught, the anger, the weeping in his eyes. He knew Anansi was lost and any slimmer of hope of him returning was lost too. But somewhere, deep down, Nothing knew Anansi had hated who had become. He could see his old self screaming for help. But, there was nothing anyone could do for he had chosen this path himself. Nothing felt sorry for him. He was angry at Anansi for a long while but that anger was eventually replaced by pity.

Not long after, Nothing had gotten news that Anansi had been killed. It was believed that he died from working on his dangerous new plan and a large amount of grief and sorrow. And after that, he had become just a small memory in many people's minds.

Except mine.

I guess this is less of a story than it is a goodbye letter. My dear Anansi, I forgive you my old friend. Sleep well.

Sincerely,

Nothing.

"A Yellow Rose"
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Author's Note: This week I retold the story of "Anansi and Nothing."  In the original story, Anansi convinced Nothing to switch him clothes so that he could pick up many wives. Nothing also picked up one wife. However when Anansi reached his home his wives found he was poor and eventually left him to stay at Nothing's palace. So, Anansi tried to kill Nothing and in time he succeeded by placing a trap (a hole filled with knives) outside of his house and luring him into it. In my retelling, I switched it around. Anansi is actually the one who gets killed and it was a result of his jealousy and envy. I also tried a new style of writing where it's third person but then in the very end it turn to first person revealing the identity of the speaker who turns out to be Nothing. I also added a yellow rose for my image because it's said that the yellow rose can represent friendship, which is what Anansi and Nothing used to be.

Bibliography: "Anansi and Nothing" by William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair, with drawings by Cecilia Sinclair, from West African Folktales (1917).
Web Source: MythFolklore UnTextbook

Extra Reading Diary: Italian Tales

The link to this extra reading unit can be found here.

An Incident in Rome

• I like the writing style of this story and how it's told
• "darkness that you could cut"
• The story was kind of scary but really interesting to read about. I also like the ending sentence as well "This is the story of Pilate, who is neither saved nor damned."
• The part of Master Francis going down the hole is important but I'm curious to know what happened after he told the Pope. 

The Sexton's Nose

• Weird how it went from an exchange of animals to the exchange of a to-be bride whom the main character carried away in a bag.. that probably wouldn't stay in the story if I retold it
• How did the girl not say anything while in the bag?
• Also wondering why he meant to throw the bag in the sea. Also why the roasted pea was so important to him in the first place.
•  I like how it flipped. Instead of people giving him things, he had to get things himself to heal his nose. 
• For some reason I was expecting the ending to not end the way it was expected to. It would be cool to end it differently with the sexton not getting what he needed then continue it from there. 

A Feast Day

• Really funny story! I enjoyed how the author put it together. It gave me a good laugh.
• I like the ending too where it switches from third person to first person in the very last sentence

Italian Popular Tales
Source: MythFolklore UnTextbook

Reading Diary B: West African Folktales

The link to this reading unit can be found here.

The Moon and Stars

• Didn't expect a dragon to appear pretending to be Anansi
• Kind of funny how the servant to the dragon was simply a chicken that would crow to warn him.
• I like the throwing bones and dancing to the fiddle music parts toward the end
• I was interested in seeing why the title was the moon and the stars as the majority of the story never hinted at it. But I enjoyed Kewku Tsin being able to create a plan and get him, his friends, and father to the heavens safely.
• I also like how the ending ties it all together smoothly

The Ungrateful Man

• How both the animals and the human man can speak and communicate simultaneously
• The contrast between the beginning and middle of the plot: first the hunter wanted to save just the man and it turns out the man is who wants to end up doing him harm. The animals which he almost didn't want to save, only gave him good things
• I think the story turned out how it should have. 
• It could be interesting to flip flop the plot and have the ungrateful man be the good guy somehow

Why Tigers Never Attack Men Unless They Are Provoked

• Another human-animal relationship
• Interesting how the tiger had money to give
• Again, I like how the ending ties it altogether and provides reason to real world things that we don't often think about. 

"Sun photo by Simon"
Source: MythFolklore UnTextbook

Reading Diary A: West African Folktales

The link to the reading unit can be here.

How Wisdom Became the Property of the Human Race

• The fact that the punishment was not like a regular one people would expect, instead it was to take away his wisdom from them.
• Put it into a pot
• I like the ending where he finds out his son knew something he didn't think of first and then the wisdom he tried to hide instead escaped from the pot and spread everywhere

Anansi and Nothing

• The character's name of Nothing
• I liked how his name is Nothing yet he was rich and had really fine clothing
• It seemed weird to me that Anansi attempted to kill Nothing when he was the one who took his clothes and Nothing agreed to it. It was his own fault he lied. 
• The fact that Anansi succeeded in his attempt made me upset, but the ending part with the reason you see a child crying was very interesting to me in how they tied it all together. 
• If I retold it, the ending definitely would be different
• I also would probably change the middle of the plot emphasizing on Nothing and his wife

The Squirrel and the Spider

• Animals given a voice
• The fact that there was a court. Really gives a humanistic approach. It was kind of funny to imagine this. It would be cool to retell this with a focus on this part. 
• Karma at the end. I'm glad the spiders didn't get away with it but it's still sad for the squirrel who never got justice. - Another thing that could be changed

"Squirrel"
Source: MythFolklore UnTextbook

Thoughts about Comments

Personally, I love reading through the comments and seeing the constructive criticism people have left me on my stories. This is one of the most helpful things a person can do to help another person better their writing. I think often people are worried they may be offering too harsh of criticism so they try to point out more good than things that can be worked on (I do that sometimes, too)! However I think it's truly very important that we give our honest opinions. I know seeing what people like or didn't like, helps me look at my story from different perspectives than just my own. It opens my eyes to new ideas and new possibilities which I really enjoy. I think a way I could improve the comments i'm leaving for others is to take my own advice and be more constructive and try to balance the good with what I think could be better. I really have enjoyed reading everyone's stories though, it's great to see other's amazing creativity at work! I'm excited to have the chance to read new stories every week!

Extra Reading Diary: Great Plains

Link to the extra reading diary unit can be found here.

Sacred Legend

• Interesting on the idea that the first people came from water.
• Part where a man figured out how to make fire and it was the first time anyone had seen it and weren't sure what the phenomenon was. Reminds me of the "caveman" theory
• A lot of intelligence 
• Were able to come up with a lot of ideas with how to survive on not much. Also how to build certain things to aid in their survival
• Man with the seeds-coincidental 
• Cool storytelling method

The Buffalo and the Grizzly Bear

• Animal theme
• I liked the way the story turned around. You have a bullying situation from the Grizzly Bear to Buffalo Bull and then Buffalo Bull finally stands up for himself
• I also like the animals were given a voice
• Funny at the end how Grizzly Bear wanted to be friends with Buffalo Bull just because he got bested by him and because he was treated like he treated Buffalo Bull

The Eagle's Revenge

• Blurs line between reality and fantasy
• At first I thought the stranger was going to be the Eagle that had been killed
• Stranger vanished-turned out to be the brother of the Eagle
• I feel like if I had retold this I wouldn't change much because I like how it was put together in only 300 words, but maybe I would have the stranger actually be the Eagle and possibly have the revenge be haunting the hunter for a while.

"Buffalo"
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Storytelling for Week 5: A New Start

Fayiz was unhappy. He had been noticing it along the way but today it really hit him harder than ever before. Things weren't the same and he knew they would never be the same from here on out.

"Fayiz, why won't you speak to me?" his wife inquired.

This had been going on for a while. The back and forth quarrels continued to increase as the days went on. He would usually take a small pause and then continue to argue with his wife. But now, he had grown tired of arguing, so he just said nothing instead. He kept quiet, hoping this would speak louder than any words he could've managed to utter. His wife stared at him a while, grunted and walked away.

At this point, Fayiz decided that enough was enough and went to his wife the very next day to end it. He simply explained that he was not happy with the situation and that they had been fighting for too long. Every fight their two boys would listen and watch and he didn't want that either. He felt that this was the best decision so he packed his things and left.

He wasn't sure where he was going but he knew he would figure it out as he went. For a while he went from town to town. He often stayed in small houses people would rent out for cheap and would take up quick jobs in order to get enough money to eat and survive. He didn't have much, but it was enough.

One day Fayiz was on his way traveling to yet another new town when he came upon a vast mountain area. He was very tired so he decided to stay the night there, under the protection of a big tree close by. When he awoke the next day he saw a beautiful girl standing above him, watching him. Startled, he jumped up.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"My name is Peri," she responded. "Are you lost?"

"No, I am not lost. I was just heading to a new town. I am sort of a drifter, you could say."

"Hmm. I see. But, strange man, why drift when you can comfortably stay in one place? Come with me. I live not far away. I can help you get settled and lead a normal, happy life."

Fayiz was not too sure about it, but he knew that he liked this mysterious girl. He somewhat hesitantly agreed upon her offer. There was something about her that he could not put his finger on but he knew he wanted to learn more about her and spend more time with her. Over time, they eventually fell in love and got married. It had been years since Fayiz saw his old family. He felt like a new person. He was happy again with his new life and new wife.

However, on one particular day, he witnessed something he had never seen before. As he was lying in bed, his wife got up and walked to the window across the room. He presumed that she thought he was still asleep, but he very much wasn't.

In the blink of an eye, wings grew from her back, she shrunk to the size of a faerie, and swiftly flew out.

Fayiz opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

Fayiz
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Author's Note:  For this story I decided to retell the story of Fayiz and the Peri Wife. In the original story, Fayiz was a married man who left his previous family, went to the mountains. fell in love with and married, a beautiful woman who was not human. She was a Peri-which is another word for fairie in Persian folklore. Eventually, Fayiz becomes unhappy once again and wants to go back home to see his other wife and two sons. His new wife, the Peri, agrees but tells him if he tells anyone her secret, he will never see her again and will only come into trouble. Well, Fayiz ends up breaking his promise of not telling and tells his old wife because he thought this would be best. Since he did, he never saw his Peri wife again and yearned for her. In my retelling I decided to give more of a backstory with Fayiz and his old wife and change the story up a bit but having him have an unhappy marriage and becoming happy again in his new life with the Peri. Then, at the end he randomly finds out that his wife is not human. I liked ending the story with a surprise because throughout the story one would never guess that his wife is not human although there is an inclination of something off from Fayiz's thoughts of her.

Bibliography: "Fayiz and the Peri Wife" translated by D.L.R Lorimer and E.O. Lorimer and illustrated by Hilda Roberts from Persian Tales (1919).
Web Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Reading Diary B: Persian Tales

The link to this reading unit where you can find my favorite stories from this unit and more can be found here!

Fayiz and the Peri Wife

• Fayiz-"true-hearted and honest"  
• Love story. I could retell this story and use it my portfolio. I think it would go really well with my theme!
• Fayiz and the wife-didn't seem to know each other well but fell in love
• "It is, indeed, scarcely possible that a human being should keep faith." I found this, in the midst of the rest of the story, kind of funny. Like the author was throwing a subtle jab at humans ability to be faithful in a relationship
• The wife was not human
• Secret that she is not human, but Peri and if Fayiz tells then trouble will come to him.
• fairy
• Ended up telling the secret and what Peri warned him came true

The Story of the Wolf-Bride

• Starts off with a bad fate 
• The wolf that was predicted to tear the boy into pieces turned out to be his new wife
• Interesting short story. Really straight and to the point. If I retold this I would probably add more to the story line

The Man Who Went to Wake His Luck

• Luck personified as a human being
• As the poor brother was looking for his Luck, people on the way were asking him for favors regarding their Luck
• Kind of a plot twist at the end but I like how it catches the reader off guard. Maybe the reason he got eaten was because he woke his Luck up too early. 

The Shepherd Who Found a Treasure

• I like the symbolism in this story
• Interesting, weird part about the green fly
• The shepherd tricked his brother who was not really his brother anymore due to the fly and used it to his benefit

The Fayiz
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Reading Diary A: Persian Tales

The link to this reading unit and my story favorites from it can be found right here!

The Wolf and the Goat

• Character names - Alil, Balil, Ginger Stick, and Black Eyes - child goats
• The wolf tricking the goats by painting his hand red. Good part is that Black eyes was able to escape and hide until the mother returned. 
• Black eyes and the mother climbed the roof
• I like the contrast between the wolf not taking care to provide a good present and the dentist putting in teeth that only looked nice, and the goat doing everything right and being able to then trick the wolf and lure him into her trap
• If I retold the story I might add in a scene with the wolf in his house with the goats that he kidnapped.

Nim Tanak, or Half-Boy

• First sentence same as previous story I read.. "Once upon a time there was a time when there was no one but God."
• Very interesting read
• Idea of a "half-child"
• Apples that caused the wives to become pregnant
• Nim Tanak - treated poorly by his father
• Same ending line as previous story "And now my story has come to an end, but the sparrow never got home."
• I like the fact that Nim Tanak became the hero, but not the fact that that's how his father came to respect and love him.

The Sad Tale of the Mouse's Tail

• Second sentence went right into the dilemma of the story.
• The story was made into an intriguing way, there's no resolution but I thought there might be.
• I like the hunt for things to achieve the end goal
• I would probably continue the story, leaving the majority the same, but giving it an actually ending that goes a long with the plot.

"Nim Tanak, or Half-Boy"
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

 

Famous Last Words for Week 4

This week was, and still is, quite stressful class wise. I just took the PCAT on Friday, and I have a test in Microbiology on Monday and a test for Organic Chemistry II on Tuesday. So, needless to say, I've been studying a lot. But, besides the stresses of my future and science classes, this week in this class I finally chose between the storybook and portfolio option for the class project. The option I decided to do was the portfolio. It took me a while to finally figure out what I wanted to do, as I kept bouncing back and forth between portfolio and storybook. I had ideas for both but I think the portfolio option will be the best choice for me personally! In regards to how I want to make my project, I think I'm going to have a themed portfolio. It will probably be a collection of love stories from a variety of units that I will read throughout the class. I'm really excited to see where my creativity will take me and to see how it will turn out at the end of the semester! I'm also very interested to see how my writing will improve. I think the revising multiple times for each storytelling will truly help me grow a little bit more as a writer. I'm also excited to read more stories that I've never read before! Also, since I got started on my portfolio by adding my first romance story I retold - Pyramus and Thisbe, I think that might be my best writing for this week since I got the opportunity to revise it and make some changes to it.

Cheers!

Week 4 Review

For this weeks review, I chose an item from the Thursday, September 17 daily announcement. The specific topic I'm choosing to talk about is the Field Guide to Procrastinators under the "fun and exploration" title. The link can be found here!

The picture that grabbed my attention when I was reading the announcements was this one:

Field Guide to Procrastinators Poster
Source: OUClassAnnouncements

I thought this picture was funny, relatable, and very true! If I had to choose which procrastinator type I am, it would probably have to be a mixture of The Sidetracker, The Internet Researcher, The List Maker, and The Napper! Whenever I'm procrastinating I can see myself doing any one of these things. I am, however, trying to be better about not procrastinating and instead getting things done early because I find that alleviates a lot of stress and gives me more time to myself that I don't feel as guilty about! I think I'm getting better at it. I remember in high school it was much worse, but college really taught me how awful it can get when I have assignments due and tests to study for all around the same time! So now, things have changed. Thanks college.

Storytelling for Week 4: Consequence of No Good Deed

The lion and the crane never got along. The truth is, they just existed within the same area. The crane was very aware that the lion could hurt him severely, or even eat him, and for this reason he often kept his distance. However, today was different. As the crane felt a shift in the weather, the wind blowing cool around him, the sky a bit darker, he heard a quiet struggle not far off from where he was resting. The crane took flight, following the strange sound. Eventually the lion came into the crane's view. It was very apparent that there was something wrong with him. Curious, the crane flew in closer to the lion, making sure to continue to keep his distance.

The crane settled on a tree above the lion and asked him what was wrong. The lion grunted and explained to him that there was something stuck in his arm, something too large and too deep for his large paw to get out himself. He had been trying to get it out for hours before giving up and attempting to endure the terrible pain. After hearing this, the crane offered to help the lion on the condition that he does not eat him. The lion quickly agreed, eager to have the large object taken out of his arm and be relieved of his agony. So the crane slowly flew in closer and used his large, thin enough beak to get the object out. The thing causing the lion pain turned out to be a bone from meat he had been eating earlier that day.

Taking a deep breath and sigh of relief, the lion shortly thanked the crane and began to leave. The crane called out to lion asking what he would get in return for helping him. Turning around for a short few seconds, the lion reminded the crane that he spared his life by not agreeing to eat him. And, with that, he continued walking on.

However, this was not the last the crane and lion would see of each other. The lion seemed to get himself into all kinds of trouble pretty often. He was always needing, and seeking, help. Lucky for him, the crane was always around to help him out. Though, every time he helped the lion, he would ask for a favor in return, and the lion would just brush it off. On another gloomy day, the lion came into the worst trouble he had been in. He had gotten in an attack with another animal and he had many open wounds with various things stuck in them. Again, he had asked the crane for his help as he was certain he would not survive without it. The crane was near by, watching. As it appeared to the lion, he was no where to be found. Little time passed and the fate that the lion had predicted overcame him.

The Lion and the Crane
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Authors Note: For this retelling of "The Lion and the Crane," I chose to keep the main parts of the story the same, but I expanded on more aspects. I gave the story a little more of a background, edited parts of the plot, eliminated the dialogue and continued the ending. In this version, the lion doesn't get away with not returning any favors of the crane. He was selfish and sought help only for his benefit. So, in the end, this bad part of who he was, was what caused his ultimate demise.

Bibliography: "The Lion and the Crane" by Joseph Jacobs with illustrations by John D. Batten, from Indian Fairy Tales (1912).
Web Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Week 3: Growth Mindset

Beyond School.

This week, I decided to do the "Beyond School" challenge. I have two aspects where I think I could apply this approach outside of school. The first one is work. I currently work as a pharmacy technician. My job entitles me to do things such as taking care of and filling prescriptions, working with customers, and other miscellaneous things. When I first got hired as a pharmacy technician there was a lot of information to learn and take in. However, I'm still learning new things everyday. I always take a different route other than shortcuts just so I know that I'm really learning about the job. Being a pharmacist is what I'm ultimately working towards so I think it's important to learn as much about the field as possible and truly learn my job.

The other aspect is, of course, writing (I feel like I talk about this a lot, but it really is something I enjoy..so this definitely isn't the last of it)! I'm always trying to grow everyday in writing. I read a lot of things, even if it's something short, I check out books on writing, I attempt to write even a little bit outside of class, I reread my writing, etc., etc. Continuously learning about an art honestly helps to understand it better and become more skilled in it so that's what I try to do as often as I can!

"Pharmacist's Mortar"
Source: Wikipedia

Week 3: Famous Last Words

Week 3? Check.

This week I think my best writing was in this class. I still wish I had more time to write as much as I wanted to outside of classes, but I'm still grateful for this class because I can still practice my writing skills and improve on it as well. Also, I read a lot of interesting stories this week. I read Homer's Odysseus and decided to retell one of the stories that stuck out to me the most. I wrote a retelling of Circe's Magic this week and I had the main character Odysseus turn into a pig. He wasn't supposed to though. In the original story the herb he got from Hermes worked to prevent Circe's magic from affecting Odysseus. But, in my retelling it unfortunately didn't work due sabotage. (Check out my storytelling for week 3 to find out more)! Anyways, again, I'm still not near where I want to be with my writing but I think I'm approving little by little and that's still extremely important to me!

As I finished week 3 for this class, I finished week 3 for my other classes as well. So far, my classes are going well. It's a lot of information but I'm not overwhelmed-yet. The end of this week and the beginning of next week is when the quizzes and tests start increasing so I'm really excited for that..(insert sarcastic look here). I feel that writing here also helps me in my science classes because I have lab reports to do, so it helps me write the reports in the best way I can. I definitely think that can help my grades on the reports later on.

I'm excited to see how this week goes and I'm going to enjoy it before quizzes and tests in my classes start ramping up!

"Circe Offering the Cup to Odysseus"
Source: Wikipedia

Extra Reading Diary: Georgian Folktales

The link to the extra reading unit I did this week can be found here!

Fate

• Only son-desirable
• The king wanted there to be an arranged marriage. My first thought after finishing the first paragraph was that I'm glad that the son objected-(I'm not a fan of arranged marriages)
• The son wanted to have some control and knowledge of his own fate*
• I also like the journey aspect and meeting strangers along the way that help him.
• This story definitely took a dark turn when the son wasn't happy about his fate..I think if I retold this story this dark part wouldn't be in there. Or maybe it would, but only in a way where he stops himself and something better becomes of it.
• The ending was very interesting. It was cool how it came full circle-fate

The Shepherd Judge

• The way he rose to be a judge
• It's good that he didn't fall to corruption and take the bribe of the man- it seemed to pay off for him in the end of the story.

The Three Precepts

• First paragraph and throughout the story-how the writer used repetition
• Passage of time
• A story of rags to riches and back to rags..it was overall a sad story that he lost all of his riches since he didn't listen to the clever man
• I think if I retold it it wouldn't be a snake giving him riches but possibly something else
• I also feel I might expand on the dialogue between the young man and his wife

"Caucasus mountains"
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Reading Diary B: Indian Fairy Tales

The link to this unit and the stories can be found here

The Talkative Tortoise

• Interesting story to me, I think that tortoise's last words were both terrible and sad. This also felt like karma towards the tortoise for what he had said just before falling.
• I liked the logic of the ducks telling the tortoise not to talk. At first I thought it was for a different reason since the ducks did not say explicitly why the tortoise should hold his tongue.
• Another part that I enjoyed about this story is how the very beginning introduces the king, who is also very talkative, and the future Buddha. Then, it tells the tortoise's story, and at the end it connects the two. I found that style of telling the plot pretty cool.

Pride Goeth Before a Fall

• I like the title of this story
• This was a good read, the robbers got what they deserved in the end
• I'm glad one of the merchants was able to think up a plan and I also liked the fact that there was a song with key words only they could understand. It remind me of entire languages-this could be a replacement to that part.

How Sun, Moon, and Wind Went Out to Dinner

• To start off, I like the familial linkage aspect between the Sun, Moon, Wind, Thunder, Star and Lightning
• One of my favorite stories from the unit. I really like learning about the moon and stars, etc. and in this story the moon is the choice character who gets treated the best. 
• The connection between reasons why the sun is hot or why the wind is not liked in hot weather and the Star's curses were intriguing and fun to read. 

The Talkative Tortoise
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Reading Diary A: Indian Fairy Tales

The link to this unit can be found here

The Lion and the Crane

• Crane and lion-unlikely companions
• I like how the crane did a good deed for the lion even though he was hesitant about it.
• I could see this story going a different route, more specifically, having a different ending. The crane could have flew away and then maybe came back. It also could be a told in a way that the crane continues to do favors not returned by the lion.
• This could lead to the lion being in bigger trouble or ultimately really suffering because he did not return the cranes favors.

The Broken Pot

• Ha, this was definitely an interesting read. Reading the majority of it I felt sad for the character Svabhavakripana since he had to beg to get food. 
• It was nice reading the middle of the plot because even though it might not have been a lot, he had dreams and goals of what he could do with the rice.
• The ending was a little twist, it kind of seemed like small karma to me because of him dreaming of kicking his wife and then he ending up kicking his pot full of rice. 

The Magic Fiddle

• Reminds of a previous story I read of a girl being turned into a harp
• I think it's good that she was turned back into a human as I thought she might remain a fiddle.
• Nice ending*

Harisarman

• Village name*
• "Secret crimes manifest themselves by means of fear"
• I liked this story. It wasn't right that the Brahman prospered by lying. There was some humor, though, in how many coincidences there were in his favor. If I changed anything it would be the ending outcome.

Harisarman
Source: Mythology and Folklore Untextbook

Storybook Styles

Topic: I decided to center my storybook around the topic of African stories having to do about the moon and/or stars. I'm really excited about this because there's always been something I loved about the night time, the moon, stars and constellations so it will be nice to incorporate that and have my background in there since the stories are from Africa. After researching stories, I decided that I want to use the story "The Girl of the Early Race, Who Made Stars" and the Nigerian story "Why the Moon Waxes and Wanes." I think these interesting tales will fit well with my topic and vision for my storybook!

The Moon and Stars
Source: Pixabay

Bibliography:
1.) The Girl of the Early Race, Who Made Stars, from Specimens of Bushman Folklore by W.H.I. Bleek and L.C. Lloyd (1911).
2.) Why the Moon Waxes and Wanes, from Folk Stories From Southern Nigeria by Elphinstone Dayrell (1910).

Possible Styles:

First-Person Perspective-I struggled to decide whether I wanted the stories to be told from first-person or third-person but I ultimately chose first. I like using first person because I think it will give me a good chance to connect with just the main character and see how that goes. I believe this way I can make it more personal and hopefully more creative.

Love Story- Personally I really like romance stories and creating stories around that idea. It's cool to figure out ways to build a relationship within a plot and make it an epic love story. I'm not sure if I want it to be between two humans or possibly the moon or stars, but I feel that I'm leaning more towards human characters and, of course, making the moon and stars a strong main part. That would probably be for part of the story as I'm planning on doing the frametale route.

Adventure- Who doesn't love a good, adventurous story? I didn't want my story to be a simple, easy story of two people just falling in love. I want it to have adventure and a gripping journey. I was thinking of having it based somewhere in Africa, or even having Africa just be a place where something very important happens.

Night- Of course, with the moon and stars being topic, I wanted the night time to play a huge role in the plot and scenic aspects of the story. Whether there be a recurring theme, or the main character's connection to it, I can definitely see it this being included in a major way.

Week 3 Review

For this week's review I chose a post from today's announcement. The post is titled Indian Words in English and the word was Yoga. I chose to read more about this because I actually really like to do yoga in my free time. It's extremely relaxing and is also a workout. I used to do it more often but sadly haven't for a while. From this post I learned that "yoga" from the Indo-European root yeug- "is also the root of English words like 'yoke' and also 'join.'" and also that "yogi," in Sanskrit, is a man who practices yoga. It was definitely an interesting read and I'm glad I learned more about the word.

"Yoga"
Source: OU Class Announcements

Storytelling for Week 3: Captured by Circe's Magic

Hermes had given me the herb and just as it was powerful in it's abilities, I too felt particularly strong. The beautiful goddess, Circe, had taken many of my men and made them into her own personal pig pen. I was not going to fall into her trap and be made a fool of. Very thankful of Hermes, I reached the steps to Circe's house prepared for whatever she thought she had in store for me.

As quickly as I had knocked on her door, Circe answered, a large grin showing on her face. She welcomed me in warmly and innocently, as if that was her intention. I followed her inside and she led me to a big room filled with many trinkets and wonderfully crafted furniture. She sat down in an enchanting carved wooden chair with vines delicately weaved throughout the holes within it and motioned for me to sit across from her in an identical chair. As we sat, she called for her maid to bring us drinks. The maid brought us similar cups, but I knew my drink was different. Unbeknownst to Circe, I had eaten the herb to prevent her magic from affecting me.

I politely snatched the cup from the maid's hand, eager to feel the power of not absorbing the effects of Circe's evil magic. I thanked Circe and her maid for the drink and great hospitality they presented me with and easily drank the whole cup. As I was getting up to show Circe how she was not able to trick me, Odysseus, of many resources, scion of Zeus, and Laertes' son, I felt a shift within me. Confused, I examined myself just in time to see me changing. First, my hands, then my feet, and finally, the rest of my body. Immediately, I fell to the ground.

A pig! This evil woman, Circe, disguised in an attractive outward appearance had turned me into a wretched, dirty, pig! But how? I wondered. Just as my thoughts poured in to my mind Circe exclaimed how her maid was out gathering ingredients for the drink and saw my encounter with Hermes. Upon seeing this, she went back and told Circe, giving her the opportunity to add in more magic to make Hermes herb ineffective.

Frustrated, I began squealing, fighting and struggling against Circe as she carried me to the back of her house where I found the rest of my men hopelessly wandering around the yard. As she put me down, I yelled to my men telling them to gather around. Of course, Circe and her sly maid, were not able to comprehend the animal talk. This gave me the perfect chance.

"Listen up men, I came to rescue all of you with the help of Hermes, but Circe and her sidekick were able to get around my plan. She thinks she has won, but she has not. The maid heard the conversation between me and Hermes but left before it was truly over. As I will always do everything in my power to protect my friends, this situation is no exception. Hermes told me something else. With the help of all of us, I believe we can make it out by dawn. Here's the plan..."

"Circe, 14th-century illustration"
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Author's Note: This retelling is from the story "The Moly Defeats Circe," from Homer's Odyssey. In the original story, Circe, a goddess, turns all of Odysseus' men into pigs using magic. On his way to go save his men, Odysseus comes into contact with Hermes. Hermes gives him a herb that will stop Circe's magic from working on him. That way, Odysseus will not be turned into a pig, which will surprise Circe and lead them to making a deal where Odysseus' men are changed back into humans. However, in this retelling I decided to have the herb not work! I thought it'd be interesting to have it not go the way it was supposed to since a lot of the stories I had read went just how predicted. I think in this way, it gave the story a nice twist and would make the reader wonder how Odysseus would get him and his men out of the predicament. This story is just a part of a longer story line so that's why I decided to end it the way I did. The continuation could go anyway. They could possibly escape, or they could be trapped forever. Who knows! I also chose to add the above picture because it shows Circe and multiple men-turned-pigs just as in the original and in my retelling of the story.

Bibliography: "The Moly Defeats Circe" translated by Tony Kline, from Homer's Odyssey (2004).

Web source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Extra Reading Diary: English Fairy Tales I

This unit can be found and read here.

Binnorie

• Binnorie - cool name
• I think it's terrible that the elder sister would go after her younger sister after a guy (Sir William) who himself decided to leave the elder sister, although it's also bad that the younger sister would accept the man's love. 
• I feel that if I retold this story, I would maybe change the two girls to not being sisters or related at all
• The harper
• Creepy twist to the story as the harp sang of what the elder princess did to her younger sister and then broke. It would be interesting to see what happened after the harp broke such as reactions and conversations.
• Possibly add more background information

The Master and His Pupil

• Secret black book - nice idea of an untouchable item
• I like how this particular story plays on the idea of curiosity and the consequences that can sometimes come with it. Especially if you were told now to explore something.
• It could be an intriguing twist to have it be an angel instead and see where that may go.
• Good that the master came back in time
• This story could even be retold in a coming of age theme with the Master and the Pupil, with the pupil growing and learning from his mistakes.

Mouse and Mouser

• This story is very short and to the point.
• I wonder how it would be to also put a background to the Cat and the Mouse or expand on the story line more. It could be nice to add more descriptive detail and plot.

The Harper and Young Princess in Binnorie
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Reading Diary B: Homer's Odyssey

The link to this unit can be found here.

Ghosts of Erebus

• The journey to get home is seeming long and complicated because many turns of events.
• It's interesting how the ghosts appeared. Could be more detailed or perhaps one of them could speak.
• Teiresias

The Ghosts of Elpenor and Teiresias

• The beginning is very melancholic. It was especially sad when Odysseus saw the ghost of his mother Anticleia, who was still alive when he left for Troy. 
•  It's explained to Odysseus what the readers know about his journey and fate

The Spirit of Anticleia

• In this story, Odysseus is able to speak to his mother who has passed while he was away as she was yearning for his return. This story stuck out to me because it almost takes a break from the premise of the story (of course it still relates), and makes a connection to Odysseus personal life - his family. 
• The whole time before this it was about him and his men, and the journey they were on but this part definitely seems more personal and makes Odysseus appear more human in that sense.

The Ghost of Agamemnon

• I like the name Agamemnon for this story
• Sad that Agamemnon was killed by Aegisthus with the help of his own wife. This could be an interesting point to turn into a story in and of itself. 
• If I focused in on this section I think I would talk of Agamemnon and his wife, and the life of his wife after her terrible act. Also, why she did what she did.

  

  "Clytemnestra, by John Collier"
  Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Reading Diary A: Homer's Odyssey

The link to this unit can be found here.

The Land of the Cyclopes

• I think the cyclopes are an important part. I'd probably like to keep that in my storytelling. 
• Personality: "lawless, aggressive people, who never lift their hands to plant or plough, but rely on the immortal gods."
• The cyclopes "live in echoing caves on the mountain slopes.."
• Island
• Wine* - important aspect of the story. Obtained from Ismarus

Prisoners of the Cyclops

• Gifts from Maron - twelve jars of wine
• 1st person perspective*
• I like the part where instead of leaving, Odysseus and his men stay and encounter the giant (cyclopes). It would have been best to leave, probably, but it makes the story more exciting.
• The conversation between the Cyclopes and Odysseus
• The Cyclopes doesn't seem very forgiving or nice
• I'm not sure whether I would change parts of the Cyclopes personality or acts. Like him murdering and eating two of Odysseus friends. I don't think he should be an angel, per say, but I could change some things..

The Cyclops Defeated

• A possible Achilles heel? - wine
• I particularly like Odysseus saying his name is Nobody and how the end of this story plays out.
• If I focus on the story, I could change the way he is injured. 

Escape from the Cyclops

• As the last ram was stopped by the Cyclops I was worried Odysseus wouldn't escape but he did. I think this was a good add. 
• Odysseus seems to get himself and his men in trouble whether it by his words or his curiosity.

Circe's Magic

• In all of the violence and masculinity in the previous stories I like the introduction of the beautiful goddess Circe that has a sweet singing voice. However, it turns out she did something evil to the men. She turned them into pigs 

"Roman mosaic showing a Cyclops"
Source: Mythology and Folklore Untextbook

Growth Mindset Week 2

This morning I completed a Growth Mindset Challenge! The first one that stuck out to me was the Meme one (I love memes). So, for this post I chose this particular meme:

"Real learning takes work"
Source: Growth Mindset Memes

I picked this meme because I feel like I can relate to it and it reminded me of the Carol Dweck video I watched last week. I really think this saying is true. I've come to realize that, especially in college, you can't always slack off or just do assignments then expect to ace to a class. There's so much more to it. If you honestly want to succeed in learning a subject, it will take you time and work. It's important to challenge yourself and have patience in learning something so that you truly know it and not just the basics. I wish more emphasis was put on learning material rather than the grade. But, this year, I'm continuing to try to stay on top of my classes, read ahead, and make sure I really understand the material. I think that will help me a lot in the future.

Famous Last Words Week 2

So, this week I completed my first Reading Diary assignment. This assignment really gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone when it comes to genres of stories/books I usually read and explore something new. I read Ovid's Metamorphoses I in the Classical Unit this week and I have to say it was extremely interesting! I was able to read stories I had heard about but never got around to. Not only that, but I got to retell a story from the unit. I retold the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. That was fun! It was kind of scary to figure out how I wanted to retell it, what I wanted to change, what I wanted to keep the same, how much I wanted to stray from the original story, and how to make it all make sense. I had to think about it sometime and although I feel there could have been some stuff I did better (I'm forever critiquing my writing), I still think I did okay for my first storytelling based on my Reading Diary. Anyways, it shouldn't have to be perfect the first try because I think this is a great opportunity for me to improve on both my creativity and writing to later help if I ever want to write a story or book of my own, which I really hope to do some day.

Besides that, I read some truly awesome stories from my classmates this week! I loved getting to see their own creativity in retelling a story and how they decided to put their own special twist on things. I'm excited to read more Storytelling posts as the semester goes along!

Well, I think that does it for this week. We'll see how next week goes! :)

Peace out!

"Miss Auras, by John Lavery, depicts a woman reading a book"
Source: Wikipedia

Brainstorming Storybook Topics

Topic: Animals and Nigeria
Comments: I'm very excited about this unit. I chose to do Nigeria for all of my topics because that's where my parents were born so that's where my family is from. I grew up hearing some Nigerian folk stories and I can't wait to read more. The majority of stories I've heard always involved some kind of animal so that's why I chose to delve deeper and explore more of those kinds of stories.
Possible Stories: Some stories that stick out are: Why the Bat Flies by Night, The Fish and Leopard's Wife, The Elephant and the Tortoise, The Bush Cow and the Elephant, Concerning the Hawk and the Owl etc.
Sample Story: The sample story I chose for this is called Concerning the Hawk and the Owl. I always like reading the moral of stories at the very end of fables. As I was reading this story, I wondered what the moral would be even as I neared the end. I enjoyed the simplicity of the plot and how it still carried an interesting meaning. The first phrase that I thought about when I finished reading was "silent but deadly."
Bibliography: Sample Story: Concerning the Hawk and the Owl
                      Book Title: Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
                      Book Author: Elphinstone Dayrell
                      Year: 1910

"African hawk-eagle"
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Topic: Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky
Comments: I always thought stars, the sun, moon, and planets were interesting things to study. I even, at one point, thought about studying astronomy. I chose this story because it tells of the sun and the moon and how they came to live in the sky which I really enjoyed reading about.
Possible Stories: This story is a specific one but there also seems to be another story called Why the Moon Waxes and Wanes which could possibly be incorporated somehow.
Sample Story: I very much enjoyed this story because of the story line and how it ends. The Sun and Moon, who are married, made certain sacrifices to let their friend the Water and his friends come to their house. In the end, their extreme hospitality is what causes them to live in the sky where they stay forever. This is a cool folk story that plays on the why of the sun and moon's position which I never would've thought of.
Bibliography: Sample Story: Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky
                      Book Title: Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
                      Book Author: Elphinstone Dayrell
                      Year: 1910

Topic: The Disobedient Daughter who Married a Skull
Comments: I've heard, and seen (in Nigerian movies), of this type of story. After reading it, it felt like I had read the story before, just with different characters and a slightly different plot. I think I'll enjoy being able to work with this type of story since it seems familiar to me!
Possible Stories: This one is also a specific story from the Nigerian Unit, but maybe there are more stories elsewhere that have a similar story line.
Sample Story: I don't only like this story because of it's familiarity, but because of interesting turn of events. When I was little, I thought stories like this one were really scary. (Some of them still are to me), but it's still intriguing. It takes the Human world and Spirit world and blurs the line between them which also stuck out to me.
Bibliography: Sample Story: The Disobedient Daughter who Married a Skull
                      Book Title: Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
                      Book Author: Elphinstone Dayrell
                      Year: 1910

Topic: Kings and Nigeria
Comments: I decided to do this specific topic because it also seems that a lot of African folk stories have some with kings, queens, and royalty in them. I'm interested to see how they will be incorporated in this unit as the ones I've heard in my past usually have some twist to it.
Possible Stories: From the titles, some stories I could use are: "Of the Pretty Stranger Who Killed the King, The King who Married the Cock's Daughter, The King and the 'Nsiat Bird, and The Election of the King Bird.
Sample Story: The story chosen for this particular topic was The King and the 'Nsiat Bird. This story is about a king who marries the 'Nsiat bird's daughter knowing that there was a strong possibility that she would give birth to twins which was not allowed in his place (the twins would have to be killed). I like how this story has sort of a happier ending. The twins and mother are not harmed as they were supposed to be, instead they and their family went to live in the trees as birds. My favorite part was the end when it connects the birds we see to the story and how it relates to it.
Bibliography: Sample Story: The King and the 'Nsiat Bird
                      Book Title: Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
                      Book Author: Elphinstone Dayrell
                      Year: 1910
             

Extra Reading Diary: Europa's Fairy Book

The unit can be found here.

The Cinder-Maid

• Prince was to take a bride
• Cinder-Maid: (Cinderella?) Had to do all of the chores around the house while her step-mother favored, gave her step-sisters beautiful dresses and treated them much better.
• Was not supported of going to the ball except by her father who didn't defend his daughter enough.
• Hazel Tree
• A bird spoke to her to open a nut that fell - beautiful silk blue dress came from it
• Tree opened and out come a coach, horses, coachman and footmen
• Back by midnight
• Prince danced only with Cinder-Maid when she arrived
• Mist prevented the Prince's soldiers from seeing where she went.
• The step-sisters spoke well of the lady (Cinder-Maid) at the ball
• Prince set a honey trap to try and stop her from leaving.

The Cinder-Maid (cont.)

• 3 different balls - 3 different dress from tree
• Prince had tar put out-shoe left
• Shoe to fit new bride-to-be
• Eldest step-sister cut off her toe to fit the shoe (so did other sister) Cinder-Maid's fit
• "Some cut their heel, and some cut their toe, But she sat by the fire who could wear the shoe"

The Language of Animals

• Jack: simple minded and backward in his thought.
• Was sent to 3 years of school to learn something by his father
• Learnt what animals said
• His father didn't like what Jack said a bird said about his dad and conspired for him to be killed
• The animals warned and told Jack of things people at different castles didn't know and got rewarded.
• Became "Pope of all Christendom and he took the name of Pope Sylvester"
• Forgave his father

The Language of Animals
Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook

Storytelling for Week 2: The Misfortune of Pyramus and Thisbe

Thisbe, young and beautiful, lived a very lonely life. She was an only child and lived with her parents in a rather big house in Babylon. It was very large. People would always walk by it slowly, staring at it in awe and admiring its massive size and delicate structure. Some would even dare to compare it to a castle. Although many people loved it from the outside, Thisbe grew to hate it from within. It was filled with many things, but she felt as though she was living in an empty space. She craved to travel to a different place filled with more possibilities. However, her parents would never allow this. They were very strict and protective of Thisbe.

One cool morning, Thisbe stared out of her bedroom window fantasizing about a life she believed she was destined to have. In the midst of her imagination running wild, she saw more people passing by. 

"Oh, great, more have arrived to admire something they know nothing about. If only they grew up in my position, they would know and they would soon grow tired of this place, too."

She continued to watch them, but something else grabbed her attention. Her eyes drifted to a young man. He caught sight of her and smiled softly. She let out a little gasp. His beautiful smile invited her. He was like no one she had ever seen before. As she was just making sense of this odd, but wonderful, connection with the stranger, he turned to leave, returning from the direction in which he came.

Thisbe, captivated by the man, ran downstairs, exclaiming to her parents that she was going for a walk as she moved towards the front door.

"Okay, but Thisbe, don't take too long. Be back within the hour," her mother replied.

Thisbe went outside, turning this way and that, looking for the mysterious man she had seen moments ago. She then spotted him, not far off, sitting under a tree. It was as if he was waiting for her to find him.

"What is your name?" Thisbe blurted out.

"Pyramus. And yours?" he replied.

"My name is Thisbe. I live in that house back that way. Where do you come from? You don't look familiar. I see a lot of people in this city but your face seems new."

"My family and I just moved here from Esar. My father was looking for a better job and thought he might be able to find it here. Personally, I was hoping to make some new friends here. Maybe you could be my first and possibly show me around?"

Without hesitation she replied, "I'd be happy to."

************

Thisbe and Pyramus spent a lot of time together. Thisbe began to take more "walks" as she would tell her parents. She was now also eager to run errands. Not long after, they fell in love. It was an inexplicable kind of love. A love so strong it could lift a thousand earths. They were sad to be apart but happy they were able to feel that for they knew their love was one that would last an eternity. 

Even sooner than they realized their love for each other, Thisbe's parents found out about them. They were quick to express that they did not approve of the relationship and would not accept it. Thisbe's father, especially, grew to hate Pyramus. Many arguments with Thisbe would lead to him losing his temper. Time and time again Thisbe would explain to her parents how she could not, and would not, stop loving Pyramus.

One day, after the worst argument she had with her father, Thisbe decided to pack her things and run away. She went to Pyramus' house and told him what had happened. Pyramus, always willing to stand by his love, ran away with her. They fled the city in search of a new life together.

************

It had been months since Thisbe and Pyramus left Babylon. Thisbe had heard talk of her parents trying to find her but she and Pyramus went far away to a city where they believe they could live together in peace. This peace that they hoped for, though, would soon come to an end. Thisbe's father became very worried, desperate and angry as he knew that his beloved, only child, had run away with Pyramus. So, he sent many men to find Thisbe and bring her back. But they were also under very strict orders to find Pyramus and kill him.

Late one evening, Pyramus left the house he and Thisbe were living in to get more food. Halfway to his destination some of Thisbe's father's men stopped him. 

"Where is she? Where is Thisbe?" the men shouted.

Knowing that the men meant nothing but trouble for her, Pyramus refused to respond. Without wasting any time, the mean began beating him up. He attempted to fight back, but to no avail. One pulled out a knife and stabbed him in his side. Pyramus lay on the ground, bleeding, and from the corner of his eye he watched the men storm off.

"I'm sorry my love," he whispered into the darkness.

As the night carried on, Thisbe became worried as Pyramus had not returned. She went to look for him and found him lying on the ground, dead. Realizing this, Thisbe, broke down and with tears streaming down her face took his body to a close friend of theirs who she knew might be able to help. Attempting to talk through her tears, she begged their friend, Theo, to bring Pyramus back. Through stuttered words and short breath, she exclaimed how she could not live without him. Theo was eager to help. He brewed a magical liquid and spread it across Pyramus' open wound. 

*************

Although it took months of waiting, Pyramus eventually woke up, and Thisbe was the first thing he laid eyes on. Knowing the danger they were still in, they immediately got their things together, thanked Theo, and fled to another city.

"Pyramus and Thisbe by Hans Baldung"
Source: Wikipedia Commons

Author's Note: I decided to retell the story of Pyramus and Thisbe (which can be found here). The original story tells of Pyramus and Thisbe, two characters that have fallen in love with each other but their parents denied their love and marriage. They decide to meet in the night one day, and Pyramus, believing a lion killed Thisbe, kills himself with his sword. Thisbe, completely fine, finds Pyramus and then kills herself with the same sword. I retold the story in a way that has a more positive ending, but still not a happily ever after as they are sort of "on the run," with no idea when the next group of men will come and try to kill Pyramus and return Thisbe to her parents. I personally really like romance stories like this one, so that's why I decided to retell it with my own touch. I liked the "Romeo and Juliet" aspect of the story and how they put their love above all else, but I wanted it in a way where they're still able to be with each other. Well, at least for a while. That's why I had Pyramus escape death in my storytelling!

Bibliography:

"Pyramus and Thisbe" translated by Tony Kline, from Ovid's Metamorphoses I (2000). Web Source: Mythology and Folklore UnTextbook