Week 13 Storytelling

Notes From My Diary

a blog by Rapunzel Gothel

April 7th

Dear Diary,

Today Mother came to visit again. I love when she comes! I get so lonely up here all by myself. I did, however get a few new newspapers from her.  There were a lot of pictures from a show called "Teen Wolf" and the men in it were.. stunning. Mother takes care of me, but I really wish I could see the world. It seems so beautiful! I went on YouTube today and explored a little. It's like my real window into the world. I watched a few videos about what it's like in London. It seems like a magical place! I love their edgy music scene, and wish I could be there! I like punk music, but i've really gotten into.. dare I say it? Taylor Swift! OMG I love her songs "Shake it Off" and "Love Story!" She is amazing. Anyway, I guess that's all i've got for today.. check my collage out below. I've taken to covering my walls with art and my newest obsession is collages. 

April 21st

Dear Diary,

I have a secret to tell you... I met someone today. Can you believe it?!?! A real person! A most handsome prince of a man came to visit me today. He'd heard me singing as he was riding through the woods near my tower. He said I had the most lovely voice and was so kind. He's nothing like what Mother said men were like. She said they are all evil and selfish, but he seems so wonderful. I think I may have a small crush. I have to admit, I was a little surprised and scared initially when he climbed up my hair... but I am SO glad he did. We talked for hours before I realized that Mother would be home soon and she would NOT be happy to see him. He left, but agreed to come back. I hope he comes back soon! *Swoon* 

April 23rd

Dear Diary,

He came back! He is the sweetest, most amazing person i've ever met (I know that's not saying much, but he really has changed my life). I want to see the world with him! He told me stories of his travels today and all of the cool places he's visited and offered to take me with him. Mother would never approve, but i'm tired of living by her rules! I have another secret for you... I am going to escape this tower prison! My prince charming is going to bring me scraps of cloth each time he comes to visit so I can make a rope to climb out of here. I'm so excited! He is going to come see me every evening from now until the rope is finished and we can get out of here! We have to be careful and make sure mother doesn't find out though... 

This T-Swift song sums up my life right now:

May 10th

Dear Diary, 

The past few weeks have flown by and every day my love and I have grown closer. I'm so close to finishing my rope!! I can't wait to get out of this damn tower! Mother's visits are becoming less of a comfort and more of an annoyance. I just want her to hurry up and leave so I can see him. She just doesn't understand. It's always Rapunzel this and Rapunzel that, "Rapunzel, let down your hair!" I need to spread my wings and leave the nest. 

May 20th

Dear Diary, 

I screwed up MAJORLY today. I wasn't thinking! Mother had just got done climbing up my hair and it seemed like such a chore. She just dead-weights me and makes me pull her up; not like he does. He climbs up so gingerly. Anyway, I slipped and asked why she was so much heavier than he was and she FREAKED! I've never seen her that angry before! She grabbed my hair and twisted around her arm. It hurt so bad, and she cut it! She cut almost all of my beautiful hair off! Not only that, she says we're moving and i'm FORBIDDEN from ever seeing my prince again! I don't know what i'm going to do! All I can do is cry...

June 29th

Dear Diary,

I have no motivation to make art anymore. I don't want to do anything and now the view from my window is even more bleak. There's nothing but sand all around. I fear i'll be stuck here for the rest of my life. This may be my last post, at least for quite some time. 

Evanescence is life. Her voice is so hauntingly beautiful and it's like she read my mind. BRING ME TO LIFE.

September 13th

Dear Diary,

You'll NEVER believe what happened today! I was singing (a rather sad song), and my prince heard me! He told me he's been wandering the area for months searching for me! He's searched high and low and was beginning to lose hope until he heard my voice. He followed it's sound and found me in my new prison. It was like something out of a movie! He broke down the door and scooped me up into his arms. He held me for so long, crying, and telling me how happy he was that he'd found me. I cried too and we kissed for the first time. After the initial shock wore off, we ran off together! I hopped on the back of his horse and we rode off to his home (which is giant BTW) and he asked me to marry him! I know it's sudden, but when you know.. you know! I'll keep y'all posted! 

Things are finally going great! I'm so happy and have the perfect man by my side! 

Check out my ring! Bling Bling y'all!

Author's Note:

For this week's storytelling, I chose to retell the story of Rapunzel from the Librivox Grimm's Fairy Tales unit. I decided to write in a diary blog style because it combines the traditional diary that a young girl/woman would keep with today's technology and brought her a little bit into the modern age. I tried to portray her as a teenager, probably around 17/18 because I thought it would be fun, plus it's more normal for a 18 year old to leave home than a younger girl. I hope you enjoyed it! I didn't change much, just took out the back story about how Dame Gothel obtained Rapunzel in the first place (she took her from her parents in exchange for some rampion from her magical garden). I also took a few details out, but overall kept it the same. 

Image Information:

1. Rapunzel by Yolanda Blazquez, found on DeviantArt
2. Teen Wolf Collage, found on PixShark
3. Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran, found on YouTube
4. Crows by Nicoletta Ceccoli, found on her website
5. Bring me to Life by Evanescence, found on YouTube
6. On hand view of Tacori HT2430SM Classic Crescent Channel-Set Three Stone Engagement Ring for Princess found on WhiteFlash

Week 12 Storytelling

Gladys and Silva 

Once upon a time there was a beautiful queen, Gladys and her stunning daughter, Silva. They lived in a castle and spent much of their time laughing and dancing together. One day, when the pair were going for a walk through the glen, they came to a pond. 

"Silva, dear!" Gladys called to her daughter, "i'm going to rest for a while by this pond, go pick some flowers for us to put on the dinner table." 

Silva as a young lass

found on Livejournal

Silva did as her mother told and Gladys lounged by the calm waters of the pond. She glanced down at the water and suddenly saw two eyes staring straight up at her. She leaned down closer to see what it was when all of a sudden, a trout popped its head out of the water and began to speak! "Hello beautiful queen! How are you this morn?" said the trout. After getting over the initial shock of a talking fish, Gladys replied, "I'm doing well, pray thee answer me one question?" The trout nodded and Gladys said, "Troutie bonny little fellow, am not I the most beautiful queen in the world?" The trout seemed to contemplate momentarily, gazing up at the statuesque woman with long red hair, before saying, "Indeed, you are beautiful, but there is another more fair." The queen was immediately angered and demanded to know who he deemed to be more beautiful than her. "Why, your daughter Silva of course!" he replied happily before saying he had to go and swimming away without another word. 

Gladys

found on Pinterest

Gladys was enraged and full of jealousy. She summoned her daughter and they went home. Straight away, Gladys sent Silva to her chamber and ran, tears streaming down her face, to see her husband. "Oh my king! I am in the worst of sorts! Please, please help me. End my suffering and heal me of my malady!" cried Gladys. "Of course, my love, anything! You only need to ask of it, and it shall be granted. Tell me what to do!" replied the king worriedly. The queen then told him of her dark desire. She told him that the only way to cure her and restore her happiness was to bring her the heart and liver of her daughter so that she may eat it and return to her former self. 

The king was stunned at such a request, and vowed to help her, but how could he prevent his daughter's death? The queen left, practically skipping with delight, and the king began contemplating his next move. Then it dawned on him, of course! The wealthy prince from two kingdoms over! He was searching for a bride. All the king had to do was marry his daughter off while his queen was away and all would be solved.

Silva on her Wedding Day

Found on OCWedding

And so it was done. The princess Silva married prince Doche and was whisked off to her new home. The queen had been on a trip to visit her sister, and when she returned home her husband provided her with a small chest. When she opened it up, a smile immediately lit up her face, because inside was a heart and liver which she assumed could only be that of her daughter Silva. She quickly cooked them up and ate them. For the rest of her days, she lived in happiness, not knowing that she had been fooled and the fairest of them all continued to live in grace and beauty in a neighboring kingdom. 

Author's Note:

This weeks' storytelling comes from the story of Gold-Tree and Silver-Tree, which was taken from Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs with illustrations by John D. Batten (1892). I liked the original story and could see how it related to snow white. I didn't want to change much, just a few details and the overall ending. In the original, the queen tries to murder her daughter more than once (and is successful during one attempt, but the daughter is brought back) and ends up dead. However, I didn't want to write a super long story and felt like I would have had to in order to really tell the entire story, so I just ended it with the queen living in blissful ignorance. 

Week 10 Storytelling

Day Dreaming about Bug Beauties 

Once upon a time there was a very lonely man who lived by himself and could not find a wife because he was not a very good hunter and he almost never woke up before noon. The women in his village ignored him and would hide away in their homes when he walked through the streets. He didn't mind the bachelor life at first, but after a while he grew bored and sad. He longed for a wife more than anything, and found himself drifting off in day dreams often, imagining a life for himself with a beautiful woman by his side. 

On one occasion, while he rested under a tree, the man found himself caught up in a dream that he'd had many times before. Women were throwing themselves at him, offering to be his wife and he was overjoyed because he could have his pick. However, this time, the women were a little... different. 

In his dream, the man sat in his home on his comfortable little chair and waited patiently for the women he heard whispering on the other side of the tapestry that separated his living room area from the kitchen. His anticipation and excitement grew as his dream self imagined what beauty hid behind the cloth. Then he heard a small, feminine voice ask, "Are you ready dear?" He clapped his hands and eagerly replied, "YES! YES! Please come talk to me my beauties!" 

The first prospective wife was a crane fly. She flew up to his shoulder and talked into his ear, " will you have me as your wife? I'd love to be yours forever!" He tried not to shudder and calmly replied, " I'm sorry, but your legs are just too long and your eyes are so far apart! I don't think I can take you as my wife." With that, she flew off, disappearing behind the tapestry. 

Crane Fly

found on FCPS

Next, a centipede crawled out from the kitchen. Its legs worked furiously and it quickly spiraled up the man's leg and sat up on his lap. "Take me as your wife!" the centipede exclaimed. The man was disgusted, and said, "Oh, gosh no! I'm sorry, but you have just too many legs and your coloring just doesn't suit me." The centipede looked disappointed as she scurried back behind the curtain and out of sight. 

Centipede

photo by ALAMY, found on telegraph

"Surely," thought the man, "this must be a joke. Why are all of these women bugs?!" The man scratched his head and shook it back and forth. When he looked up, he was surprised to see a snail had slowly made its way to his lap. Slowly, she scooted up and came to a stop on his hand. He held her up to his face and she smiled and said, "Please take me as your wife. I would be sweet to you always." The man almost felt bad, but replied, "I'm sorry. I just can't. You are too slimy and slow. You just wouldn't make a good wife for me." She looked to the ground and he lowered her there gently so she could slink away. 

Snail

by Mad Max, found on Wikipedia

Before the snail had made her way back to the doorway, something blue began running quickly toward the man. He couldn't make it out, but felt very nervous as it approached. Suddenly, it jumped with great speed and landed on the man's lap. He looked down and saw a great blue tarantula gesturing with its front legs, apparently trying to get his attention. "Hey! Hey! Take me! Let me be your wife!" she shouted excitedly, her front legs waving wildly in the air. The man grimaced, he hated spiders. "Ew! No!" he yelled, "You are so gross and hairy! I could never be with someone so hairy! You would never make a suitable wife!" The spider was offended and quickly ran off. 

Cobalt Blue Tarantula

found on SVSU

The man was stunned and couldn't believe these insects really thought they could be his wife! What was going on? Then, something fell and startled the man, waking him up. "Whew," he said with relief, "Thank God that was only a dream!" With that, he got up and shook the bugs that had crawled on him in his sleep off. Feeling curious and uncomfortable, the man looked at the ground where he'd been laying, and there, in the shade of the tree was a crane fly buzzing around, a centipede scuttling up the tree, a snail in the grass, and a big blue tarantula looking back at him. He made a strange, fearful noise and wiggled, trying to get the feeling of the bugs off of his skin. From that day on, he no longer day-dreamed under that tree and he promised he would be better. He began getting up early and practicing hunting in the hopes of finding a human woman that he could be worthy of. 

Author's Note:

My inspiration for this story came from the story of The Insects That Wooed a Wifeless Man which was taken from  Eskimo Folk-Tales by Knud Rasmussen with illustrations by native Eskimo artists (1921) and included in the Eskimo Folk Tales Reading Unit in the un-textbook. I liked the story because it was really strange and fun to think of a bunch of bugs offering to be someone's wife. I used a couple of different bugs for fun and because I thought they were pretty. Who doesn't want a pretty wife? Beauty is, after all, in the eyes of the beholder. I also changed the setting and a few other small things about the story, but over all I stuck with the original. Also, I tried to give the bugs some personality which wasn't done in the original, and I didn't make them laugh after he denied them, like they did in the original. I hope you liked it! 

Week 7 Storytelling

The Three Witch Wives 

Witch Paper Dolls

by BirdandFlower on Live Journal

Once upon a time there was a wealthy hunter named William who lived happily with this three wives, Doza (the Enchantress of Dreams), Song (the Spirit Guide), and Fulla (the Necromancer). His wives were three of the most powerful witches in all the land. They were known far and wide for their abilities and William loved them very much. To him, they were the most beautiful women of all, but they did have one flaw...

They ate like a pack of lions! These women could EAT! Each day William was tasked with procuring food for his hungry harem. It was a timely task that took much of his day and all of his energy, but he did not mind because he loved them and the food he caught was cooked into amazing meals he was welcome to enjoy. 

One particular day came to pass that William was particularly drained and worn out from his hunting that he thought he simply could hunt no more. He flopped into a chair and guzzled water, sweat pouring down his face from the day’s hunt of a particularly large deer and a cow. He had shot and carried the creatures from miles away so his wives could sate their hunger, yet still they pleaded for more and complained of their aching bellies. Taking pity and hoping to please them, William mustered up the strength for one last hunt. Surely, an ox would satisfy his brides! 

Musk Ox

By Jonathan Woodward, found on his studio website

William spent hours tracking a small group of oxen up and down the hills of the countryside before finally they stopped to graze. William stalked the group, studying them and picking out which ox to take home. He made his choice, aimed his rifle, and pulled the trigger… BANG! The gun went off and his target fell to the ground, a perfect shot. William was so elated and the rush of endorphins and exhaustion made him fatally slow as he realized he was about to be charged by the alpha male of the ox trio. He reached for his gun and floundered as his trembling hands tried to load the bullets, but it was too late and the ox ran him down, goring him, and throwing William 5 feet into the air. William’s body laid broken on the dirty ground.

Back at their shared home, the witch wives begin to worry. 

“Where is William? He’s been gone for hours!”

“I’m starving! He never takes so long!”

“What should we do?”

The wives tried not to panic; maybe he was just resting for the night, after all, he’d been out all day hunting for them. They slept, though not well, and as the sun came up, Doza rose from her bed crying and screaming, “William is dead! I saw him! I saw him in my dream! He’s been killed by an ox!” After gasps and shock, the three quickly got everything together and headed out to find their husband. This is where Song’s gift came in, as soon as the trio stepped foot on the open road, her third eye opened and she could see the way to their husband. Song led them directly to their husband and they fell on their knees around him in sorrow. 

However, Fulla knew they cried in vain. She began gathering plants and herbs and she laid them all around William. She then gave him a bouquet of herbs and began chanting over his body. In no time, William was back to his old self and the trio embraced happily before retiring, ox in hand for a grand banquet in his honor. 

Author's Note:

This week I began reading the Tales from the Congo unit which takes its stories from Notes on the Folklore of the Fjort by Richard Edward Dennett (1898), but only read the first two stories before the due date. However, I really enjoyed the story of How the Wives Restored the Husband to Life. It was a lot of fun to read and unlike many of the stories I've read lately, actually ended on a positive note. I did change some of the original story, but not much. The only thing I really changed is the end, in the actual story the wives end up quarreling over whose hut their husband should visit first when he awakens. They decide that in order to settle this fairly, they would each cook a pot of food and present it to him. Then, he would choose which to eat first and therefore choose who to visit first. He chooses Fulla Fulla's food because without the Dreamer, they might not have known what happened to him and without the Guide, they might not have found him, but without Fulla Fulla's gift, he wouldn't be able to eat any of the food they'd made. The wives could see his point but wished he would have taken a bit of each and put it into one bowl before eating it. Anyway, I made mine more kid-friendly and like a storybook. I hope it seemed easy and fun to read! 

Week 6 Storytelling: Jealousy

Jealousy 

Once upon a time there was a princess named Kono whose beauty was known far and wide. Many compared her beauty to that of the delicate petals of the cherry blossom. She had many suitors, but none excited her and she spent her days wandering about the garden and dreaming that one day she would find true love. 

One day, while Kono was out wading in the river, she came upon the most handsome man she'd ever seen. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a strong jaw. Power and masculinity seemed to emanate from his body. She was immediately entranced and she stared at him as he walked along the riverbank. 

Unbeknownst to Kono, the man had seen her too. He immediately rushed up to her. 

"I am so sorry to disturb you, but you have to be the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. What is your name?" He asked eagerly.

"Kono," she replied, blushing but excited, "And who might you be?"

"My name is Nigo."

The two talked for what seemed like forever and a whirlwind romance began. The two spent all of their time together, laughing, sneaking kisses, and watching the river flow gently by. It wasn't long before they knew they wanted to be together forever. Nigo, being the traditional man he is, decided to pay Kono's father a visit to ask for her hand in marriage. 

After much discussion, arguing, and some serious sister drama Kono's father finally agreed to the marriage of Kono and Nigo. Nigo rushed home. He burst through the door, picked up his future wife, and spun her around while kissing her. Once the his excitement had been pushed down enough for him to talk, Nigo told Kono of her father's approval. She squealed joyously and jumped back into Nigo's arms. Marriage plans began and it wasn't long before the two lovers were married in a beautiful ceremony full of love and devotion. 

The two made a home for themselves and spent many years in marital bliss before deciding to expand their little family of two. The two tried and tried, initially finding it difficult to conceive before they were blessed with two beautiful boys. Kono glowed with motherly warmth and was a wonderful mother to the boys. As for Nigo? He couldn't be prouder. I loved his sons with all of his heart and spent

Everything was perfect, but it didn't stay that way for long. One day, a man named Sun-Win saw Kono, Nigo, and their boys as they were navigating the stalls at the local market. Nigo and the boys ventured away from Kono to look at the swords while she continued shopping for the week's groceries. Sun-Win watched her peruse the fruit for what seemed like forever. He was entranced by her beauty and immediately took an interest in this mysterious woman. Sun-Win approached Kono, pretending to be interested in the same piece of fruit and touching her hand when they both went for it. She apologized and he laughed before asking if she would like to accompany him for a stroll through the nearby garden. After all, the fruit would still be there when she got back, he suggested. She politely declined but thanked him and went back to her shopping. Sun-Win understood and left Kono to her business. Nothing wrong happened, but Nigo didn't know that. He'd seen a man approach his wife, talk to her, and make her smile before leaving looking as if nothing bad had happened.

Jealousy consumed Nigo and he became hateful towards his wife. He was suspicious of her every move and of her motives. Constantly, he accused her of cheating on him and constantly she denied it because she would never do that to him. It didn't matter what she or the boys said, he could not believe them. So, after weeks of his wife and kids walking on eggshells around him, Nigo's jealousy finally came to a head and erupted in him disowning his children for obviously the were not his, but the man from the market's sons. 

Kono was devestated, how could he do this to her? To his sons? They had been nothing but loyal and devoted to Nigo! She cried angrily and pounded her fists on the ground wondering what she was going to do. 

Then suddenly, and idea popped into her head and she prayed to her grandmother-in-law, Ameratsu, the goddess of the sun and universe. She pleaded with the goddess to help her and her sons. She demanded a trial by fire to prove her innocence. Kono then proceeded to light a large fire and gather her family around her. 

"Please, all-powerful goddess, if my sons are truly those of Nigo, let the fire not harm them." 

Kono then instructed her husband to stand on the other side of the fire. He took his place and soon became very nervous. He didn't believe that Kono had been faithful, but that didn't mean he wanted these two boys to be burned to death! He fidgeted, wringing his hands as Kono instructed the boys to walk to their daddy on the other side of the fire. Both boys ran into the fire and Nigo flinched, closing his eyes before opening them just in time to see his two sons run unharmed through the fire. They leapt into his arms and he showered them with kisses, holding them tight against his chest. 

Nigo put the boys down and ran to his wife. He dropped to his knees and begged for her forgiveness. He realized he had wronged her and had no reason to distrust her. Shame filled his mind and tears flowed from his eyes as he pleaded with her to give him another chance. Nigo promised to never doubt her again and Kono let him feel the guilt he so rightfully deserved for a little while before reaching down to grab his hand. He stood up and she forgave him. The two were once again reunited as a loving couple and their family was once again whole. 

The End

Author's Note:
This week I was really inspired by the story of Princess Tree-Blossom found in the second part of The Heaven Descended from the Japanese Mythology unit from the un-textbook. The story of Ninigi going to the father of Princess Tree-Blossom and choosing to only be with her (when her father gives him both her and her sister) was wonderful. But then, an Earth spirit- the spirit of the Summer Wind, becomes infatuated with the princess and this sparks jealousy in Ninigi. Even though she gives him no reason to be suspicious or doubt her loyalty, he begins to think she cheated on him and that his sons are not actually his. As such, he disowns them, crushing his wife. She calls for a trial by fire and proves that the children are, in fact, his sons and that she has been truthful and faithful the entire time. Nigini admits fault and drops to his knees to beg the princess for forgiveness. I wanted this to feel like a folktale that could be told to children, but tried to write it for an older age group.

Image Information:

1. Cherry Blossom by Chinno, found on DeviantArt
2. Tatsuko Princess by Yumiko Nolan, found on his website portfolio
3. Japanese bride and groom, found on Nepali Austrailia
4. Hexagon shaped, Japanese wedding cake decorated with cherry blossoms and a Japanese bride and groom wedding cake topper by Karen Lindsay, found on Flickr
5. Guy Drawing by Phraisohn, found on DeviantArt
6. Jealousy Consumes, found on Blondie Babs's blog: Blonde Girl Chronicles
7. Crying by Tawna-Dawn-art on DeviantArt
8. Ameratsu by Stephanie Kao, found on her Store Envy
9. Bonfire Flames by He Who Laughs Last, found on Wikimedia Commons
10. Please! I'm Begging You! found on Tando

Bibliography:
Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E. W. Champney and F. Champney (1917).

Week 5 Storytelling: The Betrayal

The Betrayal 

Once upon a time there was a noble king and an unfaithful queen. The king loved his queen so much that he practically worshiped the ground she walked on. He showered her with gifts and attention. He provided her with anything she ever wanted. They lived happily together for many years, and all seemed well... but the queen had a dirty secret. You see, not long after she married the king, she met a man- a commoner who invoked in her the worst kind of lust. Each night when the king had fallen asleep, she'd sneak off to the chapel where she'd meet her secret lover. They'd run off together, spending the night in the throes of passion before the sun would begin to rise and the queen would have to sneak back into bed where the king snored peacefully.

Each morning the king would awaken to see his beautiful queen resting beside him. He'd smile and stretch before placing a kiss on her forehead and getting up to begin the day's duties. It was a happy life for the king and he counted himself incredibly lucky to have such a stunning and wonderful wife. However, things took a terrible turn one day when the king woke up and his wife was nowhere to be found. He cried out for her, but no answer. He rushed through the halls, calling her name but to no avail. His queen was nowhere to be found! The king checked everywhere before finally ending up at the chapel. It was here that he found his queen, wrapped in a blanket and snuggled up to another man. The king roared in anger, waking the queen and her lover from their slumber. She panicked and tried to explain, but the king was beside himself in rage. He called for the guards. "Take this man and his whore to the dungeon!" He yelled, and the queen and the man were hauled off.

For days the king could not be bothered with kingdom affairs. Stricken with grief and heartbreak, the king spent many days pacing in his room. He tried to figure out what he'd done wrong. How had he not pleased her? What could he have done better? Had he not given her the world, not shown her enough affection? These questions plagued the king, and his hatred and distrust began to grow. It started in his heart, which had been broken into many tiny pieces, swirling around the jagged edges of his once full of love heart and pulling it back together to form a seething mass of anger and deep sadness. This darkness spread out, winding around his veins and running alongside his arteries. It ignited a fire within him, a fire of complete and total hatred for women. After all, the woman he'd loved more than anything in the world had betrayed him and for what? Some peasant!

His heart and mind now fully consumed by the darkness, the king ordered his wife and her lover be executed. They cried and pleaded for mercy, but he showed them none. The fire in his soul burned bright in his eyes as the executioner's sword came swiftly down on their necks. No woman would hurt him like she did ever again. In fact, no woman would hurt any man in his kingdom if he could help it.

Image Information:
King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway with their regalia.
Found on Wikipedia

Author's Note:
My story this week comes from The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1898). This week I chose to base my story on the tale of Scheherazade from the un-textbook, but unlike the original story I did not focus on the woman who defeats the king. I chose to focus on WHY the king ended up hating women so much that he started marrying and killing them one after another. I wanted to show the heartbreak he felt and the happy man he was before he was betrayed and fell deep into darkness. I wanted to portray the woman as a villainous betrayer to the king because that is really what she was. I felt very little pity for her when I read the original. Sure, execution for adultery is harsh, but so is finding out your wife who you love and cherish is cheating on you with some random guy from the town outside your palace. Anyway, I enjoyed the story of Scheherazade and feel like she is definitely a hero, but wanted to focus on a character whose story is not fully told: the king.

Storytelling for Week 2: Erik and Lila

Hey! That's me! 

My name is Lila. I used to be the whole town's daughter, the picture of youthful beauty and innocence. Things are a bit different now and I've really come into my own skin. Anyway, I'm the youngest of three sisters and was pretty much spoiled and adored by my loving parents until I was 17 and condemned by my church for being "predestined to bring about destruction and unhappiness," whatever the hell that means. After hearing this news, my crazy-religious parents kicked me out. They cried, I cried... It felt like I was falling off a cliff, spiraling towards my death and about to land on the wave-worn rocks below. Everything was so dark and terrifying! Then, I met Erik.

This guy is my hilarious, hunky boyfriend Erik. He dressed up as Cupid a few years ago for Halloween and I just can't resist using the photo every chance I get. 

Erik came into my life like a gust of cool air, and swept me up just before I landed in the violent waters below. We met on an internet chat tool/game called Second Life. We were both in a beautifully made castle set in a Greek-esque environment from the time of the gods. I was exploring the chat room with my avatar, Psyche. I danced in a grand hall as lute music played through my headphones and called out to the chat room, "Anyone home?" I got no responses, so I kept exploring and ended up in a beautiful bedroom with a gigantic bed and luxurious bath. I thought to myself, "Man, I wish this was where I really lived," then had my avatar lay in bed while I went AFK to get something to drink. When I came back to my computer, grape soda in hand, I saw that I had a ton of messages from a mysterious user who was no longer in the chat room. He told me I was beautiful and that he hoped to get to know me better. He spun tales of two lovers destined by chance to meet in a magical, dream-like palace in ancient Greece. His words were so beautiful, and his final message simply said, "See you tomorrow night?"

Our love story is one of mystery and deceit, revenge, and one seriously impossible mother-in-law.

We talked and talked, each night he managed to sweep me off my feet all over again. To say I fell hard for him was a bit of an understatement, but how could I fall for someone i'd never actually seen? Our online love affair went on for months and I knew I had found someone who truly understood me. He didn't seem to care about my family issues or the fact that most people at home thought I was probably dead in a ditch somewhere; all that mattered was that we fit together like two pieces of a divine puzzle. We talked for a year and in that time a lot changed. I got back in touch with my sisters, and even invited them to come over for pizza and catching up. He was excited for me, but wary. He was afraid my sisters would make him out to be some sort of monster or stalker. I assured him everything would be fine, and said goodbye before logging off to greet my sisters. 

Check out my drawing of us as “Powerpuff Girls”

I was obviously “Bubbles”

Everything went great! We sipped wine and ate pizza while I told them of my whirlwind Second Life romance. It was like the good-ol' days and it felt great to have my sisters back, or at least that's what I thought. Time flew by like it does when you're reminiscing, and soon it was time for them to leave but we made plans to meet up the next night for coffee. I hugged them goodbye and once they were out the door, I hopped on my laptop to talk to my invisible romeo until I fell asleep slumped over in my bed.

The next day, at coffee, my sisters were like harpies! They hounded me about Erik. Who was he? Where does he come from? How can I be so sure he's really who he says he is? They said he was probably "Catfishing" me and that he surely wasn't the hunk they saw in his pictures. I defended him, but somewhere in my mind, doubt planted it's nasty little seed and began to grow. After coffee, I headed home to talk to Erik and I had a great time, but could not shake the idea that maybe they were right. I had never met this guy. He could be anybody! I freaked out and called up the main star of the show, Nev, and told him my situation. He was interested, and we hatched a plan to find out just who this guy really was. 

That's Nev, full-time Catfish TV moderator, part time cutie

It took a few days for Nev to get all of his research done, but then I got the call: he had an address. We loaded up the car, notified the camera man, and began the drive to Erik's house. I was so nervous. I felt like I was betraying Erik. How would he feel? Probably like he just got stabbed or burned! My stomach churned as my anxiety rose. The drive felt like forever as we passed endless hills and small towns. I hoped my sisters were wrong and he wasn't some creeper, but I couldn't help but worry that he was. I prepared for devastation. 

Suddenly, the car began to slow and turn down a long dirt driveway flanked on either side by tall trees that made the driveway feel almost like a gazebo. It was beautiful, but the scenery couldn't distract me long and before I knew it, we were stopped and Nev was asking if I was ready to meet Erik. I hesitated, growing more nervous and imagining so many awful scenarios as the cameras rolled on my face. I nodded and slowly crept up the steps to the beautiful plantation-style home. Nev and I exchanged glances, and I gulped down the lump that had risen in my throat. It was now or never. 

That driveway was something right out of a dream 

The doorknob turned and the door opened so slow it was as if I was dreaming. Everything was moving in slow motion, but then, standing before me was the man i'd seen in so many pictures. I was so relieved and excited. "Erik?" I asked. "Lila?" he replied, obviously confused. He looked at the cameras, then at Nev, then me before he realized just what was going on. His face changed, becoming grim and he slammed the door in my face! Shocked, and now bawling, I asked through the door why he didn't want to see me. He sent me a text that just said, "You thought I would catfish you?!" My distrust in him had really hurt him, but after a few hours and much discussion through the door, he once more opened the heavy wood door but this time, I was greeted with his Adonis-like smile. 

Image Information:

1. Girl by Keulefm, found on Pixabay
2. Not so Self Portrait, Rambo Meets Cupid by Mattysflicks, found on Flickr
3. Lovers by Bellezza87, found on Pixabay
4. Powerpuff Girls by WonderlandCaveman, found on DeviantArt
5. Moderator Nev Schulman by Mingle Media TV, found on Wikipedia
6. Orton Plantation Driveway by Brian, found on Wikipedia

Author's Note: 
I based this story off of parts of the story of Cupid and Psyche (which you can find here), particularly the sections titled: Psyche's Beauty, The Oracle of Apollo, The Magical Palace, The Mysterious Husband, The Jealousy of Psyche's Sisters, Fear and Doubts, and Psyche's Husband Revealed. I enjoyed this story a lot and wanted to put a modern spin on things by making the magical palace a chat room designed to look like a Grecian palace and the invisible husband another person who the main character falls in love with online. I had a little trouble deciding how to do the reveal/betrayal of Erik/Cupid but thought the MTV show called "Catfish" was a perfect example. It's about two guys who went on a journey to meet the woman that one of them had been engaged with in an online relationship for a long time only to find out she was not anything like who she said she was and who she showed him in pictures. I know the ending feels a little rushed, but I was trying really hard not to over-write. I guess sometimes you should trust your gut about the one you love (although, with technology, you can never be too careful).

Storytelling for Week 1: The Cunning Cat and Common Sense Fox

There were once two pals who were travelling companions. They found snacks, small meals to maintain sustenance but mostly passed their time talking. They talked for quite some time before the discussion turned into an argument; and as arguments often do when between people who know each other, theirs became personal.

The fox spouted off to the cat, teasing him. "I bet you find yourself to be pretty smart, huh? Thinking you're always right, thinking you always know the best way to do something."

The cat admitted that he did not have many tricks. In fact, he only had one; but that one trick was extremely valuable, more so than any of the fox's tricks. Quality over quantity, he stressed.

The fox, opened his mouth to reply, but quickly shut it. Both of their ears perked up; they'd both heard the sound of approaching hunters. Their horns rang out and their dogs' barks carried through the trees and across the land.

Instinctively, the cat jumped up into the tree and vanished, hidden among the leaves and branches.

The Fox and the Cat by Winceslaus Hollar

Retrieved from Wikimedia

From deep within the foliage, the fox heard the cat say, "Here is my trick! Show me yours!"

The fox's head twitched and his eyes moved side-to-side as he thought through his multitudes of escape plans. He had so many! The fox ran, trying to decide which plan to take and buying some time as the hounds approached, biting at his paws.

He tried many things: diving into random burrows, taking sharp turns, doubling back, and running as fast as he could- but these were simply not enough. The hounds quickly caught up to and overtook the fox, quieting his bragging and teasing.

In the end, the cat's common sense won him not only the argument, but his life. The fox's tricks and supposed cunning were too much and not enough at the same time and he paid the ultimate price.

Author's Note
This story is based off of the fable by Aesop titled "The Cat and the Fox" which can be found in the book Aesop for Children, illustrated by Milo Winter (1919). The fable tells the short tale of a cat and a fox. The cat relies on his instinct, whereas the fox hatches schemes, makes plans, and over-prepares while ignoring his basic instincts. He acts as though for something to be good or right, it must be complicated and new. However, when the two must run from a pack of hounds, the fox cannot make a decision on which plan to choose and ends up being hunted down by the hounds. The fable ends simply with the following words:

"Common sense is always worth more than cunning."

I like this story because I agree that simple is sometimes the best option, and one should always listen to their instincts or "go with their gut." This really stuck with me because I try to always listen to my instincts because when I don't, things simply seem to go bad. I liked that this story featured a character that is really smart, but thinks things through just a little too much. I can be the same way; sometimes over-thinking things or second-guessing myself, but I have tried to start trusting myself more like the fox should have in the first place.