Week 12 Storytelling: A Man In Dog

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Her car has been on fire. I have to get her out quickly or she may die for severe burns. Despite the fire was burning me, I jumped into the car from broken window and unfastened her seat belt. The door was hard to open, so I used my legs to force the door open.

Fortunately, Billy is a large dog and I feed him very well, otherwise I could not move this girl. We just ran away less than 50 yards, and the car is completely burned up. She looked okay, but a lot of my dog hair was burnt. When I touched my head, there was almost not hair on it. Fortunately, the skin did not burn and I thought animal hair grows very fast.

Ambulance soon came; the girl was carried to the ambulance. I was taken by a police car and we followed the ambulance to the hospital.

A nurse helped me a bath. After that I was waiting at the waiting area. Three hours later, the girl came out.

“Lucy, you only have couple minor burns. I already cleaned them and I think no additional treatment is needed,” said the doctor. “You dog saved you! If you stayed in the car, you probably won’t die but most of your skin would have to be replaced.”

“Wait, this is not my dog,” said Lucy confusedly. Then she hugged and said to me gratefully. “Thank you so much for saving me! Your hair burned a lot and you are still with me now!”

All of a sudden she noticed my collar.

 “Here is his address. We live very close. Shall we go home together? I have to thank your owner.” Lucy said happily.

I was shocked for her hug because I have never been hugged by a girl in my 26 years’ life. I suddenly came up with a thought.

“I do not want to be a human anymore!”

We went home together. When I approached my door, I realized that I could not let Lucy see Billy in human body. I quickly ran into my house through an open window and locked the door. Lucy knocked my door for a while and she left a letter of thanks.

Billy did not wear pants and he looked very upset. When I checked my fridge I found no food. I ordered a pizza for Billy for he was supposed to eat human food.

As the pizza order was on the road, I tried to comfort Billy in dog’s way. I licked Billy’s face and suddenly I realized that I returned in my own body.

“I am very hungry!” I yelled.

When pizza arrived, I gave the delivery man a very nice tip and started eating immediately. After dinner I recalled the moment I returned to my body and I found the area of my face I licked had a mole there.

“This mole is very suspicious,” I said to Billy. “Should I let you lick it again? No, forget it. What if I cannot switch back? I do not want to be a dog forever.”

I opened my Facebook and I wanted to share this with my friend. The old post was still laughed by many people. Then I found I got a private message.

“Before you became a dog, your dog must have licked your body. The place where the dog licked must have a mole. If you lick the mole again, you will become a human again. Reply if you want to know more. Or delete this message now for you safety.”

Author’s Note:

I write this story based on the 9th goblin I read from the TWENTY-TWO GOBLINS from this week. In the 9^th goblin story, a beautiful girl wants to select one from three candidates as her husband. They all have a special talent in a career. In the end of the story, the King answers the goblin that the girl should choose the warrior as he likes warriors.

I want to add some hero trait to my character, so Evan saved the girl and accidently found why he became a dog. Then he will be involved in a series of peculiar incidences. 

My story will be continued next week. The following plot will be based on what I will read in TWENTY-TWO GOBLINS.

Biography:

TWENTY-TWO GOBLINS

Week 11 Storytelling: A Man In Dog

Source

DAY 1

My name is Evan. I work in an IT company five days a week. My life is prosaic and I do not have a passion to find a girlfriend. I live with my dog Billy, and now I am a dog as well.

However I am actually a human whose soul is accidently swapped with my dog Billy.

It was a Monday morning; I woke up and found I was sleeping on the ground in the sitting-room.

“How could I?” I was very confused because I did remember I slept in my bedroom. Then I saw a man lied in front of me, watching me with his eyes wide with expectation of food.

“Wait! You are me! Do not lick me!” the man scared me and he was trying to lick me like my Billy does.

Billy, which is my dog in my body, was hungry. Suddenly he found the refrigerator and his instinct for food miraculously helped him to open the door.

“No, Billy. That is MY yogurt for breakfast!” I yelled to him but Billy stood up and ate my yogurt.

“Alas! My dog becomes me, and it eats my yogurt.” I was very upset. “My life is already hard, now it is even harder.”

“WAIT! Why am I thinking about yogurt? My current problem is why the hell I become a dog!” I quickly found the problem and forced me not to think like a dog.

DAY 2

I certainly did not go to work because I could not work in a dog body. I stayed in my house, thinking about how to switch back and playing with Billy. I must admit that the dog food tasted really good! I fed Billy with pasta and candy.

I tried to call my friends, asking them what to do if they become a dog. They could not help me because nobody became a dog before. Also I posted the question on Facebook and everybody thought I was insane or joking.

“It looks like I have to help myself as expected.” I was very frustrated.

“I still remember that Billy licked me once before I woke up.” I started thinking.

Then I tried to write; though my handwriting was horrible, people could read it.

“HELP! I BECOME A DOG!” I wrote this on paper and went out of my house with the paper in my mouth.

When I was walking on sideway, a rope unexpectedly looped my neck and I was caught by a masked gunman. He put me in a cage in his car and drove away.

“WTF! What is he doing? Why am I so unlucky?”

When I looked around and found there were several other cages in the car. I got a couple dog brothers in these cages. As I was thinking about how to communicate with them, a violent smash hit the car, and I lost consciousness for a while.

When I woke up, I found the cage was open. That was a fierce traffic accident. I jumped out of the car and found the car was burning.

“Damn it! I have to leave now because the car can explode at any moment.” I was running away very quickly because I did not want to die there. Moreover Billy still occupied my body. If I died here and my friends visit me, it would be a crazy thing I never wanted to think about.

I turned around when I thought I was at a safe distance. I was seeing a girl in another car; she was unconscious and bleeding on her head. I decided to save her because the girl in fact saved me from the man.

(to be continued)

Author’s Note:

My idea is from the 6^th goblin from the TWENTY-TWO GOBLINS. In the original story, a woman mistakenly switched the heads of her husband and her brother. As a result she faces a problem that which man she should choose as her husband.

I picked the idea of switching, but I switch souls of a man and his dog. It would be really interest, so decided to write the story for up to four weeks.

Biography:

TWENTY-TWO GOBLINS

Week 10 Storytelling: A Kind Thief

Source

It was a wonderful night. People went home after their day shifts. Kids were having fantastic dreams.  

All of a sudden, a furtive guy walked into an apartment complex. He carefully watched the light in rooms and checked vehicles outside apartment. Eventually he selected room 633 as his target.

“Good day for me! It looks nobody is inside, “the thief said tiredly, “I can get a long break after this one.”

He took out his tools for that type of lock. However when he was about to unlock the door of 633, he suddenly smells smoke through the door.

“Damn it, “the thief said quietly and angrily, “I spent many days to find out this family’s schedule. Now I have to leave before cops came. What a bad luck!”

Meanwhile he heard something strange, so the thief listened at the door for a moment. He found the sound was a kid’s crying. The thief wanted to save the kid but he did not want to get into trouble. When he was hesitating, the fire alarm started ringing and neighbors were coming out and seeing what is happening.

“It looks very urgent. The kid may be killed by smoke before help comes,” a woman said, “Shall we smash this door to save the kid?”

Everybody agreed and they started smashing the door; however, the door has a very good quality and they cannot even made the door loose.

“Let me try! They called me to come here for fixing their lock. I think I can open the door.” the thief said quickly and tensely. Others all agreed as they cannot open the door by using force. The thief took out his tool and cracked the lock very fast. A man rushed in the room and took the kid out; the kid was still crying but alive.

Now the cops and firefighters eventually arrived. They controlled and eliminated the fire quickly.

“You are a true hero, man! We may have lost the kid without your help,” a police officer thanked to the thief and asked, “Are you on a night shift? You have a tired look.”

“Yeah…you know…tough times. I have to work more on these days to support my family,” he responded in hesitate. “I am actually going to find a new job tomorrow. I do not like what my life looks like today.”

“Well, good luck on your interview! I will be on my patrol duty,” the officer said to him and patted him on the shoulder. “Remember your kindness will give you a payback; wickedness does not go altogether unrequited.”

Author's Note:

I was inspired by the two stories in the third goblin. The argument about men and women made me think about kindness of human. I use the story about the bad woman as a reference. I create a thief with the same goodness in my story.

Biography:

TWENTY-TWO GOBLINS

Week 9 Storytelling: Amba's Story Part 2

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Amba was wandering in a forest after she was rejected by her relatives and Rama. She met a stranger, but she did not want to talk. The stranger was Parashurama, a mighty hero.

“I can feel your sorrow. Why are you so sad?” Parashurama asked Amba.

Amba was immersing herself in the sorrow, so she did not recognize Parashurama. However she told Parashurama her story unconsciously. After listening to her story, Parashurama became very angry. He told Amba that he will defeat Bhishma and force him to marry Amba.

Bhishma and Parashurama started their fight in a wasteland. The fight attracted many audiences including some gods. But the fight is very strange; they cannot hurt each other as they knew how they would fight in a battle. Finally gods stopped their fight since the fight could last forever if they continued. Parashurama then stormed out of the battle, leaving Amba.

“Bhishma is too powerful! I cannot defeat him,” Amba said sadly.

Suddenly Amba came up with an idea; she decided to do asceticism.

“I cannot defeat Bhishma by myself, but I can prey to gods. If gods help me, Bhishma will die for sure,” Amba regained confidence and started her asceticism.

Amba suffered pains and trials for years. When she was about to give up, Shiva appeared.

“Your iron will impress me, Amba. What do you want?” said Shiva.

“I want to become a man, a warrior powerful enough to kill Bhishma!” Amba yelled to Shiva.

“I cannot do this for you in this life. What about I grant you the strength to kill Bhishma in your next life? You will be born as a girl but you will become a boy short after you birth,” Shiva suggested.

“So be it, dear Shiva. Thank you for your mercy.”

“I love destruction more than mercy. I am ready to watch a vengeance show!” Shiva smiled and said.

Amba wanted to kill Bhishma so much that she jumped into fire and ended her life. As promised, Amba, who is now Shikhandi, was born for Bhishma’s death. Shikhandi, however, could not remember anything from previous life. The fate led her to the designated ending; she was exiled and trained as a great warrior. As she grew up, Shikhandi became a man.

Few years after, Shikhandi’s chance came. In the Kurukshetra War, Shikhandi lastly faced Bhishma. However, Shikhandi was like a shield for Arjuna; when Shikhandi stand before Arjuna, Bhishma could not hurt Arjuna. As a result, Arjuna finally defeated Bhishma with the great help from Shikhandi.

When Shikhandi saw Bhishma’s death, he felt a strange fatigue. Shikhandi felt like he finished a great mission but he did not know what it is. Unexpectedly Shikhandi fainted at the moment when Bhishma’s soul went to heaven. When Shikhandi woke up, he could not call anything about Bhishma.

“Only now can Amba really die in peace and pleasure,” Shiva appeared and disappeared quietly in the sky above the battle ground.

Author’s Note:

Amba was not a main character in the epics but she was important for Bhishma. She had an unfortunate life because of Bhishma. Though Bhishma could not take all the responsibility for her situation, Amba viewed Bhishma as a primary reason. As a result, Amba tried to kill Bhishma at no cost, even with her life. During the Kurukshetra War, Amba fulfilled her destiny when Shikhandi helped Arjuna kill Bhishma.

Biography:

Brook. Mahabharata.

Week 7 Storytelling: Amba's Story Part 1

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Amba is a daughter of the Kashi King. She and her two younger sisters are princesses of the Kashi Kingdom. Amba has a secret that she is covertly falling in love with the Salva, king of Saubala.

Bhishma has a nephew brother who is in the age of marriage. However, his nephew is still young and weak, so Bhishma decides to help him find wife. By defeating Salva, Bhishma wins all three princesses and takes them back to his kingdom. While Bhishma is on the way home, Amba is in extremes of anxiety.

“Why is this? I am in love with Salva! I do not want to marry anyone other than Salva. No, I have to talk with Bhishma. I hope he will let me go.” Amba says to herself.

When they take a short break on the road, Amba meets Bhishma and tells him the secret that she already fell in love with King Salva.

“Could you let me go back to Salva? Please! I cannot imagine the life without my Salva! ” Amba begs.

Bhishma thinks for a while and agrees. “I respect your love. You can go now.”

“Thank you for your generosity! My two sisters will be your nephew’s good queens.” Amba seethes. Then she leaves to Kashi.

But things are not like in the planned way she had first thought. When she goes to Salva, Salva thinks it would be a burning shame if he accepts a woman who is previously taken away from him in the legal way. Salva has to reject Amba for his reputation.

“What could I do? Where should I go? I am abandoned by my love.” Amba is very sad and she finds his dad, hoping his dad will take her in. His dad, nonetheless, refuses to take her in because Kashi King thinks Amba is disgracing his family. The Kashi King thinks the fight result is sacred; Amba is now legally owned by Bhishma.

Amba is in desperation and hopelessness. The last way she finds is going back to Bhishma and marrying Bhishma. Suddenly she feels that could be a good plan, but she does not know Bhishma’s oath.

“I am yours, Bhishma. I will marry you.” Amba finds Bhishma and tells him her current situation.

“I cannot. I vowed not to be married in my life. The reason I did the fight is to find wife for my nephew. My oath can never be changed. ” Bhishma tells Amba the truth.

Amba is shocked. She leaves without a word. Although many people are responsible for her unfortunate encounters, Amba has a conclusion that Bhishma is the most responsible one.

“I am not able to have love and family anymore. The only thing I want to do in my life is revenge on Bhishma. His death is my destiny.” Amba whispers to herself and she does not realize what a dreadful decision she has made.

Author’s Notes:

I got my inspiration from the film PeterBrook's Mahabharata. Though the reading assignment in this week does not have too much about Amba, I want to share this character. Amba’s decision is actually Bhishma’s end. She is able to kill Bhishma in the end to fulfill her oath. This storytelling is only the beginning. I will continue to write more in the following weeks.

Biography:

Brook. Mahabharata.

Week 6 Storytelling: Bhishma's fall

Image source: Bhishma Falls

Bhishma told his enemy the way to defeat him.

“If Arjuna shoots me when he is behind Shikhandi, Amba’s currently avatar, then I cannot do anything to fight back. Shikhandi was a female in his previous cycle, I would not hurt him.”

On day 10, Pandu let Shikhandi stand in front of the battle. And all the soldiers were charging to Bhishma under commander’s order. Bhishma killed countless enemies; however Shikhandi has approached Bhishma during the fight. Bhishma did not try to dodge Shikhandi’s attack, nor did he shoot one arrow to Shikhandi. 

“Maybe my time is coming. What a long epic journey it has been. I die today not because I am weak; I die today for my family, for my kingdom, and for my oath.” Bhishma told to himself.

Thus Bhishma stopped fighting with Arjuna. Arjuna destroy Bhishma’s bow and javelin. Then Bhishma took his sword and shield and wanted to jump down, attempting to fight on the ground. Arjuna nevertheless break Bhishma’s sword and shield, so all the soldiers started attacking Bhishma from all sides. Bhishma is finally defeated with uncountable arrows on his body, falling from his chariot in the setting sun. 

The war suddenly freeze and the sun is in shadow. Everyone’s heart was falling as Bhishma was falling. All the soldiers lower their heads in sadness. Commanders of both sides put their weapons off; they came to Bhishma with respect and saluted Bhishma solemnly. Bhishma’s body did not touch the ground as so many arrows in his body. He lied on the bed of arrow, which was the highest honor of a warrior.

Bhishma spoke to those who stood in front of him. “My head is not comfortable. Give me a warrior’s pillow!”

Some people brought few cushions, but Bhishma rejected for those were not warrior’s pillow. Then Arjuna took three arrows from his quiver and stuck them into ground. With the sharp arrowheads supporting his head, Bhishma said gladly.

“This is the pillow I want! Do not heal me. Let me die and burn me with these arrows.”

Pandus and Gurus were sitting together around Bhishma as guards. Kings saluted Bhishma with their most respect. 

“I am thirsty.” Bhishma said.

Some soldiers gave Bhishma water and food but Bhishma rejected them. Again, Arjuna understood Bhishma’s thought; he shot an arrow to the ground. The ground was split and water welled from ground to Bhishma’s mouth. 

End.

Author’s Notes:

I did not change the original storyline because I like Bhishma’s loyalty and good moral character. I focus on writing the scene after he is defeated on the battlefield. Two sides of the war respect Bhishma, and Bhishma accepted his fate as he died.

Bibliography:

PDE Mahabharata

Image: Bhishma on the bed of arrows. 

(illustrated Mahabharata)

Storytelling of Week5: Bhima Fighted Demon

Source

Bhima and his relatives escaped from the burning palace to a dangerous jungle. When they stepped in to the jungle, a man-eating demon sensed them and decided to eat them all. The demon traced their footprints and finally caught them at a night.

“So long have I waited! I almost forgot the taste of human flesh. You all will be my dinner today!”, the demon said.

“Brothers and sisters, protect you from sneak attacks. I can deal with it alone!”

Bhima has very skillful fight strategies and he has an amazing agility that allows him to dodge almost every strike from the demon. Moreover, Bhima can use his rapid fist to pierce the demon’s hard skin. However Bhima is not toughness in fight; if he is hit heavily, he probably dies for that.

In the other side, the demon has a very strong body, so every strike is deadly. Demon’s body is armored very well. The armor is almost unbeatable, but it does not cover every corner of the demon body; there are still some places are not protected. The demon nevertheless knows any fighting skills; incredible strength and toughness are demon’s weapons.

Demon laughed, “How dare you show your face here, weak human? Look at your flesh. I can barely kill you with one finger!”

“Then try it! I will let you bleed to death!” Bhima yelled confidently.

So the battle began. The demon became very wild in the fight; trees and stones were flying to everywhere. Bhima did not try to fight the demon with frontal assaults; instead, Bhima seized the gaps between the demon’s attacks, and he used his fist to hurt the demon’s unarmored skin. This made the demon to bleed all the time.

The demon suddenly realized Bhima’s plan, so it decided to roll the dice to twist the bad situation.

“You are a formidable, so you are very lucky to see my true power!” the demon yelled.

Then the demon stopped attacking and grew much larger. The armor was gone because the demon was now nearly invincible. Bhima tried few times and he found he could not hurt the demon any more. To protect his relatives, Bhima pretend to be in retreat and he ran into the jungle. The demon was very angry, so it ignored Bhima’s relatives and chased Bhima into the jungle.

Bhima thought that the demon’s transformation cannot last very long and it must have some side effects for such great power gained. Thus, Bhima was trying to buy time and wait for the demon’s exhaust.

The demon unexpectedly felt that power were vanishing from it body; that was a signal that the transformation’s side effect was coming. Therefore, the demon stopped attacking and tried to find an escape way. Bhima was waiting for that moment, so he grasped the valuable time and gave the demon a fatal wound to end its life.

Author's Note:

The story is expanded from the fight between Bhima and demon. I added a lot of setting and details into the fight scenes.

Bibliography:

PDE Mahabharata

Storytelling of Week 4: Sita's Return to the Earth Mother

Source

Sita is very happy since she just knows she is pregnant; having children with her beloved Rama is always her wish after getting married with Rama.

However, rumor was around. When Sita was out of the Palace and walking around, she was accused by a laundry man for questioning her loyalty to the King Rama. Sita was in grievance because she was already passed the fire trial and she knew she truly loved Rama. She explained that to the man, but the man was still criticizing her and yelling his thoughts to passing-by people. As a result, the rumor spread very fast and Rama heard about it finally. Rama found Sita and said to her.

"My Sita, I heard about some rumors recently. Most of them are about your purity. Although you are the Queen, I need an explanation."

"Both of us know those are just rumors, and you know my love is only belonging to you."

"I trust you, Sita. However my citizens do not trust you. I cannot just kill them to stop the rumor, or I would become a tyrant. Will you want me to become a tyrant, Sita? Would you prove your purity not for me but for everyone this time? "

“It is as you wish, my dear Rama. Send me to jungle and I will do the trial. Maybe it will be the last one." Sita spoke to Rama with hidden sorrow, and Rama did not feel it.

The fire trial could not be used again because Sita has passed it. The only option for her would be the trial of Earth Mother. Sita knew she was in purity, so the Earth Mother will take her back for sure. She knew she could not meet his husband and children anymore after the trial. However, for her and her husband's reputations, she decided to do that after giving birth.

Sita told her two children their father’s epic stories. Someday, Sita felt that her time had come because Rama was nearby. When she sensed that Rama was approaching her, she hugged her sons and said:

“Farewell, my dear sons. It is me who make this decision. Do not blame your father. He is a great man. We will meet again someday, but that day is not today. Take care!”

Then, Sita began to channel the spell of the trial. “The great Earth Mother, if I am truly pure, please takes me back to your womb!”

Suddenly, the ground where Sita stood opened and the avatar of the Earth Mother appeared. A light come out and Sita was shrouded by the warm light. Rama was running as fast as he could, but he was not able to touch Sita anymore, nor could he speak the last word to Sita.

Author's Note: 
I stayed very close to the original storyline from the film. The story in the film is slightly different from the Ramayana I read. The change I made is re-telling the old story in Sita’s view. I made the change because the original story has little description of Sita’s thought. After Rama questions her purity and loyalty again, what would Sita think about it? I thought Sita would be sad but her love of Rama will make her to prove her purity, even though the price is very high.

In the original story, there were rumors about Sita’s pregnancy; some people thought Sita was not loyal to their King Rama, so they gave a very big pressure on Rama and Sita. As a king now, Rama also requested his wife to prove her purity one more time. Sita agreed and went into a jungle; she was give birth to her children by herself and teaching children about Rama’s story. When the time came, Sita called the Earth Mother and she was taken back because she was truly loyal to Rama.

The image I selected is the scene of Sita’s return to the earth mother. I chose it because the very moment is significant for the story; and Rama was regretting what he had done to Sita.

I did the storytelling since I wanted my readers to know that Sita is a great woman and her love to Rama is unbreakable. It has some relation with my project because I will emphasize Sita’s love in my storybook.

Bibliography:Sita Sings the Blues

Storytelling of Week 3: Siege to the Lanka City

Indrajit in Battle

(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

Rama cannot assault a city just by him and his brother. He needs an army, so he went to the monkey king for help.

When Rama entered the monkey kingdom, Sugriva could sense Rama and Lakshnama come into his territory. However he did not know why they come here. Hanuman was sent by him to see if Rama is hostile to them.

Hanuman was trying to watch Rama at a closer distance, but Rama has a really sensitive sense of nearby environment. Though Rama did not feel hostility, he shot Hanuman eight arrows without shape heads.

“Ouch!” Hanuman said in pain. “What are you doing?”

When Hanuman noticed the arrow, he realized that Rama is not an enemy. And Hanuman asked. “You are not my enemy. Why are you here? What are you looking for?”

“I am the Price Rama. I am here because I need your help to save my wife.” Rama said.

Hanuman sent them to meet Sugriva. Sugriva decided to help Rama but he told Rama that Indrajit is not easy to be defeated because of Indrajit’s ability. If Rama wanted to win the war, he has to get help from the Bird King Garuda since Garuda is the very natural enemy of the Naga race.

Thus, Rama started going to the lair of Garuda. Few days after, he eventually found Garuda. However, he was worried about if Garuda was willing to help him.

“Enemy’s enemy is my friend. I will help you but only in my way” Garuda said immediately after Rama told him the reason, “Nagas are very tricky; I do not want to let Indrajit has a chance to escape, so I will try to trap him.”

And Garuda continued, “I will stealth beside the battlefield and wait for Indrajit come out. When you know Indrajit is attacking you, take defenses only until my spell is done. Remember, help me to capture Indrajit alive; I want to enjoy his flesh.”

Several days later, the war began. The monkey army was very brave though the deaths were around them; they all fight to the end. The situation of the war looked very good for Rama

When Rama brothers did not know what to do, the Garuda flied into the battlefield.

 “I am waiting for this moment so long! As promised, I will slay this dirty creature.” Garuda yelled.

“Our reinforcement has arrived! Fight back!” Lakshnama shouted.

Indrajit was very shocked to see Garuda because only the strongest one in his race can fight with Garuda. At that moment Indrajit was thinking about how to escape. However, Garuda will not let his easy picking to escape; he unleashed a powerful wave of light to heal the monkey army and Rama brothers. Moreover, the spell hurt enemies and make Indrajit become no longer invisible. As a result, Rama and Lakshmana used their exquisite precision of archery skills to capture Indrajit for Garuda.

Garuda was very happy; he ate Indrajit alive. And the army’s morale was sky high; soon, the siege to the Lanka City succeeded and Rama saved his wife Sita.

Author's Note:

At the very first, I thought I would write a lot about the Monkey King Hanuman. However I changed my mind after I finished the reading assignment part 2. The siege to the Lanka City is very epic and I want to write some about Garuda's performance during the war. Garuda will turn the tides of the war and helps Rama to win the war.


Bibliography:

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

Source

Storytelling of Week 2: Rama's Battle with the Viradha

Ramayana’s wife, Sita, is kidnapped by the Viradha. Viradha sends Rama a message and asks Rama to bring him the most powerful feather in the world to exchange for the life of Sita. Moreover, Viradha has a strong city that Rama’s arrow cannot pierce and his soldiers are actually his avatars.

Rama knows he can find the most powerful from the mighty Garuda, who has a large gold body that can blind the sun, red wings, and a beak of eagle. Garuda tells Rama that he is will to help him, but Viradha is very deceitful; Viradha may not to let Rama go even with his feather. To help Rama, Garuda bless his bow, giving the bow the ability to be invisible. Rama thanks to Garuda and says he will use the bow wisely.

Rama request Viradha brings him his wife first, and he will give Viradha the feather he wants. Viradha makes another term that Rama must finish the trade in his city. Rama agrees immediately and enters Viradha’s city. Viradha inspects Rama to see if he carries a weapon, but Viradha cannot sense Rama’s bow because Garuda’s bless is very powerful.

Firstly Rama meets his wife, and he checks her to make sure she was not hurt. Then Rama gives Viradha the most powerful feather without hesitate. However, Viradha suddenly starts laughing and calling his avatars to capture Rama and Sita alive; Viradha wants to eat both of them to strengthen his own power.

Rama remains very calm because he has his bow with him. Rama let Sita stands behind him and he takes out his bow. The bow is blessed by Garuda and it now has a swifter shooting speed. Rama shoots eights arrows each time and those arrows pierce eight avatars’ hearts. Since Viradha’s avatars are killed very fast, Viradha himself is also wounded. Therefore, Viradha takes all his avatars back to his body. This is a fatal mistake; Rama now has only one target, so he can use his talent of archery at his best. Rama shoots eight arrows; those arrows pierce eight places of Viradha’s body, giving Viradha eight fatal wounds.

Yet, Viradha is not dead because he is cursed to be cannibalism and he cannot be killed by physical damages. As a result, Rama chooses to repress him under a holy tree, so time can remove Viradha’s curse and Viradha can finally rest in peace. His soul will belong to the heaven.

Source

Author's Note:
My idea is from two stories, Battle with Khara and  Viradha. I think those two stories are very cool, so I decide to combine them together and changed them to create a new battle.

Bibliography:

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

Source

Week 1 Storytelling: The Tortoise and the Hare: Round Two

After the first race the hare went to the tortoise and challenge him again.

“I lost it just because I was not careful. Would you dare to race with me one more time? I will not take snap again. ” The tortoise agreed. The dare said “Great! See you tomorrow morning.”

The dare woke up very early in the morning because it felt excited to the incoming win. The tortoise was still in its steady slow speed to the race’s starting point. The dare ran at a lighting speed right after the referee announced that the game was beginning. The tortoise fell far behind like the first race, but the dare would not take nap anymore.

When the dare reached at a river, a tiger was asking for help because the tiger accidently dropped its rubber ball into the river. The dare rejected the tiger’s request because the dare did not want to waste time on it; the dare wanted to make sure it can win this game.

After a while, the tortoise was also at the river. The tiger asked the tortoise for help as well. Although the tortoise knew helping the tiger would lower its chance to win this game, the tortoise swam into the river and helped the tiger get his rubber ball. The tiger was very happy, but he noticed that the tortoise was not that happy. He asked the tortoise why, and the tortoise told the tiger about the game. The tiger responded: “Let me take you to the finish line.” In the middle of the race way, the tiger and the tortoise overtook the dare and reached the end much earlier than the dare did. As a result, the tortoise won the second Tortoise and the Hare Race again.

“Thank you for your help, Mr. Tiger,” said tortoise, “I could not win this one without you.”

“No worries, it was not me but you kindness helped you.” The tiger said.

           

Do well and have well.

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Author's Note

The hare wants to race with the tortoise again. At this time, the hare would not take nap again and the tortoise seems to have no chance to win again. However, the tortoise’s kindness helps it win again.

The change I made is very big. I created a new race story which is a subsequent storyline of the first race.

The idea came from “The Serpent and the Eagle” and “The Tortoise and the Hare”. In the first race, the hare stopping running during the race because he thought the tortoise had no opportunity to win. The hare decided to take a nap before the tortoise caught up with him. However, the hare’s oversleeping and the tortoise’s unremitting efforts made the tortoise win that race.

The image I selected was from the first race, but it matter little. In both races the hare was very confidence at the starting point; and the tortoise was always patient.

I choose this story because it is a well-known story, so my readers do not have to read the original story to know what has happened in the past. I want my readers know that kindness is also a good personality to help us succeed.

This storytelling is not related to my project, but it is the very beginning of my blogging.

Bibliography

Book: The Æsop for Children With pictures by Milo Winter

Author: Æsop

Year Published: December 2, 2006 [EBook #19994]

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