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Dead week might kill me, but it is almost winter break!

Week 15: Writing Review

I really loved the storytelling posts, but not so much of the storybook projects. I felt like my idea was not as easy as I had initially hoped it would be. I chose to make a storybook instead of a portfolio, and I wish I had chosen a portfolio. I would suggest future students be constructive in their comments. They should give compliments but also give things the writer can improve in their story. I would advise students to really try to improve their writing skills and to work on areas they are weak in every week. 

Week 15: Review of Reading

I really enjoyed the reading for this class. I particularly love Greek mythology, so that was probably my favorite unit. I will say that I think there is too much homework in this class. I also thought that the estimated time for each assignment was way off because it took me much longer. I also think that there should be less structure in the due dates. Having 1-2 assignments due every day is really difficult for those of us with busy schedules. I also had a really hard time keeping up with assignments because of these due dates, and was told I could “work ahead”, but that doesn’t really help if you are already behind. I think students considering this course should definitely consider the daily time commitment required. I think the balance between reading/writing/commenting is decent. However, I do wish that there were more to do with reading. I would really love if there were some anthology units available. I think this would be really interesting and would enable you to look at a specific type of story. I would be interested in maybe some urban legends, as well. I think those are fun. 

Essay Week 14: My First Memory of Reading

Harry Potter Books

The first memory I have of reading is when I was in daycare and I was reading a Harry Potter book. At that time, I was reading the first book, The Sorcerer’s Stone. I remember this being the first book I had ever really gotten into. I would go to school, and read the book. Then, I would go to daycare and instead of playing outside with the other kids; I would sit inside and read the book. I can’t remember any other book, even up until now, that has capture my attention the way that The Sorcerer’s Stone did. I loved it so much. When I think of that time, I remember having such a vivid imagination and being able to picture myself in the world the book created. I remember having all of these images in my head from the book. At that time, there were no movies even in the making yet, so every image in my head was my own and I was able to imagine whatever details I wished. I was ADHD as a child, so me siting still for that long and having my full attention focused on one thing was a big deal for me. Occasionally, I would look up from the couch I was sitting on because I would hear someone yell outside while they were playing or a teacher would tell me something, but almost immediately, I would go back to reading that book. 

Compared to experiences like this as a child, I don’t get as much enjoyment out of reading as an adult. I think part of it is because I don’t have time to read for pleasure. On the other hand, I think most of the problem is that as we age, we lose much of our imagination and creativity. Some people don’t, but in general this is true. I think my weakened imagination prevents me from really enjoying books because I am too critical and can’t really immerse myself in the story like I used to. So, I hold on to this memory in hopes that one day I will find a book that makes me feel like a child again. One that enables me to use my imagination and dive into the story with my own images being drawn in my head. The closest I ever got to this feeling was when I read The Great Gatsby and the graphic novel Maus. Both of these books had me feeling so strongly for the characters and I was able to imagine he situation as it unfolded. For me, that is what makes reading enjoyable. 

Storytelling Week 14: Billy the Goat

Wikimedia

Once upon a time…

Hi, I’m Billy! I’m going to tell you about the time my siblings and I were tricked by the Big Bad Wolf. One day, my mother was leaving to go get us all some yummy delicious food to eat. She warned us that there was a big, bad, mean wolf in the area and to watch out for his rough voice and black feet. I gave her a hug and a kiss before she went and told her that we would be okay. Once she left, all of my siblings and I started rough housing and playing around. We like to jump on the furniture, run and play. We stopped when we heard a knock at the door. At once, we knew it was the wolf because of his rough voice, so we didn’t let him in. So, we went back to playing but not long after that another knock came, claiming to be our mother but it was the wolf! He stuck his paw through the window and we immediately recognized the black paw mother had warned us about. So, we refused to let him in again. This time, we played quietly, hoping the wolf would not come back to bother us. After a while, our mother came back and knocked on the door.

Only it was not our mother. We opened the door to find the wolf had disguised his rough voice and black paws so he could get in! We all scattered and went to hide. I hid in the clock case and was the only one that wasn’t eaten. I sat very still and very quiet as I watched the wolf eat all of my siblings and leave. Finally, my real mother came home. This time, I knew it was her because the wolf left the door open and I could see her. I rushed to her side and began crying. I immediately told her everything that had happened. That we had listened to her, but the wolf tricked us. My mother was so angry I thought her head would explode.

She walked outside with such determination. She knew where the wolf slept and went directly to him. She was about to confront him when she saw his belly was still jiggling. My brothers and sisters were still alive! She told me to run home and grab the scissors, so I did. When I came back, she cut the wolf’s stomach open and all of my siblings came out, alive and well. She told each of us to grab a large rock. We all did so and she put each of them inside the wolf’s belly and then sewed him up. We went back home after that, happier than ever. Now, we aren’t allowed to answer the door unless mom is home.

Author’s note:

I told the Wolf and the Seven Young Kids from the youngest goat’s point of view. I kept everything the same as the original story with the exception of the end. In the end of mine, they all go home and lived happily ever after. In the original, they all watch the wolf drown when he tries to get a drink of water and dance in joy. 

Original story: The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids

Reading Diary Week 14: Brothers Grimm

Brothers Grimm Unit

Cat and Mouse in Partnership

I don’t understand why the cat and mouse want to eat a tub of fat. That sounds disgusting, even for animals. I don’t like the cat. The cat is manipulative and untruthful. Why did the mouse call the cat a true friend?

The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids

I think I’ve heard this story before. Although, I don’t remember the wolf eating chalk to make his voice softer… why would that work? I like the happy ending to this story, though. This is the Little Red Riding Hood story I am familiar with, where they fill the wolf’s stomach with rocks. I wonder if this element was added to the LRRH story?

The Seven Ravens

How could these parents just live without their sons so carelessly? This story is kind of dark. The picture is very dark.

Little Red Cap

I played Little Red Riding Hood in the musical Into the Woods and it is my most beloved character of all time. This brings back some great memories. Putting stones in the wolf's belly was part of the original story. I wonder if this is a common thing in the Brothers Grimm stories.

The Singing Bone

This story is really similar to other stories I have heard. I like that the innocent pur of heart brother killed the boar. The ending is so sad, though.

The Elves

I love love love this story. It reminds me of Christmas for some reason. I think that might be when I originally heard it. I always liked to imagine it was Santa’s elves helping out an adult for Christmas.

Herr Korbes

I don’t understand the moral or point of this story?

Old Sultan

The beginning reminds me of old yeller. This also reminds me of a story I read during the semester, but I can’t think of which one. I’ll have to go through my reading notes. This is almost exactly like the story I read, actually.

Rumpelstiltskin

I remember this story from my childhood. I heard this exact version, and it has always interested me. The only part I didn’t hear was the very end where Rumpelstiltskin rips himself in two.

Famous Last Words: Week 13

Wikipedia

So, this is my first Famous Last Words post that I have written. It may not be too useful for me at this point. But I figure when I come back and add to my storybook over the next couple months and read more of the units, it could be helpful. I really loved the Dante’s Inferno unit that I read this week. I love Dante’s Inferno and have always found it fascinating. I can’t wait to read the entirety of The Divine Comedy during winter break. I plan on creating a blog and keeping up with new readings and stuff in the future, but we will see how that works out. I have had a lot of fun reading everyone’s storybooks and portfolios this semester. I think my favorite might be Live on, University Legends. I thought that was a really interesting and fun. I was shocked to find out that the stories were true, which made it even more interesting. Things in my other classes are going okay. I feel like all I do is study and do homework and I am not doing well compared to the 4.0 I received last semester. I am passing all of my classes, but that doesn’t mean I am doing as well as I wish. Certainly not as well as I feel I should be for how much work I’m doing. The only fun thing I have done recently was go and see the movie Fury. If you haven’t seen it, you most definitely should! I love historical films, I don’t know how accurate this one was, but it was really cool. I highly recommend you go see it! It is the best movie I have seen in a long time. On a bright note, Thanksgiving break is coming up and I’m hoping to have some fun and watch movies or play video games. 

Essay Week 13: Hero

Deviant Art

One of my personal heroes is my grandfather. He is a humble man who has an excellent moral compass and will help others whenever they are in need. He is a caring and compassionate man who will sacrifice some of his personal needs for the greater good of helping people.  I think a hero is someone who selflessly helps others. They are also a positive role model, an upstanding citizen, a positive influence in others’ lives. They live with integrity and are patient and forgiving. They are devoted to generosity and sincerity. I also think that, for the most part, heroes are self-reliant and logical. They take the world for what it is and they remain focused on the positive aspects of it. Heroes have a positive outlook on life and try to spread this to others and brighten others days. Sometimes, you don’t need to do much to be a hero. I know that one day, I was feeling really down about myself and I went to my bike to find a nice note in my basket that said, “you are worth it. Smile” and whoever put that in my basket was my hero that day. Our service professionals are heroes everyday-police officers, paramedics, counselors, firefighters, etc. Parents are heroes every day by setting examples for their children. As said in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog, “Everyone’s a hero in their own way.” I don’t think this could be any more true. Everyone should remember that sometimes, the small things can save a person. I remember reading a story several years ago about a kid who was planning to go home to kill himself and a random kid he didn’t know asked if he wanted someone to walk home with him. That random kid, even though he was unaware, was a hero. We should all just remember that we can all be heroes, and we should live each day to help others and go out of our way to be nice. You never know how you impact someone’s life.

Reading Diary Week 13: Dante's Inferno

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/07/myth-folklore-unit-dantes-inferno.html

Dante and Virgil

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/07/inferno-dante-and-virgil.html

His stories are so vivid and full of imagery. He lived under Augustus. The old man asks him why he doesn’t just go to heaven. I wonder what creature he talks about that guards to path escape the path to hell. What is Feltro? “ His birthplace will lie between Feltro and Feltro”.

The Gate of Hell and Charon

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/07/inferno-gate-of-hell-and-charon.html

The words above the gate are so cryptic. Hell has angels in it? Fallen angels? Why would the deeper parts of Hell not accept the fallen angels? It says to keep evil from overtaking them, but isn’t that something Satan would want?

Limbo

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/07/inferno-limbo.html

When referring to the first circle, is it referring to the first circle of Hell or the first circle of Limbo? Limbo is full of unbaptized people. Only those mentioned from the bible were saved from Limbo.

Poets and Philosophers, Heroes and Heroines

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/07/inferno-poets-and-philosophers-heroes.html

Faces that are neither happy nor sad.

Reading Diary Week 11: King Arthur

King Arthur Unit

The Drawing of the Sword 

I wonder why Merlin said that all the men should meet. I love the story of pulling the sword from the stone. That’s why I chose to read this unit.  I wonder who enchanted the sword. I never heard to backstory of Arthur and his father Sir Ector and his brother. It doesn’t say how old he is in this story.  I didn’t know that the sword was taken by his brother and he claimed he drew it from the stone. I also didn’t know that Merlin knew Arthur as an infant.

The Questing Beast

A land full of gryphons and serpents. I wonder what the mysterious creature is. Merlin can shape shift? I can’t believe that knight took Arthur’s horse. Arthur has a sister? And she will birth the children who will make his kingdom fall? Marlin is buried alive?!

The Sword Excalibur

The lady of the lake is from the King Arthur stories? I would have asked what she wanted as a gift before agreeing to it. Did all of Arthur’s weapons have special powers and enchantments?

The Round Table

I think it is interesting that his real father made the round table that was made so famous by his stories. It was neat that Leodegrance (the future queen’s father) gave it to Arthur because his father made it. I didn’t know it could fit 150 people. That is huge! I wonder what blessings were put on the knights. Why would Arthur allow his sister’s son to be a knight in his court when he knows the prophecy?

The Passing of Merlin

Excalibur and the scabbard will be taken by a woman Arthur trusts? I hate Vivien, or whatever her name is. I thought he meant he would be buried alive, not crushed by a stone.

King Arthur and Morgan le Fay

Is Morgan Le Fay the woman who betrays and kills Arthur? She takes Arthur’s scabbard? Morgan had 40 horses with her? Were there men on them? Does she have a small army? She turned her and her men into marble. Holy cow, the messenger was killed by the mantle? I’m glad the lady of the lake was honest and saved Arthur.

The Quest of the Holy Grail

This section was really short and didn’t really give me much to write notes on.

The King's Pilgrimage

I think it is fun that the holy chapel of St. Augustine can only be found by adventure. I wonder if Arthur ever got his scabbard back. I wonder if the dream of Chaus is a warning or vision. The items from his dream were found with him? I am confused. Chaus’s death makes me sad.

The Coming of the Holy Grail

I thought this section would include a more detailed account of how King Arthur obtained the Holy Grail. I wish it would have talked about it in more detail. I am touched by the sincerity and loyalty of the knights. 

Storytelling Week 11: Jack and Jill

This boy’s name is Jack

He’s a plain looking lad

He is not very good,

Nor yet very bad.

He had a large goose

That laid eggs of pure gold

And he thought in his head, “this is very obtuse”

For his benefit, he left this story untold.

He had a friend that he liked a lot,

She was very beautiful and her name was Jill,

So he gathered the courage and gave it a shot,

They are still together much to his thrill.

They went to bed early one summer’s night,

They had to get sleep to do all their chores.

But before they went to bed, their prayers they recite

Very early the next morning, they would have to rise.

Jack and Jill were pretty great adults,

But they laid in bed until the clock struck ten.

Then Jack sat up from bed in a way so abrupt

And said, “oh lovely Jill, the day’s almost spent”.

They ran so quick Jill hit a wall and fell,

Little did she know she knocked over humpty dumpty,

Since she didn’t know, an apology she could not tell,

This made him kind of mad and very very grumpy.

Jack and Jill went up the Hill to fetch a pail of water,

On their way, they ran into Little Mary Bo Peep

Bo Peep was using the herder Jack bought her

One of her critters stood out, for he was the only black sheep.

Bo peep was talking to the little sheep,

While Jack and Jill didn’t say a peep.

Mary said “Bah bah black sheep, have you any wool?”

“Yes Mary, Yes Mary. Three bags full.

One for my master and one for my dame,

But none for the little boy who cries in the lane”.

Later Jack and Jill returned to fetch another pail,

They found Mary sleeping all on her own,

No sign of her sheep, not even a tail.

Suddenly, she awoke with a whine and a moan.

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep,
And can't tell where to find them;
Jack said “Leave them alone, and they'll come home,
And bring their tails behind them.”

Little Bo-peep fell fast asleep,
And dreamt she heard them bleating;
But when she awoke, she found it a joke,
For they were still a-fleeting.

Then up she took her little crook,
Determin'd for to find them;
She found them indeed, but it made her heart bleed,
For they'd left all their tails behind 'em.

Jack and Jill went shortly to bed

Late on a beautiful Sunday

They both must pray then rest their head

For tomorrow is a rather busy Monday.

Months passed before they heard the story,

By this time, the weather was cold and snow began to flurry

The story has an end that is rather sad

It’s about a fall that an unlucky egg had.

IN marble walls as white as milk,
Lined with a skin as soft as silk;
Within a fountain crystal clear,
A golden apple doth appear.
No doors there are to this stronghold.
Yet things break in and steal the gold.

(This previous rhyme describes an egg)

HUMPTY DUMPTY sate on a wall;
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;
Three score men and three score more
Cannot place Humpty Dumpty as he was before.

Reading Diary Week 11: Nursery Rhymes Unit

Nursery Rhymes  unit

Tales: I love rhymes and really liked reading this story. Why would someone steal children just to drop them in the woods? I think I've heard the "There was a Crooked Man" rhyme before. The Simple Simon reminds me of the J Wellington Wimpy cartoon. Hahaha, the "Three Wise Men of Gotham" makes me laugh. Mother Goose rode on a goose? An egg of pure gold? Is this the Jack and the Beanstalk story? The note for the antisemitism is so true! Is the "Little Jack Horner" story the same as "Little Miss Muffet"? 

Proverbs: I don't understand the "If Wishes Were Horses". Hmmm. The hours of sleep riddle was intriguing. My friend posted the poem about the wind and fishing on facebook the other day. I think "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise is in the Farmer's Almanac. I have heard many of these phrases before. I had no idea where they came from. 

Nursery Rhymes: Songs, Part 1: I’m going to begin writing pieces of stories I think I can include in my storytelling post this week. I am going to attempt to rhyme. Met an old man clothed in leather, asked me “how do you do” over and over. My father died, left me six horses. I sold my horses and bought me a cow. Sold my cow and bought me a calf. Sold my calf bought me a cat, sold my cate bought me a mouse who carried fire in his tail and burned down my whole house. Little Bo Peep. This version of London bridge is different than the one I heard growing up.

Nursery Rhymes: Songs, Part 2: I looked up what a carrion crow is and looks like, they’re pretty. Three Blind Mice is exactly how I learned it in my childhood. I love that rhyme. “Cold and raw the north wind doth blow, bleak in a morning early; all the hills are covered with snow, and winter’s now come fairly”.

Riddles: I hate riddles. Most of the time, I can’t understand them, even if I know what the answer is. I do understand the egg riddle, though. It is both a riddle and has beautiful imagery. Humpty Dumpty is in this section. I like the teeth and gums riddle, it is interesting. I haven’t heard it before.

Paradoxes: The man of Thessaly was funny.

Charms and Lullabies: Peter Piper. I loved the Matthew, Mark, Luke and John poem. I wrote it down so I can say it before I go to bed. The Hushy baby poem is so incredibly cute. I love it. Hush-a-bye baby. There is another poem called rock-a-bye baby that I could use for my storytelling post.

Games: Jack be nimble. Thumbkin reminds me of Rumpelstiltskin for some reason. I had no idea that Hickory Dickory dock was a rhyme to choose who is “it” in tag or hide and seek. This Little Piggy. “Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross, to see and old lady upon a white horse; rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes, and so she makes music wherever she goes”. Use How Many Miles to Babylon in storytelling. I wonder what the story of the blackbirds named Jack and Jill has to do with the regular story of Jack and Jill.

Jingles: The dame who lost her shoe…. Loses her shoe too much. Awe, I love the hey diddle diddle rhyme. Little Tommy Lin sounds like a psychopath. I like the word play with the humble-bee.

Love and Matrimony: This section has so many of the rhymes I know from childhood. “There was a little boy and a little girl” can be used for storytelling, as well. Were walking out one Sunday…. Tomorrow will be Monday.

Natural History, Part 1: “In February, when green leaves begin to spring, little lambs do skip like fairies, birds do couple, build, and sing”.

Natural History, Part 2: Baa Baa Black Sheep.

Accumulative Stories I love accumulative stories. I had no idea what they were called, though. All of these were so interesting. If I was that skilled, I would write one for my storytelling post.

Relics: Oh my gosh! I didn’t know the origin of “What Are Little Boys Made Of?” until now! That is so great. I remember hearing this when I was growing up. Boys and girls used it to tease one another. I could use this in my story-telling post. Rain Rain Go Away was also in this section, but I had no idea it had a third line.

Week 10 Reading Diary: American Indian Fairy Tales Unit

American Indian Fairy Tales Unit

Iagoo, The Story-Teller

I love hearing stories about when there was magic in the world. I like that Iagoo was so good with kids, making them necklaces, and bow and arrows. Is this setting the story up so that Iagoo tells all the other stories in this unit? That would be really cool!
Iagoo, the Story-Teller 

Shin-ge-bis Fools the North Wind

The mean old man “North Wind” reminds me of Ice King off Adventure Time. I wonder why he wanted the entire earth covered in ice and snow. Land of the Sunflower sounds like such a pleasant place. I love sunflowers. I find it curious that the author portrays the North Wind in such a negative light. I love the imagery used in this story. The fishing described by South Wind reminds me of ice fishing in Alaska. I can’t believe his friends just left him there if they thought he would die!
Shin-ge-bis Fools the North Wind 

Shin-ge-bis Fools the North Wind (Cont.)

Wait, Shin-ge-bis is a mortal and he believes North Wind to be a mortal? Shin-ge-bis is smart to realize that he can’t stand the cold, but that North Wind can’t stand the heat. It’s interesting that the story discusses how people found out that snow is an insulator. Shin-ge-bis is so sassy.
Shin-ge-bis Fools the North Wind (Cont.) 

The Little Boy and Girl in the Clouds

This story sounds terrifying. A hill growing so rapidly like magic and carrying children up into the clouds? I can’t imagine a time when all animals got along, but would love it! This story uses so much imagery! I have to agree with the disapproval of keeping animals in cages and behind fences. I think they need to be free to roam where they wish. After all, it was their land first. I love that in this story all of the animals and the people get along and are able to live in peace and harmony. I think it’s funny that the beaver taught the kids how to swim.
The Little Boy and Girl in the Clouds 

The Little Boy and Girl in the Clouds (Cont.)

I can’t imagine how terrified the children’s parents must have been. I didn’t know coyotes could track. I mean, I know they hunt, but tracking is different. This story reminds me of the story about how Devil’s Tower was formed. How all of the animals joined together is so similar to how humans join together in a time of crisis (like Oklahomans after the Moore tornado). This ends in another “don’t judge a book by its cover” moral. The kids were asleep for over a month?
The Little Boy and Girl in the Clouds (Cont.)

Essay Week 9: My Ideas About Education

Traditionally, schools were created to ensure that citizens of the United States were better educated and become productive members of society. I think we should go back to this model instead of the business model we currently use. I believe that we should learn basics for how to survive on our own. I remember classes like personal finance and single survival in high school, and I think those are a great idea. I also believe we should maintain basic math and English skills, as well. Although I don’t believe in a liberal education, I do believe that some aspects of it can be beneficial. For example, I think that requirements for math, English, and science should be honored. They enable people to develop basic skills to help them in the future and to better understand our world. I believe that students work better when they are working on subjects that they find interesting. I also think that standardized tests are not a viable option anymore. Students should receive grades based on knowledge they gained that should be measured through another means, like presentations or projects where they can show the knowledge they gained in their own creative ways. I really love Laura Gibbs’s experience in her fourth grade open classroom. I think this would be a brilliant idea to implement in a larger scale to see how this would affect learning. I especially agree when Laura says, “…We have replaced curiosity and passion with grading”. I know that when I was in school, I had to focus mainly on grades and don’t recall much from what I was supposed to learn because of this. Now, in college, I am constantly doing homework and unable to do extra reading about things that interest me because they have me taking classes that I don’t care for and have no true interest in, that require hours of my time to complete for a grade that seems irrelevant. If I were to teach, I would grade based on projects and presentations rather than test grades and quiz scores. There may occasionally be a quiz, but I would mainly want to ensure that my kids retain the information they learn and are able to apply that to something in their real life. I think this would cut down on anxiety over grades and encourage creativity.

This is not what I want my children and future generations to look forward to:

 Hours of sitting and listening to lectures about subjects they are not interested in. Not retaining any knowledge and learning skills that are not necessary for them and, most of the time, will not help them in their life. 

Picture: Google Images

Week 9 Reading Diary

Eskimo Folk Tales Unit

The Coming of Men, a Long, Long While Ago

I can’t imagine living in complete darkness all the time. I wonder if the fact that fire used to burn has anything to do with “firewater”. The scenes described in this story are terrifying. The earth being so overcrowded, no one dying, getting so old you are unable to walk, see, or lie down. I thought it was a nice touch that everyone who dies becomes a star in the heavens.

The Coming of Men

Nukúnguasik, who Escaped from the Tupilak

This story was kind of interesting, but also pretty boring. I don’t think I would need to read this one again because I didn’t gain anything from it.

The man who escaped from the Tupilak

The Woman who had a Bear as a Foster-son

I don’t know how its possible for a frozen bear to come to life, but it is a heartwarming story. I’m glad th woman decided to save the bear. I loved that the bear became accustomed to playing with human children and was loved by the townspeople. The ending of the story was so sad. It really reminded me of the movie Fox and the Hound by Disney where the mother is forced to let go of the animal she loves and force him into the wild.

The Woman who had a Bear as a Foster-Son

Qalagánguasê, Who Passed to the Land of Ghosts

Why did everyone in his life die? And how do people die from eating sea weed? He was paralyzed from the waist down? It would be incredibly difficult to see the ghosts of your dead family. I wonder why they only come out when he is alone. Why would the people he lived with treat him so poorly? I think it is sad that his family turned him into a ghost, but good that he was able to be happy again.

The Boy who Passed to the Land of Ghosts

Isigâligârssik

Why did the wizard take his wife away? This story is so odd.

The Tiny Man

The Insects that Wooed a Wifeless Man

He oversleeps much like I do. Noseless people? I feel like this man molested the girls in the town. I wonder what the fire man gave to him to help him wake up.

The Insects that Wooed a Wifeless Man

Reading Diary Week 8: Review

I noticed that in the instructions it says to just focus on your favorites and not get tied down in note taking. However, I find it most useful to write down key points in all of the stories rather than just my favorites and record my reactions to each one. The main strategy I use for writing my diary posts is, a stated in the last sentence, take note of the main points of the stories and be sure to note if something intrigues me. I typically use the same strategy every time. If I find that my post has become really long, I will go through and delete story notes that are short or uninteresting. I have had the extreme of really short and really long posts, it just depends on the unit. If a story reminds me of another story I have heard, seen, or read, I will include that in my note-taking. Sometimes I just refer vaguely to a story rather than by title. I also tend to take notes while I read. I find this method most effective because I have a really terrible memory and will forget details and things I thought were interesting even directly after I read. I think my diary posts are most useful when I write the storytelling post each week. I like to go back and read my notes so that I can remember which story I liked the most and see if I can imagine a spin to the story that I could write about. I think the most useful thing about my reading posts is that I include links to each individual story, so when I decide on one for storytelling, I can follow along while I write to include certain aspects of the story. Overall, I am not keeping up with the reading very well so far. I have had a really difficult time because once you get behind, you are basically screwed, which I don’t like. I don’t remember much of the reading. As I said before, I have a terrible memory. So, I can remember general details and even specific twists in the story, but I can never remember names, titles, or even which unit the story is in. I don’t have any strategies to make this any better. So, I will keep writing detailed notes in my reading diaries. 

Reading Diary Week 7: West African Folktales

West African Folktales

Unit Homepage

How We Got the Name “Spider Tales”

This story is similar to other stories I’ve read in the fact that the main character deceives others for personal gain. I feel that when Spider gets back, all of these items will be there and be upset, and it will not end well for Spider. I’m surprised this didn’t actually happen.

How We Get the Name "Spider Tales"

How Wisdom Became the Property of the Human Race

Father Anansi is arrogant. I don’t like him much. I like that his son was wiser than he was. It reminds me of the time in every boy’s life when they surpass their father at something and this usually does not sit well with the father.

How Wisdom Became the Property of the Human Race

Anansi and Nothing

Are all of these Anansi characters the same person? I am curious as to why Anansi and Nothing were friends when they had different social classes. I imagine that in the time this story is set in, that would not be common. I like that this story reminds you not to judge a book by its cover. I had no idea this story would tell me about the reasoning behind children crying over nothing, but that makes so much sense in context! I was pleasantly surprised.

Anansi and Nothing

Thunder and Anansi

I wonder if he was successful on the 7^th attempt because 7 is a holy number. Thunder was so generous to give unlimited food to Anansi. I don’t like that this man was so greedy that he let his children and wife starve in front of his eyes. Although his wife gave everyone food and the pot melted, she did good for all of the people in her village. Thunder showed sympathy once again, but was not really sympathetic and gave Anansi a stick that beat him.

Thunder and Anansi

Why the Lizard Moves His Head Up and Down

I am always astonished at the creative ways the characters in these stories solve their problem, and make it seem so easy! I feel that the lizard will use the information Anansi gave him (the names), and take them as wives. Pouring boiling water into Lizard’s mouth was a little harsh! The end of this story is so sad!

Why the Lizard Moves his Head Up and Down

Tit for Tat

The family was starving again, because of Anansi in the previous story! I can’t blame his son for not telling him where he was getting the food. I really don’t like Anansi. He is much too greedy. I like the his son is smart and able to trick him. I was excited about when Anansi promised to refrain from his evil tricks, but the last sentence ruined that.

Tit for Tat

Why White Ants Always Harm Man’s Property

This spider is very strong. This story is so sad! I was shocked to read the ending.

Why White Ants Always Harm Man's Property

The Squirrel and the Spider

Poor squirrel. L All of the animals in this story are selfish except the squirrel, who got no justice.

The Squirrel and the Spider

Why We See Ants Carrying Bundles as Big as Themselves

I hope after this story no other animals believe Anansi or help him. The poor ant had to carry Anansi’s burden for the rest of his life.

Why We See Ants Carrying Bundles as Big as Themselves

Why Spiders are Always Found in Corners of Ceilings

Anansi is once again going to let his family starve?! Why would they still claim him as family? I enjoyed that he was caught by his son.

Why Spiderd are Always Found in Corners of Ceilings

The Grinding-Stone that Ground Flour by Itself

I liked that this story ended in the “death” of Anansi in a way which he deserved.

The Grinding Stone that Ground Flour by Itself

The Moon and Stars

A dragon is in this story, and that surprised me. I like that Kweku Tsin is so wise and clever as opposed to his father. Why did the dragon need to climb the ladder? I thought dragons could fly. Wow, the reasoning behind him becoming the sun is interesting. I like that his father is now dull and powerless without him.

The Moon and Stars

How the Tortoise Got its Shell

I was not sure what to expect with this story. The details seemed to be unrelated until reaching the end. I like that he was restored to life because he was so faithful to his master. I really liked the ending.

How the Tortoise Got its Shell

The Hunter and the Tortoise

I like that the hunter was so enveloped by the music. I love harps. I don’t understand why the characters in these stories are so unhappy with their lives and don’t honor their promises. The hunter met his end when he refused to keep his promise to the tortoise, who used that as a lesson to the people gathered to see her.

The Hunter and the Tortoise

The Leopard and the Ram

I find it funny that neither ever suspected anything except fairies in the building of his house. I think it is weird that the leopard wouldn’t just ask the ram about how he obtained the meat, especially after agreeing to live with one another and getting along so well. I also thought it sad that the leopard ran when the ram slipped, and wouldn’t listen to his friend.

The Leopard and the Ram

King Chameleon and the Animals

I like the democratic-type society in the story between the animals. Hahahaha. I love that the chameleon just grabbed onto the hare in order to win the race. This made me giggle. I can understand why none of the animals wished the chameleon to be king.

King Chameleon and the Animals

Elephant and Wren

To my understanding, Spider is Anansi. You can see he has not changed in his mischief. He once again was going to let his family stay hungry. I wish his family would have received dinner and NOT Spider. Unfortunately, they all had no dinner that day. Once again, the family is punished by his selfish ways.

Elephant and Wren

The Ungrateful Man

I feel like the man will be the traitor that the hunter will mix with the snake poison antidote. I was right. I think this was a good end for the traitor. I don’t understand human nature sometimes. But, I am happy that the kind hunter was spared in the end and rewarded.

The Ungrateful Man

Why Tigers Never Attack Men Unless They Are Provoked

This is a beautiful story of friendship. They are unlikely friends, but remain that even when disaster befalls both of them. I loved this story so much.

Why Tigers Never Attack Men Unless They are Provoked

How Mushrooms First Grew

I like that the men knew that being a highway robber was wrong and it brought them troubled thoughts, so they chose other methods to repay their debts. I don’t like that the bird decided to sell its babies to pay off the debt. I like that in all of the stories the ants are wise creatures. This isn’t a characteristic I would have given to ants, so it really caught me off guard.

How Mushrooms First Grew

Farmer Mybrow and the Fairies

This story was just odd. Why would the fairies do all of the work for him? I do think it is sad that the wife simply answered a question and ruined everything. She had no way of knowing that would happen.

Farmer Mybrow and the Fairies

Week 6 Essay: Japanese Fairy Tale Unit Assessment

This week, I read the Japanese Fairy Tales Unit. I really enjoyed the stories in this unit because they were much more positive than the units that I had previously read. In my previous units, there were stories involving rape, murder, betrayal, and other really negative aspects. However, in this unit, although there were hints of negative characteristics, the stories had an overall positive tone. I would say my only regret is that the stories in this unit did not help my goals for the class, specifically my storybook. My story book is about creatures in mythology, and there were not many stories I could have used from this unit and certainly not any I could have written a post on my storybook site for. My favorite story was The EnviousNeighbor. I did my storytelling post over this story because I liked it so much. This story is about a dog who helps his owners by giving them riches and punishes their envious neighbor when he tries to take advantage of his owners. There are many sad things that occur in this story, but it ends with a happy ending and has positive undertones. I was not sure what to expect from this unit, but I was pleasantly surprised after reading. I noticed that a majority of the stories taught a moral of sorts. For example, The Envious Neighbor taught me not to be envious, The Maiden with the Wooden Helmet taught me not to covet beauty, and The Stonecutter taught me to be thankful for what I have. If anyone is debating on reading this unit, I would definitely recommend it, depending on the focus for your storybook. Even if your storybook is not related, it would be a good unit to read and definitely has good stories that will give you a smile.

Photo: Japanese Flag

Storytelling week 6: The Envious Neighbor

The Envious Neighbor

one point in my life, I had everything. I lived with an old couple in a nice village in a small cottage. Our cottage had a very large garden, and I was happy. And then, everything changed…

I sit and watch as my master tends to his garden. I love him and his wife more than life itself. I can’t forget when they brought me in from the cold in the dead of winter and made me a warm bed by the fire in their room. Ever since that day, I do everything I can to make them happy. Last night, I saw a man bury a box of coins under our tree. So, I alert my owner. I begin to scratch and sniff at the spot where the coins are buried. I go back over to my owner and get his attention. I pace back and forth until he finally gets up to investigate.

He digs and digs until, finally, I see him pull the box from the ground. The box was too heavy for him alone, so his wife helps him carry it inside! He is so grateful that he gives me all of the food they have in the house for dinner! I fall asleep with a full stomach in my bed by the fire.

I wake up the next day to find that the neighbor is over and he seems to be wanting to take me from my home. I growl in contest. He leaves, but he continues to come back and demand my companionship for several more days until finally, my owner hands him my leash and he leads me out the door.

I smell something by a tree next to his house, so I lead him to it. He isn't happy that it is just bones, but I do not know where any more treasure is buried. Suddenly, I turn to see him swinging a pickax at my head and everything goes dark.

Now, I watch over my owner’s home as a spirit. The neighbor lies and tells my owners that I just fell over dead. For the next three days, I am tortured to watch my beloved owners mourn my loss by weeping uncontrollably without stopping, and I know I must somehow help them.

That night, I was able to appear in my owner’s dream. I was told by spirits in the area that if he made a mortar out of the wood of the tree by his garden, good things would happen. So, I tell my master this news and encourage him to follow his heart and know that I am always with him. I also tell him I am happy so that he does not fret too much over my departure.

I watched for months as the crops were prepared. Finally, the crops are ready and my master uses the mortar to grind the rice. To my astonishment, the rice turns into gold pieces before our very eyes and they were once again happy.

The neighbor, however, soon comes when he hears the news of the magical mortar. He takes it from my master, who does not object because he is a kind man. He carries the mortar back to his house and attempts to use the mortar. However, I blessed the mortar, I was told by the other spirits, and so I also cursed it to those who had done me wrong in life. So, as he tries to make gold coins with the mortar, poisonous rotten smelling berries take place instead and the smell is so terrible that he has to run from the house. He, of course, breaks the mortar in a blind rage and goes to tell my owner that this, too, 

was an accident.

This time, I appear in my master’s dream and tell him to get the ashes of the mortar broken by our crooked neighbor, and scatter them over a procession that would soon pass close by.  I watched as he did this two days later, and the Daimio rejoiced when flowers began lining the trees in the most glamorous bloom yet. As a reward, the Daimio gave many gifts to my owner and his wife. They remained happy for the rest of their lives.

As for our neighbor, he attempted to do as my master had done and spread the ashes. However, the ashes blew into the faces of the Daimio and he was ordered to become a prisoner, where he remained for months. When he returned to the village, everyone knew him for the man he truly was and he remained miserable for the rest of his life, as he well deserved. 

Author's note: You can find the original story here: The Envious Neighbor. I didn't change many of the original details. However, I did tell the story from the point of view of the dog. I love animals, and thought this would expand my writing skills a bit because it is different than anything I have ever done. 

The picture was taken by me and is a picture of my puppy Milo. 

Reading Diary Week 6

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/myth-folklore-unit-japanese-fairy-tales.html

Two Frogs

I liked how chance brought the two frogs together. They seemed like they would be good friends just based on their interactions. It made me sad that they never truly got to travel to their destinations. In their minds, they saw what they believed.

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/japanese-fairy-tales-two-frogs.html

The Stonecutter

It is refreshing that the stonecutter was content with his position in life for a time. It is sad that he was granted a wish and then was not happy, so he kept wishing for more and more. I thought it was humorous that he demanded more and more and was finally returned to his original state as a man with the same occupation- a stonecutter.

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/japanese-fairy-tales-stonecutter.html

The Maiden with the Wooden Helmet

It is depressing that someone could become so upset over the loss of material goods that they just lay down in their bed and die. Why would the mother be so desperate to conceal the daughter’s beauty? How did rumors of her beauty spread if no one had ever realized how beautiful she was? I liked that the wooden helmet shattered into jewels, but even those didn’t even compare to the bride’s beauty.

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/japanese-fairy-tales-maiden-with-wooden.html

The Envious Neighbor

It is sad that the neighbor killed this couple’s dog simply out of envy. Although, the good that comes from that act is slightly rewarding, but not compared to the loss of companionship. I thought it was touching that the dog came to the man in a dream. I loved that the dog still blessed the owners after death and condemned the neighbor after, as well.

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/japanese-fairy-tales-envious-neighbour.html

Tech Tip: Blogger Templates

I chose the template I did because I liked the layout and the color scheme. I really loved the nature theme and thought I could do many different color combinations with the text color, as well. I have never blogged before, so I found this very interesting and it was definitely a learning experience for me. I am also hoping to continue blogging just about my life in general, and about subjects that interest me, and this assignment gave me the ability to play with this option.

Tech Tip: Collage

I used the PicMonkey.com collage creator as suggested by Laura Gibbs.
You can see the result here on my webpage:
Linzee's Storybook

Tech Tip: Twitter Lists

I had never used Twitter lists before. I also don't use Twitter much. However, I really liked this feature for Twitter. Especially learning that you don't have to follow someone to include them on a list, so I can follow only my close friends and get updates from them but not every single Twitter I am interested in!

Comment Wall

Leave comments here. Feel free to ask questions or anything here, as well. :)

Week 5 Reading Diary: Persian Tales

Persian Tales Unit

The Wolf and the Goat

The wolf in this story is very intelligent and I liked that he dyed his hand in henna. The wolf reminds me of the wolf from “Three Little Pigs” when he blows into the present instead of actually giving a present. I didn’t like that the wolf was killed so easily. I don’t know what sparrow is being talked about when the final line is said.

The Wolf and the Goat

The City of Nothing-in-the-World

I don’t like when the story starts out with “Once upon a time there was a time when there was no one but God”, and then proceeds to talk about the people or animals in the world. What is a minaret? Okay, a tower type building. Built out of a needle? Her eggs hatched and turned into a full grown bird? That is kind of interesting. She skinned a flea? A tree grew from her rubbing a walnut on the rooster’s back? This story is so bizarre. She talks about the tree and breaking the ground, but what became of the rooster? Again with the sparrow…

The City of Nothing-in-the-World

Susku and Mushu

Why does the mouse want to marry the beetle? “What will you beat me with”? Poor beetle. The mouse made a ladder out of carrots (which someone turned into gold), and this was super cute. I like the empathy expressed by the elements of nature. Why did the farmer kill himself, though? I also don’t understand the mother cutting her thumbs off?

Susku and Mushu

The Boy Who Became a Bulbul

At this point, I desperately want to know why all of the stories begin with “Once upon a time there was a time when there was no one but God” and ends with, “And now my story has come to an end, but the sparrow never got home”. Why would a father and son agree to a wager like cutting off each other’s heads?! And then the stepmother cooks his head?! This is a very dark story. I do like that her brother “returns”, and the rhyme of the bird’s song. The bird jammed needles down the throat of the stepmother, and rewarded his sister with candy. Why did nothing happen to the father?

The Boy Who Became a Bulbul

The Wolf-Aunt

Why did he just believe this woman when she said she was his sister? It was decided that the family would live with the father’s sister, but the wife discusses cooking something and sending it to the sister? This story reminds me of “Hansel and Gretel” with the witch fattening them up to eat them. I thought it was funny that the moral of the story was listen to your wife.

The Wolf-Aunt

Nim Tanak, or Half-Boy

All of the wives ate the full apple, except one who ate half. The Div hung the two oldest sons by their hair and eyelashes.  How did the daughter know about her brother Nim Tanak if he wasn’t allowed anywhere near his father? I want to know exactly what is meant by “half a son”. I can’t picture it in my mind. I did like that the father ended up loving Nim Tanak.

Nim Tanak, or Half-Boy

Muhammad Tirandez, The Archer

I think it is a little rash of Muhammad to quit his job and claim to be a good shot when he has only made one shot. He didn’t know how to ride a horse, so he had his feet tied under the horse. Muhammad is very lucky, for he has no real skill and has been hired on a stroke of luck.

Muhammad Tirandez, The Archer

The Praying Baker

Why would the king dress as a beggar, as if he didn’t already have plenty? This king is an unforgiving man. To purposefully betray someone is evil. I liked that good prevails in this story and the baker is given back the ring and given a robe of honour.

The Praying Baker

The Sad Tale of the Mouse’s Tail

Poor mouse never gets his tail sewn back on. This reminds me of the story from earlier that builds upon itself.

The Sad Tale of the Mouse's Tail

Fayiz and the Peri Wife
What is a Peri? What does it mean that the boys were of Peri stock?
Fayiz and the Peri Wife

The Hemp-Smoker's Dream
This story was rather short and uninteresting.
The Hemp-Smoker's Dream

The Story of the Wolf-Bride
It seems a bit overwhelming that the father placed his son in a concrete tomb of sorts because of a horoscope. Some of the elements in these stories don't make sense. For example, the woman in this story doesn't know how her new husband died, but she remembers turning into a wolf and tearing him to pieces?
The Story of the Wolf-Bride

The Man who Went to Wake his Luck
This was an interesting take on luck. That luck is a person. I would not have been concerned about the other people contacting me, but about getting my own luck first so that I may use it to help others. He didn't ask his own luck about anything, and yet luck seemed to provide him with one opportunity after another,
The Man who Went to Wake his Luck

Tortoise Bowl-On-The-Back and the Fox
At first, I thought the fox was being nice when he said God give you strength, but he wanted something in return. I did like that this was a twist on the "Tortoise and the Hare" story from when I was a child.
Tortoise Bowl-on-the-Back and the Fox

The Shepherd Who Found a Treasure
One of the shepherds was distracted by a fly and let a whole flock of sheep slip by him. I did like that he had a dream where something came true and did some good for the shepherd.
The Shepherd Who Found Treasure

The Merchant and the Saffron
Malik Ahmad lost everything, and I don't know if I should feel bad for him or not yet. By the end of the story, I do feel bad for him. It seems his luck is asleep, yet he has been lucky in the fact that he has found a friend in the saffron dealer. I don't like that the merchant never repaid the saffron dealer.
The Merchant and the Saffron

Shah Abbas and the Poor Mother
I liked that this was a story of justice. I thought it was a good end to the story, especially since the mother and children ended up better than before.
Shah Abbas and the Poor Mother

The Apparition of the Prophet Khizr
This is another positive story, with the king ending up taking advice from the wazir that counselled mercy and generosity rather than slow and painful ways of death.
The Apparition of the Prophet Khizr

The Story of the Baker and the Grateful Fish
This had a negative aspect in the beginning with the betrayal, but the ending was positive. They fish saved him when he jumped into the river because he fed them, and he was able to get revenge against the betrayer.
The Story of the Baker and the Grateful Fish


Overall, I want to know the reason for the beginning stories phrases, because they were never explained and were contained in every story in the first half of the unit.