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.