Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Reading Diary B: South African Tales



South AfricanFolktales

READING B:

1. The Dance for Water

Its very interesting how some pairs (rabbit and tortoise) of animals are so common in folklore. I like this trickster rabbit and his irreverence but such characters pose a major problem for small close-knit societies.

2. Jackal and Monkey

There were a lot of terms here that I didn’t understand: “Boer's kraal,” “wip,” and “kopje.” Jackal was the trickster here.






A Boer, Source: Wikipedia


3. The Story of Hare

4. The White Man and Snake

This story really spoke to my sense of justice unlike some of the other folk-tales. I like the moral of the story; Do not give aid to those who would harm you, or do not bite the hand that feeds you. Although Jackal is still a bit of a trickster in this story, he was fair.

5. Jackal, Dove, and Heron

6. Elephant and Tortoise

7. The Judgment of Baboon

8. When Lion Could Fly
kraal
kräl/
SOUTH AFRICAN
noun
a traditional African village of huts, typically enclosed by a fence.

This was a really strange story. I want to know what the pile of bones had to do with Lion’s ability to fly. Why does frog want to break them? Is he leveling the playing field by reducing Lion’s ability to hunt prey? Do Lion’s hunt frogs but not crows?

9. Lion Who Thought Himself Wiser Than His Mother

This one was a bit strange too. I understand the part about listening to your mother but the rhyme part didn’t make sense. Short-eared, blood-stained nostrils…

10. Lion Who Took a Woman's Shape

In this story, a young girl disobeys her mother and ends up being devoured by a lion. The lion steals her skin and masquerades as the young girl in a village. The family and village become wise to the deception and disassemble the hut where the lion is sleeping. They then burn the lion. Somehow the girl’s heart was found intact and when mixed with milk the daughter grew whole again. The daughter then learned her lesson and remained home with her mother never marrying.


Story source: South African Folk-Tales by James Honey (1910).


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Reading Diary A: South African Tales

ReadingDiary Week 6

READING A:

1. The Lost Message

I immediately see parallels to human struggles; different groups coming together to address common struggles and enemies. Consensus could not be found but each group found a separate unity. Still fell prey to their enemies. King-insect sent a message to work together but the beetle lost it.

In a hunter-gatherer community like the San, working together can mean the difference between life and death. This story helps to illustrate the dangers on discord.

2. The Monkey's Fiddle

Again we see a reflection of the nomadic culture in the monkey’s need to travel to a new land for resources. There is also insight into the kinship structure and nature of reciprocity.

Jealously incites wolf, and in turn jackal, to want the bow for themselves. Monkey ends up saving himself with his magic fiddle and escapes to his thorn tree with the bow and instrument.

3. The Tiger, The Ram, and The Jackal

4. The Lion, The Jackal, and The Man

5. The World's Reward

6. Tiger and Jackal

7. Tink-Tinkje

8. The Lion, The Jackal and The Rope

This tale, like many folk tales, attributes human qualities to animal behaviors. The jackal is a scavenger and often takes the kills of other predators. Here the jackal deceives the lion and steals his kill. This can parallel the behavior of some people who profit from the hard work of others. In a small tribe like the San, this type of behavior cannot be tolerated and people must be extra vigilant.

9. Jackal Fools Lion Again

10. The Hunt of Lion and Jackal

11. Story of Lion and Little Jackal

12. The Lioness and the Ostrich

This story was a bit strange and I’m not sure that I understood it. Ostriches drink blood and roar?



(Ostrich, mouth open Source: Wikipedia Commons)

13. The Story of a Dam

Story source: South African Folk-Tales by James Honey (1910).

Monday, September 21, 2015

Week 5 Reading Diary A: Bidpai Unit



READING A:

1. Introduction

Sum of all knowledge

· The greater part of the sciences comprise but one single word: "Perhaps." And the whole history of mankind contains no more than three: they are "born, suffer, die."

· Love nothing but what is good, and do all that thou lovest to do; think nothing but what is true, and speak not all that thou thinkest.

· O kings! Tame your passions, govern yourselves, and it will be only child's play to govern the world.

· O kings! O people! It can never be often enough repeated to you, what the half-witted venture to doubt, that there is no happiness without virtue, and no virtue without God.

King Dabschélim and the sage Bidpai

first imprisoned for his council

then elevated and revered

incorporated all his worldly wisdom in a book of fables so that his wisdom could live on

took 12 months and Bidpai was rewarded with heart’s desire

2. The Rustic and the Nightingale

A rustic is a ???

Rose tree (fresh water everyday, straw in winter)

Nightingale tearing apart rose. Rustic chased bird away. Day 2: nightingale is back and many roses are torn. Man sets snare.

Day 3: Nightingale is caught

Nightingale entreats man to release her. He agrees and she reveals the location of a pot of gold for his mercy.

3. The King, the Falcon, and the Drinking-Cup

Oooh I really like this one. A falconer king is out on a hunt with his prized bird. After becoming separated from his entourage he comes to a spring. Overcome with thirst he fills his cup to drink only to have his valued falcon knock it from his hand. The King tries again with the same outcome. Overcome with anger, he strikes he bird killing it. Just then a servant finds the king. The king commands the servant to climb to the source of the stream and fill his cup. The servant returns with an empty cup telling the king that the stream is poisoned by the carcass of a dragon. The king begins to weep, realizing that the loyal bird tried to save his life twice.

"This Falcon, the dearest of all my treasures," he said sadly, "saved my life twice, and I, by my own act of anger, killed it with one cruel blow!"


4. The Two Travelers

Two friends, Ganem and Salem

Inscription on rock

1. swim

2. carry lion statue

3. avoid brambles and beasts

4. run up mountain

Ganem wants to try it but Salem thinks it is foolish to try. They part ways.

Ganem’s gamble pays off bc after he completes the arduous task, he finds himself in front of a beautiful city. The occupants spew forth and make the fearless man their new king. It was all an elaborate succession ritual.

5. Poor Man, Rich Man, Young Man

The poor man: don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Oil>sheep>flock>wife>son>disobey=strikes with staff. Knocks over oil. lol

The rich man: treat others as you would like to be treated. Stingy rich man experienced a reversal of fortune.

Young man: It’s better to be fit than dependent on someone else.

6. The Merchant and His Iron

“Friend” should be in quotation marks throughout this story. Rats ate iron (friend sold) and sparrow hawk carried of son (merchant kidnapped)

7. Gardener, Farmer, Tyrant

Gardner: “It is better to have a wise enemy than a foolish friend.” Ever seen the 3 stooges? That’s what I picture when this bear smacks the gardener in the face.

Farmer: Stupid farmer. Bandits tricked him into thinking his new sheep was a dog and that he had been tricked at the market.

Tyrant: 'For surely,' I said to myself, 'he who doeth evil will sooner or later be overtaken by evil.' King changes his ways after sees karma in action. Fox>dog>man>horse

8. The King, the Hermit, and the Two Princes

Trust fund scenario. Older brother kicks younger brother to curb. Younger brother changes his ways and stumbles across father’s hidden treasure. Older brother squanders his portion then faces war without proper arms. Both kings die and city chooses reformed brother as king.

9. Three Stories about Apes

Carpenter and Ape: One many difference between monkeys and apes is the tail. Here is an origin story for that difference.

Apes, glow worm, and popinjay: Don’t mock the stupid and violent? Use kind criticism?

Ape and the Boar: Greedy boar breaks his own neck trying to get to Ape. Gluttony is bad.

10. The Ass, the Lion, and the Fox

This is a pretty complex story compared to the rest of the section. A lion falls ill and must eat the ears and heart of an ass to recover. A sly fox, which had been benefiting from the lion’s kills for decades, was determined to restore his meal ticket to health. Using his cunning, the fox lured an ass near the lion’s cave and told the ass numerous lies about the dangers of the lion. The lion then slays the ass and goes to the stream to wash before eating the choice parts. Before the lion can return the fox has eaten the ears and heart. The fox claims that the ass had neither ears to hear falsehoods nor a heart to feel fear at the sight of the lion.

11. Three Stories about Foxes

The fox, the hen and the drum: greedy fox passes up sure meal for possibly bigger one. Goes hungry.

The fox and the piece of meat: same scenario but now the fox leaves a piece of meat to try for some fat hens.

The hunter, the fox and the leopard: Here the fox is wise and avoid a snare laid by the hunter. Instead a leopard falls into the trap and the hunter plunges in after. He was expecting a fox but got more than he bargained for.

Overall the fox stories talk about risk. In the first two stories, foxes symbolizing the folly of gambling. In the last story, a wary fox symbolizes the virtue of caution.
(A Wise Fox by Margaret Holland, Source: Flickr)


Story source: The Tortoise and the Geese and Other Fables of Bidpai by Maude Barrows Dutton, with illustrations by E. Boyd Smith, 1908.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Tech Tip Website

Setting up a web page is a lot easier than I thought! I created my storybook web page this morning and I can't wait to get all the details perfect. I'm writing my storybook for my awesome son Garrett.

I hope you like it so far. Go check it out at Garrett's Storybook

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Storytelling Week 4: The Baker's Justice

In the beginning there was only bread and god. Bread that Samuel got up and baked every morning before the sun even dared to show its face.  Every day he toiled in his hot kitchen and everyday, he and his wife hauled the bounty to the local market to earn a little money. It was a difficult life but Samuel didn’t complain.  He had come to accept that his life was as god willed it to be.

(Medieval Baker, Source: Wikipedia Commons)

In the kingdom where Samuel lived, there was a Queen who had grown very bored.  She had been read every story ever written, tasted every food ever cooked, and seen all the beautiful places the world had to offer. The queen never accepted anything but the best and was used to getting her way in all things. To assuage her increasing boredom, the queen had taken to dressing in disguise and exploring the city at night.

While walking through the bazaar one night, the queen saw Samuel and his wife attempting to sell the last of their bread.  Suddenly a nearby horse spooked and went careening down the alley, destroying Samuel’s small shop and flinging bread everywhere.  Samuel’s wife began to wail taking in the utter destruction of their livelihood but Samuel seemed calm. 

The queen crept closer to observe this strange man.  Samuel comforted his wife and told her not to fret.  Samuel calmly told his wife that everything was part of god’s will and they must come to accept such misfortunes.

The queen was shocked at the quiet man’s easy acceptance and began to wonder at his amenable manner. The queen could not believe anyone could be so content! She thought the baker must have been acting to save his pride in the public market. Determined to expose the baker’s true character the queen devised an evil plan.

Posing as a beggar woman, the queen followed the somber couple back to their small home. Once they had retired, she crept to their doorstep and rapped on the door. Samuel answered promptly and welcomed the unfortunate woman inside.  Complaining of hunger, the disguised queen asked for a crust of bread. Samuel turned to his hearth and began mixing and kneading the dough for a fresh loaf since he no longer had any to spare.

Slyly the queen told Samuel’s wife that she had no money to pay them but wanted to give them something for their kindness. She claimed that the only thing she had to offer was her wedding ring, which she highly treasured since her husband’s death.  She wished to leave it in their care until she could return and pay them properly. 

(A golden ring, Source: Flickr)


Unknown to Samuel and his wife, the queen never planned to repay the couple but merely meant to cruelly test them. She sent her servant to steal the ring the very next day and then returned to the baker’s home and revealed her identity. She demanded the return of her precious ring and poor Samuel and his wife could not produce it.  She declared that he must return it or repay its value within the week or lose his head, knowing full well that the ring rested within her pocket.


Samuel’s wife immediately began to weep, knowing they could not replace the ring. But Samuel remained calm putting his fate in gods hands.

The queen returned to the palace, gloating over her neat trick.  She knew that by the end of the week, Samuel would lose his calm facade and rail against the gaurds as they drew him toward the executioner.  To celebrate properly the queen planned a pleasure cruise on the placid river for the end of the week.

Samuel's wife searched high and low and baked extra bread all week, hopelessly trying to save her husband's life. But Samuel remained calm, continuing about his daily activities and praying to his god.

At the end of the week, Samuel decided to walk to the river and fish for a fine dinner. Samuel hoped to enjoy his last day in the beauty of nature and provide a fine dinner for his wife.  As he gazed out across the bank, contemplating life and speaking to god, he noticed the queen's pleasure barge.

The craft was alive with chaos. Shouting and screaming, servants rushed around in panic searching the water around the same boat.  Samuel hailed the vessel and asked the servants what had happened. A weary attendent called out the news across the water. The queen had fallen into the river and could not be found.

Samuel slumped heavily to the bank, struck dumb by the tragic news. The queen was gone. His life would be spared. Just then, Samuel felt a sharp tug on his line. Samuel reeled in the line to find a most glorious fish with gleaming scales and a nice fat body.

Brimming with joy Samuel returned home to his wife with the good news and the lovely fish. Samuel thought his day couldn't get any better when he heard his wife exclaim from the kitchen. He rushed inside only to discover that his wife had recovered the very same ring from the belly of the wonderful fish.

And here is the end of the tale, but whatever happened to that sparrow?

Authors Note: The original story, The Praying Baker, featured a capricious king who dressed as a beggar one evening and went to the bazaar. There he overheard the earnest baker praying for god's will to be done.  The king wished to test the baker's sincerity and devised a plan. While in disguise, the king offered the baker a very expensive ring as collateral for a piece of bread. The baker accepted but the king had no intention of a fair deal. The next day the king sent his servant to steal back the ring under threat of beheading. The servant was able to steal the ring and return it to the king.  The king then sumoned the baker, revealed his identity, and demanded the return of his ring or face beheading. Of course the baker could not produce the ring, nor repay the king, but he calmly accepted the king's decree and left his fate to god's will.  The king gave the baker 10 days grace to produce the ring or its value in coin. On the 8th day the King went on a hunting trip and lost the ring in a stream. It was then eaten by a fish that was caught by a fisherman and brought to market. On the 9th day, the baker decided to go to the market for a fish to enjoy with his wife on his last day. He just so happened to buy the fish who ate the ring. The overjoyed baker went at once to present the ring to the king. The king was so baffled at the coincidence that he rewarded the baker richly and made him a royal favorite.

I liked this story when I originally read it but felt that the king did not get what he deserved. He was just to quick to threaten beheadings with little regard for human life. In this retelling, the ring returned to baker when the queen died and fell into the river. In this way, I felt that justice was served.  I also switched the king to a queen. I tried to incorporate the classic beginning and ending of all the Persian Tales into my story as well. All of the stories in part A of Persian Tales begin with "Once upon a time there was a time when there was no one but God." and end with "and now my story has come to an end, but the sparrow never got home."

Story source: Persian Tales, translated by D.L.R. Lorimer and E.O. Lorimer and illustrated by Hilda Roberts (1919).

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Reading Diary A: Persian Tales

Persian Tales

I've noticed that every story begins with there is only god in the beginning and that the sparrow never got home in the end.  I'm curious about the significance of this.

Yellow Crowned Sparrow, Source: Wikipedia


The Wolf and the Goat

Here is a story about clever defeating might.  Though the wolf may be more fearsome, the clever goat won the day.  There is also the moral about cheating those from who you seek services.  The goat paid the knife-grinder well while the wolf cheated the dentist.  In return he lost the advantage of his sharp teeth.
This story is really strange.  I guess there is the familiar theme of the evil stepmother but I have no idea why the father and son would make sure a horrible bargain. What’s more—that the father would cheat and kill his own son to save himself.  Why doesn’t the son seek vengeance on his father?

The Wolf-Aunt
I feel like there is a parallel to this cultural phenomenon in western culture.  Although the mother-in-law is more often the target of this Wolf-Aunt phenomenon, it is still the in-laws that conflict with the mother.

I really like this story, not because I like gruesome, man-eating she-wolves, but because of its exaggerations of human behavior. When the sister offers her brother the choice of head or feet first and the brother still defers to the sister’s preference, I’m reminded of many brother sister relationships in adult life.  He just passively accepts that his older sister is going to eat him. 

Nim Tanak, or Half-Boy
I enjoyed the rhyming in this story and the fantastical depictions of the brothers and the Div. I’m not sure what the connection is between being half a man and being voracious.  Maybe because he is overcompensating for his father disowning him? I think that the slow drinking and eating indicate caution in the other brothers.

Muhammad Tirandaz, The Archer
Although it seems like the King is testing the Baker's convictions, it seems he is actually testing god's favor of the Baker.  The King also uses the threat of beheading rather frequently arbitrarily.  Is this a commentary of the nature of Kings. Perhaps the outcome of the story is a commentary of god’s opinion on kings and bakers.


Story source: Persian Tales, translated by D.L.R. Lorimer and E.O. Lorimer and illustrated by Hilda Roberts (1919).

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Week 3: Curation

I've finally decided on my storybook topic so all of my finds this week are related to it.

Have you ever heard of monster wiki? I found a lot of general information about the monsters in Irish folklore here.

Like the Kelpie (aka Waterhorse) who can transform into a beautiful man or woman and lure unsuspecting mortals to their watery graves. It's also thought that the lock ness is a kelpie. When I searched for images of the kelpie, I found this really cool sculpture in Falkirk.



Photo of Kelpie sculpture in Falkirk, Scotland by Natasha Cherkashina Source: Flikr

I also found a lot of information on the website luminarium.org. There are tons of links with everything from Irish food and dance, to a Field Guide to Irish Fairies.  This is great site to check out if you every wanted to learn more about Irish traditions.


I also searched for advice in writing short stories and came across a list from Kurt Vonnegut. If you've ever read any Vonnegut, then you know this guy know his stuff.

Here are his top 8 Tips

  1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.
  2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.
  3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.
  4. Every sentence must do one of two things–reveal character or advance the action.
  5. Start as close to the end as possible.
  6. Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them–in order that the reader may see what they are made of.
  7. Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.
  8. Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To heck with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.

He talks about a lot of things here that I hadn't considered and I plan to use a lot of his advice, especially 3, 4, and 6.

Week 3 Review

When browsing the Course Announcements page I came across the "Word from Mythology" page about Atlas.  It was really interesting to read about the origin of the word atlas as a collection of maps but it also brought to mind another usage. I love this myth because of the personal connection I have with it every day in anatomy.  The first cervical vertebrae in humans and other animals is called atlas because it supports the skull.  Everytime I see this bone, I picture Atlas holding up a massive head. Lol.  A little silly I know. So there is another meaning for the word Atlas that connects wonderfully to the myth!

Atlas in the fountain at Castle Howard                            The first cervical vertebrae in humans Source: Wiki

A Boy's Adventures in the Land of the Fae: Brainstorming Styles

In my storybook, I want to combine several ideas that interest me.  First I want to compose stories that I can share with my son. Second, I want there to be an overarching moral that teamwork and intelligence are the best tools in any battle.  Third, I really like Irish mythology and what child doesn't like monsters and fairies?  The main protagonist will be a young boy who lives with his mother, father, and grandfather. I want him to meet a different creature in each story and, with the help of his family and his wits, defeat them.

First Fairy Encounter: Changelings
The devil exchanging a baby against a changeling, early 15th century, by Martino di Bartolomeo Source: Wikimedia Commons

Inspirations: The Stolen Child by W.B. Yeats & Jamie Freel and the Young Lady: A Donegal Tale. by Miss Letitia MacLintock

When I was reading the stolen child, the beautiful imagery painted a picture in my mind.  I could see a curious child, lured away by a beautiful fairy, walking through the gorgeous Irish hills towards his fate, bathed in the glowing moonlight.  I can imagine a village, devastated by the mysterious loss of several children. But what I don't get from this poem is a story line.

That's exactly what I got when I read Jaime Freel's story. In this tale, the loyal Jamie seeks out the fey in a nearby castle. During the night's revelry, they kidnap a beautiful young girl and replace her with a changeling.  Using his wits, Jamie is able to rescue the girl and outsmart the fairies.

I would like to combine these stories to fit into my framework.  Jaime and his mother will be much younger and live in a small village plagued by fairy kidnappings.  Jamie's father will be away on a voyage and his grandfather will live with them in their small cottage.  One night Jamie is lured away by one of the hill folk. Once there, he will find the children and outsmart all the fey. This will start the major conflict between Jamie (if I keep that name) and the Fey Queen. She will send Jamie on several quests to make up for the insult to the Fey, but he won't have to do it on his own.

The first quest: Banshee maybe?

On the first quest, Jamie will travel with his wise and beloved grandfather. I like the idea of having his grandfather along for the banshee tale because Jamie's grandfather will be humorously hard of hearing. The banshee will be guarding something that the queen wants or maybe something that was stolen from her.  After reading A Lamentation by Clarence Mangan, I started thinking about the banshee's story.  Who is she grieving for? In my story, the treasure the queen seeks belonged to a wise king killed by the fairy. Devastated by grief, the king's daughter becomes a banshee and eternally morns her father.  Jamie and his grandfather will approach and comfort the banshee.  They will talk about her lost father and share memories.  In the end, the banshee will be relieved of her endless lamentation and Jamie can retrieve the treasure. I'm still looking for a specific story for this part.

The second quest: At sea? The Kelpie

Photo of Kelpie sculpture in Falkirk, Scotland by Natasha Cherkashina Source: Flikr

For the second quest, Jamie's father will have returned home from the sea voyage. The queen will charge them with a task that will take them to the coast (or an island maybe) to the lair of a dangerous kelpie. They will have to retrieve some treasure.  I think I will have the father and son witness a kelpie charming a young woman into the sea. They will follow and rescue her. Still looking for a specific story for this one. (Cut off finger to escape? Have queen restore it?)

The final quest: The Giant
Photo of the Giant's Causeway in Ireland by Virtuaalianu, Source: Flickr

For the final and most task, Jamie must travel to the land of giants and rescue the Fey Queen's own son.  Feeling sorry for the Fey Queen, Jamie's mother agrees to the task and travels with her son to rescue the fairy boy.  For this story, I was inspired by the story of the THE GIANT'S STAIRS by T. Crofton Croker.

In the end, the Fairy Queen will be eternally grateful to young Jamie and his family. He and all his descendants will be blessed with riches, luck, and protection forever.


Extra Reading Diary: Week 3 Saints and Animals


Wolf cub Source: Monsterous Realms

Additional Reading Week 3

Saints and Animals

READING B

1. The Fish Who Helped Saint Gudwall

This story demonstrates the adage of strength in numbers. The tiny fish were able to hold back the sea. Seems like there should be a moral about building a home in a foolish place. The theme of man living in harmony with animals (not other people) is emphasized here.  It is often man's relationship with animals that is the salvation from nature or other humans.

Ocean: great, powerful, mysterious

2. The Wolf-Mother of Saint Ailbe

3. The Wolf-Mother of Saint Ailbe (cont.)

Lovely story that teaches us family comes in many forms and kindness should always be repaid. The theme of man living in harmony with animals is one repeated throughout this unit. In these stories, man seems to be the villian and solitary life is exhalted.

Wolves: wild, untamable
Men: the real threat

Romulus and Reemus?

4. The Ballad of Saint Athracta's Stags


With many of these stories, it is easy to see how the person became a saint as in the case of Saint Felix, who was a bishop. But Athracta was noble born woman who lived in the wilderness and gave aid to travelers. It does not say much about her faith. It makes me wonder if this was a pagan tale retold and incorporated into the cannon of saints. Regardless it is nice to see how kindness and gentleness can win the day. The part about her hair reminded me of Rapunzel.

  5. The Ballad of Saint Felix


I was very surprised that the friendly animal in this unit was a spider. This story tells us that help can come in the most unlikely of places. Such a tiny spider made a big difference.
6. The Ballad of Saint Giles and the Deer


The hermit saint seems to be a common theme in a lot of these stories. Man living in seclusion with only animals as friends. It reminds me a bit of the idea of the Nobel Savage. Not exactly a successful model for spreading the gospel, but in this story it worked. The king was moved by the selflessness and sacrifice of Saint Giles and in turn learned of Christianity and spread it to his kingdom.

7. Saint Francis of Assisi

8. Saint Francis of Assisi (cont.)

9. Saint Francis of Assisi (end)


Story source:The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown (1900).

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Reading Diary B: Ovids Metamorphoses Books 1-4


Ovid’s Metamorphoses Books 1-4



Echo

Metamorphoses: Tiresias from man to woman to man, tattle tale to mummer



Juno and Jupiter ague. Women gain more pleasure from love according to Tiresias who has been both. Juno gets really mad and blinds him. Jupiter gives him knowledge of the future in recompense.

Narcissus is born, once again the product of rape, to the naiad Lirope and river god Cephisus. Tiresias prophesied that Narcissus will have a long life if he does not discover himself.

Echo spots Narcissus. “…she of the echoing voice, who cannot be silent when others have spoken, nor learn how to speak first herself.”

Echo came to be this way when Juno punished her for hiding Jupiter’s affairs with the other nymphs.

Echo falls in love with Narcissus but is spurned so she wastes away in loneliness. Now she is only her voice.



Narcissus

Metamorphoses: Narcissus to flower

One of Narcissus’s spurned lovers curses him to know the pain of rejection. Nemesis overhears.

Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection and wastes away. Echo laments with him. After death he turns into flower. Even in the underworld, Narcissus still stares at his reflection.



Pyramus and Thisbe

Metamorphoses: Changing color of mulberry bush, love to pain and eventually death



Two thwarted lovers conspires to meet. Thisbe is frightened from meeting spot by lioness and drops her veil which becomes covered in blood. Pyramus, fearing Thisbe has died at the hands of a lion, kills himself with his sword at the base of the mulberry bush. His blood changes the white berries blood red. Thisbe finally returns to the meeting spot and finds a dying Pyramus. In her anguish, the falls on Pyramus’s sword and dies. They are finally together in death, sharing an urn.



Mars and Venus

Metamorphoses: ?



This is a very entertaining story of Vulcan catching Venus and Mars having an affair. He catches them with a golden net for all the gods to see. “one of the gods, undismayed, prayed that he might be shamed like that.”



Perseus and Andromeda

Metamorphoses: Atlas to stone, plants to stone, coral, etc


Perseus turns Atlas to a great mountain as prophesiszed using Medusa’s head. Perseus flies everywhere and spots Andromeda being sacrificed to Kraken. Offers to save her and defeats Kraken using mercury’s wings. Marries her.



Perseus and Medusa

Perseus tells the story of slaying Medusa

Story Source:Ovid's Metamorphoses, translated by Tony Kline (2000).

Monday, September 7, 2015

Reading Diary A: Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books 1-4)

I read part of Ovid's Metamorphoses for my additional reading last week, so I wanted to finish the story this week. So, I'm starting at the beginning with Books 1-4.

Deucalion and Pyrrha
Metamorphoses: rocks to people; evil world to new, pure world.
After reading of the wrath of the gods (familiar theme among flood stories), I am struck by the beautiful imagery describing the disaster.

"The Nereids are astonished to see woodlands, houses and whole towns under the water...Wolves swim among the sheep...the circling bird [...] falls on tired wings into the water...The sea in unchecked freedom has buried the hills."

This incongruous mingling of the ocean and earth, symbolize the destruction destruction in an artistic way.

Only the innocent and pious Deucalion and Pyrrha remain and are left to repopulate the earth. They do this by throwing the "bones of mother earth" aka rocks over their shoulders. The stones become men and women and the regeneration of humanity from stones and hard labors symbolizes are hardiness. 

Io
Metamorphoses: Nymph to heifer, love leads to mistreatment
Rape, jealously, heifer, revenge
Another representation of passive, mortal women
Although Juno is very active and assertive

Phaethon and the Sun
Metamorphosis: Recently swallowed by water, now the earth burns

I really enjoyed how the complexities of the myth (the path of Phoebus's chariot) attempt to explain the natural world.  There is also a lot of beautiful beautiful imagery here. 

Aurora by Guido Reni, Source: Flickr

Callisto
Metamorphosis: Callisto to bear, then Arcos and Callisto become constellations
Another passively, raped mortal woman

Semelle
Metamorphosis: Father becomes mother
Again with the rape

Story source: Ovid's Metamorphoses, translated by Tony Kline (2000).

Brainstorming Storybook Topics


Idea 1

Storybook Topic: Wits Win

Comments: You had mentioned the possibility of writing a storybook for my son and I think that is a wonderful idea. I would like to include stories about courageous protagonists who use their wits (as opposed to strength or beauty) to win the day. I would like to name the hero after my son and keep this character consistent throughout the book. It might be interesting to take mature tales (like Greek myths) and create child friendly versions.

Possible Stories: Some may say that this is the typical premise for any story, so I should have no trouble finding examples. Jack and the Beanstalk and the trials of Hercules would be good sources for inspiration.

Sample Story: The Drawing of the Sword

Bibliography: source: King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1902).

(Boy pulling sword from stone, Source: Flickr)


Idea 2

Storybook Topic: Mother’s and Babies

Comments: One of my son’s favorites songs is “The Wheels on the Bus” and his favorite lines are about the mommy and the baby. He wants me to sing those over and over again. I think a storybook about mommies and babies would be a perfect fit. This would also be a storybook I could share with my son. The first story I wrote was inspired by the lullaby “Hushy Baby,” and I think that would be a good place to start. Unfortunately, too many of the mothers in fairy tales are evil, dead, or absent, so this might take some searching.

Possible Stories: Could all be told from the perspective of Mother Goose. Rumpelstiltskin, Kangaroo

Sample Story: I read and Australian story online called “How the Kangaroo Got Her Pouch,” and I thought it was really sweet.

Bibliography:“How the Kangaroo Got Her Pouch.” Flood, Bo, Beret E. Strong and William Flood. Pacific Island Legends: Tales from Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Australia. Honolulu, Hawai’i: Bess Press, ©1999. pp. 248-251.


Idea 3

Storybook Topic: Scary Fairies: Tales from the Unseelie Court

Comments: The darker fairy tales has always fascinated me: fairies forcing mortals to dance to their death, changelings, and banshees. I would like to write a storybook that is a little bit creepy.

Possible Stories: The majority of the Fae seem to have evil intentions. Nuckelavee, silkies, redcaps are all dangerous to mortals. I think I will stick to the Celtic units or other European folklore for these stories.

Sample Story: Fair Ointment from the English Fairy Tales Units 1

Bibliography: Bane, T. (2013). Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology: McFarland, Incorporated Publishers.

Sample story source: English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs with illustrations by John D. Batten (1890).




Idea 4

Storybook Topic: Clever Women

Comments: When browsing through the UnTextbook, I came across “A Clever Lass,” in the Czech folktales units. I found this story to be delightful and I would like to find other stories with witty heroines. Too many female characters in folklore and mythology are passive. I want to seek out stories where the hero is a girl.

Possible Stories: Rumpelstiltskin (again), "A Clever Lass "

Sample Story: "One Woman" from the Laos unit

Bibliography: source: Laos Folk-Loreby Katherine Neville Fleeson, with photographs by W.A. Briggs (1899).



Friday, September 4, 2015

Extra Reading Diary: Ovid's Metamorphoses



Orpheus and Eurydice


The story opens with the death of Eurydice on her wedding day. While walking down the aisle, she is bitten by a snake. As in many other myths and folktales, the snake symbolizes corruption of innocence and the suddenness of death. Snakes really get a bad wrap.

“I longed to be able to accept it, and I do not say I have not tried: Love won.” Orpheus

I found this line particularly moving, “love won.” Since death is a human universal, rejection of death is a common human experience and helps the audience empathizes with Orpheus. Orpheus pleads for the return of his young wife and uses the power of his words and music to sway the gods.

“but, if the fates refuse my wife this kindness, I am determined not to return: you can delight in both our deaths.”

Touched by his song and sentiment, the god of the underworld relents on the condition that he does not look back on the journey to the surface. But as often is the case in these stories, Orpheus cannot follow simple directions and turns back just as they reaches the threshold. Eurydice is swept back to the underworld.

The narrator then poses the question:“what, then, could she complain of, except that she had been loved?” Eurydice is extremely passive. She has no volition or say in any of the proceedings regarding her life and death. I think that this is a reflection of the status of women. I, personally, would have a lot to complain about if my husband pulled a similar stunt. Eyes to the front Orpheus!



Ganymede and Hyacinthus

The last tale had segued into the idolized relationship between men and young boys and here Orpheus sings of the similar relationships between the gods and mortals.

I wanted to read this story because I wanted to know more about Ganymede and the eagle since the eagle made a brief appearance and Apuleius’s Cupid and Psyche. I was disappointed that there was very little to this story. In this telling, the great god Jupiter transformed himself into a mighty eagle and abducted Ganymede for whom he lusted. Thereafter, Ganymede remained with Jupiter at his right hand as cupbearer.

In the tale of Hyacinthus, the god Phoebus “loves?” the young Spartan mortal. While competing together in sports such as wrestling and discus, Hyacinthus is mortally injured. His death is compared to the breaking of a bloom from a flower; the head drooping, facing the ground, and dying. Thereafter, Hyancinthus is reincarnated in the spring flowers.



The Death of Hyacinthos, by Jean Broc

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Storytelling Week 2: Pan's Reverie



Pan’s Reverie
Inspired by the Cupid and Psyche Unit

A gust of wind swept the monogrammed napkin high into the crisp autumn air.

“Oh no!” exclaimed Cecilia as she trotted after the swirling swatch of gold while clutching the awkward box of decorations to her chest.

Nothing was going right today. Of course it didn’t help that she had fired her wedding planner at the last minute and was now scrambling to complete the backlog of tasks the incompetent woman had neglected.

She mentally scrolled through her considerable to-do list, ticking off the entries. The linens had been delivered, the caterer confirmed, and a small local band had agreed to perform during the reception. The box of decorations contained all the last minute details she had to get into place before the rehearsal tonight.

Only two more hours and I can relax, she thought as she chased the wayward napkin into a lovely London park.

The overpriced scrap of paper had come to rest at the base of an enormous oak. Exhausted, Cecilia allowed her weary body to slide down the trunk of the ancient tree as she retrieved the napkin. The park was so peaceful and beautiful. Mark would love it here. She decided to sit and rest, if only for a moment.

The sudden crunching of a twig startled Cecilia from her pastoral contemplations. Whipping around to find the source of the sound, Cecilia found herself facing two gleaming hoofs. Perplexed at this incongruity, she raised a perplexed brow to the vision before her.
(Pan and Syrinx, Jean Francois De Troy French 1679)

A playful smile tugged at the lips of the apparition leaning against the oak. I must be hallucinating, Cecilia thought. I’m under a lot of pressure and not sleeping well, for surely the scene in front of her must be a figment of imagination.

Crouching down, the being’s dancing chestnut eyes found hers.

“Hello Cecilia,” he murmured, offering his hand.

Cecilia flung herself backwards and scrambled on hands and feet, utterly speechless in her shock.

Pan, for whom else could this creature be, looked down at her indulgently.

“I didn’t mean to scare you Cecilia. You just looked so beautiful in the evening light.”

Struggling to control her sudden panic, Cecilia stared at the faun with wide eyes and a pounding heart.

“Do not fear, sweet child.” With a supple movement he produced a beautiful reed pipe and pressed it to his lips. A beautiful lilting melody instantly filled the air. The sweet, piercing notes brought goose bumps to her skin and the very air about them seemed to shimmer.

Enraptured by the exquisite music, Cecilia’s heart rate began to slow and the paralyzing tension seeped from her muscles. Pan had shifted much closer, without her even noticing, so that his shoulder brushed hers and she could see the way the golden light played across the curls of his ebony hair. As the song drew to a close, Cecilia realized she was no longer frightened.

With a jolt she quickly pulled away from the faun.

The rehearsal! Mark! Her panicked thoughts echoed in her head.

“Do not worry, Cecilia. I only wish to show you some of the beauties of my realm.”

“Th-thank you great Pan, but I really must be going,” she replied timidly.

The reckless smile once again transformed the god’s face. “Please, call me Puck.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Puck, but I’m terribly busy.”

“All work and no play, sweet Cecilia.” Pan shook his head and tutted with disapproval. “You should take a moment to enjoy yourself. Tell me, my dear, have you ever met a dryad before?”

“A what?” Cecilia stammered.

Before Pan could reply an acorn collided with Cecilia’s cheek and a burst of tinkling laughter wafted from the canopy above. Clutching her stinging cheek, Cecilia peered into the swaying branches and glimpsed a willowy form.

“Phoebe! Don’t be rude. Come down here and welcome our guest.”

The nymph glided down the oak, all graceful limbs and flowing hair. With a pout for Pan, Phoebe turned and approached the bewildered Cecilia.


“Hello child.”

Her singsong voice reminded Cecilia of shallow water flowing over smooth rocks. Rising and falling with soft sibilance. Indeed, her ethereal beauty did make Cecilia feel childlike. And terribly plain.

“You’re so beautiful,” Cecilia said reverently. Phoebe’s haughty demeanor dissolved into pleasure and she smiled warmly.

“Not nearly as lovely as you, sister. I’ve never seen tresses so lustrous, as golden as honey.”

“Sister?” asked Cecilia.

Phoebe turned a questioning gaze to Pan who was observing the exchange thoughtfully. “She has not agreed to stay. Yet,” he answered her wordless query.

“Oh you must stay Cecilia! It will be such fun. There is a marvelous little pool tucked away in that copse where Liriope dwells. She tells the most wonderful stories. And on that ridge grows a flower of incomparable loveliness. There are magnificent vistas and beings of astonishing beauty and grace. The sun is always shining and the fruits ripe on the vine. And of course there is always music,” she cooed persuasively. “Please say you will stay.”

“Stay?” Everything sounded so enticing and the pastoral beauty around her so tempting. But then she thought of Mark. Mark, she thought frantically. The dinner! Cecilia glanced fretfully at the rapidly descending sun, trying to access the hour.

Fighting rising panic, Cecilia turned to Pan and Phoebe with regret. “I am truly flattered by your gracious offer but I simply can’t stay. I am to be married tomorrow and must get back home immediately.”

Tears prick the edges of Phoebe’s eyes and Pan looks as though someone has stolen his favorite toy. Sullenly he lifts his magical pipes and begins to play a mournful tune, gazing into the distance.

The discordant notes tug at Cecilia’s heart and for a moment she begins to question her decision. Mark’s face abruptly comes to mind and she shakes away her doubts.

Seeming to come to a decision, Pan lowers his pipes and places a comforting hand on Phoebe’s shoulder. “Of course you must go, Cecilia. But one day, you will return to me.” The last is said with such ruthless conviction that some of Cecilia’s early trepidations return and a chill runs down her spine.

The edges of Cecilia’s vision seem to vibrate and the forms of Pan and Phoebe begin fading from sight. Cecilia is plunged into darkness and her terror escalates as her vision goes black. “Wait!” she screams into the void. “You didn’t tell me how to get back!”

She listens but only silence answers and her fear threatens to choke her.

“Just wake up…” hisses a whispering voice.

“Wake up!”

Cecilia jerks violently and slams her eyes open only to see the face of a kind old lady.

“Thank goodness! Dear child, I thought I would never wake you. You sleep like the dead.”

“Oh thank God!” Cecilia exclaims as she tries to slow her bellowing breaths. “I had the most terrible dream.”

“Ah,” the old woman intones softly. “Dreams are a slippery thing.”

“It just felt so real! How can I know it wasn’t true? At any moment I could be right back there!”

“Back where child?” the crone asks suspiciously.

“Back to…” Cecilia hesitates, unsure how to explain. “It was only a dream,” she finishes lamely.

“Well you know what they say about daydreams, ‘dreams that come in daytime are always said to prove untrue, and secondly a nightmare often signifies the opposite,’” the old woman recites as she leans in, conspiratorially.

The acrid scent of gin assaults Cecilia’s nose and she realizes that the kind old woman is rather drunk. Looking around her Cecilia realizes she has likely taken the sot’s favorite resting place at the base of the oak.

The old woman shifts impatiently from foot to foot and Cecilia stands up feeling rather silly. Looking at her watch, she realizes she only has 15 minutes before the party.

“Thank you so much for waking me. It was nice meeting you but I really must go.” Gathering her box of supplies, Cecilia walks briskly in the direction of the subway, eager to leave the awkward situation.

“It’s no trouble at all, child,” the old woman slurs to her retreating back.

Just as Cecilia reaches the corner, she glances back to place where her vivid nightmare took place. The crone had just settled back against the tree and was grazing off into the increasing gloom. Her eyes shut tight, she purses her lips and begins to whistle a simple tune.

Cecilia’s blood runs cold as she listens in disbelief. The plaintive notes fill the air with an all too familiar melody. Cecilia turns and runs.

The end

Bibliography

Story source:Apuleius's Golden Ass, as translated into English by Tony Kline (2013).
The stories "Her Dream" and "Psyche's Despair" were the main inspirations

Author's Note:

I used parts of two stories from Apuleius's Golden Ass as inspiration for this story.  In the first story, "Her Dream," a young noble woman is kidnapped by a troop of mauraders with the intention of ransoming her. While at camp, the girl has a horrible dream and wakes up crying. In the dream, her kidnapping prevents her wedding and results in the death of her lover. A crone, slightly drunk and traveling with the bandits, attempts to calm her by telling her a saying about dreams and a story of Psyche and Cupid. In Psyche's despair, the distraught girl meets the god Pan. That is the extent of my use of the story.

I'm exploring the first person narrative style for now because it is a style I often read and enjoy.  This also would have worked very well as a third person omniscient or if told from multiple perspectives.  I really like the dream moral presented by the old woman in Apuleius's Golden Ass and thought it would make a great idea for a story.  Later in the unit when Psyche met Pan, I know I wanted to write something about the pastoral god.  The main character, Cecilia, is a combination of the kidnapped girl and Psyche.  I attempted to weave many elements of the unit into the story including the tasks (wedding planning), the kidnapping (nightmare), temptation, and the deep sleep. I hope that you found it entertaining and sorry it went a bit long!