Week 10 Story: To Save a Prince

There once was a good, strong king who loved his people more than himself. He spent every waking moment trying to protect and improve the lives of his subjects, and even in his sleep he was tormented by images of the poor and forgotten. 

The king had two sons. He assumed that they would follow the example he had set before them to become good, strong leaders. However, as the two grew older, the king feared he should have been more direct with his sons rather than merely hoping they would follow in his footsteps. 

Instead, his oldest, Louis, cared for nothing except women, hunting, and himself. His younger son, Francis, was perhaps less selfish and did care for the kingdom's people, but he was still more concerned with being king than helping them as someone with a lesser title. 

One day when the king was in his office, looking over agricultural reports, a messenger ran into the office unannounced. 

"Your Highness, the princes have been abducted! They are being held hostage by a water-sprite who will negotiate with no one but you."

Without hesitation, the king sprang into action. After saddling his horse and riding off, it wasn't long until he had followed the river to a cave with a beautiful water-sprite standing guard.

Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth
Source: Wikimedia

"Welcome, king. Please, join me for a cup of the freshest, cleanest water you have ever tasted. There is no need to rush. Your sons are safe."

Once the king descended from his steed, the water sprite sprinkled water around the beast so that he could freely graze, but could not cross the barrier she had marked. The water-sprite then motioned for the king to sit on a smoothed rock, weathered to take the shape of a chair. She handed him a cup of water and the king was amazed by its crisp, clear taste, more delicious than the finest wine. 

"King, I have happily watched your reign from afar. You are kind and just. But your sons have failed you. I caught them near my river dueling. It turns out the youngest lured his older brother out here so that he could kill him and be king. I do not understand how a brother could take the life of another, but these two are the future of the kingdom."

"Yes, while the oldest is owed the kingship by his birthright, the other claims it by his talent and wit."

"King, you are wise and fair. Therefore, I will give you a gift: the gift of opportunity. You know, birthright or no, who should be king. So, you may choose who to save. Whoever is left, I will wash away his memories and he will be free to start a new life."

How could the king choose a son to save? How could he lose a son, even if it was best for the nation?

"May I have time to think about it?" he asked. 

"It is decision time, king. You must choose now."

Louis was chosen due the kingship by his privilege of being born first, but cursed with a selfishness beyond the good king's understanding. Francis was blessed with kindness towards the kingdom's subjects, but he was willing to kill his own brother merely for the title of king. Was either of them truly deserving of being granted great power?

"I have always acted in the best interests of my people and I will not stop now because my sons have chosen a life of violence and evil. I will find a king who is worthy of such power."

"You wish both of your sons to be sent out into the world without any memory of their past lives?"

The king knew he could not keep his sons and do right by the kingdom, but he still loved his children. "Yes, but could you grant me one request?"

The water-sprite nodded solemnly. 

"Can you allow them to remember they are brothers and their happiest moments together?"

"For you king, I shall."

And so the king took his horse and began his ride back to the castle. It was time to find a new king. 

Author's Note: This is based off the story of the Princes and the Water-Spite. However, instead of the eldest brother choosing between his middle or youngest brother to save from the water-sprite, the king must choose who he wants to succeed him. In the original story, the oldest bother chooses to save the youngest even though he was trying to kill his older brothers and the water-sprite says that was the kind choice. In my story, he chooses neither because he knows neither would be a good king. 

Jataka Tales by Ellen Babbitt. (1912)

Reading Notes: Jatakas Tales, Part B

I liked the story of the Princes and the Water-Sprite, but I also had to reread it several times and still didn't understand it.

Image of cave.
Source: flickr

When asked which brother the eldest wants to save, he says the younger one because it's due to him their father sent them away, he couldn't go with the middle brother and leave the youngest. What?? The middle brother is innocent and was forced to leave his home because the king feared for his life because of his own mother! Why should he be left to die in that cave? And the water-sprite says that's the kind, good answer? How does that make any sense? Maybe I'm just missing something obvious, but I don't believe that this answer was good at all. I think an equally bizarre answer but more kind would be to say he won't take either so that they can keep each other company and neither has to be alone. While an equally terrible situation, this at least doesn't punish innocent people in the same way. Although I think the best answer is to save the middle brother since he did nothing wrong.

Jataka Tales by Ellen Babbitt. (1912)

Reading Notes Week 10: Jataka Tales, Part A

I like the stories of characters cleverly outwitting their enemy, but the turtle story was my favorite. I think it's hilarious that he didn't even have to do anything. They just didn't know anything about turtles and instead of learning about what they feared which would have allowed them to know that the water is his home, they just went off of assumptions and the turtle could take advantage of their ignorance.

Poster from March for Science
Source: Wikimedia

Jataka Tales by Ellen Babbitt. (1912)

Famous Last Words: Back to the real world

This past Spring Break week was not what I was expecting at all. I flew to Philadelphia and now I am sitting in the airport waiting to fly back. I thought that this week would be mostly filled with fun times, great memories, and lots of exploring. Instead, it was mostly stressful, I was not feeling well, and now I am just exhausted. I was so homesick for so much of the trip and now I can't wait to come home and hang out with my family. It was nice seeing my boyfriend there since we hardly ever see each other, but I am looking forward to being home.

Once I land in Oklahoma, I will once again be a part of the real world of work, school, and responsibilities. I have to keep reminding myself that there won't be any relaxing time between arriving in Norman and suddenly being busy again. I am already falling behind because the time I thought I could spend working on school work was not available during this trip as I had planned. I have an independent study course this semester that I am so behind on and feel so unprepared for that I have stress dreams about it all the time.

I finished my revision assignment for my second portfolio story and I am feeling really good about the direction my project is taking and I am excited to continue working on it to see the final product!

Me and a statue of Benjamin Franklin at UPenn

I think the best part of this trip though was definitely seeing how obsessed Philadelphia is with Benjamin Franklin. He is everywhere! And I am taking him as my inspiration to finish this semester strong. As someone who used his wit and education to raise him up to the very top of American society, I can follow his footsteps to at least finish these last few months of college.

Week 9 Storytelling: Saved

Draupadi was crouched in a corner of her apartment, hands clasped together tightly, shivering.

"Sorry about all that, Draupadi," her brother said. "But at least we saved you! See you tomorrow." Without another look back, her four brothers walked out of the apartment. 

She was left alone with the memory of her abduction. She had been simply walking behind her brothers, down the streets of New York, when a man suddenly grabbed, forced her into a van, and drove off. Yes, her brothers had saved her, but she didn't feel safe. Every shadow was after her. Every man was just waiting to grab her. 

Her brothers were powerful, and power naturally attracts enemies. Her brothers ran the city while everyone who wanted to hurt them used her as an easy target. 

She wasn't sure how long she stayed crouched in that corner of her apartment. Several mornings passed until she looked up and the rays from the sun shone so brightly in her eyes, filling her up with hope and anger. 

That day she enrolled in every self-defense class she could. She had a knife short enough to conceal, but long enough to do it's job. She wore nothing but running shoes and pants. 

A few months later, she was going for a run in Central Park when she tripped on something. There was nothing in her way before, but when she looked up, Kichaka stood over her. He was one of her brothers' sworn enemies. Before she could react, Kichaka kicked her in the head and the stomach. Her head aching and eyes blurring, she couldn't fight back as he put her in handcuffs and put her in a van. 

Photo of abandoned factory
Source: Wikimedia

The brothers of Draupadi heard rumors that their sister had been taken, abducted by Kichaka. They searched for Kichaka's hideout, but it took so long they were beginning to wonder if they would find their sister alive. 

Finally, they heard where exactly they could find their sister. As the busted into the abandoned factory, they expected to see their poor, innocent sister tied up and at the mercy of their enemy. 

Instead, Draupadi stood over the limp body of Kichaka, blood on her hands and victory in her eyes. 

"What are you doing here dear brothers?" she asked. 

"We... we came to save you," the eldest said shakily. 

"As you can see, I am no longer in need of your protection. Sorry to waste your time. See you tomorrow!" Without looking back, Draupadi left the factory leaving her brothers to shake in fear from the power and strength of their little sister.


Author's Note: This is a retelling and modern version of the story of Draupadi'a abduction. As I mention in my reading notes, I wish there was more strong women in the Mahabharata that kicked some serious butt. I also don't think Draupadi would be abducted by Jayadratha and then wait patiently to be abducted again and her brother to save her. So my story is set in modern New York (inspired by Law and Order SVU) and shows a bada** Draupadi who is unsatisfied with being saved by others. She wants power for herself and she works for it and overcomes her enemies. 

Bhima and Kichaka. The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (1921). 

Week 8 Review Announcements

For the video from the announcements, I am highlighting the SNL skit "Papyrus". I am in the process of writing cover letters and the advice is always to use a "professional font". I have ZERO visual talent and ZERO opinions on font. I always use Times New Roman just because I know that's very professional. But then I begin to wonder if some people think that's too uptight! I have no idea!! So I would be the people in the skit seriously having no idea why this guy is so bothered. I was laughing the whole time.

Here is the link to the announcement from March 9th which shared the "Papyrus" video.

For my favorite graphic, I loved the Chinese Proverb graphic, "One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade". These past couple weeks, people are finally starting to get fired up enough to really do something about education. We must act not only for the sake of children's educations, but also for the sake of future teachers. We must act now so that the future generations and our children are left out blistering in the sun!

Here is the link to the announcement featuring this graphic from Monday March 12th.

Famous Last Words: Thinking Ahead

Last week was one filled with anxiety and constant worry. However, this week has been better.

I feel as though I am finally calming down and in the right state of mind to make some big girl decisions. For example, I decided for sure that if I am accepted into my seven month program in France I will definitely take it. I am also applying to Teach For America, but I am far less interested in TFA. TFA is such a demanding program that I know I need to be far more excited and passionate about it if I am going to commit myself to it for two years.

At the same time, I am looking for summer internships in Philadelphia which is where my boyfriend is. I am applying to be an Editorial Intern at Hachette Book Group and I am hoping that I can get into the book publishing industry after y return from France. If anyone wants to help me edit my Cover Letter for Hachette Book Group, hit me up! It's something I really want, but feel so unqualified for so I am trying not to get my hopes up.

I am also feeling more confident about my progress in the class. My portfolio is going well and I am starting to have more of a vision for where I want that project to go. I feel on track so that even though I will need to keep up my extra credit participation, I know I will end the class with an A and I still won't have to do every single assignment ever.

Photo of French Flag
Source: Public Domain Pictures

My big accomplishment of the week was that Thursday I turned in a French paper that was not only late, but also one of the worst assignments of my life. I felt so ashamed of the work I had done and so quickly, that I didn't want to turn it in because I didn't want my professor to see. I "knew" for sure I couldn't get above a 65 on the assignment. Well I got my grade back and I got an 88! So basically I am a French genius *hair flip*. Just kidding, I really lucked out. But that was my great moment of the week was seeing that 88!

Week 8 Progress

My motivation
Source: pixabay

Let's just start this blog post with this obvious: This has been a rough semester. I feel so behind in everything and I am having a hard time finding the time or motivation to catch up. However, this review week is a wake up call for how much I need to get it into gear and finish college strong.

Going forward, I want to be more diligent about working at the beginning of the week. It always Thursday that I am feeling ready to go for assignments, but then I missed out on the big assignments from the beginning. So starting now, I am going to change my personal schedule so that I complete beginning of the week assignments on Sunday night and Monday morning.

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part D

Moses destroying the 10 Commandements
when he discovers the sins of the Hebrews.
Source: Wikipedia

The story of Krishna's death reminds me of the story of Moses, when he goes up on Mount Sinai and returns to find the Hebrews drunk and sacrificing to idols.

Krishna tells the people to not drink wine, and yet they get drunk. When Krishna removes himself from them, that is when he is shot He tried to avoid the result of what the omens were predicting, but he was unable to avoid his fate.

This section of the story is kind of all over the place, and there is a lack of connections between events. Or at least the connection and flow of the story is not evident. For example, where did the horrible woman with yellow teeth come from and where did she go? Why did they then go feast on the seashore after they have been robbed? I would like to explore the horrible woman's story and understand how she plays into the big picture.

The Death of Krishna. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).