Week 11: Storytelling Proverbs

-Short rhymes-

If you kiss on Monday, you kiss for love 

Kiss on Tuesday, kiss to git rid of 

Kiss on Wednesday, kiss for a show 

Kiss on Thursday, kiss might bring snow  

Kiss on Friday, kiss for the party 

Kiss on Saturday, you might find your smarty. 

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When one travels to the East, 

ones luck might just increase;

When one travels to the North, 

You never know what might come forth; 

When one travels to the South,

make sure you listen to the word by mouth; 

When one travels West,

Be looking for what looks best. 

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If one must sleep for seven-day, they must lay in a bed of hay. 

If they will stand for nights on end, they unsurely will descend. 

When one chooses to lay awake, only time will tell if they will break. 

Or if they may wonder throughout the fight, they will find the pathway to the light. 

On this journey, they must stand tall, for if they lose the will fall. 

Yet, when they fight true and strong,

they will have the seven days and may the be forever long. 

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In the morning dew on a summer day,
All of the animals loved to come out and play.
They frickled and frolicked through the fields,
no one ever stops or makes yields.
Then once the sun has been raised,
It rains down its light for all to praise.
Days are spent in love of life,
No one ever deals with strife.
All is well in the sun and shine,
As the night begins to fall everyone watches the falling skyline.

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Deer sketch By Kelly Tom on Public Domain

"Early to bed, and early yo rise, 

Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. "

There once was a man who went from nothing to everything. 

He was a poor boy who was found on the streets. 

A man took him in to comfort his needs.

 When the man took him in he taught him to live. 

To live was to learn and to learn was to live. 

The man taught the boy to smile in life. 

For the simplest of things could bring forth the greatest of joy. 

The man also taught him to work for his worth. 

So the boy worked hard and never stopped. 

He worked every day and helped when he could. 

While at the same time he found happiness in his heart. 

He knew when he helped he did more than just work. 

He brought strength to himself for the work was not work.

The boy had learned that he could do what he loved.

When he did what he loved he would find peace from above. 

The peace from above-brought hope to the rest. 

The rest could then see the love that was spread. 

This poor from the streets was a blessing within. 

For he grew on the town and the town surely loved him. 

After hard work and heart, the boy made himself a man.

He saved up all his earning and bought him some land. 

He never gave up and always stayed strong.

His land became great for he made himself a farm. 

His farm flourished in size and he sold what he grew. 

He came to a wealthy man and always stood true. 

He always went back to the man who took him in. 

For he never forgot who made and shaped him. 

He learned the great lesson to love what you do. 

To always work hard and smile too. 

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Author's Note: For this unit of reading I read the Nursery Rhymes. For the first two rhymes, I took them to form the reading and changed them up a bit. For the first one, the original rhyme talked about sneezing on each day of the week. For the second rhyme, the original one was about the wind blowing in different directions. For the third rhyme, I choose to make up my own. I found it a lot more difficult than I anticipated. I am hoping It makes sense to all my readers. Ha but then again a few of the rhymes I read, I was totally lost. For the last rhyme, I wanted to incorporate animals into it. I feel like animals are used a lot in rhymes for children. They make an easier connection to animals. It also attracts some people's interest. I wanted to tell a short rhyme about animals living their life in a field. Living through the summer days just running through the fields enjoying the simplicity of life. In the last short story I expanded it from one of the proverbs. The original proverb, "Early to bed, and early yo rise, Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. ". I choose to give a little to the story, by expanding it. I just wanted to add more detail. 

Story Source: Nursery Rhymes Unit. Proverbs, From The Nursery Rhyme Book edited by Andre Lang and illustrated by L. Leslie Brooke (1897). 

Week 10: Storytelling: Peace Pipe

Eagle Tournament 

One day high up above where the sky touched the earth was a mass convocation of the eagle. Today would the day that one eagle would be chosen to sacrifice a feather. This feather would be used in the making of the an all sacred piece pipe. This sacred peace pipe would be used by the Indians on earth to create peace with one another.

The judges of this competition would-would be the wise old owl and the cunning woodpecker. They would sit on earth with the Indians and help decide what feather would be chosen.

Up above all different eagles gather from across the great horizon. They had been preparing for this for years. They sharpened their beaks and talons, but most of all made sure their feathers on point.

The competition would begin by a showing of every owl's feather. After the select few were chosen the next set would begin. The eagles would be judged on sturdiness, appearance, color, softness and weight. After a long and hard thought out decision, the top eagles were the spotted eagle, bald eagle, golden eagle, and imperial eagle. For all of their feathers stood out among the others.

The next challenge was dropped a single feather in the middle of the sacred circle on the earth and have it stand straight up. In the sacred circle, the owl and woodpecker were watching, along with the Indians.

The first eagle to try was the golden one. He picked out the longest feather and began to fly over the circle. The wind was strong and blowing hard to the east. When the golden eagle dropped his feather it did not land straight up. It fell flat on it side and the golden eagle was out of the challenge.

Next up was the spotted eagle. The spotted eagle chooses to pick his most spotted feather. The spotted owl watched how the wind affected the other father, and accounted for that. Yet, as soon as the spotted eagle dropped the feather a butterfly interrupted its path. With the gentle touch of the butterfly and the feather the path to winning was corrupted. Now the spotted eagle was out of the challenge.

After that, the bald eagle was up. The bold eagle chooses his strongest most sturdy feather. The bald eagle watched the wind, watched for incoming bugs and determined a path to drop the feather. Before the bald eagle could even drop the feather he was struck down by a nearby tree. The spirits of the earth interfered and did not want the bald eagle to win the challenge.

Now in the competition only the imperial eagle remained. If the imperial eagle could not win the challenge the peace pipe would never be made. The imperial eagle chooses the feather closest to his heart. He did not check for the wind, he did not check for bugs and he did not check his surroundings. The imperial eagle knew that he could the challenge. He flew above the circle with a courageous heart and dropped the feather.

Down on earth the owl and the woodpecker along with the Indians watched at the feather fluttered down. The feather of the imperil eagle landed straight up in the center of the sacred circle. The imperial eagle had won the challenge. His feathers would be used to make the sacred piece pipe for now an years to come.

Imperial Eagle on Flickr by Frankie Chu

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Author's note: In the original story it tells how the Indians gathered as a council. They cleared a circle and sat down. They heard the owl and woodpecker near bye. The chief said they would offer us aid, so he had them join the circle. This is why I choose the owl and woodpecker to be the judges in the circle. Then as the Indians sat in the circle the chief sent for someone to get wood and ash sapling. Every time a feather fell into the circle the chief sent him back for a different one. Then one feather landed staring up and the chief said this was the right wood and sapling and this is the feather we will use. From then on the peace pipes have been made from the imperial eagle's feathers. In my story, I choose to tell it from the eagles side of the story. I turned it into a competition. Oppose to the eagle feathers telling the Indians what wood and sapling were correct.

Story Source: From the Great Plains unit, story The Legend of the Peace Pipes by Katharine Berry Judson (1913).

Week 9: Storytelling: When the Rainbow Was Torn

Coloring Earth 

Long ago before humans and animals roamed the earth it was colorless. The only thing living on earth was plants, shrubs and trees. Along with the natural elements of wind, fire, air, earth, and weather. The elements were special for they could obtain color. The fire was able to burn a piercing red. The wind had a blue tint to it as well as the rain. The lighting was able to hold a glowing yellow. The one that stood out the most was the rainbow. The rainbow held seven outstand colors; radiant red, outstanding orange, great green, yeasty yellow, bold blue,  illusive indigo, and  vast violet. All the other plants and elements were jealous. They wanted to have the color like the rainbow did.

Rainbow: By Barb Ver Sluis

For many years, the rainbow made sure he never touched any other plants on the ground. The rainbow was careful to place his ends in clear open spaces on the ground. The rainbow feared that the other plants would steal his color. 

Until one day the storm clouds were very upset and it rained and rained for days on end. Every time the storm clouds would let up the rainbow would come out. He would shine his bold and brilliant colors. After a month of training, the rainbow grew very tired. He was exhausted after showing himself and letting his colors rain down to earth. It wasn't always easy being a rainbow. He needed his rest as well. 

One day the storm clouds let up for a break to take a rest. It was time for the rainbow to come out and shine. Due to his exhaustion, he was not paying close attention to where he set his ends down. It was too late, though, by the time he noticed he was about to place his end on a bed of flowers. The rainbow was too weak to pull up his end, so he fell on the bed of flowers. The moment his end touched them the flowers broke out into color. 

The rainbow was in a mess, he began to panic that this was the end of him. His color would vanish and the flowers would take it all. There would be no more rainbow to shine after the rain. Or would there?

When it was time for the rainbow to pull up from earth he was shocked. He pulled up and realized he hadn't lost a bit of color. He was ecstatic and joyful once again. He had actually felt better than ever before. For the rainbow had gained energy from the flower he landed on. He also noticed that the flower was now colored. They held as much beauty as the rainbow did. 

Instead of being mad the rainbow was happy. He looked down on the flowers and saw how stunning they looked. It was a much better view then looking down and black and white all day. From that day, the rainbow took the job of painting the world. He asked the rainclouds to continue to rain while he helped add color to the world. He landed in a new spot day after day. He decided to paint the pines green, the water blue and give the flowers the color of their choice. As days went by color flourished over the ground. All the other elements loved the view. 

This is the story of how the color came into the world. With a simple accident, that lead to wonders. 

Colored the Flowers. By, Ian Sane on Flicker

Authors Note: I took the original story of When the Rainbow Was Torn. In the original story, there were cactus flowers that were white. The colors belonged to the rainbow. When the rainbow touched the ground everything around it soaked up its color. The cactus flower always hoped the rainbow would touch down on them. Yet the rainbow was afraid the towns would poke him. In the original story, the rainbow was heavy from all the rain drops and fell down on the cactus flower. It wasn't able to lift up due to the weight of raindrops. This is how the cactus flowers gained their color. In my story, I wanted to take away all color from earth. I gave the rainbow all the color and made him a selfish character, who didn't want to share. Until one day he grew too tired and fell on the flowers. I then turned the rainbows character around and made him giving. Once he realized he wouldn't lose his color and he could share it with everyone. Making earth a beautiful place to look at. 

Story Source: From the Tejas Legends: When the Rainbow Was Torn. Form When the Storm God Rides: Tejas and Other Indian Legends retold by Florence Stratton and illustrated by Berniece Burrough (1936). 

Week 7: Storytelling : The Egg

The Egg 

Many years ago there was a Dragon King who lived in a cave in the middle of the ocean. This king had been around longer than anyone or anything else around. He kept to himself with his Dragon-Queen and lived a quiet life. Their cave was in the middle of the ocean where very few could even get to. Yet, no one knew how or why he was a king. There were a million different stories and rumors going around. No one knew the true story. Many had never even seen the Dragon-King. Some did not even believe he existed. The people would argue that if he was alive he wouldn't be hiding in a cave in the middle of the ocean. People would ask if he was a coward? Was the king even alive? Why didn't he ever leave his cave? How did he even become king? Why has no one seen him? Questions were rattled off each and ever day.

One of the popular stories that went around was the Dragon King never leaves his cave base of all the treasures he holds. The King had no reason to leave his home. This story brought many people out to sea in hopes of finding the hidden treasures. Eventually, people stopped trying because no man had come back alive. The monsters of the ocean were loyal to the king and helped protect his treasures.

Hidden Island Cave: Wikipedia

One day not far from the hidden island a girl was wandering around the mountains. She was scouring the side of rocky cliffs when she came upon a mysterious object. She had found a dragon egg. It was solid black without a singe scratch on it. The egg was about the size of a newborn baby. Finding this egg would change the girls life forever. 

The girl had only heard of the Dragon King but never truly believed in the stories until this day. The girl wanted no trouble and was afraid of what could happen if she was found even near this egg. As you can imagine Dragons are not known to be friendly creatures. This girl couldn't help but wonder what that egg was doing all alone. How could the Dragon King leave his egg unattended? The girl wondered if something had gone wrong. She was torn between fear and keeping the egg safe. 

The girl had come to the conclusion that no one else would find the egg and it should remain safe. The girl packed up her things and right as she was about to climb down the rest of the mountain, she heard a crack. It was the egg. The egg was beginning to crack. The girl froze, and to her amazement, she watched the egg hatch. 

It was the most magnificent creature she had ever seen. It was surely enough a baby dragon. The baby dragon was a metallic black with piercing red diamonds marked down his back. His wings had spikes on the tips and his claws were as sharp as blades. His eyes were a stunning deep purple and his teeth were fully grown. The baby dragon had soon spotted the girl sitting next to him. 

No one made a move. Until the small cliff, they were both sitting on began to give way. There was fear in both their eyes. Knowing the cliff edge was about to fall the girl grabbed the baby dragon and began to climb down. She made it down in the nick of time. The edge they were sitting on fell, crashing down into the fierce waves of the ocean below them. Once the girl was on the sturdy ground she set the baby dragon down. 

Frighted by everything that had recently occurred the girl took one last look at the baby dragon and took off running. The baby dragon let out a cry and started to run after her. The girl heard and started to slow down. She looked back and saw the baby struggling to keep up with her. The girl stopped running and the baby came running up to her and lay down on her feet. 

The baby dragon had become attached to this girl. The girl knew it too. She was no longer scared but now felt a sense that she had to protect this little dragon. As the days went on the girl and the baby dragon began to grow closer and closer. They had been together for almost a month now. The baby dragon was not so much a baby anymore. The dragon was growing fast. One day the dragon was big enough the girl was able to ride him. The dragon bowed down to her and she knew he wanted her to ride him. The girl took a leap of faith and got on her dragon. He took off and they flew up into the sky. The girl was amazed and truly happy she had found this dragon. 

The dragon started to slow down and make his way back to the ground. The girl noticed a little island that seemed to have a cave on it. This is where the dragon landed and the girl hopped off. The dragon looked at here with worried eyes then wrapped himself around her. The girl grew worried she knew something was going on. Then the dragon let out a call and a call back is what followed. Two other dragons came out of the cave. The girl looked at her dragon and she knew these must be his parents. 

The dragon had found his home and brought the girl with him. The life of the girl is now in the hands of what once was the baby dragon she had saved. The young dragon knew he would have to come home but couldn't leave the girl behind. This is the story of how dragons and humans came together. 

Author's Note: I based my story from The Dragon-King. In the story, there was a very powerful monkey that could overcome any element. The monkey was able to walk across water and get to the Dragon-king. The ape had travel to the king to ask him for a weapon that could suit his strength. Here the king presented him with a rod. This rod was able to adjust size and weight with the apes command. I was not a huge fan of this weeks reading I choose so I really wanted to mix it up. If I could have any creature as a pet it would be a baby dragon. This is where I got the idea once I read about the dragon king. The only thing I kept from the story was the cave the dragon king lived in and the treasures the king had. In the end, I wanted the dragon and the girl to become friends. I ended the story leading to the beginning of dragons and human friendship. In other words the first dragon rider. 

Bibliography: Story source- The Monkey King Unit, Story, The Dragon-King by, R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921.) 

Week 6: Storytelling: Smoke

-Smoke-

In the forests of India lived a young snake named Smoke. Smoke was a piercing black king cobra. Smoke's family of cobras were known to other animals as deadly and dangerous. The other animals kept their distance to stay safe. Smoke, on the other hand was not as mean and violent as the rest of his family.

Smoke the Black Cobra

Souce: Youtube-deadliest animals 

One day smoke was out and about roaming the forest grounds.  Smoke arrived at the river he had seen a human on the other side. Humans are not meant to be in this part of the forest. This was the darkest and deepest part of the forest where no human ever ventured into. 

Smoke was a curious snake so he made his way across the river to get a closer look at this human. Smoke was somewhat admiring this human that he had made it so far into the forest. He was a strong man with dark black hair and a full grown beard. He wore all black and carried a sheath on his side that held a sword. The end of the sword had a snake head engraved on it with black diamonds as snakes eyes. 

The man started to walk upstream of the river and Smoke followed. The man began to talk to himself so Smoke listened. The man was headed to find his lover, she had been kidnapped. Clearly Smoke believed the man because he was in the dark forest. Smoke knew no man ever dared to go through the dark forest. 

Smoke knew he couldn't let his family harm this man or take his life. He wanted the man to find his lover and rescue her. Smoke decided to help this man through the dark forest. The king cobras were not the only creatures you needed to worry about in this forest. There were also black panthers that hide high up in the trees. 

Dark Forest
Found on Flickr by Craig Cloutier

Smoke was keeping a close eye on the man and was impressed by how well the man noticed his surroundings. Yet, the man was not looking up into the trees. Smoke knew the panthers hide there though and spotted one up ahead.  Smoke had to do something so he took off and headed up the tree. Right as the panther was about to leap down onto the man Smoke sprung from the branch he was on and began wrapping his body around the panther. The panther and Smoke fell to the ground right in front of the man. The man quickly grabbed his sword and stabbed the panther through the heart. Smoke uncoiled himself from the panther and was staring at the man. They both paused and no one moved. The man was hesitant but also took off sprinting. Smoke felt a sense of relief then took off after the man. 

Smoke caught up to him and found him near a small waterfall. This was no average waterfall though. It was the spiders waterfall. One bite would kill any man. Smoke snuck up close to the man and checked for any spiders. He looked around but couldn't see any. Then he looked up and saw about a hundred spiders hanging from their webs right above the man. Smoke had never had to worry about being bit by one of them. His scales were too thick and strong for any creature to bit. Smoke made his way to the top of the waterfall then in one swift motion leaped from the top and caught all the webs the spiders were hanging from. The spiders were no longer hanging over the man, he was safe. 

When Smoke had snatched up all the spiders the man had been looking down in the water. The man saw Smoke flying above him in the reflection of the water. The man thought the snake was following him and became anxious. 

The man got up from drinking the water and slowly started walking again. Smoke noticed and quickly followed behind him. The man and Smoke were almost out of the dark forest. Smoke was starting to feel very pleased and happy the man was going to make it. Then, all of a sudden the man fell. Smoke slithered up ahead and found the man in a pit of quicksand. Smoke began to panic because he could not fight back with quicksand. It was just as dangerous to Smoke as it was to the man. Once again Smoke looked up and a branch hung directly above the pit of sand. Smoke made his way up and curled his tail around the branch. 

Smoke slowly lowered himself down and bit onto the back of the man's jacket. The man did not notice until he felt himself being lifted up. The man had though the Smoke was about to eat him as soon as he pulled him out of the quicksand. Smoke had pulled him out and set him on the branch next to him. All of a sudden the branch broke. Smoke fell in the pit of quick sand. The man looked down at Smoke and climbed down the tree. Smoke was trying as hard as he could to get out but he was falling fast. Once the man got out he ran the side of the pit and pulled out his sword. He swung it right at Smoke.  The sword stopped right before it hit Smoke. Smoke look at it and it was the handle of the sword, the snakes head.

The man was saving Smoke. Smoke grabbed on and the man pulled him out then set his sword down on the ground. Smoke crawled off then looked at the man. The man looked back and said thank you snake. The man had pointed his sword at Smoke and motioned for him to crawl up. Smoke accepted and crawled up onto the man's shoulders.The two finished their journey through the dark forest and found and saved the girl. 

Authors Note: I generated this story from reading,  How the Raven Saved the Hunter. In this story, a man was about to drink from a poisonous river. Then a raven swooped down and stopped him. At first, the man thought it was a mistake. Then it happened again, this time, the man was a bit upset. One last time the man tried to drink the water and the raven stopped him once more. This time, the man was very mad and killed the raven. After the man was curious and thought maybe the raven did not want the man to drink the water. So the man hiked to the head of the river and saw the water coming from a snakes mouth. The water was poison then the man felt terrible for killing the raven. 

I got the snake (Smoke) idea from the water coming from the snakes head. I wanted to chance the main plot of the story be instead of killing the animal (raven) they became friends. The man in the forest realized that smoke was trying to save him. So instead of not noticing before it was too late and killing him, they became friends. 

I choose the forest in India because it is one of the places king cobras live. I also like to change the scenery in my stories from the original. 

Bibliography: 

From the Tibetan Folktales unit, Tibetan Fold Tales by A.L. Shelton (1925) Story: How the Raven Saved the Hunter. 

Info on the king cobra found on wikipedia.org

Week 5: Storytelling

Authors Note: This week's story was based on the origin story of The Lion and the Hare. The original story is about a Lion who takes over a forest and is eating all the other animals. Then one day they decided to tell the lion he was too mighty to have to catch all his food so they would bring it to him. From that day on the animals would gather and decide who would sacrifice themselves to the lion. One day it was the hare's turn to be sacrificed but he was not willing to die. So he came up with a plan and told the other animals he will get rid of the lion of good and solve the problem. So he tricked the lion into believing there was another lion by making him look down into a well filled with water. The lion saw his reflection, thinking it was anther lion and jumped into the well.

For my story, I wanted to do my best to really change it up. I also added the plot twist of the Lion and the Hare becoming friends. This story also reminds me of The Lion King. This is how I came up with the idea of the lion cub getting lost and the hare finding him and becoming friends. Kind of like Timon and Pumbaa. Then when the lion and the outsider lion found each other and they are brothers, that idea was when Nala found Simba.

I also decided to add my authors note first to see how my readers would respond. If it gives them a better image inter mind before they start reading the story.

Nash and Klee

One early morning an adventurous lion club decided he would go out on a journey. He ventured so far and did not realize how long he had been gone until night started to fall. This is also when the lion cub noted he was far from him homeland. He began to get worried and scared, as well as hungry. The cub did not want to travel in the dark so he started to look for shelter for the night. Along the way, the cub found a bush of berries and jumped straight into the middle of them with joy. As the cub was munching away on the berry bush he hears a little rustle in the bush next to him. He crouched down and crawled under the bushes when he found a baby rabbit.

Nash by the bushes 

"Hey! My names Nash, what's your name?" The cub said with excitement.

The baby rabbit jumped straight into the air then fell back down but before the rabbit ran off Nash spoke to him once more. "Wait! I won't hurt you. I am lost and very far from home. I was starving until I found these berries looking for a place to sleep through the night. I am scared myself. I have never been alone this long before. Please help me."

The rabbit replied, "Hi Nash, my name is Klee. Sorry, I almost ran away but you are a lion and lions eat rabbits. Thanks for not eating me. I live just around these bushes. You can sleep here for the night, it's a safe place from the rest of the jungle."

That night Nash and Klee curled up side by side and sleep sound through the night. When they felt the warmth from the sun on their backs they woke up in search to find Nash's homeland. They searched for many days, turning into many weeks.  Along the way, they encountered challenging tasks, escaped vicious beasts, and made it into deadly territory.

Nash out on an adventure 

What Nash and Klee didn't see though was that they also become the greatest of friends thought their journey. The two would always have each others back. Nash would be the muscle and power. The Klee would be the smart and sneaky one. The two made a great team together and became a brother. Eventually, they gave up the search form Nash's homeland. Not necessary because they couldn't find it but because Nash had found a new homeland with Klee.

As time went by Nash was no longer a little cub. He was a full grow Lion; his mane flourished in the wind, he muscles were massively built, his teeth were as sharp as blades, and his skills were like no one had ever seen before. Nash had grown to be the king of this jungle and no one dared to get in his was or even think about touching Klee and his family.

Nash grew up 

Nash was well respected by all the animals in the jungle and was a great king. He kept peace with all the creatures. He even set a rule for himself that he would not hunt in his homeland he would travel outside the boundaries to do so.

One day Nash was out for a hunt and Klee was out adventuring on his own. Looking for spots him and Nash could play in when he returned from his hunt. Klee had found an old castle on the outskirts of the jungle and went in to explore. Klee didn't know it at the time but he was being watched. There was another lion, an outsider that was tracking Klee. A small bird flying up above had seen this lion come into the jungle and flew to find Nash.

As soon as the bird found Nash traveling back from his hunt he swooped down and told him what he had seen. In fear from his brother Klee, Nash bolted to the old castle the bird described.

Back at the old castle, the outsider was just about to pounce onto Klee when Nash jumped into the outsider in the nick of time. The two lions were at battle in a furious fight. Roars broke out and filled the jungle. The other animals hear and came rushing to see what was happening. The outsider and Nash were tearing apart what was remaining of the castle. Bricks were breaking and clouds of dust gathered around the two as they tussled about. Then the wind began to blow and Nash had caught the scent of the outsider. At once Nash jumped off the outsider in  astonishment. He couldn't believe the scent, for it was one that was more than just familiar to him.

"Brother, is that you? It is I Nash, I am still alive. I have been living here ever since I got lost as a cub. This rabbit, Klee found me and helped me when I had no one else."

Nash was right, this outsider of a lion was no other than Nash's brother. Two then became to jump all over each other but this time, it was out of joy and playfulness. The two had been reunited as long lost brothers. Nash had explained everything to him, how he got lost and Klee and he could never find him homeland. Yet in all their searches Klee had become his new brother and Nash become king of this jungle and watched over everyone.

Nash's brother stayed a few days trying to get Nash to come back to his original homeland. Nash turned down his offer though and  choose to stay here where he felt was him home and where he belonged. Nash could also never leave Klee.

From that day on Nash continued to rule his jungle and spend the rest of his days adventuring with Klee. His lion brother would also make trips to come visit and all was well in the life of Nash.


Bibliography: This week's story was inspired by, The Lion and Hare. From the Bidpai unit. The story source: The Tortoise and the Geese and Other Fables of Bidpai by Maude Barrows Dutton, with illustrations by E.Boyd Smith, (1908).

Week 4: Storytelling: Birth of Siddhartha

The Birth of Sidd 

In year past there once a world filled with evil, demons, and witches. This was a time of dark ages. In a kingdom call Gautama lived a king and queen, their castle was greater and taller that anyone had ever seen. The castle tower reached so high in the sky that the clouds consumed it. In these dark times though it was always covered by the mass of black clouds. The castle was also broken off from the rest of the land, the ground around it had cracked and fallen to the sea. Now for the tail that brought these dark times.

Island castle covered by the Dark

There once was a time when dark did not consume the land of Gautama. It was a time of joy, happiness, and light. It was a bright and beautiful kingdom and people came from far and wide to visit the king and queen in their castle. The land of Gautama was friendly to all.

Late one afternoon in the land of Gautama the King was hunting by the forest, looking for a deer. The king had stumbled upon a fine buck. He drew back his bow and an arrow flew with strength and speed, piercing the heart of the deer. Please with his kill he started to approach the deer, when he was mysteriously interrupted.

The king saw a shadow rising from the back of the forest. As it got closer and the king took a better look he couldn't believe what he saw. A witch! The king had only heard stories that they existed. How could this be?

With a scratch of a chuckle the witch slowly walked up to the king. The king asked the witch, "What is your business? This is my land, you do not belong here."  The witch then replied, "Oh yet you think my king, yet for this was first my land. You see I was banished and became weak. I had to take shelter and gain back strength. Now I am back and plan on taking back what was truly mine."

In shock the king was terrified. With courage he grabbed for an arrow and fired at the witch. The witch simple rebutted with a flick of her wand and the arrow flew right past her. The king knew he had to get back to his queen. He ran back to his castle.

He ran through the kingdom village shouting to the people. He told everyone to go home and lock the doors. He doubled the guards at every entrance of the kingdom.

King at battle

The king was not planning on giving his land to this witch. He told his wife that he was going out to battle. She tried everything she could to get him to stay because she had just found out she was going to have a baby. She knew her king would not sit and watch his kingdom fall so she decided not to tell him the news yet. He prepared for battle and set out with all his men.

They arrived to the edge of the forest. The ground started to shake and the sky began to roar. Black clouds filled the sky and the earth began to shake. The witch then appears from the edge of the forest.

"You don't stand a chance my king, for I have risen the demos of the ground and have the power of magic on my side. From this day on only the birth of one who can see pure truth and light can defeat me.  I have cast a spell on this land to insure no births. Now I will defeat you."

All that is Evil and Dark

From the depths of the forest the witch flew out with an army of demons.

The king and he are were in a tremendous battle. The king could see they were out numbered with no magic. In the darkness of the battle the king knelt down and prayed to the gods.

" Forgive me for I am not as strong as my enemy but please for the sake of my people and this kingdom help us."

A small light from above shown down on the king and he found strength from within. He jumped into the battle field slaying all that came his way. The witch noticed the king now had help from the gods. The witch began to worry, she knew the king and his armies could now win in battle.

The dark witch started to send the earth to the depths of the sea. The king ordered them to retreat back to the castle for protection. The king and most of his armies made it back to the castle, yet the witch was right behind them.

The witch flew up to the king "You may have won this battle with the help from the Gods but I shall still win back my land for you will now be stuck in your castle with no where to go."

The king was devastated. He cried to his queen with a broken heart. "Please do not be sad my king for I have good news. While you were at battle the Gods came to me. They told me that the baby I will soon bear will be able to save this kingdom. For she will be able to see the truth and light in the world. She will be a hero and restore this kingdom."

The King had faith again and everyone in the castle vowed their lives to this unborn child. Above all the dark clouds the top of the castle tower would glow when the queen and her unborn child were there. Her name will be Sidd.



Author's Note: I bases this story on the readings from the story, Birth of Siddhartha. In this story a kings wife, Mara knew her son was to be born soon. She had been sent dreams for the gods and felt the warmth her son brought. The day her son was to be born the king ordered for the whole kingdom to be lavished with extravagant beauty, such as flowers and jewels. This was also no ordinary son, he was said to be a Buddha. Once Siddhartha was born joy spread throughout the world. "Bells peeled gaily, peacocks spread their tail-feathers, and sounds of swans throbbed int he air. Flowers blossomed, fruit on trees, light in the sky, strength was given to the weak, poor became of wealth, and the wicked was cleaned of evil." (Birth of Siddhartha quote)  This baby was said to be the one to see the truth.

In my story I told it as a bedtime story, keeping the version of a king and queen to have a baby. I wanted to change up the beginning of the story. Making it dark from the witch. Then same at the original story the baby would being joy, light and happiness to the world. I also changed they boy to a girl baby in my story.

The name of the kingdom, Gautama is know as a Buddha name. Or also known as Siddhartha Gautama the founding of Buddha teaching. This is how I came up with the name of the kingdom.

Bibliography: Story is part of the Buddha Unit. Story source: Birth of Siddhartha, by Andre Ferdinand Herold (1922).

Week 3 Storytelling: The Light to the Beginning

When the Earth was first born it was nothing but dirt and water. Then one day in the great heavens from above, an idea stuck a God looking down on Earth. Now, this wasn't just any God; it was the strongest, wisest, kindest, most loving and talented of them all. He had run out of ways to exert his strengths and talents until he had a though one day. Then the mighty God decided to create another living world, he would do so in the Earth he was looking down upon.

He decided to start of by adding beauty to the planet. God made trees, flowers, grass, mountains, streams, lakes, ridges, volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls, plains, and shrubs. He made many different varieties of each one. He then had the idea of operating the different varieties on different parts of the Earth, so it wasn't all the same everywhere you went. Due to God being very wise he decided that because this was Earth and not the Heavens the plants would need a way to say alive and replenish themselves. He pondered for a moments and then knew he need animals to live among these habits he had created. He would place animals with scales and webbing in the water. He then put animals with fast legs to run in the open plains. For the mountains he added strong beasts. He made it so the animals could live from the land they were placed in. All of the plants and surrounds would all coexist together as one.

After a few weeks of observing God's new creations he noticed his plants color was fading, they were dying. God was very puzzled by this but soon figured out a solution. He need to provide an energy source and protection for the plants and animals. This is how the sun and moon were invented. The sun would energize the living and the moon would be its cover for rest and relaxation. The sin would also bring warmth to the plants and animals. God was very please by his cleaver and extravagant creations. Yet, he still felt something was missing. Then he knew what he had to do to fulfill the planet Earth, he would create a human race. With this human race they would adapt to the Earth leaning the was of nature. They would be able to live of its plants and animals. Everything they needed they could find on Earth. God preceded starting to work for six hard days.

 On the end of the sixth day he had created the beginning to the human race. He created the most perfect man he could of imagined. He named him Adam, he was made from the heart of a god, and the dirt from the Earth. On the seventh day God decided this would be his day of rest, to enjoy the creation of the human race on Earth.

Creating Mankind

Author's note: This story was based from the Unit Adam and Eve. It was hard to just pick one story to go from because they all messed together as one huge story. I found my inspiration from the story The Darkness. This story tell how Adam and Eve had signed and were punished by being place in a cave. While Adam was not allowed to be in the garden God had to created other people to work there. He realized that these people needed rest from their work. This is when God created the Night and Day, and the sun. Adam though he was being punished when it became completely dark. This was the first time Adam couldn't see anything and was terrified. Then he was please when he saw light again. When Adam headed towards the light though he felt a great warmth it brought and thought it was God trying to burn him. I was inspired to write a story about a God from heaven who created the Human race and everything they would need to live would be provided by earth. It was in the beginning a self sustaining community. The plants, animals, and humans would all work together to create harmony on Earth. With my story telling I just took a different approach as to how the human race began and Earth was created.

Bibliography:Story based from, The Darkness. Unit Adam and Eve, 13-14-15.  From The Forgotten Book of Eden, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926)

Week 2 Storytelling: The Wolf-Mother of Saint Ailbe

No love, I felt no love. I was cold, hungry, alone, and scared. I was just a baby, a newborn baby. Warmth, is that what I felt? I was being picked as I wrapped in a cloth. I was being taken, or so I thought. At the time I was just a baby, in the home of parents who didn’t want me. They had no desire to keep me so they decided to abandon me and leave me in the woods. With only a dirty piece of cloth wrapped around my body, they left me in a bush deep in the woods.

The night was growing close and a storm was headed my direction. As the night crept closer so did the thunder. I tried to ignore the hunger, the cold, and the hurt. I didn’t know how how long I would last, so with everything I had I cried. I kept crying, yet the thunder was starting to drown the sounds of my cries. Then when all hope was almost lost a sound cried out from behind the bush. Howling to the storm, a mother wolf cried out. Death, that’s what was coming. The wolf had found me and was coming to kill her prey.

Slowly, the wolf walked up to me and stop dead in her tracks. She blocked the rain from falling on me. Her eyes were a piercing blue and her fur was as black as the night. She was swift and strong, yet I wasn’t afraid. For some reason I knew she wouldn’t hurt me. With the most gentle of touch the wolf picked me up and then took off running through the woods. As she set me back down I was in her den. I then felt warmth surround me, she had three pups that nestled around me. This mother wolf had taken me in as one of her own.

The moon was full and bright tonight and I was ready for the hunt. My brother and I have been practicing and felt the strength of the moon tonight. We had been watching a bull elk graze in the far meadow from the den. Tonight we would take it down and feast. As we set out for our hunt, mother wolf howled to the moon then we took off into the night. It had been two years now since i’ve been with my wolf family. They have taught me the ways of the woods and how to live. They also taught me their language and how to live by the moon. I felt at one with the woods as if it’s where I had always belonged. We took down the bull elk with ease, mother wolf was proud.

(The wolf and the Moon) From pixabay

 Dog Wolf Yelp Moon Tree Night Starry Sky

That next night my brothers and I were all still full from the elk so we decided to go out and play. I was out exploring some new land on the other side of the meadow when I saw something strange. It was a hunter on a horse. I had never seen one before. I stopped to watch, I was curious. As I was watching my guard fell and I was spotted. I didn’t run, I felt the same way I did when mother wolf found me. I let the hunter approach me. He started to speak but I couldn’t understand. He dismounted his horse and walked up to me. He gave me a look of concern as if i was lost. To the man that is how I looked. I was a two year old boy running on all fours, unclothed. I was raised in the way of the wolf. The hunter was also a curious boy who wanted to learn more. He was about to pick me up until he heard my brother howl out. The hunter grabbed me not knowing that was my brother wolf. The hunter jumped on his horse with me in his arms. The horse took off and we were running away from my brothers. I could hear them chasing after us, crying out for me. I howled back, yet I was already too far away for them to hear me. They were gone, this time I was taken from my family.

Years had past since the boy was taken from his wolf family. The boy was now a grown man who had become a wise and respected Bishop. He leaned how to read and write very quick and advanced with ease. In this time he had never forgotten about his wolf family, especially every full moon.

One day a local shepherd sheep got out. The Bishop offered to go out and look for them. They had been looking all day, night started to fall. Just as the Bishop was about to head back he found the last sheep. He was headed toward the sheep but a rustle in the bushes stopped him. The Bishop paused and looked around, yet it was to dark to see anything. The Bishop knew he wasn’t alone. He did not panic though, yet he felt a sense of home. The smell of the night air, the moonlight, the cool breeze. Then with a moment's notice he knew at once what made the sound in the bushes, a wolf. In a language almost forgotten, he howled to the moon. Then from behind the shadows four wolves appeared in front of him, his family. He recognized them and the wolves knew this was their long lost brother.

Man and Wolf

Author's Note: The original story was about a baby boy who was left in the forest by his parents. A wolf found him and raised him as her own along with her wolf pups. Two years later a hunter found him and took him home in hope that his wife would raise him. It turns out the hunter was a prince. Ailbe now lived in a castle and grew up to be very wise. He then became a Bishop. One day in the town of Emly there was a huge hunt. Ailbe did not participate in this hunt, he stayed in the town. As the hunt was almost over he heard the hunters chasing a wolf in. Ailbe knew this cry, it was his mother wolf. Ailbe saved the wolf after realizing this and claimed that no one should ever harm her or her pups, for this was his family. She showed him love and kindness when no one else did. Alibi did the same for her. From then on the wolves came to eat dinner with Ailbe and they were reunited as a family. To change the story up I was inspired by the idea of writing the story form Alibi's point of view and gave more detail to when he was with his wolf family.

Bibliography: This story was inspired by the writings of The Wolf-Mother of Saint Ailbe, found in The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts, by Abbie Farwell Brown published in 1900.

Week 1 Storytelling: The Wolf Till the End

Week 1 Storytelling: The Wolf And His Shadow

" Size does not determine your authority, it is the might of your heart to yourself" 

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THE WOLF AND HIS SHADOW

Wolf and Shadow  

Illustration of the Eastern story from Kalila and Dimna February 2011

A wolf left his lair one evening in fine spirits and an excellent appetite. As he ran, the setting sun cast his shadow for out on the ground, and it looked as if the wolf were a hundred times bigger than he really was.
"Why," exclaimed the Wolf proudly, "see how big I am!" Fancy me running away from a puny Lion! I'll show him who is fit to be king, he or I."
Just then an immense shadow blotted him out entirely, and the next instant a Lion struck him down with a single blow.
(Original Aesop) 

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The Wolf Till the End 

A wolf woke up one morning and headed out to find a breakfast of satisfaction. The wolf spotted a large rabbit nesting at the base of a tree. As he was slowly approaching the wolf began to see a shadow rising from behind him. Then before the wolf knew it, a lion then jumped over him and snatched the rabbit for himself. The lion then turned to the wolf, "You were foolish to think you could get to this rabbit before I could. I am the king of this forest and you don't stand a chance competing against me." The wolf was ashamed by what the lion had said to him. Still hungry the wolf headed towards the pond in hopes of finding breakfast. The wold saw a small duck sitting near the end of the pond. As the wolf approached the pond he paused in the sight of a reflection in the water. The wolf saw a magnificent creature, that was strong, cunning, swift, and fierce. The wolf was about to run off until he realized the reflection was his own. The wolf had forgotten his true heart and what he was. The wolf had been to scared by the lion to realize he can be strong too. He had forgotten that a wolf is a magnificent creature that has just as great of skills as any lion. The wolf then realized that even though he may be smaller in size to the lion he is just as skilled. The wolf's confidence then grew back. The next time the lion and the wolf meet the lion should be prepared for a competition. The wolf now goes to the pond everyday to see his reflection to remind himself that he is strong and will always stay true to himself, representing the history of the wolves. 

Author's note: I picked the aesop The Wolf and his Shadow because the lesson learned was "do not let your fancy make you forget realities." The sum of the story was the wolf saw his shadow and how large it looked. Then he ran into a lion that struck the wolf down with a single blow. The wolf was killed due to him being stuck up. I choose to play a reverse roll in the story, I picked the wolf to rise up over the lion.

Bibliography: This story originated from the aesop The Wolf And His Shadow by Esop .
Picture by Milo Winter