Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables (Winter), Part B

The Wolf and the Shepherd

A wolf hangs nearby sheep and earns the shepherd's suspicions, but the wolf never does anything. However, the moment the shepherd decides that the wolf is harmless, he leaves. The wolf eats all the sheep and the shepherd learns the hard way not to trust wolves. This story reminds me of how in TV shows or games, there's this character that you never know is good or bad. They end up helping people, but in the end, they're actually traitors. There could be a story about that.

The Mouse and the Weasel

A mouse squeezes into a basket and ate so much food that he couldn't escape; no one helped him so he would learn the consequences of his actions. The last line is "Greediness leads to misfortune". I think I could do a retelling of King Midas and go deeper into talking about the development of his emotions, since his love of gold took away his daughter.

Mouse. Source.

I liked the stories in part B, but there were some themes I didn't know how to work with or turn into a story. I think I'll have to rely on my notes from part A for this week's storytelling

Bibliography: Aesop's Fables by Milo Winter

Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables (Winter), Part A

The Wolf and the Kid

The baby goat gets separated from his flock and is almost eaten by the wolf; however, he manages to escape because he asks the wolf to play music before he eats him. The wolf humors him but the shepherd dogs pick up on the song and chase him, so he ends up not getting the kid. The last line reads "Do not let anything turn you from your purpose" which I really like. It could involve a story with a character who is determined to reach their goal, but may end up distracted and invest in something else too much that they end up failing their goal.

The Lion and the Ass

The ass makes a snarky remark towards the lion, but the lion keeps to himself because he doesn't want to "honor" the ass. The last line is "Do not resent the remarks of a fool. Ignore them". This story applies to everyone at some point in their life, so I think the audience could be able to relate easily. I could write a story about someone who does their best to take the high road and ignore the hatred and discuss their struggle to do so.

The Sheep and the Pig

A pig is picked up by a shepherd and makes loud noises; the sheep find amusement in its reaction and the pig says they have nothing to worry about because he just wants their wool; when it comes to the pig, on the other hand, he wants bacon. The moral is "It is easy to be brave when there is no danger". When I first heard it, I thought of the strength arcana and war. I think it would be better to write about someone teaching a child about bravery and how hard it is to have courage. War is a common topic, but I think this story would be endearing.

Lleyn Sheep. Source.

Bibliography: Aesop's Fables by Milo Winter

Feedback Thoughts

I love getting feedback! It is really scary sometimes, especially if you're a bit iffy about your work. I read "5 Tips For Taking Feedback Like a Champ" and thought the article had good points. It is a bit uncomfortable, but eventually, you get over it. It does come back sometimes, though. I never really thought about the positive in having growth areas-- not in the perspective that allows me to realize that I can still continue growing. Hearing that makes me happy and motivated to do better. I also read "Silence the Critical Voices in Your Head" and I think that's a huge issue when it comes to writing. When it comes to ourselves (this is not only in writing), we're very critical and nit-picky. I definitely think we're too hard on ourselves. Sometimes, when I write, I don't like where the story goes, but I remind myself that this is my story. It might be boring because I've reread it over and over again-- so maybe others will like it. It's good to look for the positive and use that as motivation. People give feedback to help you (at least the people who give constructive feedback), so even if you might not like it, keep an open mind!


Giving feedback is difficult because sometimes it feels repetitive or I just don't know what to say. "Be a Mirror: Give Readers Feedback That Fosters a Growth Mindset" is an awesome article and it really helps as a guide to providing feedback. I would definitely appreciate getting feedback based off that article, so I will try my best to apply the advice they give in this class. "7 Key Characteristics Of Better Learning Feedback" is another excellent article that goes in-depth with what would be great feedback. It helps me think of what comments and advice would be good for an author's improvement.

Honestly, I do not comment very often on people's stories on the art site I usually go on because I don't usually know what to say. When I do give feedback, I try to tell them what I liked (how they portrayed the characters, the amount of detail/imagery, etc) and why I liked it. I also like talking about their writing style because everyone has a unique one. I try to go into detail and talk about how the story made me feel.

Good Feedback. Source.

Week 2 Storytelling: To Live Like Atlas

(Note: This story is purposely in lowercase.)

[ ii. the high priestess. ]

( you cannot escape your fate. )

i. a mind full of terror

she learns in her youth that she is different. she realizes that not everyone receives visions from the future-- the ones that allow dread to seep into her mind, the ones that fill her every being with anxiety. the ability to see the future is no blessing, no gift. she knows this all too well.

she knows the good that will happen. she knows the tragedies that will take and take and take. she knows who death will visit; she knows one’s last breath.

the seeress knows of pain and sorrow. no matter how unbearable it may be, her lips remain sealed because the burden is not one to be shared.

fate has already set its course. she cannot change that.

( seeress, you do not seek the future out.
it seeks you. )

ii. you never asked to be atlas

she grows wary of encounters.

the visions are haphazard; sometimes, they frighten slumber away in the late hours and keep her awake and pondering. sometimes, they come the moment her eyes make contact with another. she knows keeping distance is a smart choice, but loneliness is a dangerous hunter that she refuses to fall prey to.

so she lives the best she can. she laughs with others. she cries with others. she cherishes the memories and happiness because one day, they will disappear.

she does everything to distract herself from the horrors that reside in a frightened mind.

( your shoulders hang low with every burden. )

iii. fate takes hold of everyone

the visions visit and all that is seen is destruction.

war is coming. war will be the storm that ravages the town and leaves nothing but ruin.

it isn’t comprehended at first. shock overwhelms her and all she can do is stare blankly at the mirror before her. the reflection shows an angry sadness and bitterness because she wonders why this happened. why did they choose her to carry this weight?

fate taunted her. fate laughed in her face and cruelly taught her that no one could ever get in its way. it gave her a life of suffering and weakening endurance-- one that could never be changed.

even the gods know that fate should be left alone.

( you of all people should know this, seeress.
how many times did you try to run away from your power? )

iv. end of all

time passes quickly. her lips stay shut, even when they tremble in the presence of the ones that will die in the war. the conflict will come soon and there is nothing she can do about it. no warnings, no preparation, only acceptance.

a heavy heart aches terribly whenever she sees the happiness that fills the town. everything will be lost and only tragedy will greet them. everything she’s learned to love will slip through her fingers and there is nothing to be done.

no fighting, no resisting. just waiting and waiting.

she’ll move on, find temporary happiness, and then she’ll lose everyone again.

the cycle will continue on and on and the suffering will never stop.

( may you find peace where there is none. )

The High Priestess. Source.

Author's Note: The original story is titled "The One-Eyed Doe". It revolves around a dear who lost sight in one eye and is being tracked by hunters. Afraid, she continuously manages to avoid them because she knows they will lead to her death. However, they end up killing her. Her last words are "You cannot escape your fate", which inspired the story. I thought of this because I had an idea about how people constantly try to change their fate and some people believe fate is set in stone. I tied this in with the high priestess arcana because she is able to sense the unknown and she does not intervene with what is supposed to happen. I thought using a seeress would be interesting since they are able to see the future, so I thought it would be a good idea to write about a seeress who is suffering but is powerless to fate.

I also write in lowercase because I feel like it is more personal. It's a little hard to describe, but I feel like it's a bit easier to get into the story without all the formalities.

Bibliography. "The One-Eyed Doe"" from Aesop's Fables by Joseph Jacobs. Web Source.

Wikipedia Trail: From Jupiter to Hephaestus

1. Jupiter (Mythology). Jupiter is said to be the equivalent of Zeus; he is also the god of thunder and the king of the gods. His symbol is not only the lightning bolt, but also an eagle. All animal sacrifices to him were required to be white.

2. Minerva. Minerva is the equivalent to Athena. She is the goddess of wisdom and is often used on educational forms and seals. She had a strange birth; she was actually born from her father's head. She is on the U.S Medal of Honor.

Minerva of Peace. Source. 

3. Metis. Metis was Zeus's first wife. Her name holds two meanings: widsom and cunning. Her name originally meant magical cunning. It was told that her children with Zeus would grow up to overthrow him, which led to Zeus swallowing her in a failed attempt to prevent this from occcurring.

4. Hephaestus. Hephaestus was well-known for being a blacksmith. He is associated with tongs, a hammer, and an anvil. In one story, it is said that Hera gave birth to him in order to get revenge for her exclusion from Athena's birth. He was exiled from Olympus, but was able to return.

Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables (Jacobs), Part B

The Eagle and the Arrow

This story is bittersweet because an eagle is killed with an arrow that has the eagle's feathers. I liked the concept and the quote, "We often give our enemies the mean for our own destruction". It seems like I could write a story where one moment of exposed weakness could be someone's demise.

The Man and the Serpent

A man's son stepped on a serpent's tail, which resulted in the serpent biting and killing the son. As a result, the man cut off part of its tail and the serpent recoiled by hurting the man's cattle. Even though the man tried to make amends, the serpent refused because the injuries would remain with them. There could be a story where two people who hurt each other might have reached a middle ground, but they still held hints of resentment towards each other.

The Frogs Desiring a King

The frogs were once happy, but some believed that there should be actual rules. They wished for a ruler; Jove granted that wish. However, he just gave them a log. The frogs were unsatisfied and demanded another king that would actually do its job. This request angered Jove, causing him to send a stork that ate all the frogs. The last line is "Better no rule than cruel rule". I really like that line and it makes me think of people who are under a harsh king that is eventually overthrown. Peace is restored once the king is gone and the people find happiness again.

The Oak and The Reed

A tree is facing furious winds, but he never breaks. He simply adapts by bending. The last line is "Bend, not break". There could be a story about a hero facing his enemies in the worst of times; he feels hopeless but he refuses to break, no matter how difficult the journey may be. In the end, he overcomes his problems by adapting with a new plan or not giving up hope rather than breaking down.

The Bundle of Sticks

A father teaches his sons about unity by using sticks. If they are alone, they break easily, but if there is a bundle, then they cannot break. It demonstrates that there is strength in numbers. This theme could be applied to a war situation, like the gathering of troops before the battle begins.

Unity. Source.

Bibliography: Aesop's Fables by Joseph Jacobs

Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables (Jacobs), Part A

The Lion and the Statue

I enjoyed this story because the last line is "We can easily represent things as we wish them to be". I think it'd be really interesting to write a story revolving around this sentence, like adding a plot twist and realizing the main character was so desperate to imagine something that he ended up distorting reality and his desires.

The Four Oxen and the Lion

The last sentence for this is "United we stand, divided we fall". It describes the story very well; the lion attempts to kill the four oxen but fails when they are together. However, whenever they are apart, they are all killed. It shows vulnerability and how dangerous it can be sometimes. The quote I spoke of earlier reminds me of heroes coming together in a moment of crisis. I think I could possibly apply the strength tarot card to this image for a story.

The Fox and The Crane

The conflict between the fox and the crane is amusing. They keep inviting each other over for dinner, but mess with each other by making the food accessible. It's kind of a "ha ha" moment in each story, but it ends with "there are games that two can play at". It reminds me of tricksters (kind of like the fool arcana, but I already used that). I could write a plot that revolves around a game of cat and mouse.

The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

I always liked this theme! It discusses how appearances are deceptive and I have actually written about that occasionally with my own character. Like with the last story, this could possibly fit in with undercover spies. In a show I watched, the spies were trained to become anyone they wanted to be in order to get information. It would be a good story to write about a spy that ends up tricking someone for their mission. I think the magician tarot can be used for this!

The One-Eyed Doe

The doe constantly tries to escape her death with extreme caution, but even in the end, she was killed by the hunters. No matter what she did, she still could not run. This story revolves around fate and how one cannot escape from it. I think the concept of a seeress is really interesting and I have actually never written about it, so I think this would be a really good opportunity. The high priestess would tie in with this!

Wolf. Source.

Bibliography: Aesop's Fables by Joseph Jacobs

Wikipedia Trail: From Sirens to Hera

1. Siren. Sirens are mythical creatures that are portrayed as beautiful women or birds with the head of a woman. They typically enticed sailors with their voices, which resulted in starvation because they were too entranced to leave the island. Sirens were meant to search for Persephone, but failed. They are also mentioned in the Odyssey; Odysseus managed to avoid his death by having his companions tie him up and plugging his ears. 

The Siren by Edward Armitage. Source.

2. Persephone. Persephone is the queen of the underworld and was kidnapped by Hades. She is also connected to spring and is related to the fertility of the soil. She was also able to visit her mother, Demeter, but only for part of the year. One of her common symbols is a pomegranate.

3. Dionysus. Dionysus drove people mad. He is the god of wine and fertility, among other things. His followers (who are also mad) are often seen dancing or playing music. Dionysus is the only god that has a human mother.

4. Hera. Hera is both Zeus's wife and sister. There are several stories that show her actions against Zeus's mistresses; she attempts to harm the children or the mothers, such as Heracles. When he was an infant, she sent snakes to kill him, but they failed. 

Time Strategies

Time management is incredibly important. I do not think I ever really had to apply it often in high school, but in college, it's definitely all about managing your time. I am grateful that this is something I don't struggle with too often. During the day, I am constantly running ideas through my mind, like what I would like to get done today, how much I could possibly get done today, or what I should at least start. I use a bullet journal sometimes so I can have a checklist for the day. At night, sometimes I'll sit down with my planner and think about what I can do so I can get ahead of the schedule without overwhelming myself. If I don't finish everything I'm supposed to do that day, it's okay. I make a schedule that can be rearranged easily so there's no need to stress if it isn't followed thoroughly.

Sketchnote Bullet Journal. Source.

I did read "The Important Habit of Just Starting" because I realize that I often think about how easy an assignment is and I wonder why it took me so long to even do it. Just starting is difficult for me because I get lazy and sometimes unmotivated, even if I know it's a simple assignment. I do realize that I just need to push myself into it or get some incentive to begin whatever needs to be done. I also read "Four Questions to Help You Overcome Procrastination" and I think those questions will actually help me a lot. It'll make it much easier to see my priorities so I can figure out my weekly schedule. Since classes have just begun, I am still trying to figure out how to manage my time, but I'd like to be ahead in this class so it won't be as stressful when my other classes get more difficult.

Reading Options

Ovid's Metamorphoses

I actually read this book in another course and found it to be really interesting. I love that mythology often revolves around tragedy-- not to say I dislike happy endings, but I think tragic stories are able to bring out more emotions in readers. Not only that, but the stories in this book are incredibly unique in nearly everything, whether it be the plot or the characters. The characters always fascinate me, especially the gods because they are seen to be so grand. Not only that, but there are some other characters like Summer or Spring who are personified seasons. I think the image of the gods is very easy to imagine, so it brings lots of writing ideas to mind.

Aesop’s Fables (Jacob)

I like the fables because they are short but present a powerful message. It always interests me that the animals follow tropes, like the fox is the trickster or the lion usually wins. It makes me wonder why this is or how these characteristics were assigned to these animals. What intrigues me the most is typically the last line of these stories. It’s a short sentence, but there is so much meaning in such few words and it perfectly sums up the moral of the story. It’s easy to find motivation whenever I read the last line because there are so many ways to apply the theme to a story. It would be easy to twist those words and use them however one would like.

Homer's Iliad

I have also read this book, but honestly, I had a lot of trouble following it because it was a translation. Despite that, I did like the story because of how much the gods intervened. I am curious as to why they intervened so much and played favorites because if I recall correctly, gods were not meant to mess with fate. Even if they were powerful, there was a certain limit to what they could do for humans. Not only that, but I have always thought that the gods were incredibly human in their actions. I would like to learn more about what the gods think when they view humans because I know some of them do not care for them, while others play favorites. 

The Lion and Other Beasts. Source. 

Storybook Favorites

Diary of the Undead

The title caught my interest because I enjoy watching or reading about zombies/the undead. I enjoyed reading the story because it was different from other media that involved the undead; usually, the undead are portrayed as just that-- the undead. It is always said that the undead do not have personalities because they are long gone. However, with this story, the author went a different route and actually wrote in the perspective of the undead. He gave them character and described their emotions. He also went with a diary layout, so it was easy to read and understand.

Mermaid Maiden

This story revolves around the romance between a mermaid and a human. I liked the introduction because it set the backstory for the human while also introducing the mermaid. I enjoyed reading it because the point of view switched between the two main characters, so I was able to understand what they thought and how they felt about each other. The author explained how different they were from each other and why that could have been a problem so it was easy to understand the conflict they faced. I also really liked the pictures! They were fitting for the story and beautiful.

Underwater Castle. Source.

Pride Goes Before Destruction

The title stuck out to me in comparison to the others. The introduction was captivating because it personifies death. Death is seen to be frightening and cold-- that is no different from this story, as well. The strange thing is that the reader is still alive when they encounter death and death tells them stories in order to prevent them from ending their life in a foolish way. I thought it was fascinating that they made death try to help the reader go against the very thing they are known for. The other parts of the story were well told! They used the story of Adam and Eve and incorporated the theme of the title in the story. It was well written and easy to visualize.

Introduction from a Writer

Hi! My name is Kaylen Nguyen. I enjoy writing as a hobby (which makes me really happy that it’s a big part of this class) and have been doing it for about eight years now. I hope to publish a book of short stories or poetry one day! I like writing for others and doing requests for fandoms (I do get really strange ones, though), as well as developing my own character (she's like my child. I love her). It’s actually a bit strange writing my own stories for class and a bit difficult because my writing style involves all lower case. I also like drawing, but that’s a different story. I’m definitely not good at it since I haven’t consistently practiced, but I’m trying to stay patient and get better (here’s hoping).

My major is Pre-Nursing and I hope to attend OUHSC next fall. I hope to become a nurse practitioner in a few years. This actually isn’t my first mythology course; the first class I ever had in college was Classical Mythology. I really wasn’t too interested in it at first and kind of just chose it in all honesty. I ended up loving the course. It was a lot of reading, but it was interesting (in really weird ways), so I really enjoyed it! I think my biggest accomplishment last semester was just surviving anatomy. Roughest class I have ever taken.

I usually just watch comedy shows, like The Office, Parks and Rec, or Bob’s Burgers. As for my music taste, I can’t really say I prefer a genre because it’s kind of all over the place. I do like indie music a lot, though! I get a lot of inspiration for writing from lyrics, especially from the group Daughter. I also like Tinashe-- she actually performed here a few months ago, but I wasn’t able to go. The feeling of having one of your favorite singers perform ten minutes away from you is more painful than it should be. I love listening to soundtracks from games, too. I have quite a bit on my phone that I constantly listen to. I also really love playing video games!

Last but not least: I have a dog named Bailey who is basically like a lazy grandma.

(Personal photo of Bailey from October 2016)

Week 1 Story: Downfall

[ 0. The Fool. ]

( Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin. )

I. Dearest King,

your courage, faith, and strength have led to your uprising.

You’ve learned to lead, to guide, and to bring hope to your people in times of need.

You’ve learned to become the hero, the savior-- the king that the people deserve.

But you have yet to learn that fate is not kind,

even to those who deserve it.

Because your best quality, your kindness,

will be your downfall.

(Fate pleads to the gods that she may spare you,

but the gods are not always merciful.)

II. Dearest King,

there’s a traitor among your ranks.

The knife in your back digs deeper and deeper when you learn of false loyalties.

You ask yourself why, but the answer you search for never comes.

There’s hurt in your heart,

but your visage is hard as stone--

but deep down inside,

you’re suffering, aren’t you?

(Betrayal is the deepest pain life gives us.)

III. Dearest King,

what will you do?

There’s a cold fury in your eyes and a harshness in your voice.

Uncertainty fills your chest and washes the tide of anger away when you see the glint of fear in the traitor’s eyes.

You know of cruel kings; you do not know the reasons behind their actions,

nor do you know where their heart has fled to.

There is one thing you know:

you are not one of them.

(You let him live. You’ve planted the seed to your ending.)

IV. Dearest King,

you thought nothing would come of your kindness.

You should have known better than to fall victim to that facade of fear.

The traitor is back and he is not alone.

You shouldn’t have let him live; he won’t do the same for you.

The men who follow him hold greed in their smiles and laughter dances on the tip of their tongues.

They’ve gotten rid of your guards and you've been left all alone.

It’s only you and the bounty on your head now, Your Majesty.

(Dearest King, you reap what you sow.)

The Fool

Author's Note: The original story is titled "The Swallow and the Other Birds". A man is planting hemp seeds while the other birds are nearby and the swallow warns the others about the man, telling them that they should pick up the seeds. However, this advice is disregarded. Later on, the man actually uses that hemp to create nets, which in turn capture the birds that refused to listen. The second line in my story is actually the last line in the original story; I had difficulty thinking of a plot, but that line stuck out to me, so I wanted to write something along the lines of betrayal and the dangers of kindness. The first line refers to tarot cards. The fool represents ignorance to the consequences of one's actions.

Bibliography. "The Swallow and the Other Birds" from Aesop's Fables by Joseph Jacobs. Web Source.

Favorite Place

A few years ago, I went on a cruise to Mexico. I was not initially excited (I did get pretty sea sick and spending five days without wifi is more excruciating than I would like to admit), but we eventually went off the ship. We went to Cozumel, which was absolutely beautiful. There was a shopping center that I enjoyed browsing; they had plenty to offer and the merchandise was interesting. Not only was the shopping center nice, but we also went to another area by the water. It was actually a dreary and windy day, so it was not your typical sunny day at the beach. That was actually my first time at a beach; despite the weather, it was enjoyable to feel the sand beneath my feet and watch the calm waves. I would love to go back when it is sunny!

East Side of Cozumel, Mexico by Mangrove Mike. Taken on March 28, 2008. Source: Flickr.

Comment Wall

Welcome! Thanks so much for visiting the page and offering feedback.

A quick note: I'd like to say that the lower case is deliberate and is part of my writing style.

Storybook.

Tartarus at War. Source.

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