Reading Notes: Ovid's Metamorphoses, Part A

Cupid and Dis

I like the idea of being able to write Cupid and how he is able to affect people so easily. I'm not one for cheesy stories, but I think it would be funny if Cupid happened to shoot the wrong person and has to watch in worry about what would happen to them.

Dis and Proserpine

I love the story of Proserpine (though I've never seen the characters referred to by these names). I could either write from the perspective of Proserpine or Cyane-- or I can do both. If anything, I could write a happy ending for Proserpine-- one where she manages to be with her mother forever and escapes from Dis.

Arachne rejects Minerva

I was surprised at Minerva; this was a side I hadn't expected of her. There could be a story about what happens when she is pushed to a certain point and when she is disrespected as a goddess. Rather than always seeing her as patient, I'd like to branch out and see what happens when she snaps.

Minerva. Source. 

Bibliography. Ovid's Metamorphoses by Tony Kline.

Reading Notes: The Nursery Rhyme Book, Part B

Love and Matrimony

"LOVE your own, kiss your own,"

I think this line is very cute! While simple, it can lead to a story that just revolves around the happiness in a family who is grateful for their loved ones.

Relics

I like the story about what little girls and boys are made of. It'd be interesting to go against the story-- like girls aren't always sweet and such or they aren't always made of "sugar and spice". It's a general idea right now, but the story could expand on how a boy and girl may not necessary act like a typical boy or girl and how others might see it.

Heart. Source. 

Bibliography. The Nursery Rhyme Book by L. Leslie Brooke.

Reading Notes: The Nursery Rhyme Book, Part A

Proverbs

I think the story about sneezing is cute. Since it's over the course of most of the week, there could be a story about every day that follows the prompt. I also enjoy the story about the one who thrives; it could tie in with someone who constantly wakes early to go to work and put all their efforts in.

"As the days lengthen, so the storms strengthen."

It's a simple line, but could revolve around a rainy, gloomy day. I could even personify rain.

Songs

"Say, will you marry me, my pretty maid?"
"Yes, if you please, kind sir," she said.
"What is your fortune, my pretty maid?"
"My face is my fortune, sir," she said.
"Then I can't marry you, my pretty maid!"
"Nobody asked you, sir," she said.

I don't really know how to tie this in with a story, but I thought it was funny. I like sassy characters; they're always fun to write. I do have a vague idea about someone trying to go after another person just for their fortune and going into more detail about it.

Rain. Source. 

Bibliography. The Nursery Rhyme Book by L. Leslie Brooke.

Reading Notes: Ovid's Metamorphoses, Part B

Echo

"She can repeat the last words out of many."

I think this sentence is eerie in a way; it'd be super fun if I could write a character who was haunted because of this, but can only communicate how she truly feels by her expressions instead of her words. It would be cool to write a scenario where she needed help, but she struggled to find someone who could understand her because they were either frightened of her or they just couldn't figure out what she was trying to tell them.

Narcissus

I like the idea of Narcissus becoming a flower, especially since it has a heart in it. This could be used to symbolize infatuation in a story; I could also go with the idea that someone became too infatuated with something or someone that it eventually became their downfall.

Mars and Venus

"Love even takes Sol prisoner, who rules all the stars with his light."

I really like this because it personifies the sun and also shows how powerful love can be, no matter who is affected by it. I could use this line and make a really sappy story with a normal romance.

Narcissus. Source. 

Bibliography. Ovid's Metamorphoses by Tony Kline.

Reading Notes: Ovid's Metamorphoses, Part A

Io

I've always been interested in the story of Io; I think it's very sad that such a thing had to happen to her. I think it'd be easy to retell the story and go more into her thoughts. I could describe her emotions-- how afraid she is, how dreadful the situation is, and how she feels whenever she returns to human form. It wouldn't be too difficult doing so and I think her perspective would be refreshing, since it doesn't go into a lot of detail about how she feels. It'd really be a rollercoaster of emotions, honestly!

Phaethon

This story always made me sad because the father's oath is what brought the downfall of his son. He never had bad intentions. I also think it would be cool to describe his father's feelings. From meeting his son to being happy enough to grant him anything, and then seeing the panic seep in when he realizes that he should not have said those words. Finally, it would end with how regretful he was and how sorrowful the death of his son would be.

I have always been fond of the whole "__ flew too close to the sun" line, as well! I also love the personification of the sun and earth.

Phaethon. Source. 

Bibliography. Ovid's Metamorphoses by Tony Kline.

Reading Notes: Aeseop's Fables (English), Part B

The Fly and the Mule

"For I know when to give back and when to go."

Another line I really enjoyed. I could imagine a kind character (maybe a traveler) saying this. There could be a traveler who helps out in times of need, but if everything is okay, then they leave and help others. They could be well-known and admired by people.

The Fly

This story was amusing. It made me think of someone who might not be as strong or as big as others, but they still have faith in themselves and believe them to be strong. It could be one of those stories where someone may be weaker than others, but they still contribute a good amount and help out. It could show that you shoudn't underestimate people based on appearances.

I couldn't really find any inspiration from these stories in general; I did enjoy them, though.

Mule. Source.

Bibliography. Aeseop's Fables by Sir Robert L'Estrange

Reading Notes: Aeseop's Fables (English), Part A

The Wolf and the Shepherd's Boy

I always loved this story. It'd be easy to try to make a story based off someone who always cries wolf and only earns distrust from people, but maybe I can add some sort of twist so the plot isn't easy to predict. I also like this line:

"Those who are known to have deceived,
When they speak truth, are not believ'd."
I think I could start out the story with that quote!

The Wolf and the Shepherds

This line sticks out to me:

"The powerful too oft abuse
Rights which to others they refuse."

I really like it because it shows how the powerful and corrupt can harm others, so it makes me think of a cruel king or ruler who treats his people poorly. I could have someone get payback on the king because of his behavior or it can be some noble who disrespects others and is selfish.

The Dancing Apes

"The Force of Nature is infinitely beyond that of Discipline and Imitation."

I think this is a beautiful quote! Definitely had me thinking. I think it would be challenging to incorporate into a story using that theme, so I'm not entirely sure what I would be able to do with it; maybe show how dominate nature is against everything.

Wolf. Source. 

Bibliography. Aeseop's Fables by Sir Robert L'Estrange

Reading Notes: Blackfeet Indian Stories, Part B

Bobcat and Birch Tree

The story did not go the way I expected; I thought the bobcat was going to kill the man. I thought he was going to get some punishment of sorts for tricking the prairie dogs. A story from their perspective would be interesting; I'd like to know why they weren't cautious of him or how they managed to do the trick with the fire.

The Red-Eyed Duck

I'm glad the old man got punished this time, though it was not an extreme punishment. I think it would be really interesting to have a story involving red eyes-- maybe a curse or something. I can try to figure out something that resembles the man's trick.

Kut-O-Yis, The Blood Boy

I am really curious about the son-in-law's character development. Why did he turn so selfish and mean? Was he tired of helping others? The story was really entertaining and I'm perplexed by the birth of the hero. "Blood Boy" sounds really intriguing and I think it'd be cool to be able to take that title and turn it into a story.

Prairie Dog. Source.

Bibliography. "Blackfeet Indian Stories" by Grinnell.

Reading Notes: Blackfeet Indian Stories, Part A

The Wolf Dog

Once again, I'm always baffled whenever family members or loved ones kill each other without a second thought. For this story, I think it'd be cool if I wrote about a wife who never cared for her husband and never loved him. She only married him for her own benefit and when he tries to teach her a lesson, she tries to kill him. It'd be a modern twist.

The Camp of Ghosts

I was hoping this story would have a happy ending. That, or I thought the wife would disappear because he would open his eyes. I could write a story about how the wife wants to come back, but she knows her husband would open his eyes and lose her all over again, which would bring more pain to him. 

How the Thunder Pipe Came

I love the personification of Thunder, but I wonder why he would steal women. I could go into detail about this in a story and possibly provide a reason/motive for this behavior. 

The Theft from the Sun

I liked this story! This is why you never steal from people. I think I could change the characters up but still keep the theme of the story. I do like the personification of the sun, but I'm not sure what someone could steal from the sun in a realistic story.

The Great Sun by wolf-minori. Source.

Bibliography. "Blackfeet Indian Stories" by Grinnell.

Reading Notes: Tales of North American Indians, Part B

Lodge-Boy and Thrown-Away

The story got dark so quickly; I was actually a little shocked. I am very confused on how the mother came back and I wonder how the father felt the whole time, so I think it would be good to write about his feelings when he discovered the death of his wife. Not only that, but he must have been stressed because his sons never listened to him.

The Jealous Father

This was also dark. I felt bad for Walrus and I want to know why the son acted so horribly, so maybe there can be a story about why or how he acted in such a manner.

Robin. Source. 

Bibliography: "Tales of the North American Indians" by Stith Thompson (1929).

Reading Notes: Tales of North American Indians, Part A

The Jealous Uncle

I'm always thrown off by the stories where family members kill each other (or at least try to). In this story, it does not go into much detail behind the uncle's motives, so I could write about that. I could also write from the boy's perspective and run through his thoughts whenever he is trying to survive.

Bluejay and his Companions

I would like to go more in-depth with how the characters treated Grouse; it mentions that they do not give him good food, but I would like to know more about the way they talk to him and such. I could make up a few scenarios that lead to Grouse coming up with their punishment.

Dug From Ground

I thought it was so strange that the mother never took care of him or acknowledged him until he was grown up and did certain tasks. I'd like to write about her thoughts and maybe go into detail about whether she cared for him or was apathetic as he grew up.

Blue Jay. Source.

Bibliography: "Tales of the North American Indians" by Stith Thompson (1929).

Reading Notes: Notes on the Folklore of the Fjort, Part B

The Turtle and the Man

I was a little surprised that a turtle was the trickster this time; it was a nice surprise, though. I wasn't expecting him to die in the ending. The moral of the story could be used and applied to a story of my own-- I could have a trickster who constantly cheats people, but ends up cheating himself somehow.

The Rabbit and the Antelope

This story would be a good inspiration since the lesson is to not take advantage of others. It would be easy to incorporate this theme into one of my own.

The Leopard and the Crocodile

This was a clever story! It'd be fun to come up with a way that a character would trick others and turn them against each other.

Baby Antelope. Source.

Bibliography. Notes on the Folklore of the Fjort by Richard Edward Dennett (1898).

Reading Notes: Notes on the Folklore of the Fjort, Part A

The Vanishing Wife

I thought this story would have a happy ending, but I guess not. I think there is a lot of material that could be expanded on-- like why his brother didn't like him or how he ended up living poorly. I'm also intrigued by his wife and wonder if she is a personification of wealth. I could write about his feelings or come up with more background for him.

The Jealous Wife

This was very dark, but it was a pretty good read. I'd like to write from the younger's wife perspective because the whole ordeal must have been frightening for her. It would be challenging to describe her feelings and what she thought the whole time.

The Wicked Husband

Actually, this was much darker. I would like to write from the view of the prince and how he chooses to deal with the husband or the character that finds the wife.

Canoe. Source.

Bibliography. Notes on the Folklore of the Fjort by Richard Edward Dennett (1898).

Reading Notes: The Crimson Fairy Book, Part B

Schippeitaro

This story can be written from two perspectives; one could be about the main character and how he tries to prove himself. It could be about his struggle in the forest and how he rescues the girl. Another alternative is from the girl's perspective; I can go in depth with her feelings of fear and hopelessness when she discovers that she will be eaten.

The Crab and the Monkey

This story inspires other stories of revenge, so if I can come up with someone betraying or deceiving another person, I could write about how the other character gets back at them.

How the Wicked Tanuki was Punished

Stories like these always make me wonder why the parents bring harm to each other or their children. It would be good to expand on the son's feelings and get more into his perspective since there is not much known about him aside from his actions.

Tanuki. Source. 

Bibliography. The Crimson Fairy Book by Andrew Lang.

Reading Notes: The Crimson Fairy Book, Part A

The Stonecutter

This story did not go in the direction I expected. It would be a good theme to use, though. I could write a story about someone who becomes too greedy and yearns for too much, but when they get everything they wanted, they realized that they were actually happy with what they had in the first place. I don't have an exact plot right now, but the moral would be that you shouldn't take anything for granted.

The Maiden with the Wooden Helmet

I liked this story a lot and I'd like to use the maiden as a main character; however, I could not get any meaning from the story. I would like to be able to figure out how to incorporate her beauty into a story, though.

The Heroin Maiden. Source.

Bibliography. The Crimson Fairy Book by Andrew Lang.

Reading Notes: Khasi Folktales, Part B

What caused the Shadows on the Moon

Writing personifications of the sun and moon would be really fun and challenging. I could make a story up about how the moon is more introverted than the sun and keeps to itself, or I could make up another plot about how the moon brings shame to itself, explaining why it only comes out when everyone is sleeping.

Finding inspiration from this unit was very difficult. I enjoyed the stories, but I could not figure out how I could rework these themes into one of my own. However, I do have some ideas from the first half of the unit I plan to use.

Moon. Source. 

Bibliography. "Folktales of the Khasis" by Mrs. K. U. Rafy.

Reading Notes: Khasi Folktales, Part A

U Biskurom

I could write from the perspective of U Biskurom and talk about how mankind treated him. His perspective could show the development of both mankind and himself; they start out kind, but end up losing that kindness later on.

The Stag and the Snail

When I read this, I imagined an arrogant character that never stopped bragging about his strength. There could be a story about a character who lacks humility and is strong, while there is a character who is weak in comparison, but faster. They prove that strength is not the only value that defines someone and proves the strong character wrong in a duel.

Duel. Source.

Bibliography. "Folktales of the Khasis" by Mrs. K. U. Rafy.

Reading Notes: Persian Tales, Part B

The Story of the Wolf-Bride

I like this quote: "Whatever is willed by fate, that verily comes to pass". It has a similar theme to one of my other stories, however. I did enjoy the story and I could write from the perspective of the wife; she had no idea that she would turn into a wolf, nor did she really comprehend what happened. I think writing the shock she went through would be entertaining.

The Apparition of the Prophet Khizr

I liked that the husband did so much in order for his wife to have a good life. It would be a good story to talk about the sacrifices we make for the sake of others. In this case, his situation happened to work out perfectly, so I could write out how despite the sacrifice made, everything turns out to work out for the best.

Khizr. Source.

Again, I liked the stories but couldn't seem to find any inspiration to write anything based off of them.

Bibliography: Persian Tales by David Lorimer and Emily Lorimer.

Reading Notes: Persian Tales, Part A

The Boy Who Became a Bulbul

The story was interesting and left me with a lot of questions. Why would the father and son willingly agree to a bet that would end up killing one of them? Why did the father sabotage his son and why did the step-mother even think of that bet? It would be intriguing to explore more about the father and possibly develop a reason why he agreed to the bet.

Brown-eared Bulbul. Source.

The Wolf-Aunt

This story reminded me of Little Red Riding Hood. There can be a story in the aunt's perspective. It could describe her emotions and the deceit she plans whenever she talks to her brother. It would be interesting to be able to portray her feelings throughout the story.

I didn't manage to get any ideas from the rest of the stories, but I think with the current ideas I have as of now, I will be able to write a story.

Bibliography: Persian Tales by David Lorimer and Emily Lorimer.

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