Week 5 Storytelling: Two Sides of the Same Coin

[ xviii. the moon. ]

( the sun and moon are one in the same. )

i. to the brightest sun,

you've always been the best, haven't you?
your heart always full of gold, your mind full of wonders.
there's brilliance in those eyes that no man could ever take away.

( in the darkness,
your eyes grow dim. )

when night falls, your smile follows it.
the heart of gold everyone speaks of has been long shattered;
it is only when you are alone that you allow it to continue breaking and breaking.
it's okay to be sad sometimes. with light, comes darkness.

ii. to the warmest sun,

you've always been the kindest, haven't you?
your arms open to the whole world, your hands offered to those who need it.
there's a sweet vulnerability that lies within you.

( in the darkness,
your heart grows cold and ruthless. )

when night falls, the facade disappears.
your kindness is genuine, but you tire of the constant selflessness;
your patience wears thin and the smiles become more forced.
you must take care of yourself, too. do not let others suffer, but do not let yourself suffer.

iii. to the rising sun,

you've always been the strongest, haven't you?
your chin held up high, your shoulders never low.
there's a courage in your veins that seeps throughout your body.

( in the darkness,
you crash and burn. )

when night falls, so do you.
your bones and shoulders ache from all the burdens that rest on them.
you must learn that sometimes,
it is okay to fall. you'll get back up one day.

iv. to the setting sun,

you've always been the most worthy, haven't you?
your promises never broken, your loyalties never doubted.
there's an unbreakable bond in your friendships.

( in the darkness,
you wonder when everyone will leave you. )

when night falls, the guilt seeps in.
sometimes, everything and everyone is too much.
you find yourself suffocating in the midst of it all, but you know they need you, so you stay.
you must allow yourself to breathe. 

v. to the darkest moon,

you've always been the loneliest, haven't you?
your features darkening when no one is around, your tears falling endlessly in the late hours.
there's a bitterness that lingers on the tip of your tongue.

( in the darkness,
you hide your face in shame, little moon. )

when night falls, every flaw comes out.
you've yet to learn that your weaknesses are only human; 
you've yet to realize that people find beauty in both the sun and the moon.
one day, you'll learn that people will love you regardless of your flaws and insecurities.

Sun and Moon by Michael Quinn. Source.

Author's Note: This story is based off "What Caused the Shadows on the Moon". The moon and sun were personified siblings that were beautiful and bright. However, as they grew, the moon often ventured off on his own. He eventually lost his sense of honor and duty; his adventures led him to see grotesque sights, so when he returned, he was impressed by his sister's beauty. He went to his mother and demanded to marry her; his mother denied his request and when his sister found out, she was so angry that she threw hot ash on his face. The ash left streaks on his face and made him pale, so he only showed his face at night. 

It was difficult finding inspiration from this; I ended up combining the moon and sun as one character. I didn't use their personalities from the original story, though. The sun represents the good qualities of a person, while the moon represents their hidden insecurities. I wanted to show how since the sun is always bright and out when everyone else is, a person would only show their good side. However, when the moon is out, everyone is usually sleeping, so that's when the flaws and insecurities come out. I wanted to tie into the original story by explaining that the moon was ugly in the original story, but in my story, the moon believed itself to be "ugly" and that's why it only came out at night.

Bibliography. "What Caused the Shadows on the Moon" by Mrs. K. U. Rafy.

Storytelling Week 4: Wolf Among Us

[ xiii. death. ]

( neither of you will have a happily ever after. )

i.

when she is young, she learns what purpose she serves. she is to be a wife, a mother, and a caretaker-- nothing more, nothing less. she will grow up to be elegant, graceful, and calm. she will learn to remain at her husband's side. she will learn to be loyal regardless of the circumstances.

realization does not hit her at first. when she hears of this news, her ignorance allows her to brush it off. she owns her life; no one else-- not her mother, not her father, and not her husband.

when she marries, she will choose who she wants. she will love who she wants.

no one else can take hold of her future.

ii. 

the day she learns of her engagement, fury rushes through her veins. she is no fool; she knew this was coming. she was too ignorant back then, believing she could choose her own path. there was no escape from this future.

she knew that.

still, she can't help the flood of emotions that fills her-- the anger, the bewilderment, the despair. the mere thought of being a meek wife to someone she didn't care for baffled her.

"you would give your daughter up just like that? you would give your daughter to a man she knows little of?"

the grim expression that settles on her parents' faces does not shock her. she braces herself for their harsh words; she knows she will not win this battle, but that will not silence her protests.

"you act as if we have put little thought into this." her father responds, his tone deadpan. "you'll be in good hands."

"but this is not your choice." she retorts, nearly choking on her words. "this is not your decision to make. i have every right to choose who to wed."

the silence in the room feels suffocating. her heart races wildly, but she does not falter to the disapproving stares.

her father finally speaks.

"this is your duty. fulfill it."

and just like that, she knows she has lost.

iii.

"an underground chamber?" disbelief laces her words. "you first expect me to marry this man, then you expect me to spend my life underground?"

"it's a safety precaution." her mother explains, her tone casual. "this is for your safety, as well."

"against what?"

her mother pauses and she doesn't miss that flicker of hesitance that adorns her visage. she wishes her daughter happiness, but she does not know if she can find it in this life. to live underground is to live in solitude-- to know that her daughter will bear that is too much for a mother's heart.

that is not the only thing that brings worry.

"a prophet said that your future husband will be killed by a wolf."

at first, the daughter almost laughs in shock. the idea is so ridiculous-- this whole thing is too ridiculous for her.

"--a wolf?" she repeats, "a wolf will kill my husband? if that ever did happen, you realize that it would kill me too, don't you?"

"of course. that is why you will live underground."

iv.

the wedding day approaches.

she feels sick. she feels wrong. 

something is wrong, she thinks, but she doesn't know what. there's something inside that gives a feeling of unease. no matter how much she attempts to calm herself, nothing works. it's not just the anxiety of marriage, there's something more to it-- something indescribable.

it's overwhelming and it bothers her that she can't name it.

she can't identify it; she can't make it go away. it feels as if something is stirring inside her, clawing its way out.

a shaky inhale and clenched fists-- she shuts her eyes and finds what little comfort she is able to seek.

everything will be okay. this feeling will pass.

v. 

she is married now. her family has left and now it is just her and her husband underground.

that terrible feeling still resides within her. despite its presence, a forced smile finds its way to her lips and she holds her chin up high. if this is what her life is to be, then she will do the best to live it well. even if it means living in solitude. even if it means finding wariness in some foolish story about a wolf.

the train of thought is lost when she feels his hand on her waist, his touch gentle and cautious.

his timid smile provides no reassurance. her heart beats faster and the sickening feeling overwhelms every sense in her body; she struggles to hang on, but the darkness takes hold of her.

everything goes black.

vi.

when she wakes, all she sees is red. confusion fills a hazy mind as eyes take in the horrible sights. red covers the floor, the walls, and her hands--

her hands.

panic settles in with realization. crimson-stained hands tremble violently when she sees the body of her husband before her and she can't help the choked sob that escapes.

it was her all along. she was the wolf.

Gray Wolf. Source.

Author's Note: The story is based off "The Story of the Wolf-Bride." A prophet tells a father that his son will be torn to shreds by a wolf. In order to avoid this, the father builds an underground chamber and raises his son there. His son eventually gets married. However, when he places his hand on his wife's waist, she turns into the wolf and kills him. She turns back after, but she has no idea what happened. I wanted to write from the wife's perspective and go into further detail about how she felt about the whole ordeal.

Bibliography. "The Story of the Wolf-Bride" from Persian Tales translated by D.L.R Lorimer and E.O Lorimer.

Week 3 Storytelling: Soldier On

[ xi. strength. ]

( it is easy to be brave when there is no danger. )

i. false sanctuary

he grows up where solace hardly exists. it leaves itself in fragments, hiding in the crevices of one’s mind.

he grows up in times of war; he is too young and too innocent. he is naive and happy despite everything that happens around him.

he understands that there is fighting and violence, but he does not understand the extent, nor what it truly means. he doesn't understand that fighting means bloodshed; he doesn't understand when they tell him that his father won't return from the war. his brows narrow and curiosity fills bright eyes when they tell him the news.

his mother's tears never fall. the words remain stuck in her throat and one day,

she knows he will understand.

( she doesn't know whether it's a curse or blessing to know that he is still a child of naivety and not one that knows the reality of war. )

ii. ignorant courage

when he is older, he learns more about war. he learns of the pain, the grief, the sorrow-- he learns what war really is. he learns where his family has gone and why they are gone.

he learns that he has lost them.

sooner or later, he will have to fight. he is not afraid, he says.

there's a weak smile that crosses his lips as his fingers drum against the worn table. he's thought about this a lot-- to grow up with war means there is no escape from this harsh reality. his older brother listens intently to his every word and there's this fear that fills a dreadful heart; he has known the experience of war.

this is not something he wants his little brother to go through, even though he knows there is nothing he can do to prevent it.

"i want to fight." he announces, his words laced with determination.

he sees the flicker of horror that appears on his sibling's face and his smile grows, but sadness accompanies it.

"i'll be okay. i promise."

his brother does not speak for what feels like years. he stares and stares, searching for that little boy that used to be as bright as the sun. he doesn't want to care for promises; it means nothing in this world.

still, he hopes that it is not broken. they have lost too much family already. he will not lose his little brother.

( oh little one,

even ares wishes to spare you from this violence. )

iii. amidst the chaos

when he first runs into the battlefield, his heartbeat rings violently in his ears. the adrenaline rushes throughout his body and he feels as if his heart might burst from his chest.

he remembers his ignorance of war; he believed he had grown out of it, but when eyes scan the battlefield, there is only chaos that greets his sights. it makes him realize how frightened he is. it makes him realize how light his words seemed back then.

he realizes how foolish he was, but now, even with the fear that clutches onto him, he finds resolve. no matter how dangerous it may be, no matter how horrific it may be, he will fight. he will find strength in himself, in his brother, and his comrades.

he reminds himself to keep his promise. he will be okay. he will survive. 

he will go home.

( survive, soldier. )

War by hunterkiller. Source.

Author's Note: The original story is titled "The Sheep and the Pig". The shepherd picks up the pig, which results in the pig making loud noises. The sheep find this amusing and ask why the pig reacts in such a way; when they get picked up by the shepherd, they don't act in such an embarrassing way. The pig tells them that the shepherd only wants their wool, but when it comes to itself, he wants bacon. The last line of the story is "It is easy to be brave when there is no danger". Originally, it was supposed to be a story with an adult telling a child how difficult it is to be courageous, but then I thought of a child who knew very little of war. As they grew up, they were determined to fight in the war without any hesitation because they weren't truly in danger yet. I used the strength arcana because even at the end, despite his fear, he learned to be strong and fight for what he cared about.

Bibliography. "The Sheep and the Pig" from Aesop for Children by Milo Winter.

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.

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.