Week 10 Story: Oh Silly Hare

There once existed a nervous and ever dreadful hare, Demar, who got frightened at the slightest of sounds. He was born to strong and loving parents, who could not understand why in the world their child was always so afraid. When the parents, Delia and Somar were around Demar was a bit less easily rattled. One nice spring day Delia and Somar went to visit some relatives leaving Demar with a a family friends, the Lion. Demar loved Lion like an uncle and thought he was smart and strong. Lion took Demar to park nearby with many blooming trees.

While playing, Demar ran into a tree and caused a fruit to fall down. Demar could not see the fallen fruit and assumed the worst was happening, "the earth is collapsing!" Shouting over and over again that the earth was collapsing Demar ran as fast as he could. Lion tried to stop him, but the young one was just to fast for him. Demar ran past a few other hares in the parks and they started running as well when they heard what Demar was shouting. Soon the birds heard and told the deer who were grassing on the perennials. The wild boars saw the massive group of animals running all shouting that "the earth is collapsing" and started running also. Not much time later the tigers, lions, elephants, buffalos, monkeys, and camels had joined in and were shouting "the earth is collapsing" at the top of their lungs.

The Lion who was left behind at the park by Demar finally caught him and made him stop. Demar was so afraid that he was fighting his uncle to let him go so he could continue to run. At this point the Lion was utterly confused as to why Demar would think that the earth is collapsing. He had Demar explain what he had encountered to make him think that. Demar reiterated how he had ran into a tree trunk and heard a loud crack sound. With that Lion took Demar back to the park to get to the bottom of this mystery.

All the animals followed them and started to wonder why earth was still here and no gone. Demar lead the Lion to the tree and Lion walked the perimeter to discover a fallen coconuts in the back. In a low voice he called Demar over to the other side of the tree to show the fallen coconuts. Soon others started coming over to the tree when they heard Demar repeating "Oh no, what big mistake I have made!" Instead of laughing or getting mad at him the other animals understood that mistakes happen and left after saying "Next time just look before scaring yourself and assuming the worst." Realizing his mistake, Demar slowly became less easily frightened. Whenever Demar was frightened he thought back to his mistake before running off again.

Author's Note: So I revamped this story to hold the original message of the story, but adding a few characters names and made a few events different. Overall the story's message was to think and look before you ask. That was the lesson that the Lion in the original story teaches the Hare in the end.

Bibliography: The Hare That Ran Away, Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock

The animals gathered around the tree

Reading Notes 10.1 Jataka Tales, Part A

Welcome back everyone!

For the next two weeks I am reading through the Jataka Tales from the Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock.

The Hare That Ran Away:

• Buddha born as lion to help fellow animals
• Hare: nervous, dreadful of something bad happening
• Started running - "the earth is falling in" when she heard the rustling caused by a falling fruit 
• she tells her brother who tells another hare soon...
• deer -> sheep -> wild boar -> buffalo -> camel -> tiger -> elaphant
• Lion stops then and asked where the info came from...takes the hare to the original site and explains nothing is happening

The Monkey and the Crocodile:

• Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta, came to life at the foot of Himalaya as a Monkey
• lived by the River Ganges
• New crocodile fam in town..wife hungry for the monkey
• husband goes to the monkey and offers a ride across the river
• croc tells the monkey why his wife sent him
• Monkey is smart, tricks croc by telling him that monkey hearts are not inside instead hang on trees
• Croc goes back without the hear for his wife

The Spirit That Lived in a Tree:

• Buddha was re-born as a Tree-Spirit
• King of Benares says he will build a palace resting on only one column
• in the King's Park was a lordly Sal tree, straight and well grown, worshiped by village and town, and to this tree even the Royal Family also paid tribute, worship, and honor to be cut down
• King gets a visit from the Tree Spirit and is shown why the trees can't be cut down...King tells that they won't be cut

The Hare That Was Not Afraid to Die:

• Buddha was born a Hare and lived in a wood; on one side was the foot of a mountain, on another a river, on the third side a border village
• three friends: a Monkey, a Jackal, and an Otter
• Hare thought the friends important lessons in the evening
• One time Buddha (Hare) tells that tomorrow is a fast day and to give food from their own store if a beggar comes by
• Next day:
• Otter takes fisherman's fishes...called out but no response from owner
• Jackal takes milk curds and lizards
• Monkey takes mangoes
• Hare has nothing..lies in grass says he will give his own flesh
• Sakka, king of gods, disguises himself as Brahmin to test the Hare
• Hare passes Sakka's test for his virtue...fire was icy cold

The Parrot That Fed His Parents:

• Buddha was re-born in the shape of a Parrot
• father makes son the flock leader
• flock eats rice and leader takes some back in his beak
• farmer fears there will be no rice left despite all of his attempts to steer the parrots away from the rice fields they still end up eating their fill
• farmer goes to Brahmin to get advise
• trap the leader 
• Farmer sets trap..leader thinks if he cries out his kinsfolk will leave foodless
• his cries are ignored by the others and they fly away
• Brahmin questions and hears the story of the parrot 
• paying a debt, storing a treasure
• taking food for parents and chicks who cannot yet fly
• Brahmin moved by the story and the parent was granted full permission and even given a part of the land

The Man Who Worked to Give Alms:

• Buddha was born as a merchant named Vissaya (and being endowed with the Five Virtues)
• had alms halls built at the four city gates
• set on foot alms-giving and every day 600,000 men went forth to beg and the food of the beggar and the merchant was exactly the same
• Sakka, the King of the gods, grew suspicious
• he took away all the goods, money, worker from the Merchant and wife
• Merchant and wife discover that they don't have any money...cut grass to make money
• They aren't able to raise enough to feed people...Sakka sees their determination and restores the wealth

The King Who Saw the Truth:

• Wisdom Child that should in time become the Buddha was born a King
• King decreed to give anything that anyone would ask would get
• He enjoyed giving..his heart is filled by giving to others
• Sakka tests how much truth the King's words hold...
• Sakka comes as a blind Brahmin and requests the king for one of his eyes..
• people question the king and he says he shall not break his vow 
• surgeon does the procedure..few weeks later King's sight was restored to him and allowed him to see perfect and absolute Truth.

The Running Hare

Reading Notes 9.2 Mahabharata, Part B

Here's the second half of this week's reading:

War:

• Duryo once again jealous of Yudi being named king
• While in Virata's court Pandavas try to decide what to do...Balarama says make peace, but Satyaki says war
• Draupada says seek allies and also try to make peace...Krishna on a mission to make peace
• Dritha and Drono like peace, but Duryo is not backing down from the war he wants
• Krishna tell Arjuna that he cannot let his feelings for his family on the other side of the battle cloud what his duty calls for
• Bhishma leads Duryo's armies 
• Battle ensues the second day, Duryo threatens to replace Bhishma with Karna 
• Bhishma says gods aren't on their side
• Many of Duryo's brothers killed by Bhima..battle continues
• Bhishma says he won't fight Shikhandin (born to kill Bhishma) because he is a woman turned man
• Bhishma shot with arrows in the middle of battlefield
• Bhishma wants Duryo to make peace but he doesn't
• Bhishma tells Karna that Arjuna is his brother and the charioteer is his foster dad
• Tells that Karna = 1st born child of Kunti
• Karna still out for Arjuna's blood

Battle Changes:

• Drono = Duryo's new general
• Arjuna vows to not attack Drono
• Drono's attack on Yudi fails
• Duryo threatens again, replace Drono w/ Karna
• The trick with Drono
• Drono's son's name = Ashwathaman = elephant name
• Bhima kills war elephants..."Bhima has killed Ashwathaman" is heard by Drono
• Drono ask Yudi...he doesn't hear the elephant part of the reply
• Draupadi's brother, Dhrishta kills Drono
• Karna takes over as commander 
• Karna take king of Madra, Shalya, as his charioteer
• 2 draws between Karna and Arjuna
• Yudi and Arjuna apologize to each other...Arjuna now to face Karna
• Karna breaks Arjuna's bow...no respite..Arjuna repairs bow somehow
• Karna's chariot wheel gets stuck, asks for respite...Krishna says no respite...Arjuna shots fatal arrow 
• Shalya takes over as commander for Duryo's army
• Yudi kills Shalya
• Duryo runs away to the forest near the lake
• Pandavas find Duryo...Bhima fights hard with Duryo

Sons Killed:

• Pandavas run back to their camp hearing that Drono's son Ashwathaman has killed their own sons. 
• Duryo comes to and then dies upon hearing Ashwathaman
• Kunti tells Pandavas that Arjuna was her son...Yudi recognizes Arjuna's skill and strength

Bhishma's death in battle 

Bibliography:  The Five Tall Sons of Pandu by Richard Wilson, Print.

Reading Notes 9.1 Mahabharata, Part A

Hey all!

So this week I am reading The Five Tall Sons of Panduby Richard Wilson.

Pandu and sons:

• Pandu = father of 5 sons
• Yudi 
• Bhima 
• Arjuna 
• twins: Nakula & Sahadeva
• Pandu dies, brother = Dhrita (blind man) takes over and has 100 sons
• Duryo = oldest
• hates his cousins

Training and Battle:

• Duryo and sibs trained by Drono
• mock battles, but Duryo takes it too far
• Arjuna's talent for archery comes through
• Arjuna challenged by Karna, a warrior
• lineages announced
• Karna doesn't tell his
• Duryo crowns Karna king of Huga
• Bhima outraged/shocked when Karna bows in front of the charioteer
• Duryo defends Karna
• Darkness coming about
• Realization that Arjuna's rival in archery skill = Karna

Who shall be Draupadi's husband?:

• Duryo tries to trap the Pandavas and their mom in a burning house when Dhrita announces Yudi as his heir apparent 
• Draupadi has her heart set out for Arjuna 
• King Draupada purposely set up the archery target so that only a man capable of archery like Arjuna could make the target
• Karna strings the bow and hits the target
• Draupadi rejects him by saying she won't marry a man of such low class
• Arjuna dressed as a hermit strings the bow and makes the target
• Draupadi declares him the winner, unfortunately the other suitors attack him
• attacking stopped by Krishna
• Draupadi is taken home, mom=Kunti says that Draupadi shall be the wife of the oldest = Yudi 

Divided Kingdom:

• Duryo takes richer part of the kingdom along Ganges
• Pandavas get the area around Yamuna
• Preparations to make Yudi king
• Guest of honor = Krishna
• king of Cedi, Shishupala becomes angry and gets beheaded by Krishna

Gambling, Gambling, and more gambling

• Duryo very jealous of Yudi 
• Yudi is invited to a game of dice...can't reject
• With help of Prince Shakuni Duryo wins
• Yudi gambles away everything
• kingdom
• possessions
• himself and his brothers as slaves
• Dhrita says they shall not be slaves instead they shall be exiled
• wife
• Draupadi dragged out of the place and brought to Duryo
• Draupadi granted a wish
• wish = go with the Pandavas into exile

Forest life:

• Duryo comes to taunt the Pandavas but the plan backfires
• Pandavas help save Duryo escape gandharvas
• Prince Jayadratha attempts to kidnap Draupadi - fail 

King Virata:

• Pandavas and Draupadi spend year in King Virata's court
• Yudi = brahmin priest
• Bhima = cook
• Arjuna = dancing master 
• Nakula = stableboy
• Sahadeva = cowboy
• Draupadi = hair dresser of queen
• Near the end of the year Karna, Duryo, and Drono steal King Virata's cattle
• Virata's son: Uttara takes Arjuna as charioteer into battle
• Arjuna takes Uttara to where the Pandavas have hidden their weapons as corpses hanging from the trees
• Arjuna reveals the identities of Pandavas during Uttara's inqusition
• Drono recognizes Arjuna..Duryo escapes 
• Cattle saved and taken to King Virata

Bibliography:  The Five Tall Sons of Pandu by Richard Wilson, Print. 

Draupadi during the gambling match

Week 8 Progress

Hey all!

This class is flying by! I don't know about everyone else, but I love the flexibility that this class offers. All the extra credit opportunities are definitely a bonus.

Looking back I am very happy with my progress so far, especially with my class load this semester. I am currently a week ahead and hopefully I'll be able to get further by spending a day over spring break. At the moment I do have a good routine, sometimes tests and quizzes throw me off my schedule, but otherwise I am pretty good on sticking with it. My favorite assignment by far is the weekly storytelling post because it gives me a chance to test out different writing styles and get all of my creativity on to a page. I love to make up things, exaggerate a bit, and just be imaginative with the stories. I am definitely using the extra credit options! Not as many as I would like to, but I still try to aim for at least one every week.

I try to definitely get my work done during the week so that my weekend stays open, so my goal is during spring break to work ahead a few weeks, so that the second half of the semester stays a bit lighter since there are still many more quizzes and midterms. I don't really have any pitfalls that need to be avoided, maybe not waiting until Sunday to complete my last assignment of the week? At the moment there's not anything new that I want to try. Although I have been thinking about doing a few of the extra credit assignments in places of the readings.

Hiking in the summer is my motivation!

Week 8 Comments and Feedback

Hello again everyone!

So let's talk about feedback today... some people hate feedback whether it is good or bad and some people thrive when given feedback. I love it when I get feedback, because it makes me realize what I need to focus on as well learn not to make the same mistakes over. Feedback to me is really important since it gives me a different perspective to look at my paper from. As the writer, even taking a break and going back over some of my writings I tend not to catch my mistakes because I am only working with my knowledge, which by the way is very poor in English.

I have to say though my favorite type of feedback is both constructive and conversation ones. They both help me in different ways. Constructive feedback helps me improve my writings and work more towards what readers like. Conversation feedback allows me to build relationships and get to know more about the different people in my class that I would not get to otherwise. All of the feedback I have used has been very good and helpful in improving my writing.

I would like to think that I am leaving good feedback for others, especially my constructive feedback. It really varies from person to person on how her or she feels about getting feedback. I know I always try to include stuff that other students have not already mentioned and let the authors know what my thoughts were as the story went on. Though I have to admit I have come across some stories which are phenomenal and are amazing as is. My feedback strategy that I am using is working really well for me, I tend to read over the story/post twice and write what my thoughts were at certain parts and then go in for detailed remarks. While providing feedback, reading the various pieces has given me a few ideas that I would love to incorporate in my posts as well.

I love to read through people's introductions because each person is so unique and it is just fun! I mentioned it earlier but the blog comments (conversation feedback) is one of my favorite types of feedback because I essentially get to chat with others and also learn their thoughts.

I think I have a really good strategy going for my feedback posts, so at the moment I am not planning on changing anything. Although, I will say I might try other strategies later on. I have been playing around on blogger, but I like the style that I am using right now, what can I say?!


The image below describes me so well. I chose this image in particular, because without feedback my work would be raw and in order for it to be something good it needs feedback so that the errors are taken care of.

What I tell my teacher's all the time

Week 8 Reading and Writing

Hey All!

Let me start off by saying that the readings in this class are fantastic. They are the perfect length, not too long and not too short. Something that is manageable with all my other classes. My favorite reading I think so far was R.K. Narayan's version of the Mahabharata. I had never read that version before and initially had thought I would hate it, but I ended up really enjoying it. Getting to read for fun has really given me the refresher that I desperately needed from class textbooks.

I chose to try our various styles of notes, but found that I liked a combination of summarizing key events and highlighting important traits of characters that I will try to mirror in my own stories. The reading notes are definitely a great way for me to start getting my ideas flowing for the story post that week. While writing my story they serve as a really quick reference for key points.

I am definitely excited and happy about my class project! I am doing Navratri, which is one of my favorite Hindu festivals and cannot wait to share all the different aspects with everyone. What many people think of when they hear Indian holiday or festival is lots of people and food (response of various friends). Many of my friends are always curious about the Hindu culture, so I thought why not share this fun festival that so many people come together for? I know when we celebrate it here in Oklahoma students are encouraged to bring their friends, so that they can ask questions and join in on the fun.

I think so far my biggest accomplishment in this class is improving from the feedback I get. All throughout my middle school and high school career I always had like ten people check over my papers before I submitted anything. It sure taught me how useful feedback was and now I am able to help others. I always struggled to provide clear cut feedback, because I was simply just not good in English, but this has taught me how to give good and clear feedback.

How I feel about books