Essay - Interpretations from Classical Narratives to Disney Movies

The major connection I made with Week 6 readings were a connection to Disney. I read the Labors of Yamato which I interpreted to a Japanese Hercules and A Child of the Woods which I thought closely related Jungle Book or Tarzan.

Yamato is a super bad ass Japanese samurai that has tasks similar to Hercules. He even has to slay a dragon/serpent and beast of a boar as Herc does. Both are prime specimens of their societies. Both become warrior class. Both work with great swords. Both embark on quests beyond belief. They are pinnacles of their culture and revered as so, Yamato to the Japanese, and Hercules to the Greek/Roman.

Hercules is also a famed Disney movie in which many little boys and girls have seen. Disney is a part of our child hood. It is how we learn about different cultures and their stories before we ever even take a seat in elementary school. A Disney Yamato movie would be cool, but a rated R, computer generated graphics, blood splatter, crazy effects, 300/Troy type of Yamato movie would be better haha.

This same conversion into Disney classics was present to me in the Laos story - A Child of the Woods. A little girl runs to the jungle to be raised by nature and lives happily, protected by wild cats and other beast while she sleeps under trees, only to return to civilization a better person and love for all. Kind of sounds like Mogli and the Jungle Book story, which is also a Disney convert. Could also relate to Tarzan, another Disney movie. All have a child raised in the jungle. All have a big wild cat or two. All try and convert back to civilization at the end. So many connections. These were interesting to me. Disney is a cult haha.

Disney Is A Cult

Reading Diary B - Asia - Japanese Mythology

Japanese Mythology

The Labors of Yamato: The Dragon
(Part I)
Exulting in his victory Yamato descended the forest-clad slopes of Fujiyama.
Joyous at having regained the Sacred Sword, his heart leaped with a greater happiness. At last he realized that not for love of him but to gain the Sacred Sword had Benten woven her guileful web, and his heart yearned for the faithful Tacibana.

But first, he told himself, he must visit the sorceress to charge her with treachery and theft. He hastened to their trysting place and, gazing into the jade-green water, presently perceived the glitter of her golden scales. Yamato plunged headlong in pursuit of the fleeing siren and the dark wave closed above him.

As a stone cast into a bottomless well sank Yamato, and ever, as he descended, the sea crooned in his ears a sweet yet sorrowful slumber-song bodeful of love and death. Then was he mindful of returning earthward, but of a sudden he felt himself enveloped by the folds of a loathly serpent, and a chill struck to his very heart.

The song of the sea became louder and more articulate till he recognized the voice of Benten: “I hold thee for ever,” sang the siren. “Thrice have I held thee, and thrice hast thou eluded my grasp. Henceforth none may wrest thee from me, save a goddess whom thou shalt acclaim more beautiful, whose love is even greater than mine own.”

Then dim and far, above the endless leagues of jade-green water, Yamato was ware of the Princess Tacibana gently murmuring his name. Through the infinite depths he beheld her lovesome face smiling to him from out the dusky cloud-rifts of her hair.

Then knew Yamato that “the goddess more beautiful than Benten whose love was greater than her own,” was none other than his faithful Tacibana.

Downward, like the tendrils of some miraculous vine, grew the dusky tresses of Tacibana. They enveloped Yamato in a fragrant cloud and enlaced him in the meshes of a silken net. Like strong encircling arms they upbore him, through endless leagues of water, to the sea-swept isle of Enoshima.

Tacibana, pitiful and wan, gazed anxiously upon him. Her warm white hands clasped his in fond solicitude. He strove to speak, but a great weariness overcame him, and he fell upon the breast of his faithful Princess.

When Yamato came to himself, Tacibana had vanished, whither he knew not. “She hath gone for help and will presently come again,” he said within himself, but hours passed, and she did not return.

Distraught by vague forebodings Yamato turned his steps toward Kashiwa-bara.

He found the city in a state of utter panic. Their household chattels piled upon bullock-carts or borne upon their bended backs, the terror-stricken natives were rushing hither and thither as though surprised by a sudden conflagration.

Demanding the cause of their alarm Yamato was informed that a terrific dragon had descended upon the land, slaying cattle, devastating rice-fields, and overwhelming the people with pestilence and death.

When last descried the monster was entering the royal palace, whence lamentable cries had issued telling the fate of its inhabitants.

Yamato hastened thither. All was silent and deserted. From cellar to turret he rushed, calling frantically upon Tacibana, only to find a mass of mangled and lifeless bodies. He searched gardens and outbuildings, following trails of blood, but nowhere could he discern trace of his lost Princess.

Of a sudden he heard a sound as of a priestess chanting, and mounting a Pagoda found Tacibana clad in white vestments waving a wand, and chanting the norito.

Suddenly her voice was whelmed in a terrific uproar. The Thunder God Raiden beat furiously upon his drums; great leaden clouds shut out the sky. Futen, the Wind God, unloosed his tempests, while with a flash of forked lightning, from a rent in the midnight sky, hurtled Susa-no-wo, Dragon of the Sea.

His head was like a camel, his horns were like a stag, and his eyes were glowing coals of fire. Scaled like a crocodile, he brandished a tiger’s paws, armed with the talons of an eagle.

Belching forth the steam of a score of geysers and rearing itself upon its terrible tail, the dragon charged at Yamato.

(Part II)
Dexterously evading the onslaught, he thrust, lunged, and slashed, burying his blade in the dragon’s belly, but in vain; at every stroke he was enwrapped more closely in the great constricting coils.

Thus the battle raged, the reptile answering each stroke with an ever-tightening grip, until it seemed that the hero’s strength would fail. But Yamato, gathering himself in one supreme effort, thrust his sword to the hilt in the dragon’s throat.

With lightning-like convolutions, the monster strove to wrest the blade from the hand of his antagonist, and then with a thunderous battering of wings soared in air. Writhing in its death-throes it hovered a moment, and then fell crashing to earth.

Yamato heard afar the voice of Tacibana chanting: “Henceforth shall all evil and calamity through writhing reptiles for ever disappear, as the wind of morning blows away night’s chill-enfolding mist. As ships sailing from the harbour so shall these evil spirits be borne to the Sea Plain, then swept through the Whirlpool Gate to Yomi, that the earth be rid of them for ever.”

Yamato lifted his weary lids to behold the wondrous smile of Tacibana.

“My divine Lord,” she murmured, “thou hast delivered me for ever from Susa-no-wo.”

“Henceforth, my Beloved,” replied Yamato, “naught may part us. No longer shall our arch-enemy defile the land. Hereafter hath he power alone over the sea.”

Full long and joyously lived Yamato with his ever-loving wife.

One day, in the month of the watery moon, he fared forth upon a foray against the tempestuous Ainos. Loth to hazard the toilsome mountain passes, he chose rather to embark his army upon the sea.

Princess Tacibana, in sore distress that her lord was in no mind to renounce this venture, implored to be permitted to accompany him.

Laughing away her fears, Yamato consented: “‘Tis my last fight,” he declared. “Henceforth will we spend our days in never-ending peace.”

When they had journeyed to the wave-washed shores of Idzu, Yamato exclaimed exultingly: “Why should I fear to encounter Susa-no-wo upon the sea since I have already conquered him on land?”

Whereupon the Sea God, angered at the defiant words of Yamato, raised a mighty tempest. The rains descended and the winds blew and beat upon the ship. Thunderbolts crashed about them and lightning blinded their eyes. Great billows swept the decks, sails were rent in ribbons, and masts were split in twain.

Out of the depths he heard a siren singing: “Reckless Yamato, thou hast adventured upon my ever-verdant Sea Plain and defied my father, the God of Ocean. Therefore shalt thou perish, else another victim be granted me.”

In the seething emerald waters Tacibana beheld a mermaid stretching out moon-blanched arms.

Forgetting his former infidelity, she resolved to sacrifice herself in the place of her beloved lord. “Take me, Benten, to thy watery kingdom, “cried the Princess, then plunged into the foam-flowered waves.

Of a sudden the tempest abated, the sea was calmed, and a snow-white heron soared upward to the sun.

“With thee let me live or perish!” cried Yamato, leaping into the jade-green sea.

Long he battled beneath the wave, groping through the depths for his faithful Princess. At last he rose bearing in his arms a white and lifeless burden. The snow-white spirit of Tacibana had soared to the Eternal Land.

“Alas, my beloved wife!” sobbed Yamato, “may the foam-flowers bloom for ever on thy grave!”

From the lament of Yamato, the eastern province of Japan is still known as Azuma, “Alas! My beloved wife.”
_____

Thoughts
The style of writing is very descriptive, a little complex, but very beautiful. Here are some perfect examples 1. "gazing into the jade-green water, presently perceived the glitter of her golden scales" 2. "the sea crooned in his ears a sweet yet sorrowful slumber-song bodeful of love and death" are just a few examples 3. (Describing the dragon!) "His head was like a camel, his horns were like a stag, and his eyes were glowing coals of fire. Scaled like a crocodile, he brandished a tiger’s paws, armed with the talons of an eagle." 4. "With lightning-like convolutions, the monster strove to rest the blade from the hand of his antagonist." and 5."Tis my last fight,” he declared. “Henceforth will we spend our days in never-ending peace." - so beautiful, all of it. A romance, tragedy, war story. I like.

The stories instantly reminded me of Hercules 12 labors. Yamato is the Japanese Hercules. The Samurai Hercules. Sounds way cooler haha. Samurai are probably my most favorite warrior fighting it out with maybe Spartans. The dragon story specifically made me think of Beowulf with as they both include great dragons and a scaly beautiful siren. Then I thought of Smaug from the Hobbit... So many thoughts. So many references. Yamato seems an honorable but victory/war-drivin. For glory. That's my motto. Perhaps Yamato might be a warrior in one of my descriptions.

Japanese dragon

Reading Diary A - Asia - Laos Folklore

Laos Folklore

A Child of the Woods 

Deep in the forest of the North there is a large village of jungle people, and among them is one old woman who is held in reverence by all. The stranger who asks why she is honored as a princess is thus answered by her:

Verily, I have much boon, for I am but a child of nature. When I was a young maiden, it fell upon a day that my heart grew hot with anger. For many days the anger grew until it filled my whole heart, also were my eyes so red that I could see but dimly, and no longer could I live in the village or among my own people, for I hated all men and I felt that the beasts of the forest were more to me than my kindred.

Therefore, I fled from the face of man into the jungle where no human foot had ever gone. All day I journeyed, running as though my feet would never weary and feeling no pangs of hunger. When the darkness closed about me, I was not afraid, but lay down under the shelter of a tree and, for a time, slept peacefully, as peacefully as though in my own home.

At length, I was awakened by the breath of an animal and, in the clear light of the moon, I saw a large tiger before me. It smelled of my face, my hands and my feet, then seated itself by my head and watched me through the night, and I lay there unafraid. In the early morning, the tiger departed and I continued my journey. Quieter was my heart. Still, I disliked my own people but had no fear of the beasts or the reptiles of the forest.

During the day I ate of the fruit which grew wild in abundance, and at night I slept ’neath a tree, protected and guarded by fierce, wild beasts which molested not my sleep. For many days I wandered thus, and the nights were secure, for the wild beasts watched over and protected me.

“Thus my heart grew cool in my bosom, and I no longer hated my people and, after one moon had gone, I found myself near a village. The people wondered to see me approach from the jungle, dreaded as being the jungle of the man-eating tiger. When I related my story, the people were filled with wonder and brought rich gifts to me. For a year and a day I abode there, and no more the wild beasts molested their cattle.

But my heart yearned to see the face of my kindred again, so, laden with silver, gold and rich garments and seated in the howdah of an elephant, the people escorted me to my own village, and here have I abode in content these one hundred years.

Thoughts
This story reminded me so much of the Jungle Book, maybe it is! But the Jungle Book is usually set in the jungles of India  while A Child of the Wood is in a Laos jungle. I actually picked this section in the first place because I like how the word Laos rolls off the tongue haha. But now all I can think about is the new Jungle Book coming out in 2016 produced by Disney. This will be a live action in contrast to their animated classic. I will probably love this one more than the original but both are great and I'm sure the new one will be one of my top 5 favorite movies. It's interesting because I am a lion fan through and through and don't even like tigers because people think tigers are the only ones that can take down lies. BS. But out of my top five favorite movies three include tigers ha - from the arena in Gladiator, to Life of Pi, to now Jungle Book (that's how confident I am that I will love it haha).

Another big contrast to A Child of the Wood and  Jungle Book is that Mowgli is a boy and the Laos story is an old woman speaking on her time as a young girl alone in the wonderful jungle protected by tigers and other beasts and in love with nature. While researching more about the Jungle Book I came across a beautiful sentence I thought I should share about these types of stories: that evoke a timeless atmosphere, similar to the beast fables of Aesop or to certain folktales where animals have the power to think and speak. Beautiful.

This kinda makes me want to write about Mowgli as a beast warrior bro. He's basically at the Tarzan of India. Or Tarzan is basically the white Mowgli haha. Wow those stories are super similar as well. Look at all these connections I'm gathering. Maybe Tarzan v Mowgli, uh oh. Or just a super bad ass Mowgli. Or a remix of A Child of the Wood. Now enjoy this dope gif.

Jungle Book 2016

Thoughts About Comments

Pleasant comments are always the best. The ones that prove the person has read your story and it has touched them in some sort of way whether that be by making them laugh or smile, or by really interesting them.

Overly critical comments about grammar or structure are kind of redundant IF the author's story clearly states or intended a story to be different in style or structure. For example, I am an author who enjoys a slightly more dramatic tone so fragmentation and short sentences are my friends. Think of it like Denzel Washington is giving a chilling movie quote or Morgan Freeman is narrating one of my battle stories. Like a halftime football speech. I want to add some drama and moxy!

Further more.. Praise is good, but only for those who deserve it.

Comments Comments Comments.

Swag.

Bye!

Extra Reading Diary - Persian Tales

Persian Tales

Muhammad Tirandaz, The ArcherOnce upon a time there was a time when there was no one but God.

There was once a man called Muhammad who was a shawl-weaver. One day he was sitting behind his shawl, weaving away, when it chanced that he saw two mice playing about and riding on each other's back. As he threw the shuttle into his warp it slipped from his hand and hit the two mice, killing both of them at one blow.

Thereupon all Muhammad's fellow-apprentices began to chaff him and say: "Bravo! Well done! Your name should be:
Tirandaz, Muhammad of the Bow,
Slaying with his arrow two lions at one blow.
Why do you sit here weaving shawls? You ought to be an archer."

Muhammad listened to these words and took them seriously and believed them all, so he rose up from his work and went home to his own house. He caught his mother by the collar and got a little money from her, and took it to the bazar to buy a bow and arrows for himself. On the bow and arrows he made them write:

I am Muhammad Tirandaz, Muhammad of the Bow,
Slaying with my arrow two lions at one blow.

Then he threw the bow and arrows over his shoulder and set off for the desert.

He went on and on for a good way, and arrived thirsty and weary at the edge of a stream of water. He quenched his thirst, hung his bow and arrows in the fork of a tree, and then lay down under its shade and fell asleep.

When he was still sleeping, one of the King's horsemen came riding by and chanced to pass close to the foot of the tree. There he saw a strong, sturdy youth asleep, his bow and arrows hung above his head.

The horseman was amazed at the strong appearance of the young man and came up to look at his weapons, and saw that it was written on them:

I am Muhammad Tirandaz, Muhammad of the Bow,
Slaying with my arrow two lions at one blow.

So he sat down at the youth's side and waited for him to wake. Then he asked: "Who are you?" and got the reply:

I am Muhammad Tirandaz, Muhammad of the Bow,
Slaying with my arrow two lions at one blow.

"What business brings you here, then?" asked the horseman. - "I came into the desert to do a little hunting." - "Good, and are you really a good shot?" To this Muhammad replied: "Yes." - "Then I shall take you with me to the King, and you shall be one of the King's household. And then some day when war happens to break out you can fight for the King." "Right you are," said Muhammad.

Now the horseman had some bread and other things in his saddlebags. He brought them out and they ate together, and he took the new-found archer along with him and brought him into the King's presence, and explained: "This is Muhammad Tirandaz the Archer, who slays two lions at one blow."

Then the King gave Muhammad a gift and an appointment in his household, and he fixed a certain salary for him. So Muhammad made himself at home there, and day or night his only work was to eat and sleep - which was really just as well, for there was nothing else that he knew how to do. So things went on till one day it chanced that war broke out, and an enemy's army came and besieged the city of the King.

Immediately Muhammad Tirandaz was summoned, and the King said: "Now you'd better go out and fight."

Muhammad could do nothing but agree, and so he said: "With pleasure."

They brought a horse for him to mount to ride out to the battlefield. Now Muhammad, who hadn't the faintest idea how to ride, was afraid that no sooner would he mount than the horse would throw him to the ground. So he said: "Tie my feet tightly together under the horse's belly." Then the grooms marvelled greatly, but they thought he must be going to perform some wondrous exploit since he bade them do this strange thing, so they tied his feet as he had said.

Then he slung his bow and arrows on his back and took the reins and set out for the battle. On the way the bridle slipped from his hand, the horse bolted with him and began to gallop. In their wild career they came near a tree, and Muhammad in great fear stretched out his arms to clutch it and try to stop himself. As he grasped it the force of the galloping horse tore it up by the roots, and on they dashed, Muhammad waving the tree and shouting: "Catch the reins! Catch the reins!" in the hopes that some one would stop his horse.

Now the army of the other side, when they saw a champion galloping towards them waving a tree, were terrified, for they thought there must be an army of the King's coming up behind them to cut off their retreat to whom Muhammad was calling, and that he meant: "Catch the enemy's reins and prevent their escaping!" So from sheer terror they turned tail and took to flight. Meanwhile the King's army galloped up and pursued and defeated them.

And the grateful King gave many presents and robes of honour to Muhammad Tlrandaz the Archer, and he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the King's armies.

And now my story has come to an end, but the sparrow never got home.

Thoughts

I looked through Persian tales to find a warrior story and start thinking about my warrior portfolio and I came across this. I assumed by the title that "yea! Muhammad the Archer is probably a bad ass, Legolas from the Lord of the Rings, Persian Robin Hood, gangster with a bow and arrow." This... Is not that.. haha. A foolish boy with amazing luck becomes a honored general all upon his accidental goofiness and unwarranted confidence that somehow stumbles him to greatness without actually being great. Needless to say, Muhammad will not be apart of my collection of warrior stories unless to tell a joke. But the surprise of what I thought I was getting into turning out to be the exact opposite made me laugh inside and that's never a bad thing. So thank you Persian Archer War Hero story.

What I

thought Muhhamud

would be

Reading Diary A - Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt

King of the Dead

Set continued to rule over Egypt, and he persecuted the followers of Osiris and Isis in the Delta swamps and along the seacoast to the north. But Horus, who was rightful king, grew into strong manhood. He prepared for the coming conflict and became a strong and brave warrior. Among his followers were cunning workers in metal who were called Mesniu (smiths), and bright and keen were their weapons of war. The sun hawk was blazoned on their battle banners.

One night there appeared to Horus in a. dream a vision of his father Osiris. The ghost urged him to overthrow Set by whom he had been so treacherously put to death, and Horus vowed to drive his wicked uncle and all his followers out of the land of Egypt. So he gathered his army together and went forth to battle.

Set came against him at Edfu and slew many of his followers. But Horus secured the aid of the tribes that remained faithful to Osiris and Isis, and Set was again attacked and driven towards the eastern frontier. The usurper uttered a great cry of grief when he was forced to take flight. He rested at Zaru, and there was the last battle fought. It was waged for many days, and Horus lost an eye. But Set was still more grievously wounded, and he was at length driven with his army out of the kingdom.

It is told that the god Thoth descended out of heaven and healed the wounds of Horus and Set. Then the slayer of Osiris appeared before the divine council and claimed the throne. But the gods gave judgment that Horus was the rightful king, and he established his power in the land of Egypt, and became a wise and strong ruler like to his father Osiris.

Another version of the legend relates that when the fragments of the body of Osiris were recovered from the Nile, Isis and Nepthys lamented over them, weeping bitterly. In one of the temple chants Isis exclaims:

Gods, and men before the face of the gods,
are weeping for thee
at the same time when they behold me!
Lo! I invoke thee with wailing
that reacheth high as heaven--
Yet thou hearest not my voice.
Lo! I, thy sister,
I love thee more than all the earth
And thou lovest not another
as thou dost thy sister!

Nepthys cries,

Subdue every sorrow
which is in the hearts of us, thy sisters . . .
Live before us, desiring to behold thee.

The lamentations of the goddesses were heard by Ra, and he sent down from heaven the god Anubis, who, with the assistance of Thoth and Horus, united the severed portions of the body of Osiris, which they wrapped in linen bandages. Thus had origin the mummy form of the god.

Then the winged Isis hovered over the body, and the air from her wings entered the nostrils of Osiris, so that he was imbued with life once again. He afterwards became the Judge and King of the Dead.

Thoughts
I used to think I was mixed with Egyptian when I was in elementary school. I was excited about that. Come to find out, it was actually Arabian.. Ooops haha. But I love their mythology. I do not know the stories as well as I know Greek/Roman mythology but this is a great opportunity to learn more. The names of Egyptian gods are dope. Osiris, Ra, Set, Anubis, Isis, just to name a few. They all sound so intense to me. Ra and Anubis being my favorite. I wish I was named Ra Michael Anubis. DOOOPE haha. This story is really great because it features a lot of the gods in Egyptian mythology. Its also about the creating of the underworld and the 'crowning' of the King of the dead, ex tyrant of the earth. War is the game in this one. Horus hails victorious.

Anubis

Week 4 Storytelling - Wolves Lions & Glory

The Foolhardy Wolf

a Jataka Tale

The original story // Inspiration:

The Foolhardy Wolf
A lion bounded forth from his lair one day, looking north, west, south, and east. He saw a Buffalo and went to kill him.

The Lion ate all of the Buffalo-meat he wanted, and then went down to the lake for a drink. As the Lion turned to go toward his den for a nap, he came upon a hungry Wolf. The Wolf had no chance to get away, so he threw himself at the Lion's feet.

"What do you want?" the Lion asked.

"O Lion, let me be your servant," said the Wolf.

"Very well," said the Lion; "serve me, and you shall have good food to eat."

So saying, the Lion went into his den for his nap. When he woke up, the Lion said to the Wolf: "Each day you must go to the mountain top and see whether there are any elephants, or ponies, or buffaloes about. If you see any, come to me and say: 'Great Lion, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight.' Then I will kill and eat, and give part of the meat to you."

So day after day the Wolf climbed to the mountain top and, seeing a pony, or a buffalo, or an elephant, he went back to the den, and falling at the Lion's feet he said: "Great Lion, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight."

Then the Lion would bound forth and kill whichever beast it was, sharing the meat with the Wolf.

Now this Wolf had never had such fine meat to eat, nor so much. So as time went on, the Wolf grew bigger and bigger, and stronger and stronger, until he was really proud of his great size and strength.

"See how big and strong I am," he said to himself.

"Why am I living day after day on food given me by another? I will kill for my own eating. I'll kill an elephant for myself."

So the Wolf went to the Lion, and said: "I want to eat an elephant of my own killing. Will you let me lie in your corner in the den, while you climb the mountain to look out for an elephant? Then when you see one, you come to the den and say, 'Great Wolf, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight.' Then I will kill the elephant."

Said the Lion: "Wolf, only Lions can kill elephants. The world has never seen a Wolf that could kill an elephant. Give up this notion of yours, and eat what I kill."

But no matter what the Lion said, the Wolf would not give way. So at last the Lion said: "Well, have your own way. Lie down in the den, and I will climb to the top of the mountain."

When he saw an elephant the Lion went back to the mouth of the cave, and said: "Great Wolf, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight."

Then from the den the Wolf nimbly bounded forth, ran to where the elephant was, and, howling three times, he sprang at the elephant. But the Wolf missed his aim, and fell down at the elephant's feet. The elephant raised his right foot and killed the Wolf.

Seeing all this, the Lion said, "You will no more come forth in your might, you foolhardy Wolf."

____________________________________________

Author's Notes

My story is inspired by an Indian fable named The Foolhardy Wolf found in Jataka Tales (Babbitt). Sometimes when I try and start my imagination I look at pictures for inspiration before even typing a word. This was the first time I have solely started with this method and I liked how it worked out. I knew I wanted to write about the story of the foolhardy wolf and the lion but that's it. I had no direction and I didn't want to simply copy the story with minor tweaks like the wolf living and learning or something of that nature.

The other inspiration I had was the harsh, epic, blood -spilling, scary, deadly rivalry of the bloods and the crips, specifically Compton. Straight Outta Compton the new 2015 movie could have helped with that thinking. Straight outta Tulsa over here whoot whoot. But basically this gang war is now a gang war with a pack against a pride. Two of my favorite animals, but the lion being my main squeeze. Isn't it ironic how domestic cats are way smaller than domestic dogs but the biggest wild dog (the timber wolf) is way smaller than the biggest wild cat (male African lion.. shh no one cares about tigers. They are longer but male lions usually weigh more and are bulkier). But like wtf?! It shouldn't be that way haha, cats are so puny as the Incredible Hulk would say. But not lions!

I also made the story go back and fourth in a descriptive ESPN-like comparison of two heavy weights about to take center ring. But instead, my statistics are adjectives. My numbers are words. The back and fourth could also be seen as a tug of war with the story, the emotions, the struggle of conflict. Breaking up the space also gives the eyes more of a rest in between passages.

Lastly I put the authors note in the front this time to add a background and insight to my thinking before hand and to add a little dramatic suspense. Who will win? Dun dun dun..

_______________________________

Wolves Lions & Glory

Inspired by the original Jataka Tale:
The Foolhardy Wolf

The pack of wolves led by their alpha male with glowing blue eyes like lightning.
He was lightning. His hamstrings were lightning in a bottle. Quicker than most. As vicious as they came.

The pride of lions led by their biggest meanest hulk of a beast that is the African lion with the eyes of the fiery sun and sparks for pupils. Mane golden with brown flair to show experience and aggressive moxy. He hit his agile stride towards the approaching enemy. Towards the score of wolves.
___

The wolf started his speed burst and full out stride. Legs kicking out in front of him but quickly meeting in the middle as he covered ground in haste, ever so quickly. Now closing in with his sprint, awaiting his glory as victor or awaiting Cerberus in the afterlife.

The lion had waited his life for a purpose at hand. He lived for battle. The scars covering his body were to show for it. Trophies in the arena he called survival. Would this be the day his spirit live forever as a warrior. As a bringer of death. As the legendary. Now he rumble in full charge. Destruction in his eyes.
___

The beasts were now yards away. Striking distance imminent. Killing distance desired. The thirst for glory in their throat. Savagely keen to lick the blood of their spoil off their lips. This was no hunt. This was no skirmish. This was war. Victoribus Spolia. To the victor go the spoils. May he who win live as the conqueror of everlasting glory. The other perhaps forgotten as he absorb back into the earth the conquered. With glory or with shame? Win. 
___

The beast charge one another with a passionate severity only known by ferocity of their caliber. Electricity surrounds them. Hairs stand. Claws slash. Teeth serrate. Primal intensity is alive. Dust, blood, and flesh fly..
___

Who wins..

Wolf v Lion 

Reading Diary B - Jataka Tales (Babbitt)

Jataka Tales (Babbitt)

The Cunning Wolf
Once upon a time the people in a certain town went out into the woods for a holiday. They took baskets full of good things to eat. But when noontime came they ate all the meat they had brought with them, not leaving any for supper.

"I will get some fresh meat. We will make a fire here and roast it," said one of the men.

So, taking a club, he went to the lake where the animals came to drink. He lay down, club in hand, pretending to be dead. When the animals came down to the lake they saw the man lying there and they watched him for some time.

"That man is playing a trick on us, I believe," said the King of the Wolves. "The rest of you stay here while I will see whether he is really dead, or whether he is pretending to be dead."

Then the cunning King of the Wolves crept up to the man and slyly pulled at his club. At once the man pulled back on his club.

Then the King of the Wolves ran off saying: "If you had been dead, you would not have pulled back on your club when I tried to pull it away. I see your trick. You pretend you are dead so that you may kill one of us for your supper."

The man jumped up and threw his club at the King of the Wolves. But he missed his aim. He looked for the other animals but there was not one in sight. They had all run away.

Then the man went back to his friends, saying: "I tried to get fresh meat by playing a trick on the animals, but the cunning Wolf played a better trick on me, and I could not get one of them."

Thoughts

A wolf that's not bad! What a surprise! Ha nah I never think they are bad but they are mostly perceived as malicious in these types of tales but not in this story. Smart pup the wolf was. The man seemed like the fool from the get go. It was also a heroic witty deed the wolf pulled off, helping himself and his fellow forest mates.

The Foolhardy Wolf
A lion bounded forth from his lair one day, looking north, west, south, and east. He saw a Buffalo and went to kill him.

The Lion ate all of the Buffalo-meat he wanted, and then went down to the lake for a drink. As the Lion turned to go toward his den for a nap, he came upon a hungry Wolf. The Wolf had no chance to get away, so he threw himself at the Lion's feet.

"What do you want?" the Lion asked.

"O Lion, let me be your servant," said the Wolf.

"Very well," said the Lion; "serve me, and you shall have good food to eat."

So saying, the Lion went into his den for his nap. When he woke up, the Lion said to the Wolf: "Each day you must go to the mountain top and see whether there are any elephants, or ponies, or buffaloes about. If you see any, come to me and say: 'Great Lion, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight.' Then I will kill and eat, and give part of the meat to you."

So day after day the Wolf climbed to the mountain top and, seeing a pony, or a buffalo, or an elephant, he went back to the den, and falling at the Lion's feet he said: "Great Lion, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight."

Then the Lion would bound forth and kill whichever beast it was, sharing the meat with the Wolf.

Now this Wolf had never had such fine meat to eat, nor so much. So as time went on, the Wolf grew bigger and bigger, and stronger and stronger, until he was really proud of his great size and strength.

"See how big and strong I am," he said to himself.

"Why am I living day after day on food given me by another? I will kill for my own eating. I'll kill an elephant for myself."

So the Wolf went to the Lion, and said: "I want to eat an elephant of my own killing. Will you let me lie in your corner in the den, while you climb the mountain to look out for an elephant? Then when you see one, you come to the den and say, 'Great Wolf, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight.' Then I will kill the elephant."

Said the Lion: "Wolf, only Lions can kill elephants. The world has never seen a Wolf that could kill an elephant. Give up this notion of yours, and eat what I kill."

But no matter what the Lion said, the Wolf would not give way. So at last the Lion said: "Well, have your own way. Lie down in the den, and I will climb to the top of the mountain."

When he saw an elephant the Lion went back to the mouth of the cave, and said: "Great Wolf, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight."

Then from the den the Wolf nimbly bounded forth, ran to where the elephant was, and, howling three times, he sprang at the elephant. But the Wolf missed his aim, and fell down at the elephant's feet. The elephant raised his right foot and killed the Wolf.

Seeing all this, the Lion said, "You will no more come forth in your might, you foolhardy Wolf."

Thoughts

Again, the lion and the wolf are my besties, and I love their tales. This is perhaps my favorite story now. Both wolf and lion become great. I especially love this:

'Great Lion, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight.'

This would be like my hype line if I was the lion, as soon as I hear this I'm ready to go. The lion is so dope that he doesn't even blush to the words 'thy might' because he knows he is mighty. For some reason the story reminds me of a talk I had with my little brothers who are also athletes like me. I told them 

"Do not be impressed by people that might be your peers. Idolizing is for little boys. You can appreciate talent but do not idolize."

I'm using this more vibrant version of a classical painting of Aeneas Turnus as a personification of an the wolf (man personifying animal? Ironic I know) being crushed by the elephant.

Reading Diary A - Jataka Tales (Babbitt)

Jataka Tales (Babbitt)

The Kings White Elephant
Once upon a time a number of carpenters lived on a river bank near a large forest. Every day the carpenters went in boats to the forest to cut down the trees and make them into lumber. One day while they were at work an Elephant came limping on three feet to them. He held up one foot and the carpenters saw that it was swollen and sore. Then the Elephant lay down and the men saw that there was a great splinter in the sore foot. They pulled it out and washed the sore carefully so that in a short time it would be well again.

Thankful for the cure, the Elephant thought: "These carpenters have done so much for me, I must be useful to them.So after that the Elephant used to pull up trees for the carpenters. Sometimes when the trees were chopped down he would roll the logs down to the river. Other times he brought their tools for them. And the carpenters used to feed him well morning, noon and night.

Now this Elephant had a son who was white all over — a beautiful, strong young one. Said the old Elephant to himself, "I will take my son to the place in the forest where I go to work each day so that he may learn to help the carpenters, for I am no longer young and strong."

So the old Elephant told his son how the carpenters had taken good care of him when he was badly hurt and took him to them. The white Elephant did as his father told him to do and helped the carpenters and they fed him well.

When the work was done at night the young Elephant went to play in the river. The carpenters' children played with him, in the water and on the bank. He liked to pick them up in his trunk and set them on the high branches of the trees and then let them climb down on his back.

One day the king came down the river and saw this beautiful white Elephant working for the carpenters. The king at once wanted the Elephant for his own and paid the carpenters a great price for him. Then with a last look at his playmates, the children, the beautiful white elephant went on with the king. The king was proud of his new Elephant and took the best care of him as long as he lived.

Thoughts
This story is all about good vibes and helping one another out. In a modern sense it could also be about networking haha but that is a dry and boring thought. The Indian stories feature beautiful creatures. The great white elephant and the Banyan deer with round jewel eyes, gold fur, and and white horns. Good luck finding a pic of that (I could make one in adobe illustrator tho!) but instead I found a cool photograph of a white African elephant.

Dope White Lelaphant

in Action

Extra Reading Diary - Aesop's Fables (Winters)

Aesop's Fables (Winters)

The Lion and the Ass
One day as the Lion walked proudly down a forest aisle, and the animals respectfully made way for him, an Ass brayed a scornful remark as he passed.

The Lion felt a flash of anger. But when he turned his head and saw who had spoken, he walked quietly on. He would not honor the fool with even so much as a stroke of his claws.

Do not resent the remarks of a fool. Ignore them.

Thoughts

More lions! Sorry I can't stop. They are everywhere in Aesop fables and I usually like their stories most. Is that because the lions are in the stories that I keep picking these lion stories or is it because the morals are usually better? Who knows haha. Winters' fables were easier to read than English and Jacobs. They were just more simple english than the others. This particular story is all about the moral. Makes me think of like a prissy Nicki Minaj diva type walking with their chin high and their ass higher and basically saying bow down peasants with her body type haha. That was the lion in this one, but he obviously does it more majestically. Im a boss ass b***h playing in the background haha.

The Wolf & His Shadow

A Wolf left his lair one evening in fine spirits and an excellent appetite. As he ran, the setting sun cast his shadow far 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.

Do not let your fancy make you forget realities.

Thought

This stories moral is very similar to an Aesop fable in which a boy mocks a wolf from atop a roof. It is similar in that the puny boy and the puny wolf both are overconfident arrogant things. The boy was safe atop the roof, the wolf wasn't so lucky and paid for his foolishness. In my rewrite of the boy and the wolf I actually make the boy fall off and pay for his remarks. I hadn't even read this story yet before making mine play out so similarly. I thought that was pretty dope!

Uh oh!

Warriors Through Culture - Brainstorm Styles Sesh

Topic - The honor of the sword and shield is the truest thing among a certain class of people - the warrior. History is shaped by the blood of warriors. The antagonists. The protagonists. The heroes. The villains. The in between. The legendary ones, and the ones history forgot. Honor. Life. War. Humanity. Bravery. Conflict. Competition. Glory. The code. It can be comprised of anything, depending on the culture. Honor and Glory are defined differently by different cultures. 'Savagery' or a 'warriors way?' Heroic or idiotic? Scalping is glory. Beheading is glory. Taking ones life in defeat is glory. From fight club to the Spartan to the gang Coney Island gang the Warriors. Actual or fictional. That is not the matter, but rather the exploration of the warrior.

Bibliography - Rama in the epic Ramayana:

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/07/myth-folklore-unit-ramayana.html

the hero Yamato from Japan:

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/myth-folklore-unit-japanese-mythology.html

Makoma the warrior from east Africa:

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/myth-folklore-unit-african-stories-from.html

Kut-O-Yis the Blackfoot warrior:

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/myth-folklore-unit-blackfoot-stories.html

Manobozho the Ojibwa warrior:

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/myth-folklore-unit-mississippi-valley.html

Beowulf:

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/myth-folklore-unit-beowulf.html

King Arthur:

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/myth-folklore-unit-king-arthur.html

Styles - (Haiku) This style could cater nicely to the many stories I want to do and the many type of warriors I want to describe. I could do an upwards of about 15 of these and all be just as beautiful and dynamic as a set. I could cover a large area of content and have some describe the warriors physically, probably multiple actually, and then some describe war generally in a beautiful dramatic manner, and some in a harsh manner. This option is versatile in content but fixed in organization. 

(First person) I almost imagine a warrior waiting at the edge of a field or behind the gate, only his heartbeat heard in his head, and visions of swords clashing right before he rushes the enemy. I could write from each warriors point of view. Composing a very sensory driven, emotionally charged style would be the goal.

(Converging) A style or direction rather in which multiple stories and multiple warriors converge that could climax in many different ways. Maybe a story where multiple endings are written? Just brainstorming. The way swords clash with other swords so to could the re written fate of famous or fictional warriors clash.

(Weapon POV) Imagine a go pro on a darting arrow or slashing katana? Dope idea right? I could write stories in the perspective of the warriors weapon. "And as my warrior planted his foot firmly into the hard ground and torqued his body on a horizontal axis, providing optimal power, I cut through the air and slid my way through our enemies belly, watching his intestines spill, quickly afterwards, being lifted in victory." Wow haha.

Warriorz

Essay - The Helpless & Foolish

I found one reoccurring theme in the four stories I highlighted in my Aesop's Fables (Jacobs) Reading Diary posts... and that was the theme of the 'helpless and foolish'. I am quite surprised and proud I found this re occurrence as I had to ponder, compare, and contrast these stories for a bit and then take a step back and connect the dots. At first I thought they all had death, but that wasn't a certainty, as some stories ended rather open ended. Another quick connection I thought I might have was that in most Aesop fables there are animals. So all must have animals. But nope two of mine did not so that connection quickly came and went in a dash. I then came to the universal them of the helpless and foolish and this is how.

In the story The Wolf and the Kid, you guessed it, a wolf and a kid come across paths. The kid talks mad shit to the wolf while atop a roof, safe and sound, and the wolf simply walks by and says anyone can be brave from a safe distance and shuts the kid up and keeps on strolling by. I re-wrote this story in poem form and titled it the boy who stuck his chest out too far, but in my version the boy falls and has to pay for his foolish confidence. You can guess what happens to the helpless boy after that.

The Lion in Love is about a lion falling in love with a beautiful human lady. Her parents don't want to anger the lion by saying they can't be together so instead they tell him to declaw and de-teeth himself so he will be safe and not accidentally hurt their precious daughter. The lion, blindly in love, with cloudy logic, removes his teeth and claws. After this foolish act he is helpless, and will never be the lion he was. Causing insult to injury he is also tricked by the humans and is still not granted the daughter. So sad.

In The Man and the Wood a man walks into a forest begging for branches from the forests trees. The trees in their good-nature helped the man out but this was a foolish mistake as the man came back to the helpless trees and cut them down one by one with the new axe he had made from their branches. Quote from the original story: "Then the Trees saw how foolish they had been in giving their enemy the means of destroying themselves."

The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner is a story in which a battlefield trumpeter is captured by the opposition. The helpless trumpeter begged his life be spared as he had no weapon and was of no threat. He was foolish because he was still apart of the war, still the enemy, and in some opinions was more dangerous than a man with a gun as patriotic music sparks inspiration into the heart of his fellow soldiers.

These are stories of the helpless and foolish...
Learn from them :)

Mr. T thoooo

Week 3 Storytelling - the boy who stuck his chest out too far

The Wolf and the Kid

an Aesop fable

The original story // Inspiration:

A Kid was perched up on the top of a house, and looking down saw a Wolf passing under him. Immediately he began to revile and attack his enemy. "Murderer and thief," he cried, "what do you here near honest folks' houses? How dare you make an appearance where your vile deeds are known?"

"Curse away, my young friend," said the Wolf:

"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance."

____________________________________________

the boy who stuck his chest out too far

Inspired by the original Aesop fable:
The Wolf and the Kid

A young boy climbed atop his roof in his boredom
He was a rude little boy with a little heart like a toy
plastic and only so alive

He wore some overalls
He climbed a lot to never fall
Like many boys he thought he was the man

A young buck amongst beast
In a forest he ran atop his two feet
But for the most part he climbed up tress and long vines

Tarzan he could be called
He might turn appalled
As he would say he was greater than that stupid jungle man

As you can see this youngster was kind of mean
Arrogant and full of childish ploys
He had a mouth on him
He was a rude little boy

As this boy was atop his roof he saw in the distance a thing
This thing had no mane
so no it was not a lion
but instead another fierce creature

On his four legs he traveled ever closer to the boy
He walked with a presence of beastly prestige
He was bold, fierce and a great beast
He was the rule in the forest on all he could feast

The boy shouted vile words to the wolf
Taunting a creature far more powerful than he
And with a fatal mis step he fell
From his mouth now only plea

He screamed and shrieked in horror
Trying to take back his evil words
He was no longer the brave boy with his chest puffed out
Rather more helpless than a little baby bird

The wolf charged the boy
Not another scream was heard
As the wolf clamped down on his jugular
From the boy to the ground, blood profusely transferred

Thou shalt not talk shit if thou cannot back it up

He's not Cruel He's just a Survivor 

_______________________________

Author's Notes

My story is inspired by an Aesop fable named The Wolf and the Kid found in Myth-Folklore Unit: Aesop's Fables (Jacobs). In life many people talk a lot and do not prove their claims. We all know the cliches. Actions speak louder than words. Talk shit get hit. Talk is cheap. So on and so fourth. This story proves that moral. I tried a new form of writing by spontaneously adding some rhyme in my broken up passages. It was fun. Be dope.