Story: A Man and a Lion's Adventures

 

(Lion. Web Source: Wiki Commons)

Story. Androcles, a former slave, and Lion, a former circus lion, has been friends before they were granted freedom. They have shared a lot of time together in the forest. Usually, Lion would bring Androcles game and Androcles would make the food. After both were granted freedom and a reward for their friendship, they decided to travel the lands.

On their first journey, the man and lion walked to a neighboring kingdom. They saw a group of men running towards them. Androcles and Lion stopped in their tracks in case they had to run away as well. However, there was nothing chasing them. There was just a house.

“Hm, that was weird,” commented Androcles.

Both Androcles and Lion kept walking until they heard someone talking.

“It was me. I made them run away,” said a voice.

Androcles and Lion looked around for the person talking.

 (Windowsill. Web Source.)

“Over here, on the windowsill,” said the voice.

They both looked at the windowsill and found a boy the size of a thumb.

“You two look like a mighty fine pair. Do you mind helping me?” asked the thumb-sized boy.

They both looked at each other wondering whether they should help him. After all, this thumb-sized boy did scare off a group of men.

Reading their minds, the thumb-sized boy said, “Don’t worry about me. They were a group of thieves. They wanted to rob this house, but I alerted the owner. My name is Thumbkin and I need help returning home.”

After hearing this, they were happy to help. Androcles put Thumbkin on his shoulder and escorted him home with Lion. At Thumbkin’s house, his parents were overjoyed to be reunited and they asked Androcles and Lion to stay a few days in return for their help.

Two days later, on a hot day, Androcles and Lion traveled to another kingdom. At this kingdom, they met a group of three men sitting and eating under a tree.

One man greeted them. “How do you do?”

“I am well. And you?” said Androcles.

“I’m very hungry,” said the Lion.

“Why,” the man said to Lion, “you can have some of our food.”

“You understand Lion?” Androcles asked in astonishment.

“Yes, I understand lion. I may be the only one who does. My name is Jack, and this is Andrew and Paul.” said the man while he motioned to his sitting companions. "And you are?"

Androcles and Lion introduced themselves, and they all chatted away as they ate. After eating, they all packed up, washed up, and walked to the nearest city. At the city, Paul pointed at two doves on top of an arch with a bell under it. Andrew, Paul, and Jack stood in line to walk under the arch. Paul and Andrew walked under the arch but nothing happened. Then, right when Jack passed through the arch, two doves flew on his shoulders and the bell rang even though there was nothing close to it. All the locals cried in joy and surrounded Jack.

“What is happening?” Androcles asked Paul, who walked under the arch first.

“Jack said that one of us three would become Pope. It is said that when someone walks under the arch and two doves fly on one’s shoulders and the bell rings, that person is fated to be the Pope.”

After Jack became the Pope, he traveled around with his two companions, Androcles, and Lion to experience all that they could and help everyone they could.

Author's Note. In Androcles and the Lion, Androcles was a slave who ran away from his master. He met Lion, who had a thorn on his paw, in the forest, and pulled out the thorn. Lion liked him ever since and Lion would bring Androcles an animal for Androcles to make food. Later, Androcles was captured by soldiers because he couldn't tell them what he was doing. When he was brought back, he was to be put to death because he ran away from his master. He was thrown in with lions in a huge circus so that the public can be entertained. However, when he was thrown in, Lion was his opponent and Lion just showed love towards Androcles. So, the king had both of them freed.

After reading Androcles and the Lion, I wondered if they traveled together in he end. All that was said in the end was that Androcles was freed and Lion was released to the forest. So, I wrote a story that continued their friendship. I wanted to write about their adventures, and since I have not incorporated characters from many stories in a single story, I decided to write this story. I chose Thumbkin and Jack because those two stood out to me while reading the whole unit.

As I wrote in Thumbkin, I figured that I would save him the trouble of going through many animals' stomachs. As for Jack's story, I wanted to write about one of the important parts that occurred in his story.


Bibliography. 
"Androcles and the Lion" from Europa's Fairy Book by Joseph Jacobs; link to reading online.
"Thumbkin" from Europa's Fairy Book by Joseph Jacobs; link to reading online.
"The Language of Animals" from Europa's Fairy Book by Joseph Jacobs; link to reading online.

Story: Disguise for Love

(Castle. Wiki Commons.)

Story. Once upon a time, a prince went on business. As he traveled, he heard such beautiful singing in the forest that he had to find the voice. He followed the angelic voice and saw the majestic woman who sang beautifully while gathering berries. Upon seeing her, he fell in love with her. As he asked her questions, he fell in love with her more. As for the lady, she was intrigued by him as well. Therefore, after finishing his business, he continued staying at an inn near where the she lived. He would help her father and her any chance he could get when he had no business to attend.

However, a year later, his father was said to be gravely sick. He heard from many that his father wanted to see him for the last time. The prince had forgotten the time and stayed at the town for too long, but he could not stand to leave his beloved. He talked about his troubles with her and she urged him to return to the king. The prince then started his return home, leaving a ring for his beloved. Yet, he had forgotten some garments in his room, so the innkeeper gave it to his beloved to keep for the time being.

The king saw the only person he had left in world and was so cheerful. With his son, he behaved as a young man, walking about and laughing. Yet, as the son tucked his father in, the father asked him a great question.

“There is no doubt that you will be the next king after me. I hope that you will continue in my footsteps and serve the people well. Love the people and they will love you. Now, I have something to ask,” said the king.

“What is it, Father?” asked the son.

“Can you marry the person I choose for you? She is the daughter of a great friend of mine,” said the king.

When the prince heard this, he thought of his beloved that he left at the town and of his father’s condition. He then answered, “I will do what I can, but I make no promises.”

The father gently smiled to his son and his son left. The next day, the son found his father as cold as ice with his eyes closed as if he was sleeping. There was a grand funeral for the king and the prince, the new king, took over his father’s duties. The coronation and process of taking over his father’s duties took much of his time. He was so exhausted at the end of the day that he often forgot about the beloved he left behind.

During the time the new king performed his duties, his late father’s right hand man arranged to have the new queen that the late king chose come in a month to marry the new king. News of this spread quickly and the new king’s beloved was heartbroken.

As a result, she had her father find several women so she can apply to be the new king’s huntsmen. Her father, knowing his daughter’s sorrow, found some women. All the women prepared to look like huntsmen to go before the new king. As for the new king’s beloved, she packed huntsmen-like clothing, the clothing he left behind, and she kept the ring from the new king on her finger.

The women, dressed in huntsmen clothing and wearing gloves, asked the new king if he required huntsmen. The new king accepted them in his castle because the head huntsman, his beloved, looked familiar. The huntsmen would go with the new king whenever he needed them. While with the new king, his beloved would stare at him and he would catch her doing so. On a few occasions, the new king’s beloved wore his clothing to see if the new king would react to them. However, the new king never showed any obvious signs. Although, he was suspicious because he felt the clothing looked familiar.

Two weeks later, the late king’s right hand man told the new king to get his clothes tailored for his wedding to the woman his father chose in front of the huntsmen. That was the first time she was ever mentioned. All the huntsmen and especially the new king’s beloved were saddened. The new king’s beloved was so saddened, that she fell down and clutched at her heart. The other huntsmen surrounded her and took off her gloves to give her space. Right when they took off her gloves, the new king saw the ring and immediately asked who she was. Everyone was silent.

He pieced the pieces together, the familiar face, the ring, the similar clothing, and came to the conclusion that the huntsman was his beloved. He hugged her, she cried, and all the huntsmen said, “Awww.” Then, the new king called off the wedding to his father’s chosen bride and married his beloved instead.

Author’s Note. The original story was the Twelve Huntsmen. I decided to write about this because I felt like there should have been more interaction between the new king and his beloved while she was in disguise. The original story is somewhat similar to my story. I added the singing voice from Rapunzel and took out the lion and a servant from the Twelve Huntsmen.

In the original, the prince, for unknown reasons, was gone from the castle and was with a woman who he loves. The king calls for his son to come back and the prince gave his beloved a ring saying he will come back for her. At the castle, the king asks his son to marry a king’s daughter. The prince agrees and the king died before him. The prince’s beloved was so scared of his future marriage news, she almost died. She asked her father to find eleven girls who looked exactly like her and prepared twelve huntsmen outfits. They went to the new king and asked if he needed huntsmen and the new king took them in because they were handsome. Then, a lion, who I omitted, knew of many things and warned the king that the huntsmen were women. They tried a few times to reveal they were women, but a kind servant told the huntsmen what would happen so they could prepare beforehand. As they were usually with the new king hunting, news came that his bride was coming. The new king’s beloved was heartbroken and fell down. The king took off her glove and sees his ring. Then, he called off the wedding with the other bride and married his beloved.

Bibliography. “The Twelve Huntsmen” by Brothers Grimm; link to reading online. 
“Rapunzel” by Brothers Grimm; link to reading online.

Story: The Philosopher and the Fortune Teller

 (Crystal ball. Web Source.)

Story. At a busy market, a philosopher saw purple curtains with stars and crescent moons in the window. The hanging sign read “100% Correct Predictions!” The philosopher was hesitant on going in. He has been out of luck lately and wonders if his life holds anything else for him except a nagging wife and bratty children. Right after thinking about his annoying family and his hardship, he blindly runs through the fortune teller shop’s threshold.

“Hello there, philosopher,” greeted the fortune teller who sat at a table covered in the same purple cloth as the curtains. On top of the table, there was a crystal ball.

“How did you know I was a philosopher?” the philosopher questioned suspiciously.

The fortune teller said, “There is no need to ask that because it is a waste of time. Now, come and I will tell you what you can do for your life of dread.”

The philosopher walked to the fortune teller’s table and sat in the chair in front of her and the table.

“First, before you tell me what I need to do, I need to test you first,” declared the philosopher.

“You have a nagging wife who always tells you to find a real job as opposed to your job as a philosopher, which does not get much. Even though you are passionate about it, you realize that being a philosopher will not get you far. So, you are finding a way to get income or else you will dwindle your life away in sorrow and dread or go mad from your wife’s nagging and kill her,” the fortune teller said without missing a beat.

The philosopher was amazed at her knowledge. He perked up and eagerly said, “You are 100% Correct like your sign! Now, tell me what I must do.”

“With your knowledge, you can make things that are magical. You know that. I know that. However, using them at home won’t be of much use. You have to find people and show them what you are capable of. Now, there is a priest who wishes to learn something from a philosopher. This is where you come in. Borrow money from that priest. You will see him at dusk by the pier. He will be in all black. And later, return that money. You can either keep the money or use it. However, you must return the same exact of amount you borrowed. The priest will be shocked that you were able to pay him back. Then, he will ask you how you did it. You will talk about your powers and the priest will become interested. At this time, you will have him under your thumb. He will do anything you ask if it deals with making precious metals.”

“Is that all I have to do?” asked the philosopher.

“That is not every little step you have to do. You have to think of the other steps yourself. I can't give you all the answers,” said the fortune teller.

The philosopher was still skeptical. This was his first time talking to a fortune teller. Also, he wondered if priests would be so gullible. He knew that tricking a priest was not a good thing to do as well. He said his thanks and stood up to leave.

“That will be 30 pounds,” the fortune teller quickly said.

“What?! That is absurd!” the philosopher shouted.

“Give it to me in five days or else your future will become worse,” said the fortune teller.

After hearing this, the philosopher ran away. He was surprised how much it was. He scolded himself. “Stupid! Stupid! How could you do that?! You knew you had no money but you still went there! Now, where will you get the money?!”

After he thought of the different paths he could take, he decided to follow the fortune teller’s advice or else he would be dead. Plus, he would get money too and perhaps his wife would finally stop nagging at him. He looked towards the direction of the fortune teller’s shop and started towards the pier to wait for his target.

Author’s Note. My story happens before the story, The Priest who Learned to be a Philosopher. In the original story, the priest was tricked by a false canon, a member of a clergy, who asked to borrow money from the priest. Then, the canon asked to return the favor by showing the priest a technique in philosophy. He showed the priest how to “make” silver and copper while using all the sources from the priest. He added a special coal to make special effects. At the end, the false canon took all the stuff that they made and left the priest with “knowledge.”

For my story, I wanted to write about a fortune teller and write a story that happened before the original story. Therefore, I came up with this story. I believe I changed the canon to a philosopher. Although he was a false canon, it was not specified what he was. Also, I added some background to the philosopher. Aside from this, instead of the philosopher returning the favor, the priest wanted to ask the philosopher about his techniques.

Bibliography. “The Priest who Learned to be a Philosopher” from Canterbury Tales by Eva March Tappan; link to reading online. 

Story: The Harp

(Harp. Web Source.)

Story. At a museum, a tour group is with a tour guide and they stop by a broken harp on a table.

The guide said, “And this is the famous harp said to be made of a princess’ remains. The harpist saw the body of a princess so beautiful that he would never forget her even after traveling far away. When he passed the town where he saw her body again, only her bones and hair remained. He made a harp out of those remains. When the harpist sang in front of her family, she began singing of what happened to her and broke right after singing. Now, we will be going to some skeins made by a Tom Tit Tot…”

As the group followed the tour guide, only James remained. He was entranced by the harp. He looked around, making sure no one was watching and touched the harp. As soon as he touched it, he was sucked into a different time period.

“Where am I?” James thought. He saw a swift little river or millstream. A young woman was yelling for help in the water. James dove in the water and reached her. Then, James heard some yelling and the water's swiftness stopped. James then brought her on land.

A teenage girl and her father ran to both of them. The girl exclaimed, “Oh dear! The princess! Come this way to my home.”

They both went to the girl’s house. The teenage girl’s father offered him tea and the teenage girl attended to the princess. James and the father sat at a small wooden table and talked about the situation that happened. Then, the father left him alone and continued working.

“This is crazy. I am here? In the period of the harp? Who would have known?! I’ve been researching about the harp for so long and to be sucked in right after touching it? Wow! And I helped the princess?!” James happily spoke to himself.

“Sir, the princess wishes to see you,” interrupted the teenage girl.

James went in to see the princess.

“Thank you for helping me, Sir,” the princess sincerely said.

“Miss, please send a message to my father,” she addressed the teenage girl. “Tell him that I am here and to meet me, but you have to tell him personally unless my sister will know. Show him this bracelet when you meet him.”

The teenage girl left to send the message.

“What are you planning to do?” James asked.

“Why, of course I need to tell my father what happened. My sister will surely be beheaded,” replied the princess.

James didn’t reply and the princess did not continue. After a long silence, James spoke to the princess. “I understand that what she did to you was unforgivable. However, why don’t you try looking at it from her perspective?”

“Why should I? She tried to kill me. Her heart is as black as the darkness,” the princess angrily said.

“You know what you did to her was unforgivable as well. The man your sister loved betrayed her by loving you, who is her blood sister, and you loved him back. Sisters are not supposed to do that. What if it happened to you? Wouldn’t you feel the same as your sister?” James reasoned.

“No! Now, please excuse me and leave this room,” the princess sternly said.

James left the room in anger. In solitude, he talked to himself. “I was only trying to help and this is what I get? I don’t need to do this. I’m going home.”

However, James stopped in his tracks. He did not know how to return home. He has never time traveled before. Therefore, he went to talk to the Father in the mill next door because he did not know where else to go.

After a while, the teenage girl returned with the King. Everyone went to the room where the princess was in. As the King asked the princess who the culprit was, the princess shifted her gaze to James.

“As long as you know that I am fine now, you do not need to know the culprit. Please arrange a safe home for me. Someone wanted me dead and I decided that I will stay dead,” said the princess.

(House in the forest. Web Source.)

The king protested but he could not stop his child. So, he arranged a safe home in the forest, a few of the princess’ servants, and everything the princess needed. As time went on, he would send things to her occasionally. The princess’ sister would often look pale and drained due to the guilt of killing her sister, but she told no one of what happened. William was often sad because his beloved died, but he still lived with the sister.

As time went on, the princess frequented the teenage girl’s house because it was a place of her rebirth and James lived there. Everyone on that day would create a bond that would last forever. James, although he liked living there, always tried to find a way to return home. He discreetly asked the teenage girl’s Father and people he met while working with the father about time traveling, but he could not find a way home.

It was not until he met a traveling harpist that a method came to mind. The traveling harpist would pass by several times but he never met the princess. The only way James got to the past was through the harp made of the princess. Perhaps if he touched the same harp, he would return home. However, James would never kill the princess just so that he could return home. As last, James decided that he would let fate take its own course.  

Author's Note. My story is based on Binnoire from the English Fairy Tales. Binnoire is about a princess who stole her sister's lover's love. As a result, the sister got angry and pushed her sister in a millstream. They had a little conversation while she was floating away. The princess in the river asked for help, but the princess who pushed her did not help. A little girl saw something in the river and told her father to dam the water. They got the princess but unfortunately, she was already dead. A famous harpist saw her beauty and golden hair, but he could not forget about her. So, when he went back, all that was left was her bones and hair, which he made into a harp. Then, he had to perform in front of the princess' family. He sang with his old harp first. Next, as he sang with the harp made of her, she began singing of what her sister did. After that, she snapped and broke.

In my story, I wanted to write about some time traveling, and created this story. Adding James changed my story greatly from the original. Another route to this story could have been her having amnesia and living a humble life or her sister killing her off in order to get James back to the present. However, I felt that having the princess let go of her bad deed of stealing her sister's lover would be better for her.

Bibliography. Binnoire from English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs; link to reading online.

Story: The Pond

(Pond by George Hodan. Web source.) 

Story. Ever since I set eyes on a pond in the forest, I felt drawn to it. Every day I felt it calling for me. I could sit and watch the tranquil pond for hours. However, the more I went there to watch the pond, more things appeared each time. First, I could see only the pond, then some fish, then animals, and then a young man my age. It was weird, but it was nice to have some company.

I can stay there all day without getting bored. When I am there, it is like I’m in a trance. At the end of the day, though, I always go back home. I can hear my younger brother calling my name from a distance away and that is when I remember to go home.

“Penelope! Penelope!” my younger brother, Oliver, called.

In a rush, I bid goodbye to William, the young man my age, and the animals. I have forgotten the time again.

“See you later,” William shouted as I ran towards my brother’s voice.

“There you are. It’s time to eat supper. I called your name numerous times. What were you doing?” said Oliver.

“I was busy talking to William and playing with the animals today,” I responded.

We arrived home and my mother said she had news to tell me.

“Your father and I have found a husband for you!” she happily announced.

“What?! Who?! I’m not ready to marry.” I quickly said.

“It’s Jacob,” my mother said.

“Jacob is always focused on hunting.” I mentioned.

Mother reasoned, “And? We know that he will be able to feed you. You will never starve, child. Anyway, you’re marrying in a week.”

I knew that I wouldn’t be able to argue against her. She always had the last say. So, I kept my mouth shut and longed to return to the pond. The pond… the place where I can relax.

“Excuse me.” I said after I finished my meal at the dinner table. I put the dishes up and started the chores I should've done long ago. I shouldn’t have stayed so long at the pond. As I did the dishes, I overheard my brother and mother talk.

“Mother, do you think Penelope spends too much time in the forest?” asked Oliver.

My mother said, “That is why I am sending her off to marry. With a husband and child on her mind, she would stop going in the forest.”

“She was with William again,” he told Mother.

“I really don’t know who that William is. I’ve asked everyone I know and they don’t know this William either,” Mother said.

Oliver said, “All she does is go to the forest. The other kids don’t talk to her because she doesn’t talk much. I’m worried about her, Mother.”

“Me too. Now, hurry and go to sleep.” said Mother.

I sighed. They always talk about me. I know they don’t like the fact that I’m spending time in the forest, but I can handle myself. And so far, nothing has happened.

I went in my room where I shared with my brother after bathing.

“Goodnight, Sis,” he quietly said.

“Goodnight,” I replied and went to my bed. I dreamed of going to the pond. William was there.

He spoke first. “How are you, Penelope?”

“As usual.” I responded, “My parents have found me a husband.”

William didn’t talk for a minute. “How is he?”

“I don’t know much about him except what Mother says about him. He’s really into hunting. He is always doing something about it.” I said.

After that, we dropped the subject and did our usual routine of staring off in the pond, watching the animals, talking, and exploring.

“Wake up! It’s morning, Sis!” yelled my brother. I jolted up and got ready in a rush.

I apologized to Mother for not helping her cook. and she told me to gather vegetables for lunch and supper. After I ate, I went to gather vegetables and sang.

“Penelope. Penelope.” said a voice.

I searched for the source. William! I quickly put down the vegetables and walked over to him. “What are you doing here?!” I asked in a surprised voice.

“Do you want to come to my house?” he asked.

I replied, “Yes. Let me finish and I’ll meet you at the pond.” I gave my brother the vegetables to give Mother. If I personally gave it to Mother, she would have me do more chores.

I went to the pond and William guided me to his home which was inside the pond. I was very surprised to see his home. It was grand and magical. He gave me some food and we talked and talked.

We ate a lot. It has been about a dozen times, about four days’ worth of food if I ate three meals a day. How long have I been here actually? I heard a crack. It was like the house was hit with a big rock.

“Penelope! Sis!” I heard Oliver calling me. I finally saw him.

He told me to run home and shot an arrow at William without me seeing. I knew that he shot William later at home. They told me I’ve been gone for four days. Mother kept talking about preparing for the wedding.

I was so worried about William; I skipped sleep for a day, but fatigue took over me and I fell asleep. I saw William in my dream and apologized to him.

He confessed, “I love you, Penelope. Do you love me?”

“Yes,” I replied sincerely.

“Then, wake up and meet me at the pond if you want to be with me forever,” William said.

I woke up instantly and secretly left home. I ran to the pond and William took me in his arms. He took me to the land of his parents and I have lived happily ever since. I still think of my family sometimes though. I wonder if they still think of me.

Author's Note. In the original story, Neen-i-zu, a short woman, went in the forest or dim trails for hours. She always longed for a Happy Land where it was always summer without sorrow. In real life she longed for Happly Land and little gnomes would make Neen-i-zu dream of the Happy Land. She often went a grove by the Spirit Wood and sang sad songs to fairies. Later, her mom would arrange her to wed a hunter, but Neen-i-zu felt they were incompatible. In her wedding clothes, she would go to alone to the grove one last time only to not return ever again. In the end, although she did not marry the hunter, she did marry a fairy.

In my story, I kept most of the same things. I added a brother for Penelope. He would try to bring her back to reality, but he was not able to prevent her at the end. I wanted to give Penelope a chance to return to reality instead of being stuck in a different world. Aside from this, in the original, Neen-i-zu was the main character, but the story was told in third person. My story is told in first person. Although there were details that cannot be added because my story is from her point-of-view, I believe it was important to write what she felt and experienced.

Bibliography. "The Fairy Bride" from American Indian Fairy Tales by W.T. Larned; link to reading online. 

Story: Finding Dad

 

(Buffalo mother and child. Web source: Wiki Commons)

Story. Looking at the stars and moon, I asked my mom a question that has been gnawing at my heart. “Mom, where is dad?” I said. I am a buffalo boy who can transform into a young boy. I have transformed back and forth without any human knowing my true identity. They think that I am an orphan.

“You ask me all the time, child, and I tell you the same thing,” my mother responded. “He’s gone far away.”

“But are you sure? You tell him to come back to you every night in your sleep.” I replied.

My mom looked at me in surprise and sighed. “I guess it is time for you to know. Long ago, your father and I met when the moon was full. It was love at first sight. However, I could only turn human for a week every month. So, after a week, he couldn’t find me and returned to his home in sorrow. We haven’t met each other since because I know I can’t stay with him as a human wife. And it would be too selfish to have him become a buffalo.”

“You mean he’s still alive?!” I exclaimed. My mom nodded her head. I galloped around joyfully.

“I’m going to go find him.” I decided. My mom was worried, but she knew that it would not be dangerous because I play with their children often. She told me that my father is living at the village I usually play at. So, I planned to ask the chief for help tomorrow morning.

The time has arrived. I was going to see my father for the first time! I walked to the chief’s hut and greeted familiar faces cheerfully as I walked by.

“Chief, I need help.” I told him. He was in the middle of breakfast.

He swallowed the food in his mouth and asked, “What do you need help with, young boy?”

I told him of my troubles and asked him to help find my father by assembling the men he had. He was convinced of my story, but he asked, “If you haven’t met your father, how will you know who he is?”

I replied, “I’ll know who my father is.” I couldn’t tell him I was a buffalo. It might sound absurd and he might kill me for meat. Anyway, I had a keen sense of smell.

I smelled a familiar smell every now and then around the village, but I could never follow it. Besides, too many other scents obstructed the familiar smell. Whenever I tried to follow it, it was like it disappeared in thin air. However, with the chief’s help, I can surely pinpoint the familiar scent, the scent of my father.

The chief saw my confidence and had someone gather the men. When all the men were settled, he said, “These are the old married men. Are any of them your father?”

I looked and smelled each person but I didn’t go too close. None of them were my father. I shook my head. The chief told the same person to gather the middle-aged married men. As they walked in, I knew that none of them were my father. I told the chief and the chief had his person get another group of men, the unmarried men.

I watched as they walked in and I caught whiff of the same familiar smell! I kept my eye on that man and walked towards him. Yes! This was my dad! I embraced him and told the chief that he was my father. The chief shouted in joy.

“But I don’t have a son or a wife, Chief,” my father said. I suppose all the men were informed of why they came.

Hearing that sent an imaginary dagger in my heart. “How can Dad say that? I am his son,” I thought. “I am your son,” I told Dad.

“How can you be my son? I’m not married. I’ve never had-” he stopped mid-sentence.

“If the boy says he is your son, then he is your son. Can you not hear the sincerity in his voice?” the chief sternly said.

“You met Mom in the plains by the woods, remember?” I softly said.

Then, my father remembered. He hugged me and asked, “Where is your mom?”

I graciously thanked the chief and led him towards where Mom and I lived. While walking, I held his hand and told him all about Mom and me. Thankfully, today was the second day where Mom was human, so she can talk to him herself. I showed him our humble home and let him in. Right when we walked in, Mom turned around and said Dad’s name. She started tearing up. My dad went to her and held her. “I will never leave you again,” he told Mom. I hugged both of them.

It turns out that Dad has been looking for Mom every time he went out and hunted with the hunting group. He went with them every chance he could in case he could find Mom. That’s why I smelled his scent every now and then. Now, we all are living together in our home, Dad, Mom, and me.

Author's Note. The original story tells of a buffalo boy and his family. The buffalo boy finds his father and takes him back to his mom. After that, they all live together at the father's village. The mom told the dad not to hit her with a fire stick, but one day, the father got mad and hit her with it anyway. So, the mother and the child ran away. Well, the father went out to find them. He saw the son while the buffaloes were dancing. Then, the son knew that in order for his father to get them back, he would have to identify the son among other buffalo. The father had to identify the son a few times, but failed on the last try. As a result, the buffalo trampled the father to death. However, he was revived from a piece of bone and the three, father, mother, and son, went back to the father's village. For my story, I focused in the beginning of the original story. I went into detail about how the child questioned where his father was and how they got back together. Instead of another test of finding the son, I kept it at one test where the son had to find the father. And then, in the end, I wrote about how they lived happily together.

Bibliography. The Piqued Buffalo-Wife from Native American Marriage Tales by Stith Thompson; link to reading online.

Story: The Mad Leopard

 (Leopard: Wiki Commons)

Story. At a small clearing, a gazelle approached a female leopard with something in its mouth. He threw it to the leopard. It was a skinless head.

“For you, in exchange for your husband’s fruitful harvest,” declared the gazelle.

The leopard thanked him and ate the head. As she was eating, the gazelle gave her stares accompanied with a sly smile. When the leopard finished eating the head, the gazelle laughed.

The leopard asked, “Why are you laughing? Also, why were you watching me? I am married, you know?”

“You haven’t noticed? You ate your husband!” said the gazelle. The gazelle cackled.

“No. No. No!” The leopard was in denial. The leopard attempted to spit out an imaginary piece of meat. “How dare you?! You should be ashamed of yourself!”

“I should be ashamed?! He was your husband. You should have known.” The gazelle’s goal was finished, so he started to leave.

In anger, the leopard pounced on the gazelle. Both fought, but a passerby came and tried to break up the fight. “Stop fighting! Turn around and go your separate ways!”

The leopard stopped and felt weak after remembering that her husband was dead. Right when the gazelle saw this, he went in for the kill at her neck. However, the passerby was able to push the gazelle slightly, and the gazelle did not kill her. He only severely injured her. The gazelle ran away and the passerby chased after him.

As the gazelle ran away, the leopard cursed, “You’ll never live a happy life!”

The leopard dragged herself to her husband’s bones and wept. “My dear, I apologize for eating you. I didn’t know that it was you. I vow to never eat again.”

The leopard has not eaten for a few days, and her health deteriorated. A rabbit slowly approached the leopard to see if it was still alive. The leopard tried to strike at the rabbit, but the rabbit was quick. The rabbit was surprised the leopard still had strength. He said, “I thought you were dead.”

(Rabbit: Wiki Commons)

“Come here, so I can eat your small figure, even though your gray fluff shows otherwise,” mumbled the leopard, and she swiped at the rabbit again.

The little rabbit dodged the leopard’s every move. It went behind bushes and then showed itself to the leopard. When the leopard swiped at him, he went behind a tree, and appeared again. “Ha! Ha! You’ll never catch me!” The rabbit was so confident, that it accidentally hit an old, fragile tree. A branch fell on the rabbit and killed it.

The leopard saw the blood spatter and imagined the soft skin of the rabbit. She went towards the rabbit’s corpse. As soon as she approached the body, the rabbit’s face turned into her husband’s face.

He said, “Are you going to eat me again? Didn’t you say that you’ll never eat again?”

“Darling, is that you? But I’m so hungry,” pleaded the leopard's wife.

“Fine, but you can’t eat this. Go eat those rocks over there. I’ve tried them and they are so tasty. If you eat them, I’ll accompany you for a few days.”

The leopard proceeded to eat the rocks. At first, she thought that it was strange to be eating rocks. However, after looking at her husband again, she ate a few more rocks until her hunger was satisfied.

Her husband smiled at her and exclaimed, “You are a very good eater! What shall we do today?”

The leopard excitedly told him a list of things she wanted to do.

The next morning, another rabbit was hopping around and searching for her son. “Bobby! Where are you?!” the mother rabbit yelled, “Although you’re a pain and mischievous, I still want you to come home everyday!”

As the mother rabbit neared the leopard’s clearing, she saw blood and a limp, gray ear. Instantly, she had a bad feeling. “Bobby?” She got closer and saw that it was her son. She started crying, but she saw a movement thirty feet behind her son. There was a leopard talking to herself. She held in her tears, bade farewell to her son, and left because she didn’t want to be killed.

Several days later, the mother rabbit, gazelle, and other animals were at a gathering that the gazelle held at his old friend, the leopard’s garden. There, the animals spoke of the crazy leopard who ate her husband and died. At the sound of this, the gazelle gave a smirk. And the animals continued their feast discussing other happenings like the leopard’s situation was just another story.

Author's Note. This story was based on a story from the Congo unit, The Gazelle and the Leopard. In this story, the gazelle and the leopard worked together on a garden. However, the gazelle did a lesser amount of work than the leopard. When the crops were ready to eat, the gazelle secretly had a party. The day after, the leopard found and and set a trap for the thief who stole his crops. An antelope fell in the trap, saying that the gazelle was the leader, but the leopard ate him anyway. When the gazelle found out, he planned with a mob to kill the leopard. The leopard was drawn by the sound of music to the trap and he died. At the end, the gazelle sent the leopard's head to his wife. She ate it and the gazelle told her that it was her husband. And then, this is where I continued in my story. I thought that it would be a new experience to write about a leopard going crazy, and that is what I did. Several stories from the Congo unit were gruesome as well, so I wanted to write a story similar to them. 

Bibliography. The Gazelle and the Leopard from Folklore of Congo by Richard Edward Dennett; link to reading online.

Story: The Tiger Girl

(The jungle and river in Luang Prabang, Laos: Wiki Commons)

Story. One day, a little girl named Anne was playing with a girl named Sun outside Anne's house. They were playing hide and seek. Anne was the seeker and Sun had to hide. Sun went to hide in Anne's kitchen. Anne looked for Sun outside, but she could not be found. Since Sun didn't hear Anne's footsteps anymore, she ran outside to hide in another place, but hit a pot on the way. It was Anne's mom's ceramic pot! Sun got scared and ran home.

Anne could not find Sun outside at all. "Maybe she is inside," thought Anne. So, Anne walked home only to find her mom angry.

Her mom asked, "Why did you break my precious pot, Anne?!"

"I didn't do it," said Anne. She totally forgot about hide and seek. Anne's mom disregarded her words and gave her a stern lecture. All Anne could do was sit there and take in the lecture or else should would be spanked. Anne thought, "I'm always being blamed for things I didn't do."

Anne was fed up with being lectured and became sad and angry. She looked up to the sky in vain. Her eyes were filled with anger and redness. Every time she got in trouble, she desperately wanted to run away to the forest. And this time, her desire to run was more than ever.

When her mom finished lecturing her, she blindly ran to the forest. She didn't care about packing. She was so mad with anger, and didn't care about anything. She was not afraid of the dark, the bugs, or the wild animals.

After feeling drained, Anne stopped and hugged a tree to keep from falling. When she stopped running, her mind returned to thinking. All those thoughts of yelling and sadness came again. She sat down with the tree supporting her back. She looked up in the sky again to see the only source of light, the moon. Feeling the moon's comforting light, the little girl went to sleep.

A few hours later, a tiger saw Anne, and she woke up to the tiger's footsteps. The tiger stopped in its tracks and they stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. The tiger bore through Anne's eyes, but Anne wasn't afraid. Then, the tiger slowly walked towards Anne and laid down next to her. Anne did not feel in danger, so she went to sleep.

When Anne woke up to the early, shining lights of dawn, the tiger was no longer there. At home, Anne had to wake up early with her mom to prepare breakfast. However, now, she did not need to anymore. Anne was happy to have no chores and responsibilities. She explored the forest to find a place to stay.

Day by day, little Anne started her day finding some food to go with the little game she caught. Then, she made a fire, cooked her food, ate, and explored the forest. She occasionally thought of the good times at home, but she thought she could never return home. After being gone for many days, there was no way her mom would not be mad at her. She would get a lecture and spanking for sure.

During Anne's daily routine, the tiger always watched from far away. Anne caught glimpses of the tiger, but she did not notice it everyday. The tiger became intrigued with this little girl like her own little girl who recently died from an attack.

The tiger went to a witch who lived deep in the forest and asked her for help, but didn't say exactly what it was. The witch could read minds. She followed the tiger to Anne.

"A human child. What do you want with her?" said the witch.

The tiger said in her mind, "She's been alone for a while. I want you to turn the kid to a tiger, so I can take care of her and fill in my void from the daughter I lost. Please, witch."

The witch was unsure of what to do. The witch approached Anne from her back and asked, "What are you doing so deep in the forest, child?"

Anne was startled and didn't say anything. She acted like the witch wasn't there. The witch tried getting answers, but Anne still ignored her. Then, the tiger appeared and Anne looked at the tiger with a pleading look.

"Do you like that tiger?" questioned the Witch. Anne nodded her head slightly to indicate a yes.

The tiger, after hearing this, pleaded to the witch to grant her wish. The witch felt pity for the tiger and the child's loneliness. The witch then used a spell to transform the girl into a tiger. During the process, the girl realized what was happening. She yelled, "Stop! I don't want to be a tiger! I don't know who you are! I want to go home! Mommy!"

It was too late. The witch could not turn her back.

Anne lived as a tiger and accompanied the mother tiger. Anne often thought of her own mother, but nothing could be done. Anne learned to live as a tiger and would remain as one forever.

Author's Note. This story is based from A Child of the Woods from the Laos unit. In the original story, a child runs into the jungle unafraid and full of anger because she hated all people. The hate slowly increased until she liked the animals better. Like this story, a tiger sleeps a night with her. Also, the wild animals protect her. However, in the end she returns home after she feels like she does not hate people anymore. When she told people about the man-eating tiger, they gave her gifts and items. However, she still thought of her times in the jungle. I decided it to change it up and keep the girl in the jungle with a loving tiger who would be nice and take care of her. I usually write happy endings, and I wanted to try writing a not happy ending. The part about the witch was made up as well. I had to find something to transform the girl.

Bibliography. A Child of the Woods from Folklore of Laos by Katherine Neville Fleeson; link to reading online.

Story: The Wishing Ring

 

(A ring: Web source)

Story. “Where did my son go? Why isn’t he back yet?” said the King of Snakes.

The ring thought, “Your son? You know where your son went. Why do you keep asking? He always likes to run out to the human world because he doesn’t like being holed up in here like me.”

The King had all his servants search for his son in his favorite places, but his son could not be found. Several days passed until he heard that his son was back with a stranger.

The King said to a servant, “Tell my son and the stranger to appear before me.” The servant told the son the King’s message, but the son couldn’t come.

The son said, “I cannot do that unless I am freed from this stranger’s debt of gratitude.”

After hearing this, the King walked to his son and embraced him. The King asked the stranger what he could do to repay him for saving his son’s life.

“The ring on your hand, and the famous pot and spoon which you keep,” replied the stranger.

The ring repeated those words in his mind, “The ring on your right hand, and the famous pot and spoon which you keep.” Then, he realized that it was him! He was surprised, but he couldn’t protest because he was just an inanimate object who couldn’t communicate with others. He tried to think positively. He thought in his mind, “I guess I will finally get out of this hole and experience new things. But what if I get mistreated? No, I’m sure that he’ll be nice. But what if I get pawned?”

When the King heard the stranger’s reply, he contemplated whether to give him the items or kill him. However, he was reminded of the stranger’s heroic act. The King invited the stranger to a few days of hospitality and gave him the items.

When the stranger left with the ring, the ring closed its eyes shut until he felt he was in the human world. When he opened his eyes, he saw a cat and dog run up to the stranger calling him “the merchant’s son” and “master.”

The Master greeted them. They asked him to try wishing something. The Master wished to the ring, “I want a big mansion and a beautiful woman.”

When the ring heard his cue, he conjured a beautiful mansion and a golden-haired princess. He praised, “My creations are always great.”

In the possession of his new master, the ring was very happy to visit forests and be his new master’s aide. On his Master's hand, he had a great view of everything. He went on hunting trips and markets. He saw different kinds of trees, animals, and goods. His trips with his new master were better than what he experienced in his old Master’s home.

One day, the golden-haired princess, now his Master’s wife, said, “Dear, you always go hunting and shooting. Let me hold your ring for you in case you lose it.”

Trusting his wife, the Master gave her his ring. His wife put him on the table near their bed. The ring, again, couldn’t protest, but he complained about not being able to see the rare animal the Master said he would kill. The next day, his Master left early to go hunting. Then, several hours later, the ring saw his Master’s wife leave and return to get him. He wondered what he would be doing that day. It turns out that his Master’s wife was deceived by an ogress who wanted to steal him. The ogress stole him from the master's wife, transformed into a bee, and carried him off.

“Wait! Wait! Where are you taking me?! Madam! Help! Help!” said the ring. The ring saw groups of animals, lots of tress, and a big pond. The ogress took an unfamiliar path.

The ring tried to move around without success. The ogress took him to a man dressed in silk and gold threads. The ogress said, “Here, my prince. Wish upon this ring, and you will get what you want.”

The ring protested, “What?! How dare you just order me around? I will not permit to this. Return me to my owner now.”

“I hope to see my golden-haired maiden whose hair was enclosed in a reed that flowed to me,” wished the prince.

Nothing happened. The prince repeated his wish, but nothing happened again. The ogress and prince wondered what went wrong. The ogress asked the prince to look at the ring.

Snatch! A cat snatched the ring when the prince almost put it in her hands. It was the Master’s cat! The ring was overjoyed, and thanked the cat.

The cat brought the ring back home with the dog. While on the way back, the cat and dog wondered why the ring wouldn’t work on the prince.

The ring thought, “I am not sure either. I can think of two reasons. Either I am beginning to be able to control my powers, or I can only be used by my rightful master.”

Having been with only two masters, the ring did not know of his own capabilities. The master returned, his wife told him everything, and the ring was able to travel around with his master again. Occasionally, the ring thought about his abduction, remembering the amazing view. However, he did not want to part from his master again.

Author's Note. This story is based on The Charmed Ring, a story from the Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs. I decided it create the story from the ring's perspective, but it was somewhat difficult to do because I wanted to maintain the story from The Charmed Ring. Most of it was similar to original, but in the end, the other prince's wish came true. Also, there were more details between the cat and dog when they were on their way back from getting the ring.

Bibliography. The Charmed Ring from Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs; link to reading online.

Story: The Horse Carver and Alisha

Story. The horse carver, Adam, protested, “What do you mean she becomes his?!”

“Yeah. What do you mean? We all helped find her. Without my art, her location would not be known,” said, Mario, the one with special powers who could find lost things and tell the future.

“The archer physically found my daughter and showed bravery. If my daughter were to be in a tight situation, I am sure he will be her protector,” declared the merchant.

“Hey. I could’ve done it too. It’s just that you didn’t ask me,” said Mario.

The merchant still insisted that his daughter would wed the archer, and the two men were taken away. They angrily entered a bar.

“Let’s kill him. If we kill him, we can marry her,” reasoned Mario.

“Yeah, let us. But both of us can not marry her. Only one of us can,” Adam said.

They both looked at each other, knowing what the other thought. After an awkward laugh, they both mutually agreed to abort the plan just by looking at each other. Both men had a great time, drinking, singing, and yelling at the archer as if he was with them. After fighting for the bill, they slowly walked out and parted ways. Mario stumbled and slept at a tree not too far from the bar, and Adam almost reached his house, but fell and passed out in front of a big mansion.

Night passed and the men were awakened by women.

“Oh, Dear! Tell Father that a man has died in front of our mansion,” said Alisha to her servant in a worried voice. The servant quickly went to tell her master.

Alisha stood looking at the man and thought, “What a handsome man. It is a shame he died so young.” Just then, Adam slowly woke up, and shook his head. Alisha was surprised and told him to come in her house to recover.

“What a kind woman to let a stranger in her house,” Adam admired in his mind. After eating some food, Adam left.

As the days went by, Adam could not help but think about Alisha’s pure, kind heart. Every time he thought of her, he felt guilty because he believed that he still loved the merchant’s daughter. In order to forget about Alisha, Adam was intent on carving a big horse. He would give the merchant's daughter this horse, and she would love him so much, she would marry him. Yet, every day he carved, a different tool would break. This required him to go to the market to purchase a new one and he had to pass Alisha’s house every time.

One day, he passed Alisha’s house on his way to the market and she greeted him. She invited him to drink tea, and in he went. Adam watched her every move like a hawk. He longingly looked at her and came to his senses.

“I must go,” said Adam.

“But you haven’t had a sip of tea yet. You must have some tea. I made it myself,” replied Alisha.

Adam took a sip of tea and briskly walked out. Alisha bid him goodbye in a cheerful tone. Hearing her soft voice pulled at his heart. He desperately wanted to run back and hold her hands, but his legs continued walking. Adam repeated, “Don’t think,” in his mind and ran into someone. It was Mario.

“Adam, my friend! How are you doing? Still not talking to that girl?” asked Mario.

Both men met each other several times after that night at the bar. Adam talked about Alisha once and Mario never let it go. Mario would bring her up in every conversation, and Adam would briefly daydream about her every time.

Adam ignored Mario and told him that he had to get a tool to carve his wooden horse. While Adam looked at the tools, a light bulb turned on in his head. Adam would do the same thing Mario always does. On the same day Adam met Alisha, Mario said he met a girl too.

Adam teased, “So, how is Sara?”

Mario was surprised, but collected himself and coolly said, “She is well, but it is not the time to talk about her and me. Let’s talk about you and Alisha. Just tell her you like her. If you did that to begin with, you wouldn’t have wasted so much money on tools. By the way, I already know that you two will end up together.”

Adam was furious! He quickly said, “How can you say that? The merchant’s daughter is not married yet. I can still murder her future groom and take her for myself.”

Mario reminded Adam that he could tell the future and left. Adam replayed what Mario said in his mind. It echoed in his brain, “…you two will end up together!”

Adam found the tool he needed and bought other things. He went on his way home. Remembering what Mario said, he said to himself, “If it is true, let me hear ‘horse carver’ when I pass Alisha’s home.”

Adam slowly approached Alisha’s home and heard “Horse, Carver! Oh, Adam.”

Adam stopped in his tracks. He asked Alisha if she said ‘horse carver.’ She explained to him that she was telling her brother, Carver, that there was a horse in the book. Adam was disappointed. Alisha, seeing his disappointment, invited him to drink tea again. Adam pondered, smiled, and nodded his head. Instead of wanting to flee, Adam felt calm because he realized that he cannot go against fate.

Adam walks over Carver and continued telling him animals where Alisha left off, and Alisha served him tea, tea that he will drink until the last drop.

(Cup of tea: Web source)

Author's Note. The story is inspired from a story, The Merchant Whose Daughter was Lost, in the Tales of a Parrot. In the story, three men, each with a talent, wanted to marry a merchant's daughter. The daughter went missing and all three men used the talents, yet the one who actually retrieved her got with her in the end. I felt bad for the two men who were cheated, so I wrote a story about what happened after the original story. Originally, I wanted to write about how both men met their future wives, but after developing so much on Adam, I had no space to write about Mario.

Bibliography. Tales of a Parrot by Ziya'al-Din Nakhshab; link to reading online.

Story: Saving the Donkey

Story. There was a plague among the animals, and it impacted all types of animals. As many of them died, the animals pondered the cause of the plague. They were afraid they would be next. A group of animals conversed with each other.

The bird said, “It’s the bats. They carry the disease through their claws.”

The snake said, “It’s the rats. They carry a disease through their teeth.”

The wolf said, “It’s the serpent whose revenge will get us all.”

The lion king abruptly stated, “No, it is our actions that caused this plague. As king of all animals, I say we confess our wrongdoings and pinpoint the worst animal of all. That animal would have caused this mess. I will begin. I have many lionesses, and they are all lonely. I am wrong for causing them to fight.”

The bird replied, “No, King. You need to create many heirs to govern the other animals. With your strong traits, your heirs will rule the land for a millennium years to come.”

The snake confessed, “It is I who has sinned. I danced with my beloved rat and got the disease from her by accidentally killing her. When I saw her carcass, I fed upon her without thinking. We both loved each other, yet I could not help myself.”

The wolf said, “No, it is my fault. I tricked the serpent into killing sheep while I did nothing. I ran off with the kill. When the serpent chased me, I severely hurt him. He then cast a curse on me and those I associate with.”

After a long awkward moment, the donkey chimed in, “Well, I was so hungry, I ate grass from another animal’s land.”

The lion roared, “What?! You knew it was his land yet you atrociously ravaged his grass?”

Seeing the lion’s disapproval, the bird shrieked, “Get him!” They all chased the donkey so quickly that animals along the road thought a dust storm was approaching.

As the donkey ran, he yelled, “Why get me when you all did worse?” Then, he saw a herd of donkey, and pleaded, “Help, friends. I am in dire stress. Animals are trying to kill me for no reason.”

Seeing the donkey’s dismay, the herd of donkeys stood still and put on their meanest face. The chasing animals saw the group and immediately ran the other way because they were outnumbered.

The head of the herd advised, “Next time, stay away from that lot. The lion could have easily killed you, and shared you with the others. They are up to no good.”

The donkey said, “But they’re the only people I know. I have been roaming alone the whole time until I found them.”

The head donkey said, “Son, if they think of killing you, they are not your friends. Safe travels.” He then motioned for all the donkeys to continue their planned path.

The donkey longingly looked towards the direction where his ‘friends’ ran off. He glimpsed at the other group that was not too far away, and ran after them.

He caught up to the head donkey and asked, “Thank you for your help, Mister. May I join your herd?”

The head donkey smiled and nodded his head. The other donkeys introduced themselves to him, eager to know him.

A few months later, the donkey saw his old company far off in the distance chasing the wolf. He shook his head and joined his herd.

(Donkey: Wiki Commons)

Author’s Note. In the original story, The Animals and the Plague, from Aesop for Children by Winters, the animals actually had a plague and confessed their wrongdoings like the beginning of my story. However, the difference is that the donkey was beaten up by the other animals. While reading the story, I felt injustice for the donkey. Therefore, I wrote this story so that the donkey would live in another dimension other than his original story.

Bibliography. Aesop for Children by Milo Winters; link to reading online.

Story: The Serpent's Demise

Story. After tricking Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, the Serpent was filled with satisfaction. Yet, when God realized that the Serpent was involved, the Serpent was bitter. He felt that God was unfair. God immediately punished the Serpent without questioning him. After his punishment, the Serpent madly slithered off into a forested area.

The Serpent talks to himself, “How dare He? Why did he give me no justice? All I did was persuade Eve with words. Eve did all the work.”

Then, he hears rustling leaves. A female snake appears. She looked gorgeous with her contrast of dark and bright colors. The Serpent says, “What are you doing here?”

The female snake replies, “Can I not explore? This land is free to roam.”

The Serpent powerfully replies, “Not here, where I am.”

The female snake starts to leave, but the Serpent stops her. He says, “I permit you to stay. What are you called?”

The female snake replies, “I am called snake.” While talking to her, the Serpent creates his plan to overcome Adam and Eve. He plans to make her become his. He needs to create an army that will strike at Adam and Eve altogether to decrease the amount of their survival.

As the night goes on, he has her over his control. He cunningly sweet talks her, despite her not knowing who he is. The night ends successfully according to the Serpent’s plan.

Morning arises, and the Serpent slithers around on his belly with annoyance. The Serpent complains, “If only I had my feet, would I move around faster.”

The female snake hears and becomes puzzled. She questions him, “We have always been without legs, but why do you say so?”

The Serpent then tells her of his plan. The female serpent responds, “I’ve heard stories about you. No wonder I did not see you present while all animals looked upon Adam and Eve according to the Lord’s command. How could you deceive me?”

The Serpent disregards her words and continues on with his plan, forcing her to cooperate with him. Since the Serpent did not answer her question, the female serpent ran away. The Serpent turns around and sees Adam and Eve far off in the land, close to the west gate near the Garden of Eden. He watches their every move for a while. Although he made his plan, he did not want to waste an opportunity. He could not wait seven years without trying to accomplish goal at least once. When he sees that they are truly alone, he rushes to his closet target, Eve. As he chases after the wailing Eve's legs, Adams pleads to God. Adam says, “O, God, the Serpent has returned. Please help us from his scaly grasp.”

God pitied him and sent angels to their aid. An angel cast a bright light upon the snake. The snake is stunned, and the angel put him in a box. The other angel helps Adam and Eve stand up. After reviewing with Adam and Eve that their covenant has not expired, God punishes the Serpent once again.

God decrees, “You have harmed my man and woman once again. Since you have not repented, I will make you become dumb and you will lose your power of speech.”

The serpent yells out, “Though I have lost my speech and intelligence, there are others who will take my place. The seeds I have sown will...” In mid-sentence, God used his power to make him dumb and lose his power of speech. He was afraid that Adam and Eve would fret of what will come.

God told the angel to release the Serpent, and the angel holding the Serpent threw him to the other end of the world.

Adam and Eve express their concern to God, but God reassures them. He says, “I will resurrect you like the many times I have already done. Do not fret, as I am always watching over you.”

The female snake returns to the forested area where she met the Serpent, but does not see him. She waits a few more days, but he still does not come. In seven years, her litter will surely appear. She worries and hopes that the evilness of their father will not be inherited to her children.

(A forested area by Jean Baptiste-Camille Corot: Wiki Commons)

Author’s Note. Since most of the Adam and Eve Unit is focused on Adam, God, and Eve, I decided to write a story about the Serpent. I created a twist and went in-depth of a scene that was briefly mentioned. In summary, the unit discusses the creation of Adam and Eve, and how they live before and after being punished to the world. Throughout the story, many side characters come in to play, the flaming sword, the Serpent, the angels, and animals. In the Garden of Eden, Adam lived happily. However, after Eve was tricked into eating from the forbidden tree by the Serpent, she gave it to others to eat as well. After they behaved differently, such as, being ashamed of going before God naked, God realized what they did and punished them to Earth. Additionally, the unit provides information of how sorrowful Adam and Eve were after banishment, but they were not able to return and be with God because of the promise. God promised that he would get them after approximately 5,500 years. My story is set during the days after their banishment to the world.

Bibliography. Adam and Eve from Genesis, by Louis Ginzberg, and by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr., link to the reading online.

Week 1 Story: The Belly and the Members

For Week 1 Storytelling, I decided to use the Aesop Fable, The Belly and the Members.

Story. In an office setting, people are discussing about a new project. An employee sits there and listens to the discussion, but gives little input. The other employees noticed that she barely contributes in every meeting. While she is lost in writing and thought, they all turn towards her and ask, “So, do you have any ideas?” She agrees with someone’s idea without giving much details, and they decide not to pressure her further. However, they continue the meeting, suggesting bizarre ideas.

They all snickered inside. This was their plan all along. They wanted her to shoulder most of the work because of her little input in previous meetings. They did not care if this little meeting failed. They needed her to provide useful input. They needed her to pull her weight. Also, the meetings they had were unofficial, little meetings. In the real meetings, they would surely come up with sensible ideas.

(an office meeting) 

The quiet employee was surprised by their bizarre ideas, but she continued on with writing. Little did they know what she was facing at home. Her child was severely sick. She discussed about her inability to focus on work with her boss, but her boss asked her to continue working. He knew her potential from her past work experience, and he believed in her abilities.

During the two next brainstorming meetings, the others have tried to pressure the quiet employee to talk. The timid employee’s son got better as well. She got more focused and grasped the project quickly. For the next meeting, the timid employee prepared her astounding idea. When the others questioned her, like the other meetings, she told them her idea. They were very surprised and happy. They finally warmed up to her. Later in the meeting, she apologized for her lack of input and told them that her son has been sick but was on the way of recovery. After the successful project, they all celebrated.

(a celebration)

Author's Note. I used the Aesop Fable, The Belly and the Members. The fable focused on a person's body parts that could think and make decisions. In the fable, the belly did nothing while members worked. After figuring that out, the other body parts went on a strike. The strike resulted in the other body parts being weak after a while, and they soon found out that belly was useful after all. I decided to change my story to a real life setting. I thought of a similar story line to the original, and things changed from there.

Bibliography. "The Belly and the Members" from the Fables of Aesop by Joseph Jacobs. Web source.