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. 

Reading Notes: Canterbury Tales, Reading B

Notes. In Little Hugh, I felt so sad for him! I cannot believe that such an innocent little boy was killed. Writing a better story for Hugh would make me feel much better. He sincerely deserves it. If I chose this story, I will write about his pure heart and the evil plot against him. I will write about his near death but the seed in his mouth will surely revive him. As a result, he will be taken care of after death and while he is alive. He will be considered he blessed man. I can even add a part of the song at the beginning of the story as well to add more of an impact. Additionally, I could add information about how the Jew who killed him felt shame at the end.

(Dreaming. Web Source.)

The part I liked in the Cock, the Hen, and the Fox was the dream that came true. It is quite interesting because this is very unlikely in real life. Anyway, it was weird for the friend who dreamed of his friends’ messages did what his friend told him to do. He actually found out his body. It was sad but I was glad that the innkeeper and the other person received their karma and justice. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Although it would be interesting to blend this in while writing about Hugh, it would take away the magical aspect of being chosen. Or perhaps Hugh can dream of seeing an angel or something. He might be warned about his death but he cannot avoid it.

In the Priest who learned to be a philosopher, I sympathized with the unknowing priest. He was too trustful and greedy to a degree. Also, I felt that the philosopher had no morals. He lied and tricked a priest!

I believe that I may write about Hugh or about Arviragus’ love life and the fortune teller’s obstruction. Those two are the stories that I feel I would be interested in writing.

Bibliography. Canterbury Tales by Eva March Tappan; link to reading online.

Reading Notes: Canterbury Tales, Reading A

 

(Knight by Sam Howzit. Web Source: Flickr.)

Notes. There are different type of characters like an apothecary, knights, princesses, summoners, and commoners. Since there is a theme to this, I will make sure that my characters are these different types of characters.

In the Promise of Dorigen, there are lots of parts I could base this week’s story on. There are songs that Aurelius sang about Dorigen. I could write a few stanzas of the song and write about their first meeting. I was surprised the guy, Aurelius, let her, Dorigen, go back to her husband, Arviragus. And then, the magician didn’t charge Aurelius for his service. They all were so nice that it was too much like a fairytale.

Aside from this, I could write how Dorigen and Arviragus got together. Perhaps, I could write how they met from his point-of-view. Then, I could write about a fortune teller coming in to ruin his future with her because she wanted him to be his daughter’s husband. However, at the end, he would marry his Dorigen regardless. I could write about the magic part as well. I could write more about the magician and his point-of-view.

In the Revelers, I was thinking that the place the old man referred them to would make them fall off and die. For example, when they go there, they would stand at the tree together and their weight would make the land crumble. However, they lived much longer than that. I was very surprised that the old man even told them of the place. It held money. Although he may guess that they would kill each other, it was not a sure thing that they would do so. Perhaps I can write a story that changed the ending. I would write a bit about their background. Since there were three men, I could have one be a rouge knight, another a lazy husband, and the last will be sleazy merchant. Also, I would write about the bad things they did.

Bibliography. Canterbury Tales by Eva March Tappan; link to reading online.