This is my last reading diary for the class and I am doing it over the unit La Fontaine because they are a lot like Aesop's Fables and I really enjoyed those!
The Cockerel, the Cat, and the Young Mouse
The verse format can sometimes be hard to work with because it can be much more confusing than a straight forward story format. I loved that this one had a moral like Aesop's fables but it was much more subtle than the english versions as it was just the last two lines in the poem.
The Tortoise and the Two Ducks
I remember reading this story in the english version (not in poem form) and I really liked it then! I loved the idea of this story because it shows how foolish someone can be even when they are warned not to do something. It also shows how easily someone can succumb to vanity and believe the hype that people say about them.
The Frogs Asking a King
This one was really interesting but I had a little trouble understanding the story and what the underlying moral was!
The Swallow and the Little Birds
Like the first poem, there is a sort of moral stated at the end of the poem in the last two lines: It's thus we heed no instincts but our own; believe no evil till the evil's done. Trust your instincts and don't believe something bad has happened until it has occurred and you know that it has.
The Bear and the Amateur Gardener
"A foolish friend may cause more woe than could indeed the wisest foe" sometimes your friends can get you in more trouble than you enemies can when they are foolish and do not think of the consequences! This could be a good story!
The Astrologer Who Stumbled Into A Wall
This poem was super hard to read because there wasn't any separation between the lines or the stanzas, it all sort of ran together!!
Showing posts with label Reading Diary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading Diary. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Week 12 Reading Diary A: King Arthur
This is my reading diary for the second half of unit of King Arthur that I did not finish last week. I also am planning on doing the same diary format because I did not get to write a story last week, as I let the week get ahead of me.
The Adventure of Sir Galahad
Sir Galahad finds knights in the Abbey that tell him of a shield that when a man hangs it around his neck, they die in the next few days or something happens to him. The monk tells them that only the worthiest knight in the world can hang the shield around their neck. I dont think this story would work very well for a diary post.
The Adventure of Sir Percivale
Percivale goes on an adventure in order to help another knight.
Sir Lancelot and the Five Hundred Knights
I really liked this story but Lancelot's feelings about what is happening isn't well described in this story. I think it would be hard to add enough personal feeling into the diary to make it feel authentic to use this story.
Sir Gawain and the Hermit
Kind of hard to follow, I had to reread parts several times to understand what was going on and where the story was headed. I really like the illustration at the top of the page though.
The Adventure of Sir Bors
I have noticed that these knights are very quick to trust others and do as they ask with no proof that their claims are true.
Sir Galahad and the Mysterious Ship
I like that this story is about more than just one of the knights. The ending of this story was sort of sad. This could be a good reflective diary post, written after the adventure is over and Pervicle's sister has died.
Sir Lancelot meets Sir Galahad
Again, the knights are following strange voices and people without another thought. It was such a different culture when these stories were written. It is interesting that the story implies that Sir Galahad is King Arthur's son, I hadn't picked up on that yet.
The End of Arthur
I liked the ending but I thought that it could have been written better, although I cannot use it for my story because all of the characters die and no one would be left to write the diary!
The Adventure of Sir Galahad
Sir Galahad finds knights in the Abbey that tell him of a shield that when a man hangs it around his neck, they die in the next few days or something happens to him. The monk tells them that only the worthiest knight in the world can hang the shield around their neck. I dont think this story would work very well for a diary post.
The Adventure of Sir Percivale
Percivale goes on an adventure in order to help another knight.
Sir Lancelot and the Five Hundred Knights
I really liked this story but Lancelot's feelings about what is happening isn't well described in this story. I think it would be hard to add enough personal feeling into the diary to make it feel authentic to use this story.
Sir Gawain and the Hermit
Kind of hard to follow, I had to reread parts several times to understand what was going on and where the story was headed. I really like the illustration at the top of the page though.
Gawaine, by Howard Pyle
Image Source: Wikipedia
The Adventure of Sir Bors
I have noticed that these knights are very quick to trust others and do as they ask with no proof that their claims are true.
Sir Galahad and the Mysterious Ship
I like that this story is about more than just one of the knights. The ending of this story was sort of sad. This could be a good reflective diary post, written after the adventure is over and Pervicle's sister has died.
Sir Lancelot meets Sir Galahad
Again, the knights are following strange voices and people without another thought. It was such a different culture when these stories were written. It is interesting that the story implies that Sir Galahad is King Arthur's son, I hadn't picked up on that yet.
The End of Arthur
I liked the ending but I thought that it could have been written better, although I cannot use it for my story because all of the characters die and no one would be left to write the diary!
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Week 11 Reading Diary A: King Arthur
This week I am going to continue my reading strategy of taking notes based on the type of story that I am going to write that week. This week I am reading from the unit of King Arthur and I am going to attempt my story in a Diary post. I am going to write one diary entry, or multiple depending on the length and amount of details that are important, from a major character, probably King Arthur or one of his main knights.
The Drawing of the Sword
I could do a single entry from Merlin about his thoughts as he comes to Canterbury and decides to have a 'competition' of sorts to find a true king. I could add in how he created the sword in the stone and etched the writing onto the stone. His thoughts as he creates this task and his worry that no one will be worthy and England will continue to suffer. Merlin could watch Arthur ride away, probably to do something for his foster-brother, and think how good of a man Arthur is. Merlin watches as Sir Kay and his father fail to pull the sword out and Arthur pulls it out easily. Merlin rejoices in his head as he realizes that he had not made the enchantment too hard and there is a worthy king to lead them to prosperity. He knew the moment that he delivered Arthur to Sir Ector that he would become a great man but he always had fear that Arthur would be unable to fulfill his destiny and birth right to be king.
The Questing Beast
This story begins with Arthur having to prove to others that he was the true king and having to conquer other kings to get there but Arthur struggles and needs Merlin's help and the help of Excalibur. Arthur sees Guenevere for the first time and falls in love. He has a bad dream of his people being killed by monsters and he being injured. The story ends with Merlin telling Arthur that his sister shall have a child that will end him and all of his knights.
The Round Table
The story of how Arthur marries Guenevere is told in the beginning of this story. That could be a cool diary entry.
The Passing of Merlin
It would be cool to begin the story with Arthur finding the diary and then reading the entry and then ending the story with him reflecting on what a wise friend Merlin had been and how distraught he was over his death and that Merlin had warned him this is how he would die.
The Quest of the Holy Grail
It is interesting that King Arthur did not want his Knights to find the Holy Grail but they went anyway.
The King's Pilgrimage
This story was sort of confusing and hard to follow. I don't think I am going to use it
Image of old diary entry
Image Source: Flickr
The Drawing of the Sword
I could do a single entry from Merlin about his thoughts as he comes to Canterbury and decides to have a 'competition' of sorts to find a true king. I could add in how he created the sword in the stone and etched the writing onto the stone. His thoughts as he creates this task and his worry that no one will be worthy and England will continue to suffer. Merlin could watch Arthur ride away, probably to do something for his foster-brother, and think how good of a man Arthur is. Merlin watches as Sir Kay and his father fail to pull the sword out and Arthur pulls it out easily. Merlin rejoices in his head as he realizes that he had not made the enchantment too hard and there is a worthy king to lead them to prosperity. He knew the moment that he delivered Arthur to Sir Ector that he would become a great man but he always had fear that Arthur would be unable to fulfill his destiny and birth right to be king.
The Questing Beast
This story begins with Arthur having to prove to others that he was the true king and having to conquer other kings to get there but Arthur struggles and needs Merlin's help and the help of Excalibur. Arthur sees Guenevere for the first time and falls in love. He has a bad dream of his people being killed by monsters and he being injured. The story ends with Merlin telling Arthur that his sister shall have a child that will end him and all of his knights.
The Round Table
The story of how Arthur marries Guenevere is told in the beginning of this story. That could be a cool diary entry.
The Passing of Merlin
It would be cool to begin the story with Arthur finding the diary and then reading the entry and then ending the story with him reflecting on what a wise friend Merlin had been and how distraught he was over his death and that Merlin had warned him this is how he would die.
The Quest of the Holy Grail
It is interesting that King Arthur did not want his Knights to find the Holy Grail but they went anyway.
The King's Pilgrimage
This story was sort of confusing and hard to follow. I don't think I am going to use it
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Week 10 Reading Diary B: Native American Hero Tales
This is my second reading diary for the second half of Native American Hero Tales.
Lodge-Boy and Thrown-Away
The two boys grow up despite being thrown behind the curtain and in the stream. The mother wakes up and follows the boys back home. I didn't really understand the story as the concepts of death is much more fluid in Native American tales than in traditional English.
The Son-in-Law Tests
Wemicus is trying to trick the son-in-law but it keeps backfiring on him. This story wouldn't really work for a newspaper story
Dirty Boy
This reminds me of medical Europe and what you see often in princess movies, like Merida; a prince fighting for the marriage of a daughter through his marksmanship skills. The chief goes back on his word because Dirty-Boy is bed ridden. I like that the younger sister is rewarded for sticking by her sick husband, while the older sister must stay with her ugly husband.
Lodge-Boy and Thrown-Away
The two boys grow up despite being thrown behind the curtain and in the stream. The mother wakes up and follows the boys back home. I didn't really understand the story as the concepts of death is much more fluid in Native American tales than in traditional English.
The Son-in-Law Tests
Wemicus is trying to trick the son-in-law but it keeps backfiring on him. This story wouldn't really work for a newspaper story
Dirty Boy
This reminds me of medical Europe and what you see often in princess movies, like Merida; a prince fighting for the marriage of a daughter through his marksmanship skills. The chief goes back on his word because Dirty-Boy is bed ridden. I like that the younger sister is rewarded for sticking by her sick husband, while the older sister must stay with her ugly husband.
Illustration of Native American fishers
Image Source: Wikipedia
Monday, October 26, 2015
Week 10 Reading Diary A: Native American Hero Tales
I am trying something new this past week and I think from now on; I am going to try and decide on a storytelling strategy before I start my reading diaries and take notes over how I can apply that to how I am going to write my story that week.
This week my Reading Diary is for Native American Hero Tales and I think I am going to write it in a "newspaper front page article" format. I am really excited about trying to write this way!
The Jealous Uncle
The way that this story is starting out makes me think of an expose on the "Unnatural uncle." I could make it like he has been caught by authorities and this is his family speaking out about what happened. The third boy manages to thwart his uncle after he is left for dead, and is determined as ever to kill him.
I want to make the expose about the boy who managed to thwart the Unnatural Uncle
I liked how this story started out, but I am not sure if I can apply it to a newspaper type story.
The Attack on the Giant Elk and the Great Eagle
Hero: Jonayaiyin - sent by the gods to relieve the humans of the attacks from the giant Elk, the Eagle and other giants
This week my Reading Diary is for Native American Hero Tales and I think I am going to write it in a "newspaper front page article" format. I am really excited about trying to write this way!
Newspaper Image from Pixababy
The Jealous Uncle
The way that this story is starting out makes me think of an expose on the "Unnatural uncle." I could make it like he has been caught by authorities and this is his family speaking out about what happened. The third boy manages to thwart his uncle after he is left for dead, and is determined as ever to kill him.
I want to make the expose about the boy who managed to thwart the Unnatural Uncle
- He first is left for dead in a log, but uses his brain to think of a way out: he put the sour juice of a cranberry on the log and make it let him go
- The uncle pushes him down a cliff after asking him to gather some eggs, but the down of the feathers allows him to land softly and he ascends back up the cliff, eggs in hand.
- While trying to hunt for some clams, the uncle tells a calm to engulf the boy and it does. The boys cuts the inside of the clam to persuade it to open its mouth.
I liked how this story started out, but I am not sure if I can apply it to a newspaper type story.
The Attack on the Giant Elk and the Great Eagle
Hero: Jonayaiyin - sent by the gods to relieve the humans of the attacks from the giant Elk, the Eagle and other giants
- He uses the coat of a lizard to disguise himself
- The gopher digs a whole for him to get to the heart of the elk
- The Eagle carries him to its nest and thinks that he is dead
- He kills the eagle and the eagles husband
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Week 9 Reading Diary A: Blackfoot Stories
I think I want to do a psych hospital angle for my story this week, make the protagonist of the story actually be a psych patient that believes he is doing what the stories are saying he did. I am gonna write notes about how these stories can be integrated into that idea.
Two Fast Runners
I could make two patients be the deer and the antelope racing through the cafeteria and when the bet their dewclaws, it could be their hospital bracelets through the playground.
The Wolf Man
This story was sort of confusing. I dont think I would be able to apply it to the psych ward
Kut-O-Yis, The Blood Boy
This would be cool to start my story-- the patient telling of how he was born and where he delusions began. Maybe in a group therapy session, those would be cool notes
Next he will tell the group of how he helped his old father defeat his brother-in-law and saved him from starving to death.
He had decided to go on a journey after he knew that his parents were safe. There is a big bear near by that takes all the good food from the village for himself and his wife and children. When the bears came to take the meat, he slays all of them and saves the old woman.
The journey continues. Now a snake takes all of the good food. He reacts the same way and the old woman goes to live in the snake lodge.
Next he goes to find the woman who wrestles and kills men. He hurriedly defeats her with her own sharp stones and moves on. He sees a woman who tricks men to trip and fall over a cliff to their death. But he was much too clever for her and cuts the rope before she can trick him and she falls into the lake to be eaten up by fish.
Soon he finds a man-eater parading as a chief and goes to his lodge. He allows the man-eater to kill him and cook his bones. When a child sees the bones after he has eaten all of the meat, she asks for them and the man-eater obliges not realizing that Kut-O-Yis had made an arrangement earlier. Soon Kut-O-Yis arises from his own bones and destroys the man-eater.
Two Fast Runners
I could make two patients be the deer and the antelope racing through the cafeteria and when the bet their dewclaws, it could be their hospital bracelets through the playground.
The Wolf Man
This story was sort of confusing. I dont think I would be able to apply it to the psych ward
Kut-O-Yis, The Blood Boy
This would be cool to start my story-- the patient telling of how he was born and where he delusions began. Maybe in a group therapy session, those would be cool notes
Next he will tell the group of how he helped his old father defeat his brother-in-law and saved him from starving to death.
He had decided to go on a journey after he knew that his parents were safe. There is a big bear near by that takes all the good food from the village for himself and his wife and children. When the bears came to take the meat, he slays all of them and saves the old woman.
The journey continues. Now a snake takes all of the good food. He reacts the same way and the old woman goes to live in the snake lodge.
Next he goes to find the woman who wrestles and kills men. He hurriedly defeats her with her own sharp stones and moves on. He sees a woman who tricks men to trip and fall over a cliff to their death. But he was much too clever for her and cuts the rope before she can trick him and she falls into the lake to be eaten up by fish.
Soon he finds a man-eater parading as a chief and goes to his lodge. He allows the man-eater to kill him and cook his bones. When a child sees the bones after he has eaten all of the meat, she asks for them and the man-eater obliges not realizing that Kut-O-Yis had made an arrangement earlier. Soon Kut-O-Yis arises from his own bones and destroys the man-eater.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Week 7 Reading Diary A: Chinese Fairy Tales
This week I am reading from the second half of the Chinese Fairy Tales unit and I am really excited to see how they differ from the English fairy tales that I have read!
The Little Hunting Dog
The Little Hunting Dog
- I love that the story starts with "Once upon a time"
- The imagery of the little soldiers and hunting dogs is really cool and way not what I was expecting at all! It could be cool to explore the small soldiers and dogs further
- The ending of this story was really weird and kind of confusing, did he flatten and kill the little dog?
- I think this would be a cool to retell in a super creative story telling style!
- Start with the ending of the story and then say 30 years earlier... like what suspenseful shows often do!
- Start with him dying as he stares at the ball of fire above him and seeing the fox in his peripheral vision
- Maybe add more conflict before he dies and more dialogue (since I tend to lack that in my stories)
Meme I made with makeameme.org
- The different names were really confusing in this story!
- The old man killing the water-carrier was an odd twist
- The dialogue also doesn't make much sense in this story
- The beginning kind of reminds me of the story of bethlehem because there is no room or food for the old man
- The story is interesting but I wold have to research it more to understand it better!
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Week 6 Reading Diary A: Folklore of Loas
Reading diary for the unit: Folklore of Loas
A Child of the Woods
A Child of the Woods
- First off, this reminded me of Native American stories that I read earlier
- I like how the woman grew in the jungle and she lost her anger while wandering through the forest
- It was interesting that she left the village she was adored at to go back to her own.
The Enchanted Mountain
- The lake sounds sort of like the fountain of youth in english folklore
- The place also reminds me sort of the Garden of Eden, especially the description of the fruit and the fact that hunters cannot take life from the animals
- Story idea: write a story as if you are the first hunter to discover this place, wonder over the beautifulness, exhilaration as you drink the water and feel younger, and frustration that you cannot kill the large fowl
- I like that the place is a reward for the tired hunter
- This journey seems long and hard and the emotions of the travelers are not discussed
- It seems foolish to me to leave your jewels in a cave but it was also a different time and travel isn't safe either
- I liked the ending, that the treasure stays hidden for all time
- I like the theme of spirits in these stories
- The story was really short and seemed a little pointless
- This story was really weird
- I didn't like that the elephant wasn't brought up until the very end of the story!
- Story idea: the twelve maidens journey as they discover the bones until the mouth of the elephant
- There seems to be the moral of the grass isn't always greener on the other side
- the element of reincarnation in this story is really cool and I like that the selfish wife doesn't get to go live in the sky
- The explanation for why parrots and minor birds can only echo what man says was really cool
- How did the nymph just set aside her wings?
- I like the sort of friendship the ape and Chow Soo Tome have made
- Its really cool how large of a role that the animals play in these stories
The Faithful Wife
An Akha Woman, Laos Source: Wikipedia
I thought this image really helped picture the story when you see what the woman would have looked like as a noble, instead of a slave.
- The shame that the young boy felt for just the thought of marrying a salve is an interesting insight into the culture of Laos
- The young man seems very concerned with what others think of him marrying a slave, even after she has become noble
- Its sad that the man had to come to love his wife after she went to so much trouble for him
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Week 5 Reading Diary A: Arabian Nights (Aladdin)
Reading diary for the Aladdin portion of the Arabian Nights Unit, I am super excited to see what differences there are between the actual story and the Disney version!
Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
Part 1:
Part 6:
Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
Part 1:
Image from Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
This illustration is WAY different from what I would expect after watching the Disney movie based on this story.
- The story starts out different than the Disney version, I thought it was cool that Aladdin basically caused his father's death by being a bad kid. The disney version sort of ignores Aladdin's childhood.
- I wonder what the ring's purpose is?
- It seems kind of odd that the magician goes to so much trouble to get the lamp and then gives up when Aladdin simply refuses to give it to him.
- The genie comes from the ring instead of the lamp in this story! I wonder what the lamps purpose was then!
- Now the genie came from the lamp instead of the ring!
- I like how in this version there is no limitation to "three wishes" but the genie seems to be a much smaller character than I think he should
- I like the role of the mother and how dedicated she is to Aladdin, although he doesn't seem very grateful
- A story might come from the mother's thoughts as she waits in front of the sultan each day without anything happening, until he finally notices her.
- The way that Aladdin tries to marry the princess is kind of frightening, he doesn't try to win her over, only to lay next to her and say nothing but that she was his.
- The sultan seems very okay with what has happened and doesn't believe his daughter, a much different dynamic than seen in the Disney version.
- The sultan seems very fickle and the mother seems to obey her son no matter what
- The way that Aladdin approaches the castle reminds me of the "prince ali" parade
- Its kind of odd that no one questions how fast Aladdin was able to build an entire palace
- The end of this part describes Aladdin as modest and courteous, which I didn't find him to be by reading this story
- The magician's plan is very clever and had Aladdin confided in the princess, this would not have happened
- The sultan seems to overreact to the palace being gone and immediately tries to execute Aladdin
- Are there two genies? One for the ring and one for the lamp? I am sort of confused by that
Part 5:
- I didn't know that the story of Aladdin originated from them living in China, not India
- The princess and Aladdin seem more in love in this part than any other
- I like how the magician is killed
Part 6:
- The ending of the story is very odd
- The genie does show loyalty to Aladdin and the princess by refusing Aladdin's wish though
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Extra Reading Diary: Aesop (English)
My reading diary this week is from the unit Aesop (English) because I am doing my storybook on fables from Aesop units!
The Carter and Hercules
It was really interesting to see the fables in verse form and about the Greek Gods! It was WAY different than the fables I read from the Aesop (winter) unit and it was a little harder to understand in a verse, rather than a very straightforward story. I liked the moral of basically help yourself because it is so often in today's society that we ask others to help fix our problems before we have tried ourselves.
The Two Bags
This verse form fable was super interesting! I thought it was really cool idea that we carry two bags, one with our own faults and one with other's faults. The bag behind us contains our own but we never see that one, only the one in front of us! I really liked this one because I think it is human nature to find faults in others before yourself and I liked the explantation for that in this story. This would be cool to rewrite as an adult giving advice to children.
The Wolf and the Shepard's Boy
I thought it was so cool to hear this famous story in the original verse form and I liked how simple it was. This would be a really cool story to retell with human characters because I feel like this happens all of the time with younger kids wanting attention.
A Miser and Rotten Apples
This story was written in prose, rather than verse. Although this story was sort of hard to understand and the moral was very long, I did like the story and what it was saying. It would be hard to rewrite this story with children though.
The Dancing Apes
I really liked this story! It was super interesting and really unexpected! I liked that the moral was that the Force of Nature is stronger than learned behaviors. I had never really thought about it like that. It would be really really cool to rewrite, though it would be hard to think of a force of nature for children though.
The Fox and the Crow
This story was back to being in verse form. This seemed to really outline the typical tricky nature of a fox that you see in so many different forms. I also really liked that the fox was out tricked in this story by an even trickier stork. This would be cool to use for my storybook.
A Fox and a Cat
This was a cool take on 'tricks' and that the cat only has one sure trick and it work out for it because it can climb a tree when danger comes but the fox had hundreds of slippery tricks that did not help him when the danger came.
The Lion King
First off, I just got really excited to read this story because of the title! I liked the story but thought it would be hard to use for my storybook as the moral wasn't super clear.
The Ass and the Lion Hunting
I liked that the donkey was very quiet and did not boast about anything. He was also very wise which I find isn't usually the case when donkeys are portrayed in stories.
Two Laden Asses
This moral was very odd to me: poverty is easy and safe, while riches are a great snare. I think it makes sense in the context of being robbed, but not in any other context. I liked the story but I dont think that it would be a good moral to teach children. The illustration is really cool though:
The Carter and Hercules
It was really interesting to see the fables in verse form and about the Greek Gods! It was WAY different than the fables I read from the Aesop (winter) unit and it was a little harder to understand in a verse, rather than a very straightforward story. I liked the moral of basically help yourself because it is so often in today's society that we ask others to help fix our problems before we have tried ourselves.
The Two Bags
This verse form fable was super interesting! I thought it was really cool idea that we carry two bags, one with our own faults and one with other's faults. The bag behind us contains our own but we never see that one, only the one in front of us! I really liked this one because I think it is human nature to find faults in others before yourself and I liked the explantation for that in this story. This would be cool to rewrite as an adult giving advice to children.
The Wolf and the Shepard's Boy
I thought it was so cool to hear this famous story in the original verse form and I liked how simple it was. This would be a really cool story to retell with human characters because I feel like this happens all of the time with younger kids wanting attention.
A Miser and Rotten Apples
This story was written in prose, rather than verse. Although this story was sort of hard to understand and the moral was very long, I did like the story and what it was saying. It would be hard to rewrite this story with children though.
The Dancing Apes
I really liked this story! It was super interesting and really unexpected! I liked that the moral was that the Force of Nature is stronger than learned behaviors. I had never really thought about it like that. It would be really really cool to rewrite, though it would be hard to think of a force of nature for children though.
The Fox and the Crow
This story was back to being in verse form. This seemed to really outline the typical tricky nature of a fox that you see in so many different forms. I also really liked that the fox was out tricked in this story by an even trickier stork. This would be cool to use for my storybook.
A Fox and a Cat
This was a cool take on 'tricks' and that the cat only has one sure trick and it work out for it because it can climb a tree when danger comes but the fox had hundreds of slippery tricks that did not help him when the danger came.
The Lion King
First off, I just got really excited to read this story because of the title! I liked the story but thought it would be hard to use for my storybook as the moral wasn't super clear.
The Ass and the Lion Hunting
I liked that the donkey was very quiet and did not boast about anything. He was also very wise which I find isn't usually the case when donkeys are portrayed in stories.
Two Laden Asses
This moral was very odd to me: poverty is easy and safe, while riches are a great snare. I think it makes sense in the context of being robbed, but not in any other context. I liked the story but I dont think that it would be a good moral to teach children. The illustration is really cool though:
Monday, September 14, 2015
Reading Diary A: Bidpai
Introduction
The beginning of the story about condensing the King's library collection reminded me a lot of how information is condensed in today's time for social media. I liked the beginning of the story but had a little trouble getting used to the terminology and wording. Bidpai seems like a really interesting character.
The Rustic and the Nightingale
The language of this part of the story reminded me very much of the Aesop's fables that I read last week. Especially with the Nightingale being able to talk to the rustic and giving him a reward for doing the right think. I was left very curious at the end of this story and wanted to know more!
The King, The Falcon, and The Drinking-Cup
I really liked how this story started and drew me in, however I was very surprised how the story took a turn, though I really liked how the falcon saved the king's life and the king had no idea. That is true loyalty on the part of the falcon!
The Two Travelers
The beginning of this story starts really intriguing with such an odd request of the travelers to receive a feast. I was surprised that the two travelers separated and one attempted to complete surprise. I was also completely shocked that the story ended with him being crowned king for being brave enough to attempt the task.
Poor man, Rich man, Young man
The three stories were very intertwined with the underlying idea of being punished for being greedy. Each of these stories very much included elements of karma, which I thought was really cool.
The Merchant and His Iron
I liked how clever and devious the merchant was to get his iron back. I really liked that the merchant controlled his anger in order to get back his iron, not just to punish the friend.
The beginning of the story about condensing the King's library collection reminded me a lot of how information is condensed in today's time for social media. I liked the beginning of the story but had a little trouble getting used to the terminology and wording. Bidpai seems like a really interesting character.
The Rustic and the Nightingale
The language of this part of the story reminded me very much of the Aesop's fables that I read last week. Especially with the Nightingale being able to talk to the rustic and giving him a reward for doing the right think. I was left very curious at the end of this story and wanted to know more!
The King, The Falcon, and The Drinking-Cup
I really liked how this story started and drew me in, however I was very surprised how the story took a turn, though I really liked how the falcon saved the king's life and the king had no idea. That is true loyalty on the part of the falcon!
The Two Travelers
The beginning of this story starts really intriguing with such an odd request of the travelers to receive a feast. I was surprised that the two travelers separated and one attempted to complete surprise. I was also completely shocked that the story ended with him being crowned king for being brave enough to attempt the task.
Poor man, Rich man, Young man
The three stories were very intertwined with the underlying idea of being punished for being greedy. Each of these stories very much included elements of karma, which I thought was really cool.
The Merchant and His Iron
I liked how clever and devious the merchant was to get his iron back. I really liked that the merchant controlled his anger in order to get back his iron, not just to punish the friend.
I really liked this illustration and thought it was really cool!
Gardener, Farmer, Tyrant
The story of the gardener and the bear very much reminded me of an Aesop fable and it ended very differently than I would have expected. The moral was a little hard to swallow, as you want to have an optimistic outlook and give people the benefit of the doubt, but it is true.
The King, the Hermit, and the Two Princes
I liked how this story ended because it was better for the kingdom that the two sons were not kings.
The Carpenter and the Ape
This story had an interesting moral of not meddling in other people's business. I think its cool to see the difference in morals between the English Aesop's fables and the Indian stories I am reading this week!
The Hunter, the Fox, and the Leopard
I thought it was cool that the story had the fox being smarter than the hunter and ignoring the trap but the Leopard was not smarter, but stronger than the Hunter and therefore was able to kill him even after falling in the small trap.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Extra Reading Diary: Eskimo Folk Tales
Reading diary for the first half of Eskimo Folk Tales!
The Coming of Men, A Long, Long, While Ago
I liked that this story was in the oral storytelling style and also the beginning of Earth was super interesting that it just fell from the sky and it was made. There was also a similarity to the idea of Adam and Eve because in this story the people were also covered in leaves. I really like how vague this story was and how it really sounds like something your grandparents would tell you about the "olden days." The story took a unexpected turn when it tells us that there was no sun and water could burn in the old days. It was cool that the Eskimo people believed that they chose for death to happen in exchange for the sun moon and stars.
Nukunguasik, who Escaped from the Tupilak
This story had a lot of terminology that I had to look up because they were things that were obviously things that were specific to the Eskimo culture. I liked that Nukunguasik basically got away with killing the middle brother but that didn't feel that bad because the brother was trying to kill him.
The Woman who had a Bear as a Foster-Son
This story reminded me of the story of hulk because the bear had no one to play with because he was too strong. This story was very sad though but I liked that the foster mother did what right for the village even though she had to give up her bear.
Qalaganguase, Who Passed to the Land of the Ghosts
I liked the style of this story and it seemed to have more of a moral than the other stories, that the boy did not listen to the warning and he did not receive his strength back. It had sort of an odd ending though.
The Coming of Men, A Long, Long, While Ago
I liked that this story was in the oral storytelling style and also the beginning of Earth was super interesting that it just fell from the sky and it was made. There was also a similarity to the idea of Adam and Eve because in this story the people were also covered in leaves. I really like how vague this story was and how it really sounds like something your grandparents would tell you about the "olden days." The story took a unexpected turn when it tells us that there was no sun and water could burn in the old days. It was cool that the Eskimo people believed that they chose for death to happen in exchange for the sun moon and stars.
Nukunguasik, who Escaped from the Tupilak
This story had a lot of terminology that I had to look up because they were things that were obviously things that were specific to the Eskimo culture. I liked that Nukunguasik basically got away with killing the middle brother but that didn't feel that bad because the brother was trying to kill him.
The Woman who had a Bear as a Foster-Son
This story reminded me of the story of hulk because the bear had no one to play with because he was too strong. This story was very sad though but I liked that the foster mother did what right for the village even though she had to give up her bear.
Qalaganguase, Who Passed to the Land of the Ghosts
I liked the style of this story and it seemed to have more of a moral than the other stories, that the boy did not listen to the warning and he did not receive his strength back. It had sort of an odd ending though.
Inuit Family Source: Wikipedia
Isigaligarssik
I liked that this story the man won over the wizard but it was very confusing and hard to read.
Atungait
I really liked learning about the ball games, that was really cool!
The Giant Dog
This story was kind of sad, but I really liked how it ended!
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Reading Diary B: Aesop for Children (Winter)
My notes for the second half of Aesop for Children by Milo Winter!
The Mule
I liked the realness of this story and that it touched on being sure of who your family is and where you come from before you brag about it.
The Wolf and the Shepard
The moral of this story, Once a wolf, always a wolf, is very realistic and kind of hard to swallow. We always want to believe that people can change and that bad people can be good. But sometimes it is just a bad person trying to trick you and you have to be weary of that. I also really enjoyed the illustration.
The Mule
I liked the realness of this story and that it touched on being sure of who your family is and where you come from before you brag about it.
The Wolf and the Shepard
The moral of this story, Once a wolf, always a wolf, is very realistic and kind of hard to swallow. We always want to believe that people can change and that bad people can be good. But sometimes it is just a bad person trying to trick you and you have to be weary of that. I also really enjoyed the illustration.
The Fox and the Crab
This story just really reminded me of the warning, the grass is never greener on the other side.
The Bull and the Goat
I liked that this story reminded me of don't kick someone when they're down. But I liked that this implied that it is not only wrong but that it is wicked.
The Quack Toad
I had to read this story twice because the moral seemed a little off for the story. When you read the moral by itself it seems that you should mend yourself first to be in the best shape to be able to mend others. But when you read the story it is more that no one would what to be cured by a doctor who has warts all over the place because why wouldn't he have mended himself already?
The Cat and the Old Rat
This made me think of "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." It is very wise to always remember those that have tricked you. I sort of believe in forgiveness, but not necessarily forgetting what happened.
Jupiter and the Monkey
I liked that Roman mythology was referenced; I love when other culture's mythology is referenced! This story truly showed how large a mother's love is and how often it can blind you to the most obvious things.
The Wolves and the Sheep
Always remember who your friends are and do not be tempted by shiny new things.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Reading Diary A: Aesop for Children (Winter)
This is my reading diary A for the Unit Aesop for Children (Winter).
The Tortoise and the Ducks
I liked this story's moral: Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune. It was an interesting story on how the tortoise could not resist telling the crow that he was indeed the king of the tortoises even when the ducks had warned him not to speak.
The Eagle and the Jackdaw
I liked the ending of this story and the idea you shouldn't do something just because you saw that someone else was able. I also like the picture in this story, it helped me visualize the story.
The Tortoise and the Ducks
I liked this story's moral: Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune. It was an interesting story on how the tortoise could not resist telling the crow that he was indeed the king of the tortoises even when the ducks had warned him not to speak.
The Eagle and the Jackdaw
I liked the ending of this story and the idea you shouldn't do something just because you saw that someone else was able. I also like the picture in this story, it helped me visualize the story.
The Oxen and the Wheels
I like that this story personified a inanimate object, as well at the animal. I also liked the moral: They who complain most suffer least.
The Farmer and the Stork
This was my favorite story! I loved the moral: you are judged by the company you keep. I think that is so incredible relatable to times today and it is often lost in todays modern time. We too often think we are only judged on who we are as a person, but most often we are judged on who is around us.
The Boys and the Frogs
The moral of this story, Always stop to think whether your fun may not be the cause of another's unhappiness, hit home to me. I liked that the moral pointed out that our actions affect other and making someone unhappy is more important than you having fun.
The Lion, The Bear, and The Fox
This story was cool and I liked that it taught to work together but also that the ones who work the hardest do not always receive the spoils of their work.
The Wolf and the Lean Dog
Take what you can get when you can get it; I like that moral and find it to line up with a realist point of view, rather than an optimist who would always think something better is coming.
The Dogs and the Hides
This story was enjoyable to read and I could easily figure out the moral to the story.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Reading Diary A: Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books 1-4)
This is my reading diary for my first reading of the semester from Ovid's Metamorphoses, Books 1-4.
At the beginning of the story, the river gods caught my attention, as they are not mentioned much even though they are the ones to truly flood the earth. I liked that Deucalion and Pyrrha did not understand the goddess's instructions at first; I've found in reading mythology that instructions from Gods are often very confusing. The actual flood was the part I enjoyed most about the story, especially when the animals were included and described.
This story starts out very harsh with the rape of a young virgin, which seems very common with Jupiter. I sympathize with her father's sufferings as well. I found Juno's part in this story very interesting.
I loved the description of the Sun's palace and how easily I could imagine it in my head. I wish that Phaethon asking to be able to control the chariot and the reactions were described better; I thought they would have had more emotions.
Phaethon's ego intrigues me and his sure attitude makes for disaster in this story. My favorite part of the story was when Phaethon looses the reins and disaster is imminent for earth; I thought this could have been described with more imagery.
The way that Phaethon dies is very interesting, Jupiter cannot control his anger and his ego shows through because he is the only one able to save the world. I like how Jupiter's punishments are turning Phaethon's relatives and those who allowed him to take the chariot into animals and plants. It would be such an interesting feeling to be turning into something completely not human and maybe not even know the reason why.
Again Jupiter rapes a young woman, which I have seen is a very common theme. It seems that every girl that Jupiter rapes is punished for her discretion, even when she fights him. It is an interesting sign of the patriarch dominated society at the time that these myths were written. The ending of the story is very interesting, that Jupiter considers it mercy to make the mother and son into constellations instead of the son unknowingly killing his mother.
It is interesting that Juno's rage is directed to kill the woman Jupiter has been adulterous with, where as in the past stories she has sought to transform them into something else. I also love the irony that because Juno killed Semele, Semele's son was turned into a God by Jupiter's divine full presence. Now Juno must live with him for eternity, but if she had done nothing he would have remained alive only for his mortal lifespan.
Painting of Phaethon in the Sun's Chariot
by Gustave Moreau
Source: Wikipedia
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