Storytelling Week 6: The Fox's Fire and the Spoiled Farmer

There once lived a young farmer in Macau, China; he never wanted for anything

Xiang Chi Chan received the family farm after his father died. He hired men to tend the land while he  watched from the comfort of his home. Every day Xiang would walk around town and then make his way back home. Today though he took a different journey home. This route took him by a wealthy man's home.

His house contained several gardens spread out over many acres of land. When he had passed the third garden he saw a light.

Sunset in Macau, China

(Source: Pixabay)

"What is that strange glow?!" he asked to no one in particular.

His intrigue was such that he could not contain his curiosity. Xiang creeped silently toward the light. He climbed the small garden wall and that's when he saw the strange dog. As he inched closer to the animal he realized it was a fox.

The fox sat there... looking at the moon. It was an odd sight to just watch a fox sitting motionless. But then it started breathing in and out, and with every exhale a ball of fire escaped his mouth. Then when he inhaled, the fire would come back to his mouth and he would clench it in his teeth.

The farmer's desires for the ball of fire were growing stronger the longer he sat there watching. He had never not had what wanted. And he wanted the ball of fire.

It finally dawned on him that the ball of fire was actually the elixir of life.

Xiang knew he would not be happy without the elixir. He made up his mind in that instant he would have to take it from the fox.

He rushed the fox and stole the elixir. The fox sat there, paralyzed.

"Why have you done this horrible act?" the fox asked in defeat.

Xiang replied that always gets what he wants and since he wanted the fire ball, he decided to take it.

The fox laid down, defeated. His entire life had been devoted to making the elixir of life and now his future and his life was altered and changed forever.

The farmer left with the elixir and lived his life in splendor. He became the richest man in Macau.

The fox searched for years and years, and finally found the farmer thirty years later...

But that's a different story.

Author's Note: I chose this story because I thought it was an interesting one. The fox made the elixir of life and the farmer stole it and became obsessed with riches and fancy things.

Bibliography: This is from the Chinese Fairy Tales unit. The Fox -Fire was edited by R. Wilhelm and translated by  Frederick H. Martens (1921).

Week 6 Reading Diary continued: Chinese Fairy Tales

The Little Hunting Dog

Edited by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921)

What was it that caused the insects to have such an interest in the scholar's home? 

The army the descended upon the insects were all small in scale. None of them were given much description. Where did they come from? How did they choose this scholar? This could be their mission... to help rid the city of all insects. Does the dog have a story?

White Horse Temple

(Source: Wikipedia)

Fox Fire

Edited by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921)

The fox repeated the process continuously. He had been doing this for several years. 

The farmer was a selfish man in his early years. Things were given to him and he never had an issue taking things that belonged to others.

The fox had his own story apart from the farmer. He waited for thirty years before trying to get the fireball back. Why did he wait so long? Was he scared? 

Week 6 Reading Diary: Chinese Fairy Tales

The Favorite of Fortune and the Child of Ill Will

Edited by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921)

The one thing I wanted to know was how the princess was cursed with the bad luck or ill will? Did she do something that caused it or were her parents involved? In the story she could tell the beggar had good luck. How could she tell this?

She was only empress for 18 days before she died. I wonder if these 18 days were significant? Did they represent something? 

Twin Dragons

(Source: Commons)

Thoughts about Comments

I've truly enjoyed reading the comments everyone has been writing on my blogs! I do not consider myself to be a very good writer, so I really look forward to reading the helpful comments. They make me look at my stories differently and from different angles that I wouldn't necessarily have thought about.

I also like when someone comments about a specific part of my story they liked or found interesting. I use those comments to try and write more parts that are similar.

I think to make the comments more vivid we can bold certain parts of our text! That always gets my attention right away!

As I looked over my comments, I really could have given more direction in my ideas. Some of my tips could have been more in depth.

Week 5 Reading Diary, continued: Turkish Fairy Tales

Patience-Stone and Patience-Knife

By Ignacz Kunos

Illustrated by Willy Pogany (1913)

The mother and daughter lived alone. They did not have much so both mother and daughter worked. When the daughter is left alone the bird comes to leave her a message. Where did the bird come from? Why was the message only allowed to be heard by the daughter?

The girl had the wisdom to ask for the patience-stone and patience-knife.. how did he know to ask for these?

The Imp of the Well

By Ignacz Kunos

In many societies the man assumes the role of the leader of the family and whatever he says go. This story shows the wife having total control. The husband is not allowed to take money from the family without letting his wife know about it. This relationship is very interesting. 

How had the imp managed to find himself trapped in the well?

Week 5 Reading Diary: Turkish Fairy Tales

Fear
By Ignacz Kunos

Fear is given human characteristics. The mother has fear. It's apart of her. Interestingly enough, the son tries to find it. I would have assumed she wouldn't want her son to find fear. Even upon approaching the mountain and walking among the dead, the boy is not scared or fearful. 

The Son and Fear by Willy Pogany (1913)

(Source: Blogspot)

The second act that was supposed to cause was the little girl. Yet again, the young boy was not deterred nor frightened. 

The third act of the youth on the boat still did not cause fear in the youth. They all drank to his good health for he could not be scared. 

Fear (cont.)

The youth continues to search for fear. It is still hard for him to catch it. He is appointed Shah by the pigeons. He did not accept it for he was still searching for fear. Up until this moment, the youth was intelligent and was not able to be frightened. He was smart enough to not allow himself in a position where he could be scared. He finally was frightened by the bird that flew from the soup. 

Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales: Styles Brainstorming

Topic

I have decided to do my Storybook over famous fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen stories. He wrote so many incredible fairy tales that I have only briefly heard about. We have heard many of the names, but mainly through Disney. His stories are not quite what we remember from our childhood, which is why I am fascinated by them. They are not what we imagine fairy tales to be. Some are not happy tales and do not have your so-called "happy endings." My goal is to find four of his stories from his page Hans Christian Andersen: Fairy Tales and Stories, and give them a different spin that you aren't expecting.

Bibliography

1. Little Tiny or Thumbelina by Hans Christian Anderson (1835). Web source: Hans Christian Andersen: Fairy Tales and Stories. 

Hans Christian Andersen

(Source: Pixabay)

Possible Styles

1. I think there are a lot of ways fairy tales can be told! The one I think of first is an actual storyteller telling the story. In some movies or fables you will hear a narrator telling the story from their point of view. I think it would be neat to have all of the stories be told by a grandfather reading to his grandchildren. Grandparents reading and teaching their grandchildren values and life lessons seem like a cute way to do my storytelling. I have a grandpa who still to this day loves telling me stories and they usually have a bit more meaning coming from someone whom I love and respect. Each of the stories could be read slightly different, with a few interjections from the children and the grandfather himself.

2. The second way I would like to tell my stories is from a central character. I would choose one character from one of the four stories and he or she would tell the different stories from ow they remember hearing it. Stories that are spread from mouth to mouth are different than when they are written down and then read. 

3. Since Hans Christian Andersen is such an important part of my storytelling project, I think he should be included in the storytelling portion. The picture above gave me the image of Andersen coming alive in central park and telling his stories to the animals that come to the park at night. Since he is the author, the stories would have more feeling coming from him.

4. The fourth way I might like to tell my story is through a town celebration of Hans Christian Andersen stories. I read in Wikipedia that Andersen was born on April 2 in Odense, Funen, Kingdom of Denmark. Every April 2nd, the town would have a major celebration in honor of Andersen. Children from the town would bring their favorite stories with them and if their names were called, then they would have the opportunity to read their story. Each one would be a surprise. 

Week 4 Storytelling: The Secret

For as long as I can remember, my life has been perfect. Absolutely perfect... for me. Since my childhood, I've never worried about challenges or bad things happening to me. I've never worried about where my next meal would come from or where I would sleep at night. I grew up in a palace surrounded by everything I could ever wish for.

Once I had grown into a man, my wants changed. I hoped for a bride whom I could live happily with until the end of my time. As I was taking my daily stroll through the palace gardens I heard a laugh that was the most beautiful sound to ever reach my ears. It was so light and happy. I had to know whose laugh could take hold of my heart so quickly.

The garden was large and it took me several minutes of searching to find her. As I rounded the corner I saw her. She was lying flat on her back with a her knees pulled up. She had a booked propped up against her knees. Then I heard it again... that beautiful, heavenly laugh.

The Sultan's Wife

(Source: Blogspot)

Her smile caught me off guard! Never before have I seen such a women whose face held such beauty. Her cheeks were rosy from the sunlight and laughter. It only took one glance, and I knew she was mine. I would do anything to have her.

~~~

He must get here soon! I've never read such a funny book and I just know this will be one of his favorites. Right as I was about to get up to look for him, my eyes locked with the Sultan. He came through the shrubs and plants towards me. He demanded that I marry him and become his bride. What was I to tell Aamir? My love... my life. I knew I could not tell the Sultan no, for surely that would mean my death. 

Aamir and I thought for months how we could keep our love hidden. I could not bare to be without him. He was a part of me and I a part of him. My fear was keeping Aamir secret from the Sultan, but this we must do to survive. 

~~~

Where could she be now? I have found her the most perfect dress for the evening festivities and she should try it on before tonight. She always disappears on Tuesdays...

Author's Note: I wanted to write about the reason the Sultan decided to execute his wife. In the story of The Arabian Nights: Scheherazade , the sultan finds out his wife's secret accidentally. There is no explanation as to what she did. I thought it would be interesting to write about the moment they met and the reason he decided to execute her. She had a life before she met Sultan, but knew she would not be able to tell him no. 

Bibliography: The story is The Arabian Nights: Scheherazade written by Andrew Lang and then illustrated by H.J.Ford (1898). 

Week 4 Reading Diary, continued: Arabian Nights

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp 1
Written by Andrew Lang

Aladdin's Lamp

(Source: YouTube)

Aladdin's father became ill and died. This was due to Aladdin's lack of ambition and zero skill set. Why did Aladdin slack and not care about having a skill? When the false uncle arrived, how did he know Aladdin and know about his father passing away? 

Aladdin comes away with with the genie of the ring and the lamp. 

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp2

Aladdin came away from the cave with jewels and 2 genies. He and his mother lived well for several years. Aladdin's attitude could have changed upon receiving such wealth. Did he remain as lazy as before? After seeing the princesses' face Aladdin knew he must have her. His mother did his bidding. Did they have a good relationship? Did she care so deeply for her son that she would do anything?

Week 4 Reading Diary: Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights: Scheherazade

The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang (1898)

Sultan Schahriar's Wives

Illustrated by H. J. Ford (1898)

The Sultan Schahriar was obsessed with his wife. What did his wife do that caused him to completely change his mind about everything he thought he knew about her? How had she deceived him? He felt sorrow and shame after he accidentally discovered her secret. This revelation caused him such pain that his feelings towards women caused him to start marrying new wives and killing them. How could a relationship have caused this much heartache?

Week 3 Storytelling: The Cyclopes That Wasn't

Yes, it's true. All of it is true. Cyclopes have no laws and no rules and no codes. We do not care about the incredibly rich soil we have been given by the gods. It does not matter to us that the rich soil sits alone, never to be tended by any one of us. The gods give us everything we want or need.

Wheat, barely and grapes of all sorts grow steadily everywhere. Zeus supplies us with an abundance of rain so plentiful that we can sit happily while food grows itself. We do not have to worry about anything.

But this... this life I lead is very dull and very boring. I am a lonely Cyclopes on this island of ours. I sit apart from the others, for I do not enjoy just sitting all day. I know I am far different from the others. I wish sometimes that I wasn't. I wish I could be lazy. I wish that I didn't care about not lifting a finger to do anything all day. I want to be like the others so I could fit in... but that will never happen.

Polyphemus by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein

(Source: Wikipedia)

I love waking up in the morning to the beautiful sun coming up over the mountains. I love watching and listening to the waves slap against the rocks near the shore. I love the feeling of accomplishing something. It fills my heart with happiness to know that when I get back my gave at night, after working in the fields all day, that I have done good work. Of course, I know the fields don't need my help but it's fun all the same.

The others have seen me working day in and day out in the fields. They joke and laugh at me. They think there is something wrong with me. At times I wonder if they'r right. I don't know why I can't be like them. Is there something wrong with me? I realize am very lucky. I live on the most incredible island, protected and supplied by the gods, yet I am not happy. I am not content. My heart aches for something it can't have.

I still have my sheep however. I tend to them throughout the day. I care for them as I would a friend. They bring me so much joy and without them, I would be completely alone. I know life will get better. This can't be all the gods have in store for me. So for now, I will wait for that change to come...

~~~

After many, many years later my life had changed, but not in the way I had hoped. I had finally changed into the monster I was born to be. When I got back to my cave, I tended to my sheep. After I finished getting my milk ready for supper, I looked up to a surprise in my cave... 

~~~

Then he lifted his door, a huge stone, and set it in place. Twenty-two four-wheeled wagons could not have carried it, yet such was the great rocky mass he used for a door. Then he sat and milked the ewes, and bleating goats in order, putting her young to each. Next he curdled half of the white milk, and stored the whey in wicker baskets, leaving the rest in pails for him to drink for his supper.

When he had busied himself at his tasks, and kindled a fire, he suddenly saw us, and said: "Strangers, who are you? Where do you sail from over the sea-roads? Are you on business, or do you roam at random, like pirates who chance their lives to bring evil to others?"

Author's Note: I chose to to talk more about the cyclopes than about Odysseus' journey back home. I like to learn about the backstory of characters which includes the monsters that fill his journey. My story talks about the cyclopes that Odysseus and his men encounter on the island. I decided to show why the cyclopes, Polyphemus, reacted the way he did. 

Bibliography: I chose to do my story over Odyssey: Prisoners of the Cyclopes. It is Homer's Odyssey translated into English by Tony Kline (2004).

Week 3 Reading Diary, continued: The Odyssey

The Odyssey

Homer's Odyssey translated by Tony Kline (2004)

Ghosts of Erebus

Odysseus Making a Sacrifice

(Source: Wikimedia)

Odysseus put an alter together for the gods. After said his prayer, ghosts from all backgrounds came from the alter. They each died different ways and came from everywhere. Why these specific ghosts? where did they come from? Why did the ghosts scare Odysseus?

The Ghosts of Elpenor and Teiresias

Friends of Odysseus appeared in ghost form. The first one was Elpenor who is Odysseus' comrade. After Elpenor's death, his ghost went down to Hades' House. What is it like down there? Why was he sent there? It was very important that Odysseus bury his comrade. Odysseus agreed to all that Elpenor requested. 

The second of Odysseus friends arose, after his own mother. This is where Odysseus learns the truth about his journey. He still has several years left to journey on his way home. He will experience everything on the way. 

"He finished, and I replied, saying; Teiresias, no doubt the gods, themselves, have spun this fate for me. Come tell me the truth of this now. Here I see my dead mother's ghost; she sits beside the blood silently, and cannot look on her own son's face or speak with him. Tell me, my lord, how she may know it is I.""

"Swiftly he answered my words: "It is a simple thing to explain to you. Whoever of the dead departed you allow to approach the blood will speak to you indeed; but whoever you deny will draw back.""

Odysseus would be able to choose whom he spoke with. He could learn the truth about many things that concerned him. This could be interesting to play with... learning about things that were secret, and meant to be kept from you. 

Week 3 Reading Diary: The Odyssey

The Land of the Cyclopes

Translated by Tony Kline (2004)

Roman mosaic of a cyclopes

(Source: Wikimedia)

The cyclopes lived without any laws or codes. They also kept to themselves. The male cyclopes were in charge of their own wives and children. Cyclopes did not have any skills with which to build ships so they could travel. 

The land of the cyclopes was rich in nutrients. Although they did not tend to the land, it would grow anything they wanted. 

Prisoner's of the Cyclopes

Odysseus made sure to bring the wine he had received in a previous encounter. The wine will play an important part. 

"Good sir, do not refuse us: respect the gods. We are suppliants and Zeus protects visitors and suppliants, Zeus the god of guests, who follows the steps of sacred travelers." Odysseus

The cyclopes couldn't care less about Zeus. 

The cyclopes thought they could fool Odysseus. Odysseus is very wise when it comes to creatures. However, the cyclopes ate his crew. It was as easy as eating unmoving food. 

 Story source: Homer's Odyssey, translated into English by Tony Kline. (2004).