Here are a few of my favorite stories from Fables of La Fontaine
The Frog and the Ox This story tells the tale of a little frog with a big ego! One day, while sitting in the swamp, the frog sees the ox and says to his sister that the ox looks about the size of the frog. Huffing and puffing, the frog inflates himself to try to match the the size of the ox. The frog, however, doesn't reach this size, and instead explodes.
The Dog And His Image In this tale, a dog enjoying a juicy bone goes down to the stream where he sees his own reflection. Mistaking his reflection for another bone and not his own, the dog drops his bone to grab the other. In the end, the dog's greed leaves him empty handed as his bone splashes into the stream.
The Fox and the Grapes In this story, the fox comes across a bunch of grapes high above his head. Eying them to eat, he jumps with all this strength to reach the grapes. When they prove to be too far, however, the fox declares that the grapes must be sour, and that he never really wanted them anyways.
The Tortoise and the Two Ducks In this story, the tortoise, envious of the ducks, yearns to fly. Agreeing to help, the two ducks tell the tortoise to bite down on a stick, which they will grab and take off into the air. While in mid air, the tortoise attempts to speak, sending here back down to the ground where she is smashed to bits.
The Frog and the Rat This tale tells of a frog and rat who, while traveling together, decide to tie their legs together for safety. When they come across some water, however, the frog decides to dive deep down, causing the rat to trash about. This commotion attracts the attention of a kite, who swoops down and eats them both.
Showing posts with label Reading Diary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading Diary. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Week 12 Reading Diary: English Fairy Tales
Here are a few of my favorite stories from English Fairy Tales.
The Old Woman and Her Pig In this tale, an old woman finds some extra money one day while sweeping around her house, and decides to go out and buy a pig. However, on the way back, she comes across a stile which the pig will not cross. She decides to seek a dog to bite the pig to encourage it over the fence, but the dog doesn't comply. Her problem compounds and compounds until she finally finds someone to comply with one of her requests, which sets off a chain of events until the pig eventually jumps over the stile.
Mouse and Mouser In this story, the mouse goes to visit the cat, who he finds spinning yarn behind the hall door. The mouse tells the cat that while sweeping his room, he found some money and bought himself a meat dish, which he set on the windowsill to cool. The cat plays coy throughout their conversation, until the mouse accuses the cat of stealing his treat. Upon this the cat replies "and I'll eat you," and pounces on the mouse.
Mr Fox This tale tells of the the fair Lady Marry and her brave and gallant lover Mr. Fox. One day, right before their wedding day while Mr. Fox was away on business, Lady Mary sets out to find Mr. Fox's castle. Searching through his castle, Mary finds a closet full of the bodies and skeletons of other young ladies! Looking out the window, she spies Mr. Fox dragging another one of his victims. Mary escapes, and the next day has her brothers kill Mr. Fox.
Mr Miacca This story tells of Tommy Grimes, a very bad acting young boy. Tommy is warned by his mother that if his behavior does not improve, he will be snatched up by Mr Miacca. Tommy doesn't heed this warning, and sure enough is grabbed by Mr Miacca. Mr Miacca eats little boys who behave badly, and chops off Tommy's leg so that he can both eat it, and prevent Tommy from escaping. Tommy, however, takes a leg from the sofa and runs home.
The Old Woman and Her Pig In this tale, an old woman finds some extra money one day while sweeping around her house, and decides to go out and buy a pig. However, on the way back, she comes across a stile which the pig will not cross. She decides to seek a dog to bite the pig to encourage it over the fence, but the dog doesn't comply. Her problem compounds and compounds until she finally finds someone to comply with one of her requests, which sets off a chain of events until the pig eventually jumps over the stile.
Mouse and Mouser In this story, the mouse goes to visit the cat, who he finds spinning yarn behind the hall door. The mouse tells the cat that while sweeping his room, he found some money and bought himself a meat dish, which he set on the windowsill to cool. The cat plays coy throughout their conversation, until the mouse accuses the cat of stealing his treat. Upon this the cat replies "and I'll eat you," and pounces on the mouse.
Mr Fox This tale tells of the the fair Lady Marry and her brave and gallant lover Mr. Fox. One day, right before their wedding day while Mr. Fox was away on business, Lady Mary sets out to find Mr. Fox's castle. Searching through his castle, Mary finds a closet full of the bodies and skeletons of other young ladies! Looking out the window, she spies Mr. Fox dragging another one of his victims. Mary escapes, and the next day has her brothers kill Mr. Fox.
Mr Miacca This story tells of Tommy Grimes, a very bad acting young boy. Tommy is warned by his mother that if his behavior does not improve, he will be snatched up by Mr Miacca. Tommy doesn't heed this warning, and sure enough is grabbed by Mr Miacca. Mr Miacca eats little boys who behave badly, and chops off Tommy's leg so that he can both eat it, and prevent Tommy from escaping. Tommy, however, takes a leg from the sofa and runs home.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Week 11 Reading Diary: Robin Hood Ballads
Here are a few of my favorite stories from Ballads of Robin Hood
The Ranger After the winter ends, and the snow melts away, Robin Hood sets out to hunt a deer to bring back for him and his merry men to eat. Along the way, however, he runs into a forester, who tells him that the deer here belong to the majesty, and threatens Robin Hood. Robin Hood rejects the words of the forester, saying that he has hunted in the forest for years, and will not be stopped. The two men engage in combat with their swords, fighting evenly for three hours! Eventually, Robin Hood's men appear, and he offers the skillful ranger a place in his ranks.
Rescuing Three Squires In this tale, Robin Hood comes across a crying woman, who he soon discovers has three sons that have been sentenced to death for killing the king's deer. Robin hatches a plan to save these three men, and trades clothes with an old beggar to give himself a disguise. Robin Hood then goes to the Sheriff and offers to help hang these men, but instead blows loudly on his horn, calling upon his men. They quickly arrive and save the three squires.
Little John a Begging In this story, Robin Hood sends Little John to go out begging. Little John agrees, and gathers his things to set out. Eventually, he meets up with a number of other beggars, who recognize Little John as not one of their own. The beggars decide to rob Little John for his bread and cheese, but he fights them off and instead finds a large amount of gold on them.
The Noble Fisherman Robin Hood takes to a disguise yet again in this tale, this time making himself up to be a poor fisherman. Robin Hood is offered a job on a boat by a woman, and soon sets off to sea. While out on the ocean, however, a band of french robbers attempts to hijack the boat. Robin Hood, with his swift bow and arrow, takes them all out.
Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight In this tale, the king sends Sir William and a hundred men to confront Robin Hood. After Robin Hood refuses to surrender, the two groups of men clash. Robin Hood survives this battle, but soon after becomes sick. A monk comes to let his blood, but this only worsens his condition. Robin Hood soon dies.
The Ranger After the winter ends, and the snow melts away, Robin Hood sets out to hunt a deer to bring back for him and his merry men to eat. Along the way, however, he runs into a forester, who tells him that the deer here belong to the majesty, and threatens Robin Hood. Robin Hood rejects the words of the forester, saying that he has hunted in the forest for years, and will not be stopped. The two men engage in combat with their swords, fighting evenly for three hours! Eventually, Robin Hood's men appear, and he offers the skillful ranger a place in his ranks.
Rescuing Three Squires In this tale, Robin Hood comes across a crying woman, who he soon discovers has three sons that have been sentenced to death for killing the king's deer. Robin hatches a plan to save these three men, and trades clothes with an old beggar to give himself a disguise. Robin Hood then goes to the Sheriff and offers to help hang these men, but instead blows loudly on his horn, calling upon his men. They quickly arrive and save the three squires.
Little John a Begging In this story, Robin Hood sends Little John to go out begging. Little John agrees, and gathers his things to set out. Eventually, he meets up with a number of other beggars, who recognize Little John as not one of their own. The beggars decide to rob Little John for his bread and cheese, but he fights them off and instead finds a large amount of gold on them.
The Noble Fisherman Robin Hood takes to a disguise yet again in this tale, this time making himself up to be a poor fisherman. Robin Hood is offered a job on a boat by a woman, and soon sets off to sea. While out on the ocean, however, a band of french robbers attempts to hijack the boat. Robin Hood, with his swift bow and arrow, takes them all out.
Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight In this tale, the king sends Sir William and a hundred men to confront Robin Hood. After Robin Hood refuses to surrender, the two groups of men clash. Robin Hood survives this battle, but soon after becomes sick. A monk comes to let his blood, but this only worsens his condition. Robin Hood soon dies.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Week 10 Reading Diary: Myths of the Cherokee
Here are a few of my favorite stories from Myths of the Cherokee
The Rabbit Goes Duck Hunting This tale tells of a rabbit who was "so boastful that he would claim to do whatever he saw anyone else do" and "so tricky that he could usually make the other animals believe it all." One day, the boastful rabbits sees the otter diving down deep into the water and eating fish, and decides to claim that he can do it as well. This trickster even manages to convince the other animals of his ability! However, the otter claims that he also eats ducks, and challenges the rabbit to do the same. When the rabbit attempts to put a noose around one of the ducks necks, it takes off into the air, dragging the rabbit along for the ride.
How the Rabbit Stole the Otter's Coat In this story, it is told that among the animals, it was said that the otter had the finest coat among them all. Upon hearing this, the rabbit devises a scheme to steal the otter's coat. The rabbit finds the otter, and travels with him for a time. Eventually, they come to a place that the rabbit calls The Place Where it Rains Fire, where the rabbit warns the otter should place his coat on tree limb so that it does not get burnt during the fire storm. The tricky rabbit throws hot coals over the otter during the night, shouting "it's raining fire!" When the otter runs to the water, the rabbit makes off with his coat.
How the Terrapin Beat the Rabbit This story tells the tale of a boastful terrapin (turtle) who challenges the rabbit to a race. Knowing that he would be unable to beat the rabbit, the terrapin instead gathers several of his identical friends to position themselves along the race track, pretending to be the single terrapin. The tricky terrapin cheats his way to a victory in the race.
The Rabbit Goes Duck Hunting This tale tells of a rabbit who was "so boastful that he would claim to do whatever he saw anyone else do" and "so tricky that he could usually make the other animals believe it all." One day, the boastful rabbits sees the otter diving down deep into the water and eating fish, and decides to claim that he can do it as well. This trickster even manages to convince the other animals of his ability! However, the otter claims that he also eats ducks, and challenges the rabbit to do the same. When the rabbit attempts to put a noose around one of the ducks necks, it takes off into the air, dragging the rabbit along for the ride.
How the Rabbit Stole the Otter's Coat In this story, it is told that among the animals, it was said that the otter had the finest coat among them all. Upon hearing this, the rabbit devises a scheme to steal the otter's coat. The rabbit finds the otter, and travels with him for a time. Eventually, they come to a place that the rabbit calls The Place Where it Rains Fire, where the rabbit warns the otter should place his coat on tree limb so that it does not get burnt during the fire storm. The tricky rabbit throws hot coals over the otter during the night, shouting "it's raining fire!" When the otter runs to the water, the rabbit makes off with his coat.
How the Terrapin Beat the Rabbit This story tells the tale of a boastful terrapin (turtle) who challenges the rabbit to a race. Knowing that he would be unable to beat the rabbit, the terrapin instead gathers several of his identical friends to position themselves along the race track, pretending to be the single terrapin. The tricky terrapin cheats his way to a victory in the race.
The Owl Gets Married This tale begins with the story of a widow and her daughter. The widow tells her daughter that any man she marries must be a great hunter able to providing for her and her family. One day, a man appears, claiming to be a great hunter, and wins the daughters hand in marriage. Despite this, he consistently only brings back scraps from his "hunts." Suspicious, his new wife follows her husband down to the river where she witnesses him change into an owl! The young woman angrily drives him from their home when he returns that night.
The Snake Boy This story tells of a boy who bird hunted each day, bringing the gains of his hunt to his grandmother. This, however, made the rest of his family jealous, who then treated him badly. Angry at his family, the boy sets off into woods without breakfast, returning that night with only a pair of deer horns. At daybreak the next day, the grandmother finds that the boy has turned into an uktena (horned serpant). The boy-serpent slithers away and plunges into the river, where the grieving grandmother soon follows.
The Snake Man This tale tells of two hunters forbidden from eating squirrel or turkey meat. After a long day of hunting, one of the hunters begins to prepare several squirrels he has killed for his supper. The other hunter warns him that if he eats the squirrel, he will turn into a snake. Sure enough, after he eats the squirrel, the hunter turns into a serpent and slithers to the river bank.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Week 8: Reading Diary Assessment
Reading back through my diary entries, I noticed that not much has changed since I begun my diary. I think I have found I format that I enjoy writing in, and have stuck with it throughout the semester. My strategy for writing my diary entries usually consists of picking a few of my favorite stories spaced throughout the reading and summarizing them in my own words. This helps me retain these stories that I have read in my memory, and also creates a nice entry to go back and look at when I need to recall the details of a story. Usually I read through the entire reading first, and then go back and pick my favorite stories to write about. I then reread the stories that I have picked, taking notes about them as I go along.
The length of my journal entries has been pretty consistent each week, usually ending up at about six hundred words per entry. This seems about the right length to me, but adding some more notes to these entries may be beneficial. I usually don't add an image to my diary entries, but the thought hadn't occurred to me before. This may also be a way to improve my diary assignments; taking the time to seek out a relevant image may also help me retain these stories for later, and having and image would definitely be more pleasing to those who may read my entries.
In general, I think I remember the stories that I write about fairly well. However, for my other classes it seems that I learn the material in preparation for an exam and then lose a lot of this information after the exam has passed. Perhaps a reading journal of sorts for my other classes would help with information retention!
The length of my journal entries has been pretty consistent each week, usually ending up at about six hundred words per entry. This seems about the right length to me, but adding some more notes to these entries may be beneficial. I usually don't add an image to my diary entries, but the thought hadn't occurred to me before. This may also be a way to improve my diary assignments; taking the time to seek out a relevant image may also help me retain these stories for later, and having and image would definitely be more pleasing to those who may read my entries.
In general, I think I remember the stories that I write about fairly well. However, for my other classes it seems that I learn the material in preparation for an exam and then lose a lot of this information after the exam has passed. Perhaps a reading journal of sorts for my other classes would help with information retention!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Week 7 Reading Diary: Tibetan Folk Tales
Here are a few stories from Tibetan Folk Tales
The Tiger and the Frog This story tells the tale of a hungry tiger who one day comes across a small frog. The Tiger's first instinct is to gobble the frog up, but the frog declares that he is king of all frogs, saying that he can jump any distance and do anything. This little frog is even brave enough to challenge this Tiger to who can jump across a nearby river! The frog bites onto the tigers tail and uses him to jump across the river. When they get to the other side, the frog tricks the tiger by spitting up his own fur and claiming he had eaten a tiger the day before. Scared, the tiger runs away.
How the Fox Fell a Victim to His Own Deceit In this tale, a mother tiger brings a baby fox to her cave to be a playmate for her own cub. One day, this mother tiger finds a baby calf while out on her hunt, and brings it back to be a playmate for her cub as well. However, when the calf arrives, the fox becomes jealous and plots against the calf. When the mother tiger dies, the fox tells both the calf and the tiger that the other is planning on killing them. The calf and the tiger figure out that the fox has tricked them, and instead kill the fox!
The Tiger and the Frog This story tells the tale of a hungry tiger who one day comes across a small frog. The Tiger's first instinct is to gobble the frog up, but the frog declares that he is king of all frogs, saying that he can jump any distance and do anything. This little frog is even brave enough to challenge this Tiger to who can jump across a nearby river! The frog bites onto the tigers tail and uses him to jump across the river. When they get to the other side, the frog tricks the tiger by spitting up his own fur and claiming he had eaten a tiger the day before. Scared, the tiger runs away.
How the Fox Fell a Victim to His Own Deceit In this tale, a mother tiger brings a baby fox to her cave to be a playmate for her own cub. One day, this mother tiger finds a baby calf while out on her hunt, and brings it back to be a playmate for her cub as well. However, when the calf arrives, the fox becomes jealous and plots against the calf. When the mother tiger dies, the fox tells both the calf and the tiger that the other is planning on killing them. The calf and the tiger figure out that the fox has tricked them, and instead kill the fox!
The Man and the Ghost In this story, a man meets a ghost one day while crossing a river, and tells the ghost that he himself is also a ghost. The two travel together for a while, until the ghost goes into town and steals the soul of the king's son while the man is asleep. The ghost gives the man the soul in a bag, telling him to hold onto it while he attends other business. The man, however, returns the soul to the king's son and receives a vast reward.
The Story of the Three Hunters This story tells the tale of three married brothers who all lived together in a mountain village with their sister. One day, the two oldest wives become jealous of the sister, and kill her while the brothers are out hunting. The brothers return and discover what the two oldest of the wives have done, and kill them in return.
How the Sacred Duck Got His Yellow Breast. This tale tells of a rabbit and a frog who one day find a golden pot on top of a mountain. Unable to decide who would get the pot, they decide to race to the top of the mountain the next day. The frog, however, knowing that he would be unable to beat the rabbit in a race, gathers two lookalikes to sneak up the mountain and take his place. After "winning" the pot, the frog is unable to get it down the mountain himself, and enlists the help of a duck. This duck takes his half of the pot and smears in on his breast, giving it a golden color.
The Story of the Three Hunters This story tells the tale of three married brothers who all lived together in a mountain village with their sister. One day, the two oldest wives become jealous of the sister, and kill her while the brothers are out hunting. The brothers return and discover what the two oldest of the wives have done, and kill them in return.
How the Sacred Duck Got His Yellow Breast. This tale tells of a rabbit and a frog who one day find a golden pot on top of a mountain. Unable to decide who would get the pot, they decide to race to the top of the mountain the next day. The frog, however, knowing that he would be unable to beat the rabbit in a race, gathers two lookalikes to sneak up the mountain and take his place. After "winning" the pot, the frog is unable to get it down the mountain himself, and enlists the help of a duck. This duck takes his half of the pot and smears in on his breast, giving it a golden color.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Week 6 Reading Diary: The Monkey King, Sun Wu Kung
Here are a few of my favorite stories from The Monkey King
Handsome King of the Apes. In the beginning of this tale, the future Monkey king is born. This isn't a normal birth, however; the Monkey King was born out of a stone egg! The stone monkey slowly grows up, learning to walk and climb trees, until one day he becomes king of the apes by walking though a waterfall unharmed and finding a stone tablet.
Sun Wu Kung Gets His Name As the title suggests, in this section the Monkey King receives his name. One day the monkey king hears a wood chopper singing a "divine" song and believes him to be a master of the divine. The wood chopper responds that he simply learned the song from a saint, and sends the Monkey King to where the saint resides. Once he arrives, the saint gives the Monkey King the name Sun Wu Kung and teaches him many other skills.
Learning the Art After years of practice, Sun Wu Kung learns the art of magic from the saint. The Monkey Kings leaps into the air and walks several hundred feet on clouds that form below him!
The Lord of the Heavens Hearing the complaints of the Dragon-King and the princes of the dead, the Lord of the Heavens sets out to punish Sun Wu Kung. The Evening Star speaks on Sun Wu Kung's behalf and changes the lord's mind. The Lord of the Heavens instead makes Sun Wu Kung the stablemaster of the heavenly steeds.
Notscha, Son of Li Dsing Sun Wu Kung finds his new position demeaning, as he was a king on his own mountain, and leaves. The Lord of the Heavens is angered by this and sends Li Dsing, a god, and his son, Notscha to take Sun Wu Kung prisoner. Sun Wu Kung easily beats Notscha in combat, and he is given the title Great Saint Who Is Heaven’s Equal.
Handsome King of the Apes. In the beginning of this tale, the future Monkey king is born. This isn't a normal birth, however; the Monkey King was born out of a stone egg! The stone monkey slowly grows up, learning to walk and climb trees, until one day he becomes king of the apes by walking though a waterfall unharmed and finding a stone tablet.
Sun Wu Kung Gets His Name As the title suggests, in this section the Monkey King receives his name. One day the monkey king hears a wood chopper singing a "divine" song and believes him to be a master of the divine. The wood chopper responds that he simply learned the song from a saint, and sends the Monkey King to where the saint resides. Once he arrives, the saint gives the Monkey King the name Sun Wu Kung and teaches him many other skills.
Learning the Art After years of practice, Sun Wu Kung learns the art of magic from the saint. The Monkey Kings leaps into the air and walks several hundred feet on clouds that form below him!
The Devil-King Sun Wu Kung leaves his master and returns to his home only to find that his cave has been taken over by a devil. The Monkey King engages the devil in combat, utilizing his new magic to turn each of his hairs into tiny monkeys to attack the devil. Sun Wu Kung takes the devils knife from him and ends him once and for all.
The Lord of the Heavens Hearing the complaints of the Dragon-King and the princes of the dead, the Lord of the Heavens sets out to punish Sun Wu Kung. The Evening Star speaks on Sun Wu Kung's behalf and changes the lord's mind. The Lord of the Heavens instead makes Sun Wu Kung the stablemaster of the heavenly steeds.
Notscha, Son of Li Dsing Sun Wu Kung finds his new position demeaning, as he was a king on his own mountain, and leaves. The Lord of the Heavens is angered by this and sends Li Dsing, a god, and his son, Notscha to take Sun Wu Kung prisoner. Sun Wu Kung easily beats Notscha in combat, and he is given the title Great Saint Who Is Heaven’s Equal.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Week 5 Reading Diary: Twenty-Two Goblins
Here are a few of my favorite stories from Twenty-Two Goblins
Introduction The beginning of the tale tells of a brave king, King Victory, who discovers that a monk who frequently brings him a gift of fruit has actually been hiding gems inside. In return for the monk's generosity, the king promises the monk to help him with a task. As asked, the king travels to the cemetery at midnight to meet the monk underneath the fig tree. The monk tasks the king with retrieving a corpse from a nearby tree, but when he does, it speaks to him! The "goblin" hiding in the corpse begins to tell the king a story.
Introduction The beginning of the tale tells of a brave king, King Victory, who discovers that a monk who frequently brings him a gift of fruit has actually been hiding gems inside. In return for the monk's generosity, the king promises the monk to help him with a task. As asked, the king travels to the cemetery at midnight to meet the monk underneath the fig tree. The monk tasks the king with retrieving a corpse from a nearby tree, but when he does, it speaks to him! The "goblin" hiding in the corpse begins to tell the king a story.
Brave, Wise, Clever In this story told by the goblin, a princess named Moonlight says that she will only marry a brave man, a wise man, or a clever man. When it is her time to marry, her mother, her brother, and her father find three different brave, wise, and clever men and each promise her to one of them, not knowing that the other two had already promised her to someone else. When the princess is kidnapped, and the wise man finds where she is, the clever man gets them there, and the brave man kills her kidnapper. The king correctly decides that the princess should marry the brave man.
The Three Delicate Wives Once again, the goblin tells the King another story. This time, the goblin tells of a king named Virtue-banner who had three princesses as wives. One of his wives is wounded by a falling lotus-petal, while another is burned
by moonbeams! The final wife is hurt by a sound in the distance. The goblin puzzles King Victory which princess was the most delicate, and he correctly answers the wife hurt by sound.
The Girl and the Thief This story tells the tale of a grand merchant's daughter, Pearl, who falls in love with a thief right before he is executed. Pearl had before refused to marry any man, so her father pleaded with the king to release the thief, but it was of no use. The goblin asks King Victory if the thief laughed or wept before his death, and the king correctly answers both.
The Four Brothers This story from the goblin tells of four brothers who each know a different type of "science." One brother can add flesh to bones, the second can add skin and hair to flesh, the third can add eyes and organs and the final brother can bring the organs to life. The four brothers bring a lion to life, which kills them all!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Week 4 Reading Diary: Tales of a Parrot
Here are some of my favorite passages from Tutinameh, or Tales of a Parrot.
Miemun and Khojisteh This introduction tells the story of a prince, Ahmed Sultaun, who prays and prays to the gods to bring him a son. Eventually. the creator of heaven and earth brings a son to him, who the prince names Miemun. Miemun one day finds a extremely overpriced parrot in the market, but decides to buy it after it speaks to him with wisom and seeming foretelling of the future. On this parrots advice, Miemun buys all the spikenard (a plant) in the city. Three days later a caravan from Cabul comes and buys this spikenard at five times the cost! Talk about a smart bird!
The Story of the Parrot of Ferukh Beg After witnessing Miemun's wife, Khojisteh, kill the other bird for speaking out against her plan to leave for another prince (talk about crazy), the parrot wisely decides instead to distract her with a story instead. The parrot tells the story of a similar situation, in which a wife cheats on her out of town husband while the parrot is left to witness. When the husband returns, he blames the parrot for not telling him and then plucks all his feathers out and throws him outside. Eventually, the parrot regrows his feathers and returns to convince the husband to take his wife back.
The Fowler, the Parrot, and her Young Ones The parrot tells another story in this section, this time about a parrot who is captured with her young. The parrot in this story tells her captured children to play dead so that the Fowler will release them. When the plan works, the Fowler is angered. To calm him, the parrot tells him she is a physician and worth a great sum on money. This prompts the Fowler to sell the parrot to the sick king. After making progress on his illness, the parrot asks the king to set her free so that she can cure him once and for all, but once she is released, she leaves and never returns.
Of a King and His Sons, and of a Frog and a Snake In this passage, the parrot tells the story of a young prince who has to flee his home city after his father passes away, for his eldest brother had the intention of killing him. On his way out of the city, this prince saves a frog from the mouth of a snake. However, the prince feels guilty for stealing a meal from the snake, and instead feeds him a piece of his own flesh. Both the frog and snake feel they owe the prince, and take the form of men and join him as servants. The three men take employ in the service of a king in a nearby city, until the eventually part ways.
The Nobleman who Concealed a Snake in His Sleeve This story tells the tale of a nobleman who, one day while hunting, happens across the frightened snake. The snake convinces the nobleman to hide him from another man trying to kill the snake. However, after he helps the snake, the snake calls him a fool for trusting him and says that he will kill the man. The nobleman distracts the snakes and crushes his head with a rock.
Miemun and Khojisteh This introduction tells the story of a prince, Ahmed Sultaun, who prays and prays to the gods to bring him a son. Eventually. the creator of heaven and earth brings a son to him, who the prince names Miemun. Miemun one day finds a extremely overpriced parrot in the market, but decides to buy it after it speaks to him with wisom and seeming foretelling of the future. On this parrots advice, Miemun buys all the spikenard (a plant) in the city. Three days later a caravan from Cabul comes and buys this spikenard at five times the cost! Talk about a smart bird!
The Story of the Parrot of Ferukh Beg After witnessing Miemun's wife, Khojisteh, kill the other bird for speaking out against her plan to leave for another prince (talk about crazy), the parrot wisely decides instead to distract her with a story instead. The parrot tells the story of a similar situation, in which a wife cheats on her out of town husband while the parrot is left to witness. When the husband returns, he blames the parrot for not telling him and then plucks all his feathers out and throws him outside. Eventually, the parrot regrows his feathers and returns to convince the husband to take his wife back.
The Fowler, the Parrot, and her Young Ones The parrot tells another story in this section, this time about a parrot who is captured with her young. The parrot in this story tells her captured children to play dead so that the Fowler will release them. When the plan works, the Fowler is angered. To calm him, the parrot tells him she is a physician and worth a great sum on money. This prompts the Fowler to sell the parrot to the sick king. After making progress on his illness, the parrot asks the king to set her free so that she can cure him once and for all, but once she is released, she leaves and never returns.
Of a King and His Sons, and of a Frog and a Snake In this passage, the parrot tells the story of a young prince who has to flee his home city after his father passes away, for his eldest brother had the intention of killing him. On his way out of the city, this prince saves a frog from the mouth of a snake. However, the prince feels guilty for stealing a meal from the snake, and instead feeds him a piece of his own flesh. Both the frog and snake feel they owe the prince, and take the form of men and join him as servants. The three men take employ in the service of a king in a nearby city, until the eventually part ways.
The Nobleman who Concealed a Snake in His Sleeve This story tells the tale of a nobleman who, one day while hunting, happens across the frightened snake. The snake convinces the nobleman to hide him from another man trying to kill the snake. However, after he helps the snake, the snake calls him a fool for trusting him and says that he will kill the man. The nobleman distracts the snakes and crushes his head with a rock.
A King Falls in Love and the End of Khojisteh In this section, the parrot tells Khojisteh one last story, telling of a king who took a princess of a nearby kingdom by force. This king did not know that his new wife had a son from a previous marriage, and when she sneaks him into the city, he instead suspects this man to be her lover. He sentences her son to death, but a sympathetic executioner saves his life. Eventually, Miemun returns and the parrot tells him all of what has happened. Miemun kills Khojisteh on the spot.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Week 3 Reading Diary: Aesop for Children (Winter)
Here are a few of my favorite stories from Aesop for Children, illustrated by Milo Winter
The Wolf and the Kid In this tale, an arrogant young goat strays away from his flock and is caught by the Wolf. Surprisingly, this is not the end for the Kid, as he tricks the Wolf into playing a tune on the pipe before he eats him. Hearing this tune, and recognizing it as the Wolf's dinner song, the Shepherd's dogs race back to the Kid and run the Wolf away.
The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox Much like the Kid in the previous tale, the Cock in this story is saved through his own cleverness and the help of a dog. When the Fox feigns friendliness to the Cock and tries to lure him down from his perch, the Cock tells the Fox to meet his porter around the other side of the tree. The unsuspecting Fox is instead grabbed by the Dog the second he rounds the tree!
The Travelers and the Purse This fable illustrates a great lesson. As two travelers are walking down the road, one of them finds a coin purse filled with gold. His companion asks him to share it, but he says that he alone found it and he alone will keep it. They then hear an angry mob shouting about the stolen purse, and the man who claimed it has the nerve to say that both of them are in trouble! His companion says that the purse and the trouble with it is now his alone.
The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion Similarly to The Travelers and the Purse, someone treacherous gets there's in this story. The Fox and the Ass, seemingly friends, run into the Lion. The Fox tells the Ass that he will talk to the Lion, but when he does he offers to lead the Ass into a trap so that the Lion can eat him! After the Fox traps the Ass, the Lion instead eats the Fox.
The Monkey and the Cat In this story, the Monkey tricks the Cat into pulling chestnuts out of the fire by cleverly praising the Cat on it's skillfulness. He promises that they can split them between themselves after they get them out, but the Monkey instead eats them one by one! The cat finds himself in trouble with their owner, with burnt paws, and no chestnuts to show for it.
The Cat and the Birds I found this story pretty funny. In this tale, a hungry cat hears that a family of birds in town is sick and in need of a doctor. The cat decides to put on glasses, get a leather bag and go to the bird's house in the guise of a physician. The birds see through this and laugh him away. This reminded me of Tweety Bird and Sylvester!
The Wolf and the Kid In this tale, an arrogant young goat strays away from his flock and is caught by the Wolf. Surprisingly, this is not the end for the Kid, as he tricks the Wolf into playing a tune on the pipe before he eats him. Hearing this tune, and recognizing it as the Wolf's dinner song, the Shepherd's dogs race back to the Kid and run the Wolf away.
The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox Much like the Kid in the previous tale, the Cock in this story is saved through his own cleverness and the help of a dog. When the Fox feigns friendliness to the Cock and tries to lure him down from his perch, the Cock tells the Fox to meet his porter around the other side of the tree. The unsuspecting Fox is instead grabbed by the Dog the second he rounds the tree!
The Travelers and the Purse This fable illustrates a great lesson. As two travelers are walking down the road, one of them finds a coin purse filled with gold. His companion asks him to share it, but he says that he alone found it and he alone will keep it. They then hear an angry mob shouting about the stolen purse, and the man who claimed it has the nerve to say that both of them are in trouble! His companion says that the purse and the trouble with it is now his alone.
The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion Similarly to The Travelers and the Purse, someone treacherous gets there's in this story. The Fox and the Ass, seemingly friends, run into the Lion. The Fox tells the Ass that he will talk to the Lion, but when he does he offers to lead the Ass into a trap so that the Lion can eat him! After the Fox traps the Ass, the Lion instead eats the Fox.
The Monkey and the Cat In this story, the Monkey tricks the Cat into pulling chestnuts out of the fire by cleverly praising the Cat on it's skillfulness. He promises that they can split them between themselves after they get them out, but the Monkey instead eats them one by one! The cat finds himself in trouble with their owner, with burnt paws, and no chestnuts to show for it.
The Cat and the Birds I found this story pretty funny. In this tale, a hungry cat hears that a family of birds in town is sick and in need of a doctor. The cat decides to put on glasses, get a leather bag and go to the bird's house in the guise of a physician. The birds see through this and laugh him away. This reminded me of Tweety Bird and Sylvester!
The Shepherd and the Lion In this story, The Shepard find that some of his flock and missing and angrily seeks out the Wolf for vengeance. Praying to the gods, he offers to sacrifice one of his calves if he can find the one who is killing his flock. The Shepard soon finds the lion with one of his sheep in his mouth. Terrified of the Lion, the Shepard soon regrets what he sought out.
The Wolves and the Sheep In this fable, a flock of sheep are tricked into their untimely demise by a hungry pack of wolves. The wolves, noticing that the dogs always prevent them from eating the sheep, go to the sheep and instead blame the dogs for the hostilities between sheep and wolf! They claim that if it were not for the dogs, the wolves and sheep would be best of friends. Once the sheep send the dogs away, the wolves have a grand feast.
The Wolves and the Sheep In this fable, a flock of sheep are tricked into their untimely demise by a hungry pack of wolves. The wolves, noticing that the dogs always prevent them from eating the sheep, go to the sheep and instead blame the dogs for the hostilities between sheep and wolf! They claim that if it were not for the dogs, the wolves and sheep would be best of friends. Once the sheep send the dogs away, the wolves have a grand feast.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Week 2 Reading Diary: Aesop's Fables (Jacobs)
Here were some stories that stood out at me from Aesop's Fables (Jacobs)
Lions, Part 1 From this section, The Lion and the Statue in particular caught my attention. In this fable, a man and a lion debate the relative strength of men and lions. The lion goes on to say that the statue of a man defeating a lion proves nothing, as it was made by man. This story reminded me somewhat of a well known saying "History is written by the victors."
Lions, Part 2 I particularly liked the story The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts in this section. In this story many animals go to visit the supposedly sick and dying lion, but never come out after they enter his cave! Only the fox notices that the paw and hoof prints only lead inwards and not out. You never be to careful!
Foxes, Part 1 I thought the story The Fox and the Stork presented a good tale with a moral that applies universally. In this story, the fox plays a prank of sorts on the stork by inviting the stork over for dinner and serving soup in shallow bowl that he was unable to eat from. The stork then returns the favor by serving dinner to the fox in a narrow necked jar. Don't dish it out if you can't take it!
Mice In the story The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse the "town mouse" goes to visit his country cousin and is displeased with the food, saying it can't compare to the great food that he eats in town. However, when the "country mouse" goes to visit the town mouse, he discovers that there are loud noises and dangerous animals! I think this can describe a lot of "country" and "town" people as well! Some people would trade convenience for quiet and others can't stand it.
Hares I think the story The Hares and the Frogs is especially applicable to many people in the 21st century. In this fable, the hares are so terrified of everything that they decide to drown themselves than live in their miserable state. However, when they get to the lake, they see that the frogs are even worse off than themselves. What you may perceive to be a major problem in your life may actually be very minor problem when compared with other peoples' troubles.
Birds, Part 2 I really liked the The Fox, the Cock, and the Dog from this section. In the story, the fox tries to trick the cock into coming down from his perch by saying that all animals now have a truce. The cock, however, turns this around on the fox and tells him to wait for the farmers dog coming up the road. It's satisfying to see someone's own trickery turned on themselves!
Humans and Gods I found the tale The Man and the Satyr particularly funny. In this fable, the Satyr sees the man blow on his hands to keep them warm, and then blow on his soup to cool in down. The Satyr is seemingly freaked out and sends the man away, saying he will have nothing to do with creature who can blow both hot and cold! I guess it is odd when you think about it.
People Wise and Foolish, Part 2 I think the fable The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey presents a particularly wise message. Throughout the tale, each person they pass criticizes the way the use or don't use the donkey. To make a long story short, you can't please everyone! Trying to do so will only harm you.
Lions, Part 2 I particularly liked the story The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts in this section. In this story many animals go to visit the supposedly sick and dying lion, but never come out after they enter his cave! Only the fox notices that the paw and hoof prints only lead inwards and not out. You never be to careful!
Foxes, Part 1 I thought the story The Fox and the Stork presented a good tale with a moral that applies universally. In this story, the fox plays a prank of sorts on the stork by inviting the stork over for dinner and serving soup in shallow bowl that he was unable to eat from. The stork then returns the favor by serving dinner to the fox in a narrow necked jar. Don't dish it out if you can't take it!
Mice In the story The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse the "town mouse" goes to visit his country cousin and is displeased with the food, saying it can't compare to the great food that he eats in town. However, when the "country mouse" goes to visit the town mouse, he discovers that there are loud noises and dangerous animals! I think this can describe a lot of "country" and "town" people as well! Some people would trade convenience for quiet and others can't stand it.
Hares I think the story The Hares and the Frogs is especially applicable to many people in the 21st century. In this fable, the hares are so terrified of everything that they decide to drown themselves than live in their miserable state. However, when they get to the lake, they see that the frogs are even worse off than themselves. What you may perceive to be a major problem in your life may actually be very minor problem when compared with other peoples' troubles.
Birds, Part 2 I really liked the The Fox, the Cock, and the Dog from this section. In the story, the fox tries to trick the cock into coming down from his perch by saying that all animals now have a truce. The cock, however, turns this around on the fox and tells him to wait for the farmers dog coming up the road. It's satisfying to see someone's own trickery turned on themselves!
Humans and Gods I found the tale The Man and the Satyr particularly funny. In this fable, the Satyr sees the man blow on his hands to keep them warm, and then blow on his soup to cool in down. The Satyr is seemingly freaked out and sends the man away, saying he will have nothing to do with creature who can blow both hot and cold! I guess it is odd when you think about it.
People Wise and Foolish, Part 2 I think the fable The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey presents a particularly wise message. Throughout the tale, each person they pass criticizes the way the use or don't use the donkey. To make a long story short, you can't please everyone! Trying to do so will only harm you.
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