Week 10 Lab - Microfiction: The Adaptation

Drabble Version

The Adaptation

She plopped down on the couch, holding a bowl of popcorn in her arms. She excitedly pressed play on the remote and snuggled under her blanket to watch the show.

Of course, she knew the story, having read the books countless times, but she did not know what they would look like on the small screen.

Nervously biting her nails, she hoped the stories of her heart would not be disappointingly changed.

Though if that happened, she would always have the books to revisit.

One short hour later, she smiled as she knew her dreams had been made into reality.

Cartoon TV.

No Changes Made. Source: pixy

Hint Fiction Version

The Adaptation

She excitedly watched her favorite books come to life before her as all of her earlier worries were assuaged. After all, seeing really is believing.

Author's Note: These two microfictions, which I wrote for my Week 10 storylab, were based off my own feelings. I am sure I am not the only one who has been disappointed by book adaptations in the past (I'm looking at you, Percy Jackson movies!). With Shadow and Bone releasing on Netflix next month, and my all-time favorite book series ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas getting a TV adaptation announced today, the worries of liking an adaptation have been on my mind frequently lately. My favorite books, especially YA fantasy ones, are deeply personal to me, especially the characters, so I really hope these two adaptations do their novels justice.

Reading Notes: Babbitt's Jataka Tales, Part B

Most of the tales in Part B were ones I had not read before, so I enjoyed this reading more than the first. Because of this, there were multiple tales that stood out to me, but I think the one that stood out the most was "The King's White Elephant".

To me, I could glean no discernable message. The ending was sad! The White Elephant had to leave his friends and the life his father knew all because the king wanted him. Plus, how was is that the king paid the workers for the White Elephant, when the elephant did not belong to them? That made no sense. The elephants had done these men a favor for so many years, and at the first sign of money from the king they gave it up.

I think that if I were to rewrite this story, I would make the carpenters much better friends to the White Elephant than they were in this tale. They would refuse to accept money for the elephant, for they did not own him, and they would not want to sell him since he is friends with their children and he helps them out. Plus, they were close with his father too. I think I would want to write this from the White Elephant's point of view.

Art of a White Elephant.

No Changes Made. By: Sodacan on 04-19-17. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography: "The King's White Elephant" from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt, pg. 69-73. Link: Internet Archive

Reading Notes: Babbitt's Jataka Tales, Part A

While many of the Jataka tales in this reading seemed familiar to me from the original Jataka tales reading at the beginning of the semester, there were some that seemed new.

One such "new" tale was "The Merchant of Seri". I really enjoyed this tale, not only for it being the first time I'd read it, but also just the tale in general. I enjoy tales about good and honest people getting the riches that bad and dishonest people try to steal. My favorite part was that the good merchant gave the grandmother and granddaughter countless items, so that now they have things.

I did not fully like how the granddaughter kept bugging her grandmother to buy her something and use the only thing they had left to do so. I do not know if the fact it was listed as "the only thing...left of all of their riches" (page 13) meant that they still had food and clothing and other such necessities, but it seemed to me that the girl was a bit selfish.

However, it seems the grandmother did not mind much, and they ended up with many different things that they can hopefully sell to have a better life. And, I also enjoyed how the good merchant was able to escape to a new city and have a better life for himself, too! The only character who did not have a happy ending was the bad merchant.

If I were to tell someone this story as a learning method, I would think the message it imparts is that "honesty will give you more riches than dishonesty", or something along those lines.

I think I'd want to rewrite this story in a more modern setting! It would be interesting to apply the same lesson to modern times.

A Golden Bowl from the Belitung Shipwreck.

No Changes Made. Photographed by: Jacklee on 06-18-2011. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography: "The Merchant of Seri" from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt, pg. 13-17. Link: Internet Archive

Week 9 Story: Devastation in Shangri-La

The sun shone, the birds sang, and the gentle breeze swept through her hair.

Everything should have been perfect, and yet, there was nothing that was.

Queen Kausalya sighed as she started walking again. She would have loved to take the time to enjoy the paradise that was Shangri-La, the fabled land of peace, yet she knew that she did not have the time to wait. For, her son was waiting for her. Or rather, she hoped he was. Thus the fact that nothing was perfect.

Kausalya reflected that, at the very least, the sadness of her situation allowed her to finally glimpse this beautiful land. Just in the few hours since she, Bharata, and the villagers crossed the border into Shangri-La, she had seen beautiful butterflies, ducks, leopards, and even kangaroos, all living in harmony. Never before had she seen predator and prey living together like that. But, her son was here, and so she could not allow herself to marvel at the impossibility of it all.

"Queen Kausalya! We are taking a rest break for the children!" Bharata yelled to her. It was just as well, as her feet were beginning to grow sore. Kausalya sat down on a smooth rock by the burbling brook they had been following, sighing when the pressure was relieved from her aching feet. She sat for a few minutes enjoying the sunshine, until all of a sudden water was splashed onto her leg.

Kausalya leapt up, startled. "What was that?" she wondered. Looking into the water, she was surprised to find a pod of the most breathtaking seahorses swimming through the water. She smiled, for she knew that the magic of Shangri-La was the only reason she was able to see these marvelous creatures.

Once everyone had been given time to rest, the group continued on. No one wanted to wait for long, Kausalya knew, for everyone was eager to get to their destination. After all, it was for love of their true king, Rama, that they all left on this long journey. No one, however, was as ready for Rama to return with them than Kausalya was. And, she also knew that she was not the only one who also journeyed to bring back Rama's dear wife, Sita. 

As the group walked on, the sun in the magical land of Shangri-La set. Just before it finished its arc across the sky, the group came upon a great hill. At the top of this hill stood a small cabin, whose three occupants stood just outside it.

Kausalya's heart leaped as she spotted her son. "Rama! My son, we have come to take you home. Your father, the king, has died, and your brother Bharata wishes for you to take your rightful place on the throne. Come with us, you three, and return to those who love you."

Kausalya squinted in the dim light, as she waited for their reply. She smiled, as she knew they would not refuse, and would join them in the morning for the journey home. "Oh, how nice it will be to be with Rama, Sita, and Lakshman again!" she thought to herself. Her early celebrations did not last long, however.

"I am sorry, Mother," Rama called down from the hill. "I have sworn an oath to fulfill my fourteen years in exile, as have Sita and Lakshman alongside me. It is sad news indeed to hear of my father's passing, but it is my brother Bharata, who must take the throne. I cannot be a good king if I break my word so easily."

"No!" Kausalya thought, as she collapsed in anguish. "He was supposed to say yes!"

"Brother, I cannot take the throne! You know Father wanted it for you. Please, do not make me take your rightful spot!" Bharata answered.

"I am sorry, Bharata. But we cannot go with you," Rama sorrowfully replied.

"Then, I will hold the throne in your absence. But I refuse to hold it a minute longer than the end of your exile. Lend me a pair of your sandals, so that they may rest on your throne as a reminder to all of the true king," was Bharata's response.

And so, the journey that began in happiness for Kausalya and the others ended in Kausalya's devastation as she was forced to leave her son behind in paradise. As they headed back to Ayodhya the next day, suddenly all that was shining and bright was dull and dark to her eyes. And she knew that that is how she would see the world until her son came back again.

Kausalya and Rama.

No Changes Made. By: Gita Press Gorakhpur on 2-10-2018. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Author's Note:

Hello, and thanks for reading! If you read my reading notes over Part A of The Divine Archer, then it is likely no mystery for you what I based Devastation in Shangri-La on. But, I am assuming you probably didn't read my reading notes (I don't think anyone reads others reading notes?) so I will now explain the basis for my story! When I read Part A of Archer, I loved the description of the giant hill that Rama, Sita, and Lakshman lived on with many different kinds of animals, and I wondered what the people of Ayodhya thought of this harmonious place. More than that, however, the mention of so many animals living together in harmony reminded me of the tale of Shangri-La, a fictional place where animals and people live together in peace. I thought it might be interesting to expand on that and tell a story where Queen Kausalya (because I love writing in a female character's point of view) was journeying to bring her son home, and instead of just one giant hill being peaceful, I decided to have them go into the magical world of Shangri-La. I actually based my version of Shangri-La on the version that is present in Colleen Houck's Tiger's Quest, the second book in the Tiger's Curse Saga that I have talked about on my blog before. The last piece was the title, and I really liked the juxtaposition with the word "devastation" and the connotations Shangri-La gives off, of peace and harmony. And that all together is how I came up with this story!

Bibliography:

The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould in 1911. Link: Internet Archive

"Shangri-La". Link: Wikipedia

Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck on 5-7-2013. Link: Amazon

Reading Notes: The Divine Archer, Part B

After finishing The Divine Archer, I think I can say that I like it for different reasons than I liked the Tiny Tales from the Ramayana version. In this version, there are less teachable moments and elaborations, and it is strictly the story. It definitely made for quicker reading, however.

The part that stuck out to me the most was Sita's devotion to her husband after having to live and raise her sons in exile for many years. Even though she had suffered and was frail, she still went to Ayodhya and looked at Rama with love. I do not think I would still love Rama if I were in her shoes. I guess it just depends on the person, but I would've felt betrayed by Rama. Especially since he's supposed to be such a great person.

I think it would be interesting to see a Sita who has completely grown independent. She maybe has a fondness for Rama, but I don't think I would want to see her still love him, if only for how she loves herself and he wouldn't trust her. He doesn't deserve her devotions. I would rewrite the ending, and have Sita just maybe not even go to Ayodhya. She would have lived a happy life, instead of suffering, and would maybe have died peacefully or even found a new lover.

I just want to see more strong independent women!

Sita and Hanuman.

No Changes Made. By: Gita Press Gorakhpur on 2-10-2018. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography:

The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould in 1911. Link: Internet Archive

Reading Notes: The Divine Archer, Part A

Since I took a break in Week 5 and enjoyed the Ramayana more than the Mahabharata, I decided to read The Divine Archer by F.J. Gould for this week's reading. At the end of Part A, I think I might even like this version of the Ramayana the best so far! Despite having some holes in it, such as the reason King Dasharatha owing Queen Kaikeyi two boons being unexplained, I thought the story moved faster, which I liked.

The part of Part A that stood out to me the most was the scene where Bharata, Queen Kausalya, and the people of Ayodhya came upon Sita, Rama, and Lakshman on the holy-hill of Chitra-Kuta. I don't remember the exiles being on a hill with peaceful animals in the Tiny Tales version, but I could be just forgetting things. I really liked this part because it reminded me about Shangri-La.

The holy-hill was described on page 33 akin to a paradise, with beautiful trees and rocks around, and all manner of animals living in harmony with the three humans. I think it would be cool to maybe write this scene from one of the animals point of views, maybe one of the tigers or elephants? Or from the point of view of the Queen. She does not have anything from her point of view in the Ramayana, so that could be interesting.

My other favorite parts of this section were how beautifully Sita was described. The imagery by F.J. Gould was really amazing!

View of Shangri-La Resort, on the Lower Kachura Lake.

No Changes Made. By: Monibaba68 on 8-4-2016. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography: 

The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould in 1911. Link: Internet Archive

"Shangri-La". Link: Wikipedia

Week 8 Progress

I am extremely happy with my progress this semester! I have enjoyed the reading and I like the stories I have written. I am proud with my project so far, and I look forward to continuing it. I have managed to keep a fairly consistent schedule allowing me to stay a week ahead, though I have deviated at times. Although I have not been doing as much as the extra credit as I initially thought, I think it's okay because I don't want to overwhelm myself.

So far, things have gone well making my blog and website. I am liking blogging so far, and I could see myself doing it in the future! Looking forward, I want to keep staying ahead of the schedule in case I hit a week where I need to take an extra break, and so I can hopefully finish early. I am moving states at the end of the semester so having more time at the end of the semester to prepare will be helpful. I think I want to try to connect more with the readings, as I had difficulty doing so with the Mahabharata. I also want to try to write some more Microfiction, as I really enjoyed the one I wrote at the beginning of the semester. Other than that, I want to just keep doing what I've been doing!

Image with the Quote: "If not now, when?"

No Changes Made. By: Alexas_Fotos on 9-29-15. Source: pixabay

Week 8 Comments and Feedback

I think that the feedback I have both given and received has drastically improved throughout the semester. In terms of feedback I have received, I think the most useful feedback has been ones that have suggested improvements.

I really found the WWW strategy of giving feedback useful, and after learning about it have tried to implement it in different ways when giving feedback. Since I like comments that give me suggestions for improvement, I have tried to always provide suggestions to others.

I think it is too early for me to say I have gotten to know people by commenting at their blogs, because it feels like I am commenting on new blogs every week. I could definitely see that by the end of the semester though! I do like how people can get to know me through my introduction, but I wish there was a way to expand on the introductions and continue getting to know others in the class.

I think that originally my comments probably weren't very helpful, but as I mentioned earlier the WWW strategy has really helped me. Going forward, I will continue to implement that strategy in order to give effective feedback.

Image of Two Cats and the Quote "Feedback Guides my Practice".

No Changes Made. By Laura Gibbs on 10-13-2018. Source: Growth Mindset & Feedback Cats

I chose to include the above Feedback Cat in this post because I thought it really encompassed how I think about feedback. It really spoke to me and I liked how it did such a great job at stating what I think about feedback.

Week 8 Reading and Writing

So far over the semester I think the amount of effort I have put into my reading posts has decreased a bit, because I have found out what I need to include in my reading notes to make writing the stories easier. But, I do not think the quality of my reading or writing posts have diminished, though I did have some difficulties in coming up with stories relating to the Mahabharata. I have focused more on my feelings about the tales that stuck out to me, as well as how I would like to change the stories. As most of my stories have come from my own retellings of things we have read, I think this format has worked really well.

I am very happy with the layout of my blog. It started out in a different style, but I really like the current style a lot better. For my project website, I am happy so far with the layout and the writing I have done, despite only having worked on the introduction so far. I think the practice I have gotten in writing stories for the Ramayana and the Mahabharata will help me in the writing for my project, as I was initially unsure how to incorporate Indian epics with more modern stories.

Statue of Durga.

No Changes Made. By: Ssgapu22 on 10-16-2018. Source: Wikimedia Commons

The image above depicts a breathtaking statue of Durga, which I have displayed on the homepage of my project website. I really like this image because it is clear someone spent a lot of effort on making this statue, and it really makes me feel in awe of Durga.

Looking forward to the rest of the semester, I think I will get more out of my writing if I can be engaged with the reading. It was easier for me to write about the Ramayana because I enjoyed it more, so hopefully I enjoy the future readings. I think I can help facilitate this by making sure to keep an open mind!

Week 7 Story: The Ending of Drapaudi

Draupadi shivered. 

The air around her kept growing colder and colder, and yet she did not let it stop her. She knew that she was close, so close, and so she kept putting one foot in front of the other as she followed her husbands. She would not allow herself to consider the possibility that she might not make it. I have to get to the top, she thought. Then we will live together in heaven until the end of times.

The sun rose higher and higher above Draupadi and the Pandavas, and they still did not stop. They knew that to stop was to mean death, not the good kind, and they knew that at the end of this mountain lay the entrance to Amravati. As she walked, Draupadi pondered her life and the many actions she had taken that might bar her from reaching the top of the mountain.

She remembered when she married each of her husbands, and how in the early days she would spend one year with one husband and then switch. She remembered how she had been almost sold to Duryodhana until her husbands managed to save her and eventually bring about her retribution for the wrongs suffered to her. 

She remembered the feeling of watching her husbands fight against the Kauravas during that long, long war. To her, it had felt like each day was a year, as she feared that either of her 5 husbands or any of her children would fall to the blade of an enemy warrior. And, lastly, she remembered the many years of peace she was fortunate to live once the war was over. And, she admitted to herself, the years she remembered the fondest were those she spent with Arjuna, though she of course loved all of her husbands.

That wouldn't condemn me to Naraka, would it? Draupadi worriedly thought as she chewed on her lip. No, there's no way. I have taken pains to not make my increased affections for Arjuna known. There's no way my husband's could be aware.

Suddenly, Drapaudi was startled as Sahadeva and Nakula fell to the ground ahead of her. She screamed, and ran forward. "Get up! Get up! Please, you must not leave us like this! I know you can make it!" She sobbed, shaking their shoulders. But, she soon realized her actions were futile, and so she sadly stood up and stepped around them.

Shaken by the loss of two of her husbands, she looked up ahead of her as she kept climbing the mountain. The top seemed so near, and yet so far. But, she knew she could reach it. She had to! And so she climbed without sound for what seemed like hours. She stepped in the footsteps of Arjuna, Bhima, and Yudhishthira, and, after most of the day had passed, she stopped as she realized there was nowhere else for them to go.

She smiled, and raised her face to the sun. They had done it. They made it to Amravati.

They were home.

Pleasing - Drapaudi Bringing Beverages to Keechaka's Court.

No Changes Made. By: Raja Ravi Varma. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Author's Note: The inspiration for this story came from Tale 191 of Tiny Tales from the Mahabharata by Laura Gibbs. In this tale, the five Pandava brothers and Drapaudi are climbing Mount Meru in order to reach heaven. Only Yudhishthira makes it, however, as Draupadi is the first to fall and then the rest of the brothers fall as well. Yudhishthira's thoughts reveal why each fell. Drapaudi, for example, fell because she loved Arjuna more than her other husbands. I read this tale and immediately wished Drapaudi and some of her husbands could have joined Yudhishthira in the afterlife. As I love writing about female characters, I decided to rewrite Tale 191 from Drapaudi's point of view. I thought it would be interesting to show her thinking back on her life while climbing Mount Meru. Besides that, I did not agree with Drapaudi's personal feelings being a suitable reason to spend the rest of eternity in hell. So, while I decided to have her acknowledge it, I did not make it the reason she could not reach the top. Additionally, while I did not agree with Yudhishthira being the only one to make it to heaven, I thought that at least one of the six should fail to reach the top. I decided to keep Sahadeva and Nakula's fall, because I honestly did not remember them well from the story and liked Drapaudi, Arjuna, and Bhima. And all of that together is how I came up with this story!

Bibliography: Part D, Page 20, Tale 191 of Tiny Tales from the Mahabharata by Laura Gibbs. Link: Tale 191.

Reading Notes: Tiny Tales from the Mahabharata, Part D

The ending of the Mahabharata was, I think, more satisfying than the ending of the Ramayana. I remember being angry at the ending of the Ramayana because of Rama's treatment of Sita, but I enjoyed the ending of the Mahabharata (besides the Pandavas and Draupadi ending up in hell) as it seemed most of the characters got a fitting ending. I especially liked how the Mahabharata started and ended with mention of the Mahabharata itself.

In Part D, the tale that stuck out to me the most was Tale 191, "The Pandavas Climb Mount Meru". These tales stuck out to me because they detailed the ending of the five Pandava brothers and Draupadi. As I mentioned above, I really did not life how Yudhishthira was the only one of the six who ended up in heaven. This dude literally gambled away every single one of his brothers and HIS WIFE, and yet because of "dharma" his actions were all magically okay.

Draupadi, who was forced to marry five brothers because of their mothers response to a joke (which I still think was a whole wild situation), has to live in hell forever because she loved one more than the others? That is not fair. Yudhishthira did nothing to help save her when they were in their final year of exile and the queen's brother was lusting for her. Also, it seems vaguely misogynistic that she was the first to fall.

I would think that if the other brothers could not make it because they were proud of certain aspects of themselves or had some flaws, then there has to be something that would prevent Yudhishthira from making it. Based on the choices he made throughout the story, it makes no sense. I think I would maybe rewrite this tale but make it where Yudhishthira also falls, albeit last.

Image of Mount Meru.

No Changes Made. Taken by Woodlouse on 7-15-08. Source: flickr

Bibliography: Part D, Page 20, Tale 191 of Tiny Tales from the Mahabharata by Laura Gibbs. Link: Tale 191.

Reading Notes: Tiny Tales from the Mahabharata, Part C

In this part, the big battle that the whole story has been leading up to has started. However, as of the end of Part C it has not ended, and for the first time I found myself accidentally reading into Part D.

While this part had more of moments that I found odd or funny as did the first two parts, I do think the story is much better now that there is a battle. There were often times that characters did an action that I thought was pointless. I think I can probably safely say that I like the Ramayana more by this point.

One tale that stuck out to me was Tale 144, "Indra Visits Karna in Disguise". I started this tale assuming Indra would finally get Karna to fight with his brothers, seeing as how he's a god and everything, but this dude literally gifts him a crazy weapon just because he was nice to him?? Where did the worry for your son's life go? I do not understand this man. He just gave a Shakti-spear to the person who has decided to face his son in battle just because of some earrings and armor.

Like sure, it is cool that Karna gave his stuff to a random old man (if a bit weird), but I was not expecting Indra to gift him a weapon. I think it would make more sense for Indra's gift that he asked of Karna to be to spare his son's life. That's what I would've asked for! And, it goes along with his whole reason for even going to Karna in the first place.

Statue of Karna fighting Ghatotkacha.

No Changes Made. Taken by: Sarah Welch on 10-19-18. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography: Part C, Page 15, Tale 144 of Tiny Tales from the Mahabharata by Laura Gibbs. Link: Tale 144.