Week 7 Storytelling: Krishna's Facebook Posts

Author's Note:
This story is from the second half of the Narayan's Mahabharata (from about page 114 to the end). I used the Facebook simulator storytelling style, because I wanted to tell the Mahabharata in Krishna's point of view - and I think taking little pieces from each part of the Mahabharata gives it a neat feeling. I wanted to give Krishna that cool-dude vibe, where everyone just loves following his posts. Yudhisthira, of course, has to be the level-headed one in the story. And I thought it would be entertaining to have Duryodhana depicted as an immature boy who copied people's profile pictures (we all know THAT guy). I limited the number of "Facebook users" to try and keep it simplified.

Bibliography:
R. K. Narayan, from The Mahabharata (1978). Book.
Source: Reading Guide.

Image Information:
Krishna profile picture, shows him as blue with his discus. (Source: Nya)
Dhritarashtra profile picture, he is the blind king of the epic. (Source: Smriti)
Karna profile picture, shown trying to get his wheel out of the mud. (Source: India NetZone)
Duryodhana profile picture, shows him trying to hide in the lake. (Source: TopYaps)
Arjuna profile picture, shows him shooting a bow. (Source: TopYaps)
Yudhisthira profile picture, shows him standing with a bow and arrow. (Source: TopYaps)
Vidura profile picture, depicts him as a very stoic old man. (Source: FreeIndia)

Week 5 Storytelling: Hundred Questions and a Fish

Greetings stranger! My name is Maat Matsya. Maat is the sanskrit word for truth and law, and Matsya means fish. And thus, I am the fish of truth – I tell the stories and bring truth to the creatures under the sea. Today, I will tell the story of the Pandava brothers and the hundred questions.

My friend Bart the Bird had told me of five brothers chasing a mighty deer. They chased this deer all through the forest – this magical deer was too fast though, they would never catch him. As my pond is the only water for many leagues, I knew these brothers would soon come to quench their thirst. I waited patiently for them, for I do love to watch humans. They are so silly with their arms and legs.

I suppose I was not the only one privy to their location. The God of Justice, Yama, soon came to the edge of the pond. He muttered to himself that he wished to challenge these brothers to a trial of questions. He wished to test the brother’s strength of mind, especially the brother named Yudhishthira.

A goldfish, much like the narrator of this story. By Benson Kua. 

Just as the first brother was approaching, I saw the god transform himself into a yaksha. Yama was pretending to by the benevolent caretaker of the mystical pond. I curiously watched as Yama boomed, “Stop! This is my pond, and you may not touch it until you answer my questions.” Now this brother, named Nakula could not hear past his great thirst, and so he took a drink from the pond. Oh how I wished to shake him and tell him about the test, but I am only a fish after all.

Nakula fell to his death – or so Yama made it appear. Being the fish of truth, I could see past this illusion. The brother was simply in a deep sleep, which was a dirty trick indeed. But even I, the fish embodiment of truth, cannot resist a fun test!

Just a Nakula had fallen, the next brother ran up. His name was Sahadeva, and he too was warned by Yama. Like his brother, he ignored the warning and took a drink of the cold water. He too fell to his death (or deep sleep, to you and me).

A beautiful pond, by Easchiff. 

The third brother, Arjuna, appeared next. Oh how silly he looked shooting his arrows this way and that! He couldn’t see Yama, so he just shot in all directions. However, with this anger came even more thirst. And so, Arjuna joined his brothers in death.

Oh my, just thinking back to the fourth brother brings back such terror. This man was huge! His muscles were giant! He was none other than Bhima. I don’t know if the “brains or brawns” thing is true, but this brother also drank from the pond, despite Yama’s multiple warnings not to do so. Do these brothers even have ears? I know they do, because they are sticking out in such a silly manner – almost as silly as the human nose.

Now, the only hope for the Pandava brothers to pass the test was the final brother, Yudhishthira. I had heard from the gossip goose about this brother’s gambling addiction, so I was not feeling too confident in him being able to pass a test on strength of mind.

An underwater scene, by JulieLuke. 

The final brother approached the edge of the pond. Upon seeing his brothers, he paused. I could see his mind whirling, filled with many questions. How did his brothers die? Who did this? What is in this pond? The voice of Yama called out his warning, “do not drink the water until you answer my questions.”

Yudhishthira asked who the voice belonged to, and so Yama presented himself in his yaksha form. Once again, the brother was given the warning. Despite his great thirst, Yudhishthira agreed to answer the questions.

You might recall me saying this was a story about the Pandava brothers and a hundred questions. Well a hundred might be an understatement – there were SO MANY QUESTIONS! Yama really grilled Yudhishthira. The philosophy behind such questions was very complex. Even I, the fish of truth, could barely keep up. Yama really knew his stuff, but Yudhishthira proved to know it too! After many hours of questioning, in the heat of the sun, the brother was finally granted a drink from the pond.

Yama revealed himself as the God of Justice, and also revived the other brothers. This god, who was actually Yudhishthira’s father, was so proud of his son. As a reward, he granted the brothers with the power to remain incognito – which was apparently a good thing for they cheered so loud that they woke up my grandchildren.

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Author's Note:
I was inspired for this story by the Hundred Questions chapter in the Mahabharata. I wanted to retell this story in a creative way, and while I was browsing the storytelling style page I came across the "beneath the sea" option. I thought I could put a twist on the style and perhaps write a story about a fish creature watching all of the events happen before him. He knows the yakshas true identity, and he can also see the foolhardy Pandavas ignore the warnings. I think this offers a unique perspective of fish narrating the lives of the silly humans above - like we are a TV show for them!

I chose the three pictures above to represent the fish watching the scene play out. I wanted to show what the pond might have looked like - maybe not the cleanest of water, but if you are thirsty you will drink just about anything! Also, I like the idea of the image not being totally clear. The fish sees things in a slightly skewed manner, so having an underwater image lets the reader see what the fish sees.

Bibliography:
"Hundred Questions" by R. K. Narayan, from The Mahabharata (1978). Book.
Source: Reading Guide.

Storytelling for Week 4: Ravana's Perspective

Hello everyone, its Ravana speaking. I would just like to set the story straight about the so-called kidnapping of Sita. 

Ravana, the Demon-King of Lanka. (Source: Wikimedia)

As you all know, my sister came to me and told me I should take Sita for myself. What you don’t know, is that she has whispered in one of my twenty ears that Rama was a rotten husband to Sita. He didn’t give her the love she deserved, and he sure didn’t respect her. In fact, he claimed her to be his “trophy wife”, since he had won her from a challenge.

Before this, I gained my mighty strength by worshipping the gods. I was devout, and I was willing to pray for days. Although I had this strength, I wanted to use it for good. So when my sister told me how poorly Sita was being treated, I knew she needed my help.

So, I sent out the fake golden deer to distract Rama while I went to retrieve Sita. The story usually says that I snuck into the house, but what really happened was I just went straight up to the door and knocked. Sita, being the timid woman she is cracked the door and inquired why I was there. I told her that I knew about her situation with Rama, and that I wanted to help her.

She said the only way she knew that I could save her would be to fake a kidnapping. And so, I snatched her up and took her to my chariot, while she yelled out her phony cries for help. Once we were a good distance away, she remembered that her jewelry had special tracking capabilities, so she hurried and threw it onto the ground. 

Ravana talking to Sita by her tree. (Source: Wikimedia)

Finally, we made it to Lanka. I set her up with her own home, making sure it had a beautiful shade tree for her to meditate under. She never knew what it was like to have her own things, for Rama had never allowed it.

She really seemed to enjoy herself – she even began to sing a melodious tune. I saw to it that she was outfitted in only the finest of silks, and that no one bothered her during her meditation time. All was perfect, until that horrible day when my scouts told me that Rama was hunting for Sita.

I debated with myself for days on whether I should tell Sita that her mean husband was coming to take her back. Ultimately, I knew that if I truly respected her, I would tell her all the information I knew. She took it well, considering all the distress he had caused her. I told her I would do all that I could to make for sure she was safe.

I readied my armies, and sent out additional scouts to monitor Rama’s advance. In the back of my mind, I knew I could never kill him though – Sita truly loved her husband, even if he was rude. So I tried to persuade him to just leave her with me. He wouldn’t even listen to my pleas. And so, he came to Lanka and took Sita back. 

Rama and Ravana battling. (Source: Wikimedia)

While I now live among the gods, Rama continues to smear my name with his false truths. I am happy to have been able to tell you my side, and I hope you consider it when you read stories like the Ramayana.

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Author's Note:

I was inspired to write this story after watching the film "Sita Sings the Blues". In it, the narrators talk about how Ravana was kind of a "good villain". Additionally, Rama treats Sita very poorly in the film, by making her prove her purity not only once - BUT TWICE. And so, I thought writing a story where Sita wanted to run away from Rama with Ravana's help would be an interesting twist. 

Bibliography:

"Sita Sings the Blues" by Nina Paley (2008). Web.

Source: YouTube. 

Storytelling for Week 3: Slow and Steady

"Ravana is in a rage; let him perform all the antics he desires and exhaust himself. until then be clam; we don't have to hurry forward." - Rama and Ravana in Battle, "Ramayana" (pg 140)

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Slow and Steady Wins the Battle

Ravana called out to the monkey army, “no one can beat me, for I have the mighty strength given to me from the gods.” Any who had ever defied Ravana had been quickly conquered, and he had become arrogant with each win. Of course the gods regretted gifting him these powers, but they too were weak agaisnt his powers. He continued, “go ahead and try to take me down, it will only prove further that I am invincible.” 

Rama replied to this challenge “I am confident that I can beat you, but I urge you to change your mind.” Ravana sent a shower of arrows onto Rama, to show his disdain for any such quitting.

Calmly, Rama spoke to his chariot driver, “do not let him get to you. We will go slow and have patience, while his rage exhausts him.” For Rama knew that anger and rage can only last so long in battle, eventually all will tire from such antics.

Ravana was amused by his opponent’s seemingly lackluster fighting, and so he decided to go head on with Rama’s chariot. He string his bow and sent a shower of arrows at Rama. Even though it was tough work, Ravana sent thousands and thousands of arrows down on Rama.

Keeping his cool, Rama simply dodged Ravana’s arrows and shot them down with his own bow. He noticed how weary Ravana was becoming with all of these attacks, and Rama could feel the time to attack was nearing. Rama answered his opponent’s war cries by asking “is this all you can do? When will the real fighting begin?”

Angered, Ravana decided to bring out his most powerful weapon: asthras. The “Danda” was capable of pursuing and pulverizing its target. The “Maya” created illusions and confused the enemy. These weapons were a challenge, but nothing that Rama couldn’t handle. He counter-attacked with his own “Gnana”, which gives wisdom and perception to its user.

Ravana continued to send out his powerful weapons, but over time his energy was exhausted – just as Rama had predicted. In a final effort to win the battle, Ravana began flinging rocks and iron at Rama. This only caused him to tire more quickly.

Rama pondered for a moment on what his enemy’s biggest weakness was, and decided it was lack of heart. He was so quick to rely on his strength that Ravana had forgotten to protect his heart. Rama sent his final asthra, the powerful “Brahmasthra”, right to the weak and exhausted heart of Ravana.

While all around him cheered on, Rama simply stated “slow and steady wins the battle, never rush that which should be approached with clear headedness and patience.”

Don't rush that which is best done over time. (Screenshot from this turtle video) 

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Author's Note:

I chose to combine two stories into one - the battle between Rama and Ravana and the classic children's story of the Tortoise and the Hare. This is from the storytelling style "mash-up", where you combine two stories. I took the base of the tortoise and hare story, and put a Ramayana twist on it. The excerpt at the beginning of the post was the inspiration from the Ramayana to combine the two stories.

Bibliography:

"The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic" by Narayan (1972). 

Source: Narayan's Ramayana.

"The Toroise and the Hare" by Aesop (1919).
Source: The Tortoise and the Hare

Week 2 Storytelling: Sita

Here is my story based on the meeting of Rama and Sita and their engagement. A good description of the original story can be found below (from this reading guide):

Rama and Sita, daughter of King Janaka of Mithila, fall in love with each other at first sight — not surprising, given that Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu and Sita is an incarnation of Vishnu's consort, the goddess Lakshmi. To win Sita's hand in marriage, Rama must lift, bend, and string the enormous bow of the god Shiva, which he does, of course!

Rama presents Sita with a flower crown. By Sunity Devee. (Source)

*          Twist the Story          *

SITA

Rama arrives in Mithila and notices the vast beauty and richness of the city. He ventured to King Janaka’s palace, where upon a balcony he laid eyes on the most beautiful woman his eyes have ever seen. It was Sita, Janaka’s daughter. Sita is actually Vishnu’s spouse Lakshmi, but has been reincarnated at a lovely princess.

Despite their mortal limitations and being complete strangers to one another, their bond was as strong as steel. They both felt a need to be near one another, a need to be married.

Knowing that his daughter was worthy of only the best suitor, King Janaku made a condition that whoever could lift, bend, and string Shiva’s bow would be considered fit to become Sita’s husband. Try as they might, no suitor was worthy of approaching the bow.

She didn’t know how to get around this, but was afraid if she didn’t act fast her soulmate, Rama, would also shy away with this difficult challenge. She needed to take matters into her own hands. She glanced down at her little hands, covered in rings and bangles, and she started to smile. Of course! She would take matters into her own hands.

Filled with the love from Manmatha himself, she walked up to the bow of Shiva. This was no ordinary bow, and as she looked it up and down, she become aware of his enormity. With only the slightest of hesitations, she grasped the mighty bow in her hands, lifted it to her target, bent the string back, and sent an arrow thrice around the world. The god Shiva himself was so impressed by Sita’s inner strength. For it is not the might of one’s arm that guides the arrow, but the might within.

Her father, realizing his mistake in making his daughter's love into some trivial competition apologized to his daughter. In trying to protect her form unworthy suitors, he had actually made her out to be some sort of property or trophy.

Rama, desperate for the chance to marry this dear woman, presented to Sita the most beautiful lotus in the kingdom. He asked if she would marry him.

Sita, being gracious and gentle kindly accepts her father's apology, and also agreed to marry Rama.

Rama decided that he needed a chance to also shoot the mighty bow, so that he can prove to her that he is worthy of her love. Understanding how important this was to her dear beloved she watched from her balcony.

Rama picked up the bow and pulled back the string so hard that the bow cracked with a thunderous sound. Putting away the broken symbol of his promised one’s fate, Rama went before Sita to express his love for her with a simple kiss on the hand.

The two soulmates announced their wedding, and all the kingdom was blissfully joyous.
 

*          *          *

Author's Note:

In the original story, King Janaka had stated that any man who could string Shiva's bow could marry his daughter. Furthermore, it was originally said that Sita - upon setting eyes on Rama - falls madly in love with Rama and turns into some lusting, silly girl. She is described as "tossing in her bed complaining." I didn't like the overall feel of this section in the Ramayana. It portrayed women as property, who cannot control their feelings. Sita should have been given the ability to choose whom she would like to marry - her father shouldn't have made her future into some sort of game. Also, I find it hard to believe that Sita - and incarnation of Vishnu's wife Lakshmi - would stoop to such lows as to throw a tantrum. She would have been calm, cool, and collected.

Feeling that certain changes were necessary to the story, I adapted a "twist the story" type of writing style. I understand that Sita and Rama are destined to be together, but I think Sita could have been depicted in a much better light. So I twisted the middle of the story, but made it so that the ending was the same (Rama and Sita do make a cute couple).



Bibliography:

"The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic" by Narayan (1972). 

Source: Narayan's Ramayana.

Week 1 Storytelling - The Peacock

THE PEACOCK

The Peacock, they say, did not at first have the beautiful feathers in which he now takes so much pride. These, Juno, whose favorite he was, granted to him one day when he begged her for a train of feathers to distinguish him from the other birds. Then, decked in his finery, gleaming with emerald, gold, purple, and azure, he strutted proudly among the birds. All regarded him with envy. Even the most beautiful pheasant could see that his beauty was surpassed.

Presently the Peacock saw an Eagle soaring high up in the blue sky and felt a desire to fly, as he had been accustomed to do. Lifting his wings he tried to rise from the ground. But the weight of his magnificent train held him down. Instead of flying up to greet the first rays of the morning sun or to bathe in the rosy light among the floating clouds at sunset, he would have to walk the ground more encumbered and oppressed than any common barnyard fowl.

The Aesop for Children, illustrated by Milo Winter

~ ~ ~

She looked into the cracked mirror as she was getting ready for school. Penelope saw hair that was too dull and a face covered in blemishes. The reflection was thick in all the wrong places, and flat in all the other ones. It was her morning ritual – analyze each and every one of her flaws, and then try her best to try and cover them up.

-

Justin popped his head into the bathroom he shared with his sister, Penelope, and told her to hurry up for school. Being the older brother, he treasured his baby sister. She was the most kind and loving person he knew. Penelope was the kind of girl who could bring out the best in anyone. She had the wonderful habit of uplifting those around her. He tussled her hair and told her she was perfect before leaving the room.

-

Penelope followed her brother to the school bus out front. She nervously looked at herself once more in hallway mirror before shutting the door to their small, ran down home. At night she always dreamed of living in a large house, with perfect hair and a perfect boyfriend. She desperately wanted to be one of the popular girls. Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

Once in homeroom, she sat to her friend, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was pretty in a homely way, and could have been in the popular crowd if she really wanted. Penelope was so thankful for having a dear friend. They shared stories, secrets, and sorrows. Penelope whispered to her friend about yet another pimple surfacing, and how she swore her hair was plotting against her. Lizzie just shook her head and smiled, knowing that words could never sooth her friend’s insecurities.

-

As Justin was heading to lunch, he came across a recruiting poster for the army. Troops were being sent overseas at an alarming rate, and the army was desperate for new trainees. He gasped out loud at the sign-on bonus – ten thousand dollars! That was a lot of money nowadays. That was more than enough for a new car and the brand new gaming system. Or. He could finally get Penelope that new outfit she had been drooling over. And maybe some nice highlights and fancy make-up. She could have a whole new makeover! He hated seeing his little sister always so down on herself. She deserved to have the nicest things in the world!

He didn’t even bother going back to class. He hurried up and ran down to the recruiting office in town, desperate to make his baby sister feel as pretty on the outside as she was on the inside.

-

After spending a couple thousand dollars on new clothes, make-up, a bodycon shapewear, and all the other beauty necessities, Penelope was overjoyed. She hurried home so that she would make the weekly phone call from her brother, who was now training for the army. She told him all about her new purchases, and thanked him over and over again.

Penelope was so excited for school the next day, she woke up three hours early to make sure she was primped just perfectly. With her newly dyed hair in perfect curls and her make-up layer on, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was stunned at how different she looked. She felt beautiful and sexy. Grinning ear-to-ear, she ran off for the bus.

Upon arriving at school, the cheer captain immediately noticed the “new and improved” Penelope. The cheerleader was quick to ask Penelope to sit by her for homeroom. Penelope was shocked, and beyond thrilled. She knew then that she was now an official cool kid. For the rest of the day she walked arm in arm with the three top cheerleaders. She was on top of the world!

When a lame-o would walk past them, she was the first to make a joke about their appearance. It was such a relief to finally be pretty, she didn’t want to be associated with her old crowd ever again. That was, until her best friend walked by. While the other girls laughed at Elizabeth’s new braces, Penelope felt a twinge in her heart. She didn’t want to be a cool kid anymore. She wanted to be with her best friend. She wanted to be able to tell someone her silly thoughts to, someone who wouldn’t judge her.

Penelope then finally understood what her brother told her every day. She was perfect – in her own way. Having the new hair and new clothes changed a lot more than who she was on the outside. She hurried and ran to the aid of her best friend, saying how much she loved the new dental accessories. Penelope promised herself that from now on she would never let any physical appearance get in the way of what truly mattered.

You're looking FINE! (Wikipedia Commons)

Author's Note

The fable I chose is about not trading your freedom for good looks. The peacock in the fable asked for beautiful feathers, but then later regretting it when he could no longer fly like the other birds. I wanted to put a modern twist on it, and bring it into terms that many young girls can relate to. So many girls wish for beauty, but don't realize that it is what is on the inside that matters.

Also, I really wanted for Penelope to not become one of the "mean girls". I thought that letting girls know that they most certainly can be "pretty" and nice too. Your whole attitude does not have to change when your wardrobe does.

The picture I chose represents how when we are young, we don't care about fitting in. It is society that puts this pressure on us to be popular, and it is society that makes us think we have to act a certain way when we are in the "in" crowd. I really hate stereotypes, and I just loved how the toddler had this no-care attitude.

My passion for this story comes from my high school days. I was a bit of an odd one, because I didn't fit into any one category - I loved being a part of so many different things. Cheerleading, chess club, student council, honor society, 4H - these were just a handful of the hobbies I enjoyed. Being a cheerleader who made straight A's was not the normal thing at my high school, and it really stumped some of my classmates. I worked hard to not let a label define me, and I think I got so much more out of my school experience because of that.

Bibliography

The story is based on the fable "The Peacock" in Aesop for Children (1919).