Author's Note: A lot of the russian fairy tales (or rather all of them) center around people coming back from the dead. In the first story I read, there is a mother who had died in childbirth found nursing her child at night. When she is discovered, she leaves without saying anything and the baby is dead in the crib. I decided to ignore the last paragraph about the baby dying and make a new ending where the mother is some sort of vampire. This is what happened after she was discovered:
Sarah froze when the lights came on. She hadn't thought about what to do if caught, she just wanted to see her baby one last time. The lad was so hungry and, to her surprise, she was still producing milk. Even in death. One of the men rushed out of the room to fetch her husband. This was going to be hard to explain.
Her dear, sweet John rushed into the doorway and stopped, looking at her. He would glance down to their son in her arms, still suckling, but always returned to her face. A look of both longing and pain could be seen in his eyes. The babe unlatched from her bosom and snuggled into his mother's arms. John watched the movement and suddenly became enraged.
"Out damned spirit!" he shouted. "Leave my beloved's body to rest and my house to mourn. It is a cruel trick which you play here this night!" Then he began reciting passages from the bible that would be needed for an exorcism. Sarah knew this would not work, unfortunately. If only it were that simple. She turned and gently set the baby back in his crib and waited. When the yelling finally stopped, and everyone in the room realized that it had had no effect on her, she spoke.
"Oh Jacob, if only your sweet reading would save me. I'm afraid I'm beyond even God's help now. I don't have the slightest idea how to begin to explain this, but if you'll let me I would like to try." Sarah took a step forward and reached for him, but he shrunk back and held the wooden cross from the mantle in front of him. This would not, as she now knew, hurt her. However the fear in her husband's eyes did more damage than he would ever know.
She decided to just start explaining and let things happen as they will. "When I was a young girl, there was a strange man that came to my town. He claimed to be a doctor, but no one knew where he was from. He had no family and no story, but our most recent physician had just died under mysterious circumstances, and we needed a new doctor." Sarah took a deep breath. They were all listening, good. "Well this man has no distinguishable family titles, but was very wealthy. He seemed to have taken a liking to me, but there was something about him that I didn't like. I refused him, despite his insistence for my hand in marriage. I'll be forever thankful for my mother and father for agreeing with me that he was not fit to be my husband. The man eventually left after being rejected for the 9th time. He vowed though, that one day he would be back to have me for all of eternity. I didn't think much of it because then I met you, my dear husband. I fell in love and I haven't thought about this man for another day in my life. Until he came back suddenly. That day that our son came into the world. The bleeding wouldn't stop, so you called for a physician, and in walked the man who refused to leave me alone. When he sent you from the room with the baby, he bit into himself like an apple, then forced me to drink the blood from his wrist.That bleeding suddenly stopped. I was healed! But just as I was about to shout for you, he grabbed the pillow and smothered me."
"I don't understand." Jacob interjected, "you say you died, and i myself buried you not a fortnight ago. So how can you be standing here before me tonight?"
"The blood that healed me did this. The doctor who killed me was a child of the night, and by my demise coming with his blood in my veins, so have I become one too."
Showing posts with label Story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Story. Show all posts
Friday, December 7, 2018
Friday, November 16, 2018
Week 13 Story: The Second Generation of Nuggets
Author's Note: This week's story is based on the Nun's Priest's Tale from Eva March Tappan's Canterbury Tales. In the original story, there's a rooster who has a dream about a fox stalking him. His girlfriend, essentially, calls him a scaredy-cat so that he'll ignore the dream. A few days later, the rooster is singing when he suddenly sees the fox in the bushes watching him. Through some flattery, the fox is able to convince the rooster to keep singing. When the rooster closes his eyes and starts to belt out his song, the fox grabs him by the neck and takes off.
The screeching was, in truth, quite beautiful. It would be a shame to end such lovely music, but the fox was hungry. He slowly crept closer to the chicken cage as the rooster slept. Closer... closer... but as he was about to grab the rooster through a hole in the chicken wire, he woke up! A nice, juicy looking hen waddled over to comfort him.
"I dreamt of an orange creature, coming to take me!" cried the rooster. The fox slowly backed into the forest as the rooster looked around frantically. The whole hen house was awake and alert now, he'd have to try again later
Two days later, the fox returned to the farm. The rooster was singing again. The fox paused a moment in the bushes next to the pen to listen. He remembered the roosters father. He too had had a beautiful voice. The father had made delicious chicken nuggets as well. Such a shame, but food was more important than music. The squirrels had learned to stay up in the trees whenever he came through. Just then, his stomach rumbled. The rooster stopped and snapped his head in the direction of the sound. He gave a startled scream when he saw the fox.
"No please, continue!" said the fox. "I was just enjoying your wonderful singing. I remember when your father used to crow. He would close his eyes and stretch his neck out to sing. Would you, perhaps, be willing to close your eyes and stretch your neck out while you sing? I do miss him so." Flattered, the rooster agreed and began to sing once again. Once the rooster had his eyes closed, the fox leapt out and grabbed the him by the neck. The fox took off running through the forest, back to his hole, thinking of all the ways he could prepare the rooster for dinner.
Bibliography
The Cock, The Hen, and The Fox, Eva March Tappan
 |
| Via GoodFreePhotos |
The screeching was, in truth, quite beautiful. It would be a shame to end such lovely music, but the fox was hungry. He slowly crept closer to the chicken cage as the rooster slept. Closer... closer... but as he was about to grab the rooster through a hole in the chicken wire, he woke up! A nice, juicy looking hen waddled over to comfort him.
"I dreamt of an orange creature, coming to take me!" cried the rooster. The fox slowly backed into the forest as the rooster looked around frantically. The whole hen house was awake and alert now, he'd have to try again later
Two days later, the fox returned to the farm. The rooster was singing again. The fox paused a moment in the bushes next to the pen to listen. He remembered the roosters father. He too had had a beautiful voice. The father had made delicious chicken nuggets as well. Such a shame, but food was more important than music. The squirrels had learned to stay up in the trees whenever he came through. Just then, his stomach rumbled. The rooster stopped and snapped his head in the direction of the sound. He gave a startled scream when he saw the fox.
"No please, continue!" said the fox. "I was just enjoying your wonderful singing. I remember when your father used to crow. He would close his eyes and stretch his neck out to sing. Would you, perhaps, be willing to close your eyes and stretch your neck out while you sing? I do miss him so." Flattered, the rooster agreed and began to sing once again. Once the rooster had his eyes closed, the fox leapt out and grabbed the him by the neck. The fox took off running through the forest, back to his hole, thinking of all the ways he could prepare the rooster for dinner.
Bibliography
The Cock, The Hen, and The Fox, Eva March Tappan
Friday, November 9, 2018
Week 12 Story: I'm Bad at Titles
Author's Note: This week's story is based on an encounter in the Fairie Queen section. Britomart, the protagonist, is a girl who disguises herself as a knight to go find a man she saw in a magic mirror and fell in love with. In this particular encounter, she comes upon a man being beat up by 6 knights for not wanting to renounce his love for his wife and pledge loyalty to their mistress. Britomart fights off all six of them with her enchanted spear. I decided to do a modern rewrite about a punk rock chick fighting off a bunch of bullies.
The last bell rang, signalling the end of the day. Students rushed into the hallway, eager to get home for the weekend. Brittany slowly sauntered out of her Calculus class. There was no need to rush. The student parking lot was dangerous enough without being exposed on the back of a motorcycle. She popped her headphones in and began blasting the latest Fall Out Boy album. If she was lucky, she could talk her dad into buying her a ticket, not that she had anyone to go with. The hallways quickly emptied and Brittany began making her way out of the building. As she passed the doors to the gym locker rooms, she heard some yelling over the screaming music in her ears. She removed one headphone to see what all the commotion was.
The noise had been coming from the guys' locker room. The vile, homophobic slurs were vaguely distinguishable over the sound of flesh being struck. Ronny, the only openly gay kid in the school, was getting beat up again. Knowing the gym teacher either didn't know, or didn't care. Britt pushed her way into the room. The six jocks stopped dead when the realized there was a girl there with them. Ronny was curled into a protective ball on the floor, bleeding lightly from his lip.
"Come on Ronny," Britt called, "let's get you home." The poor kid slowly stood up, shaking.
"Wow, you need a chick to come save you, Ronald?" one of the bullies said, shoving Ronny as he walked past, "be sure to thank her properly when she takes you home. Maybe getting some real action will straighten you out!" The jocks all chuckled, but Brittany was furious. She wasn't happy about the poor kid getting beat up on a daily basis, but they weren't exactly friends, but the oversized meat heads had just gotten her directly involved.
"How about I decide who I want to screw, thanks," she said.
"Wow. Rejected. Is that why you're gay? because none of the girls wanted you?" The big oaf gave Ronald another little shove, and Brittany started swinging. It took all of about 60 seconds for the whole group to be laid out on the floor of the locker room, clutching various body parts and moaning. Her years of Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense classes were quite useful every once in a while. She quickly ushered the poor kid out of the locker room.
"Wow, that was... thanks," Ronald said in awe.
"Yeah, don't mention it. Maybe try to not to get yourself cornered again, okay kid?"
Bibliography:
The last bell rang, signalling the end of the day. Students rushed into the hallway, eager to get home for the weekend. Brittany slowly sauntered out of her Calculus class. There was no need to rush. The student parking lot was dangerous enough without being exposed on the back of a motorcycle. She popped her headphones in and began blasting the latest Fall Out Boy album. If she was lucky, she could talk her dad into buying her a ticket, not that she had anyone to go with. The hallways quickly emptied and Brittany began making her way out of the building. As she passed the doors to the gym locker rooms, she heard some yelling over the screaming music in her ears. She removed one headphone to see what all the commotion was.
The noise had been coming from the guys' locker room. The vile, homophobic slurs were vaguely distinguishable over the sound of flesh being struck. Ronny, the only openly gay kid in the school, was getting beat up again. Knowing the gym teacher either didn't know, or didn't care. Britt pushed her way into the room. The six jocks stopped dead when the realized there was a girl there with them. Ronny was curled into a protective ball on the floor, bleeding lightly from his lip.
"Come on Ronny," Britt called, "let's get you home." The poor kid slowly stood up, shaking.
"Wow, you need a chick to come save you, Ronald?" one of the bullies said, shoving Ronny as he walked past, "be sure to thank her properly when she takes you home. Maybe getting some real action will straighten you out!" The jocks all chuckled, but Brittany was furious. She wasn't happy about the poor kid getting beat up on a daily basis, but they weren't exactly friends, but the oversized meat heads had just gotten her directly involved.
"How about I decide who I want to screw, thanks," she said.
"Wow. Rejected. Is that why you're gay? because none of the girls wanted you?" The big oaf gave Ronald another little shove, and Brittany started swinging. It took all of about 60 seconds for the whole group to be laid out on the floor of the locker room, clutching various body parts and moaning. Her years of Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense classes were quite useful every once in a while. She quickly ushered the poor kid out of the locker room.
"Wow, that was... thanks," Ronald said in awe.
"Yeah, don't mention it. Maybe try to not to get yourself cornered again, okay kid?"
 |
| Source: Pixabay |
Bibliography:
Friday, November 2, 2018
Week 11 Story: The Great Game
Author's Note: This story is (very loosely) based on a cherokee myth were the mammals challenge the birds to a sports game of some sort. While the original tale focuses on the creation of the bat and flying squirrel, this retelling will be about what actually happened during the game in a sports commentator-like fashion. I decided to make the challenge a soccer game, since that's the sport I know the best. Sorry for making it so short. I had to take a friend to the hospital last night, so my time to work on this got cut down significantly (she's doing okay now though). This one may end up on my portfolio, where I'll be sure to edit in more commentary about the actual game play.
(Scott Serpent) Welcome back to the Mythology Sports Center! I'm your host, Scott Serpent. Today's game is a showdown between the high-flying Birds and the four-legged Mammals! The Mammals are the first to enter the pitch and would you look at that warm up lap?
Bear, the team captain, is showing off some of that impressive strength he's known for. If the other team was out here already he would be getting a caution for sure. What do you think Fred?
(Fred Fish) Oh for sure, Scott. That's an intimidation tactic if I've ever seen one. Just look at how the referee is watching them. This is sure to be an intense match. Here comes the Birds now! Bear is showing off for sure, but Eagle, the Bird's captain, isn't one to be underestimated. Let's go down to Sally Spider on the pitch to chat with the apparent underdogs for this match. sally, how are things looking down there?
(Sally Spider) Hi Fred, the Birds have just emerged from their locker room and it seems like we may be seeing two new players on the field this game. I'm here with Barry Bat and Sammy Squirrel, two rejects from the Mammals tryouts who, due to some unfortunate injuries in last week's contest, will be part of today's starting lineup. How are you two feeling about today's match?
(Barry Bat) You know Sally, Sam and I are just super excited to be here and to have this opportunity. The Birds took a chance on us and invested so many resources into our equipment and training and we just want to get out there and leave everything we've got on the field. We're looking forward to a great game!
(Sally Spider) Well good luck today guys! The referee has just blown his whistle for the five minute warning, so let's send this back up to you guys in the box to watch this exciting match unfold. Fred. Scott.
(Scott Serpent) Thanks for that, Sally. We're gonna take a short break here folks, and we'll be back with more live action coverage after a few words from today's sponsors...
Bibliography:
The Ball Game of the Birds and the Animals
 |
| Source: Max Pixel |
(Scott Serpent) Welcome back to the Mythology Sports Center! I'm your host, Scott Serpent. Today's game is a showdown between the high-flying Birds and the four-legged Mammals! The Mammals are the first to enter the pitch and would you look at that warm up lap?
Bear, the team captain, is showing off some of that impressive strength he's known for. If the other team was out here already he would be getting a caution for sure. What do you think Fred?
(Fred Fish) Oh for sure, Scott. That's an intimidation tactic if I've ever seen one. Just look at how the referee is watching them. This is sure to be an intense match. Here comes the Birds now! Bear is showing off for sure, but Eagle, the Bird's captain, isn't one to be underestimated. Let's go down to Sally Spider on the pitch to chat with the apparent underdogs for this match. sally, how are things looking down there?
(Sally Spider) Hi Fred, the Birds have just emerged from their locker room and it seems like we may be seeing two new players on the field this game. I'm here with Barry Bat and Sammy Squirrel, two rejects from the Mammals tryouts who, due to some unfortunate injuries in last week's contest, will be part of today's starting lineup. How are you two feeling about today's match?
(Barry Bat) You know Sally, Sam and I are just super excited to be here and to have this opportunity. The Birds took a chance on us and invested so many resources into our equipment and training and we just want to get out there and leave everything we've got on the field. We're looking forward to a great game!
(Sally Spider) Well good luck today guys! The referee has just blown his whistle for the five minute warning, so let's send this back up to you guys in the box to watch this exciting match unfold. Fred. Scott.
(Scott Serpent) Thanks for that, Sally. We're gonna take a short break here folks, and we'll be back with more live action coverage after a few words from today's sponsors...
Bibliography:
The Ball Game of the Birds and the Animals
Friday, October 26, 2018
Week 10 Story: The Hawk and the Hen
Author's Note: I decided to go back to my week 7 reading notes for this week's story. The basis for this tale is that a hawk marries a hen, but she she ends up running away with the rooster from across the street. My thoughts with this were to turn the characters into humans and make it into a cheesy soap opera/romance novel. I make no promises for how this will turn out.
Jeffrey Hawkins carefully tightened his grip on the leather steering wheel of his Corvette. Late September was always the perfect time for a drive through the country. His parents had finally returned to their penthouse in the city for the social season. It had been 3 grueling months of his father's business discussions and listening to his mother whine about her lack of grandchildren. His older brother had decided to run off with his boyfriend, now husband, that past winter. After being formally disowned, (while genuinely caring people, their parents were still a little behind the times in certain social aspects) the family legacy now rest on Jeffrey's shoulders. He began to grow uncomfortably warm in the sun, despite having the top down. He pulled off at a quaint little convenience store on the side of the road for some water. He pushed open the creaky old door and a little bell tinkled. Strolling casually to the back of the store, Jeffrey grabbed a plastic water bottle out of the refrigerated section. He walked back to the front, threw a $20 on the empty counter, and began heading for the door to return to his afternoon drive. He had just grabbed ahold of the handle when a small voice called out, "Excuse me mister! Where you not wanting your change? This is an awful lot for just one water bottle."
"No that's quite alright," Jeffrey replied, turning towards what he assumed was the owner who had been in the back and not heard him come in. When he turned his head however, he found himself looking in to a pair of beautiful green eyes. Partially recovering from his shock, his gaze moved from hers and took in the rest of her. She was on the shorter side, and her auburn hair was tied up in two braids with a few wispy strands falling in her face. She was covered in dirt and dust, having been in the back storage room like he had assumed, but her nose was covered in a sprinkling of freckles from being out in the sun all summer. He was in absolute awe of the beauty that was standing before him now, adamantly shoving the change from his purchase at him. As he continued to stare, a little smirk began to appear on her face. It was at that moment, when a little dimple appeared on her cheek, that Jeffrey knew she was the one. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. Oddly enough, she leaned into the touch. "What's your name, miss?"
"Henrietta. Henrietta Jones." Her voice was surprisingly breathless. He leaned in slowly, giving her a chance to pull away. She didn't, so he kissed her.
Two months later, they married. Jeffrey's mother protested at first at such a short engagement, but eventually gave in, too excited at the prospect of finally being a grandmother to complain too much. It was a small, quiet ceremony, but beautiful nonetheless. The first three years of their marriage was bliss, but when Jeffrey's father grew ill, he spent more and more time away from home to deal with the family business. It was during one of these business trips that Henrietta ran into Russ Ster at the store. Russ was her childhood love and the feelings never really faded. Russ greeted her and gave her a hug. When he noticed the wedding ring on her left hand, his face fell.
"Well dang nabbit, Henrietta. You really did run off with that rich fella!"
They agreed to go out to dinner that night and catch up. Just as friends of course! But as the weeks went on with her husband gone and seeing Russ more often, Henrietta's heart began to change loyalties. By the time Jeffrey was able take a significant break from work, he returned home to find a note and divorce papers on the counter.
Jeffrey Hawkins carefully tightened his grip on the leather steering wheel of his Corvette. Late September was always the perfect time for a drive through the country. His parents had finally returned to their penthouse in the city for the social season. It had been 3 grueling months of his father's business discussions and listening to his mother whine about her lack of grandchildren. His older brother had decided to run off with his boyfriend, now husband, that past winter. After being formally disowned, (while genuinely caring people, their parents were still a little behind the times in certain social aspects) the family legacy now rest on Jeffrey's shoulders. He began to grow uncomfortably warm in the sun, despite having the top down. He pulled off at a quaint little convenience store on the side of the road for some water. He pushed open the creaky old door and a little bell tinkled. Strolling casually to the back of the store, Jeffrey grabbed a plastic water bottle out of the refrigerated section. He walked back to the front, threw a $20 on the empty counter, and began heading for the door to return to his afternoon drive. He had just grabbed ahold of the handle when a small voice called out, "Excuse me mister! Where you not wanting your change? This is an awful lot for just one water bottle."
"No that's quite alright," Jeffrey replied, turning towards what he assumed was the owner who had been in the back and not heard him come in. When he turned his head however, he found himself looking in to a pair of beautiful green eyes. Partially recovering from his shock, his gaze moved from hers and took in the rest of her. She was on the shorter side, and her auburn hair was tied up in two braids with a few wispy strands falling in her face. She was covered in dirt and dust, having been in the back storage room like he had assumed, but her nose was covered in a sprinkling of freckles from being out in the sun all summer. He was in absolute awe of the beauty that was standing before him now, adamantly shoving the change from his purchase at him. As he continued to stare, a little smirk began to appear on her face. It was at that moment, when a little dimple appeared on her cheek, that Jeffrey knew she was the one. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. Oddly enough, she leaned into the touch. "What's your name, miss?"
"Henrietta. Henrietta Jones." Her voice was surprisingly breathless. He leaned in slowly, giving her a chance to pull away. She didn't, so he kissed her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Two months later, they married. Jeffrey's mother protested at first at such a short engagement, but eventually gave in, too excited at the prospect of finally being a grandmother to complain too much. It was a small, quiet ceremony, but beautiful nonetheless. The first three years of their marriage was bliss, but when Jeffrey's father grew ill, he spent more and more time away from home to deal with the family business. It was during one of these business trips that Henrietta ran into Russ Ster at the store. Russ was her childhood love and the feelings never really faded. Russ greeted her and gave her a hug. When he noticed the wedding ring on her left hand, his face fell.
"Well dang nabbit, Henrietta. You really did run off with that rich fella!"
They agreed to go out to dinner that night and catch up. Just as friends of course! But as the weeks went on with her husband gone and seeing Russ more often, Henrietta's heart began to change loyalties. By the time Jeffrey was able take a significant break from work, he returned home to find a note and divorce papers on the counter.
 |
| Source |
Friday, October 19, 2018
Week 9 Story: The Other Daughter
Author's Note:
The two tales this story is based on are from the Congo Unit. I noticed that there were two stories in Part A with the same characters and wanted to tie them together. I seem to do that a lot for my story telling. In the first story, two sister wives get into an argument after one (Gunga) takes some beans from the other's farm (Kengi) without asking, despite the fact that it all feeds into the same house. Kengi forces Gunga to agree that, going forward, anything "born" on one's plantation wouldn't be taken by the other. This works fine until Kengi gives birth to her baby on Gunga's land. Since the agreement was Kengi's idea in the first place, a judge agrees that Gunga can keep the baby.
The second story says that each woman has a beautiful daughter. Once they are older, their father decides to not accept gifts in exchange for permission to marry his daughters. Instead, a suitor must guess their names. A prince shows up to ask for their hands in marriage and is told he can only have them if he knows their names. He does not know their names and goes home to plan, but in his rush he left his dog behind. The dog hears the father calling his daughter's names and reports back to his master. The prince returns with the names and marries the girls.
I decided that Gunga's beautiful daughter in the second story should be the one she stole from Kengi in the first one. This retelling is based on the idea that Gunga tried to have her own biological child, but the girl didn't measure up to her stolen child and was abandoned. The events of the second story are told from this third daughter's point of view. It's supposed to sound like she is writing in her diary, or possible telling the story to a friend.
Hi there! My name is Njiba. I'm the only daughter of Gunga (the only true one at least) and this is my story:
For as long as I can remember, mom has done nothing but brag about how beautiful my older sister is. Now I know that I'm not exactly drop dead gorgeous, but c'mon! She's my mother for Nzambi's sake! She could at least acknowledge my existence every once in a while for something other than comparing me to my (half) sister. She's so proud of how she stole her from aunt Kengi. Yeah, okay, technically it was Auntie's fault for freaking out over the beans in the first place and insisting on that ridiculous contract, but how can you keep a baby from its mother like that???
It's not all bad though. On the bright side, I can do pretty much whatever I want. My own father doesn't even know who I am, so there's not much adult supervision. Apparently even as a baby I couldn't live up to the astronomically high bar set by Lunga, so mom hid me in a pottery jar or something and told my dad she lost the baby. As far as Nenpetro's concerned, I'm just another servant girl and that's just fine by me! All I have to do is get my chores done each day, then I'm free to go play by the stream. That's how I met him you know. Well, when I say 'met' I mean 'hid behind a bush and stared like a creeper at the most beautiful man I had ever seen'. That's how love works, right?
Anyways, Nsassi... sculpted, toned, shimmering fur, the most glorious hunk of man-meat anyone ha- okay, okay, you get it. I was drooling. As his group stopped to drink, I eaves dropped on their conversations for a bit. Only to find out that he was coming to marry my half sisters! How rude! They'd be too stupid to appreciate him the way I would. I mean, come on, at almost 20 years old Lunga still hasn't questioned why her "cousin" looks like she could be her mini me. She and Lenga must've gotten their mother's brains as well as her looks (no offense Aunt Kengi).
Fortunately for me, Nenpetro (I REFUSE to call him dad) decided he was going to go all Rumplestiltskin on the Taffy Twins' suitors (Get it? Because they're air heads? And Airheads are a type of- oh never mind). I really don't understand what the thought process was behind this decision, but it seems pretty redundant to me since Nenpetro goes stomping all over the grounds yelling their names everyday.
So I sulk back home on the backroads through the bush so Hottie McHotness won't see me following behind him all the way down the main stretch. I manage to slip in the back door just in time to see Nsassi beginning to leave the reception room. Man what a view that is... did those two half-wits really just sigh? Please. Can you be any more desperate? Ugh.
So Nsassi went home. I was honestly really sad about it until I saw that his dog was still here. What kind of monster forgets their pet? I don't care how devastatingly handsome you are, that's not okay.
I'd like to honestly say that once I realized he had abondoned his fur baby I fell right out of love with Nsassi, but Nzambi has other plans I guess. It doesn't help that I found out later that the dog had been left behind as a spy to figure out Lunga and Lenga's names. I just feel so betrayed... On the upside, I still get to see him when the family gets together for holidays.
Bibliography:
How Kengi Lost Her Child, Richard Edward Dennett
How Gazelle Got Married, Richard Edward Dennett
The two tales this story is based on are from the Congo Unit. I noticed that there were two stories in Part A with the same characters and wanted to tie them together. I seem to do that a lot for my story telling. In the first story, two sister wives get into an argument after one (Gunga) takes some beans from the other's farm (Kengi) without asking, despite the fact that it all feeds into the same house. Kengi forces Gunga to agree that, going forward, anything "born" on one's plantation wouldn't be taken by the other. This works fine until Kengi gives birth to her baby on Gunga's land. Since the agreement was Kengi's idea in the first place, a judge agrees that Gunga can keep the baby.
The second story says that each woman has a beautiful daughter. Once they are older, their father decides to not accept gifts in exchange for permission to marry his daughters. Instead, a suitor must guess their names. A prince shows up to ask for their hands in marriage and is told he can only have them if he knows their names. He does not know their names and goes home to plan, but in his rush he left his dog behind. The dog hears the father calling his daughter's names and reports back to his master. The prince returns with the names and marries the girls.
I decided that Gunga's beautiful daughter in the second story should be the one she stole from Kengi in the first one. This retelling is based on the idea that Gunga tried to have her own biological child, but the girl didn't measure up to her stolen child and was abandoned. The events of the second story are told from this third daughter's point of view. It's supposed to sound like she is writing in her diary, or possible telling the story to a friend.
 |
| A Journal Source: Pixabay |
Hi there! My name is Njiba. I'm the only daughter of Gunga (the only true one at least) and this is my story:
For as long as I can remember, mom has done nothing but brag about how beautiful my older sister is. Now I know that I'm not exactly drop dead gorgeous, but c'mon! She's my mother for Nzambi's sake! She could at least acknowledge my existence every once in a while for something other than comparing me to my (half) sister. She's so proud of how she stole her from aunt Kengi. Yeah, okay, technically it was Auntie's fault for freaking out over the beans in the first place and insisting on that ridiculous contract, but how can you keep a baby from its mother like that???
It's not all bad though. On the bright side, I can do pretty much whatever I want. My own father doesn't even know who I am, so there's not much adult supervision. Apparently even as a baby I couldn't live up to the astronomically high bar set by Lunga, so mom hid me in a pottery jar or something and told my dad she lost the baby. As far as Nenpetro's concerned, I'm just another servant girl and that's just fine by me! All I have to do is get my chores done each day, then I'm free to go play by the stream. That's how I met him you know. Well, when I say 'met' I mean 'hid behind a bush and stared like a creeper at the most beautiful man I had ever seen'. That's how love works, right?
Anyways, Nsassi... sculpted, toned, shimmering fur, the most glorious hunk of man-meat anyone ha- okay, okay, you get it. I was drooling. As his group stopped to drink, I eaves dropped on their conversations for a bit. Only to find out that he was coming to marry my half sisters! How rude! They'd be too stupid to appreciate him the way I would. I mean, come on, at almost 20 years old Lunga still hasn't questioned why her "cousin" looks like she could be her mini me. She and Lenga must've gotten their mother's brains as well as her looks (no offense Aunt Kengi).
Fortunately for me, Nenpetro (I REFUSE to call him dad) decided he was going to go all Rumplestiltskin on the Taffy Twins' suitors (Get it? Because they're air heads? And Airheads are a type of- oh never mind). I really don't understand what the thought process was behind this decision, but it seems pretty redundant to me since Nenpetro goes stomping all over the grounds yelling their names everyday.
So I sulk back home on the backroads through the bush so Hottie McHotness won't see me following behind him all the way down the main stretch. I manage to slip in the back door just in time to see Nsassi beginning to leave the reception room. Man what a view that is... did those two half-wits really just sigh? Please. Can you be any more desperate? Ugh.
So Nsassi went home. I was honestly really sad about it until I saw that his dog was still here. What kind of monster forgets their pet? I don't care how devastatingly handsome you are, that's not okay.
I'd like to honestly say that once I realized he had abondoned his fur baby I fell right out of love with Nsassi, but Nzambi has other plans I guess. It doesn't help that I found out later that the dog had been left behind as a spy to figure out Lunga and Lenga's names. I just feel so betrayed... On the upside, I still get to see him when the family gets together for holidays.
Bibliography:
How Kengi Lost Her Child, Richard Edward Dennett
How Gazelle Got Married, Richard Edward Dennett
Friday, October 5, 2018
Week 7 Story: Mankind's Greed
Author's Note: This tale is based on the Khasi Folktale, "How the Ox came to be the Servant of Man." A god sends the Ox to tell the humans to stop wasting resources. During his journey to the village, the Ox is being thoroughly pestered by bugs. A Crow lands on the Ox's back and eats the bugs for him. In exchange for this kindness, the Ox agrees to not tell the humans to stop wasting food, as it is the leftovers that the Crow generally feeds on. This story is exploring that same deity's perspective on today's world.
The God yawned and stretched in his bed. How long had it been since he fell asleep. "What day is it? For how long have I slumbered?" he called out. At the sound of his master's voice, the Pterodactyl arose and entered the God's bed chamber.
"My dear Savior!" he greeted, "It has been nearly 10,000 years since you laid down your most gracious head."
"Oh dear," the God replied. He had overslept by a centuries then. No matter. He wished he had been awake to witness the fall of mankind, but a part of him was fond of the silly little bipeds. Perhaps a few could have joined the Pterodactyl and Unicorn in his staff before they were completely wiped out, but it was undoubtedly too late now. "For how long has man been removed from the earth?" he inquired.
"My lord?" The Pterodactyl responded, sounding quite confused. "Man has not only survived over these long years, but is thriving. His people number in the billions and cover every piece of the world!" Confused, the God stood up from his bed.
"But they were too wasteful! The Ox did not deliver my message as he should have. How have they made it this far, and multiplied that much, without learning to save the resources precious to their survival? I must see this for myself!" and so he did. The God toured the earth, visiting the varying tribes of humans. He still saw the waste, more than ever, in their daily lives. It seemed as though mankind simply produced enough extra to account for the waste. Their farming techniques had improved 10-fold since he had last been awake, and they now possessed- the power to bring back a loved one after their heart had stopped? The humans had harnessed the power of lightning and had too many metal tools to count. The evolution of mankind was truly a miracle. But how could this possibly be sustainable? The God wondered. As he rose back into the heavens, the answer became clear. The earth was not as bright and shiny as he remembered. The human were living because the earth was dying.
The God yawned and stretched in his bed. How long had it been since he fell asleep. "What day is it? For how long have I slumbered?" he called out. At the sound of his master's voice, the Pterodactyl arose and entered the God's bed chamber.
"My dear Savior!" he greeted, "It has been nearly 10,000 years since you laid down your most gracious head."
"Oh dear," the God replied. He had overslept by a centuries then. No matter. He wished he had been awake to witness the fall of mankind, but a part of him was fond of the silly little bipeds. Perhaps a few could have joined the Pterodactyl and Unicorn in his staff before they were completely wiped out, but it was undoubtedly too late now. "For how long has man been removed from the earth?" he inquired.
"My lord?" The Pterodactyl responded, sounding quite confused. "Man has not only survived over these long years, but is thriving. His people number in the billions and cover every piece of the world!" Confused, the God stood up from his bed.
"But they were too wasteful! The Ox did not deliver my message as he should have. How have they made it this far, and multiplied that much, without learning to save the resources precious to their survival? I must see this for myself!" and so he did. The God toured the earth, visiting the varying tribes of humans. He still saw the waste, more than ever, in their daily lives. It seemed as though mankind simply produced enough extra to account for the waste. Their farming techniques had improved 10-fold since he had last been awake, and they now possessed- the power to bring back a loved one after their heart had stopped? The humans had harnessed the power of lightning and had too many metal tools to count. The evolution of mankind was truly a miracle. But how could this possibly be sustainable? The God wondered. As he rose back into the heavens, the answer became clear. The earth was not as bright and shiny as he remembered. The human were living because the earth was dying.
 |
| In the Eyes of the Creator by Melinda Rathnayake via Flickr |
Bibliography:
Friday, September 28, 2018
Week 6 Story: The Unlucky Tiger
Author's Note: A lot of the Khasi Tales focussed on a tiger king. I thought it would be fun to think of all the stories as being about the same tiger who has just had a very unfortunate life. "A Series of Unfortunate Events", anyone?
**Disclaimer: I’ve never actually read "A Series of Unfortunate Events"
In the beginning, all animals were equal. One would think a balance of power would create peace amongst the animals of the Jingle, but chaos reigned. In the hopes of easing the fighting, the gods gifted each species an attribute at which they would be the best. The tiger received the gifts of craftiness and stealth, making him a lethal hunter. He spent his days slipping silently through the underbrush, spying in his prey. There cane a day, soon after the last of the animals had received their gifts, that the tiger happened upon a son of man. The tiger knew the humans had been given the gifts of beauty and wisdom. He wondered at man's reason for entering the woods, where many animals could now kill him quite easily. Curious, he followed the human to the home of the gods. There, the tiger heard the man ask the gods for strength to match his beauty and wisdom. The gods instructed the human to return the next day for his gift. Jealous, the tiger came back the next day and stole the gift of strength for his own. When the human arrived, his gift had already been given, and he received the gift of skill instead.
Because of his stolen strength, the tiger was chosen as king of the animals. However, he was ignorant to the cultures of his kingdom. While he was out hunting one day, he heard the most beautiful singing and demanded to marry the singer. The monkey tribe to whom his bride belonged invited him to claim his young bride a week later, but when he attempted to wake her, her head fell off! Her family attacked him, wounding him in a way that would never heal.
As the tiger king grew weaker and weaker from his injuries following the monkey incident, he became unable to bring his hunts back to fill the family stores. His sister, the cat, grew irate with him. When confronted about the struggle of a royal family living like peasants, the tiger grew angry. It was not his fault the monkeys had attacked him over a simple underestimation of his strength! Things were back to normal for a while, until he had some friends over. He asked his sister to light the hookah and the brat had the audacity to tell him there was no fire! So he sent her to retrieve some from the humans. The cat took so long to return, that the tiger's friends began to dismiss themselves. Angry that his sister had ruined his social gathering, he began walking to the human village to retrieve her. However, as the tiger king got closer, he began to weaken his old injuries making themselves known... and he collapsed.
Bibliography:
**Disclaimer: I’ve never actually read "A Series of Unfortunate Events"
In the beginning, all animals were equal. One would think a balance of power would create peace amongst the animals of the Jingle, but chaos reigned. In the hopes of easing the fighting, the gods gifted each species an attribute at which they would be the best. The tiger received the gifts of craftiness and stealth, making him a lethal hunter. He spent his days slipping silently through the underbrush, spying in his prey. There cane a day, soon after the last of the animals had received their gifts, that the tiger happened upon a son of man. The tiger knew the humans had been given the gifts of beauty and wisdom. He wondered at man's reason for entering the woods, where many animals could now kill him quite easily. Curious, he followed the human to the home of the gods. There, the tiger heard the man ask the gods for strength to match his beauty and wisdom. The gods instructed the human to return the next day for his gift. Jealous, the tiger came back the next day and stole the gift of strength for his own. When the human arrived, his gift had already been given, and he received the gift of skill instead.
Because of his stolen strength, the tiger was chosen as king of the animals. However, he was ignorant to the cultures of his kingdom. While he was out hunting one day, he heard the most beautiful singing and demanded to marry the singer. The monkey tribe to whom his bride belonged invited him to claim his young bride a week later, but when he attempted to wake her, her head fell off! Her family attacked him, wounding him in a way that would never heal.
As the tiger king grew weaker and weaker from his injuries following the monkey incident, he became unable to bring his hunts back to fill the family stores. His sister, the cat, grew irate with him. When confronted about the struggle of a royal family living like peasants, the tiger grew angry. It was not his fault the monkeys had attacked him over a simple underestimation of his strength! Things were back to normal for a while, until he had some friends over. He asked his sister to light the hookah and the brat had the audacity to tell him there was no fire! So he sent her to retrieve some from the humans. The cat took so long to return, that the tiger's friends began to dismiss themselves. Angry that his sister had ruined his social gathering, he began walking to the human village to retrieve her. However, as the tiger king got closer, he began to weaken his old injuries making themselves known... and he collapsed.
 |
| The Tiger King Falls Source: WikiMedia Commons |
Bibliography:
Friday, September 14, 2018
Week 4 Story: Zeus goes to Trial
Author's Note: I noticed in the Metamorphoses readings this week that Zeus (Jupiter) caused a lot of problems in the human world. I decided he should be brought to justice. I have changed many of the God's names from their Roman form used in the stories to the Greek versions because those are how I know them as.
Themis, Goddess of Law and Order, sat at the podium in her judicial robes and banged her gavel to bring the court room to order. The trial was beginning. The first charge, a world's population worth of first degree murder. His brother, Poseidon testified as an accomplice. Everyone knew he had been given a plea deal for his part in the flooding of the earth in exchange for this testimony. His own trial would be held later that day. Zeus argued that it had been a crime of passion, not premeditated, as he was urged into action by the wretchedness of the humans. He also argued that it was a God's right to do as he wished to the earth and it's puny humans. However, Themis- being the just woman she was and knowing the laws as she intimately as she did- acknowledged the humans unalienable right to freedom of choice in their existence. Zeus had no authority to decide that all but two mortals must die. Verdict: Guilty, Murder in the Second Degree.
The next charges to be brought before Themis were two counts of Rape in the first degree. Zeus had assaulted, and later indirectly caused the deaths of, two women. Callisto and Io. Overcome with hatred and jealousy, his own wife Hera had agreed to testify against him. She spoke of his past infidelities in their marriage. In the process of outing her husband to the court, Hera had inadvertently admitted to being the one that had actually murdered Io. Her trial has been arranged for later in the week. Artemis, goddess of the hunt, spoke to the fate of Callisto. The poor girl had been found with child as a result of her encounter with Zeus. The great huntress had no choice but to banish her from her following as she was no longer pure, but her heart ached for the girl who had been a devoted member of the group before then. Verdict: Guilty, Rape in the First Degree.
The next part would be the hardest for Themis. Sentencing is always difficult, for how can one adequately punish a God?
Bibliography:
Deucalion and Pyrrha, Tony Kline
Io, Tony Kline
Callisto, Tony Kline
Themis, Goddess of Law and Order, sat at the podium in her judicial robes and banged her gavel to bring the court room to order. The trial was beginning. The first charge, a world's population worth of first degree murder. His brother, Poseidon testified as an accomplice. Everyone knew he had been given a plea deal for his part in the flooding of the earth in exchange for this testimony. His own trial would be held later that day. Zeus argued that it had been a crime of passion, not premeditated, as he was urged into action by the wretchedness of the humans. He also argued that it was a God's right to do as he wished to the earth and it's puny humans. However, Themis- being the just woman she was and knowing the laws as she intimately as she did- acknowledged the humans unalienable right to freedom of choice in their existence. Zeus had no authority to decide that all but two mortals must die. Verdict: Guilty, Murder in the Second Degree.
The next charges to be brought before Themis were two counts of Rape in the first degree. Zeus had assaulted, and later indirectly caused the deaths of, two women. Callisto and Io. Overcome with hatred and jealousy, his own wife Hera had agreed to testify against him. She spoke of his past infidelities in their marriage. In the process of outing her husband to the court, Hera had inadvertently admitted to being the one that had actually murdered Io. Her trial has been arranged for later in the week. Artemis, goddess of the hunt, spoke to the fate of Callisto. The poor girl had been found with child as a result of her encounter with Zeus. The great huntress had no choice but to banish her from her following as she was no longer pure, but her heart ached for the girl who had been a devoted member of the group before then. Verdict: Guilty, Rape in the First Degree.
The next part would be the hardest for Themis. Sentencing is always difficult, for how can one adequately punish a God?
 |
| Source: WikiMedia Commons |
Deucalion and Pyrrha, Tony Kline
Io, Tony Kline
Callisto, Tony Kline
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)