Week 14 Story

The Evil Couple

There once were to very ungrateful human beings. There was a wife who was very scornful and very mean to her husband. He would try to please her but, in the end, she never appreciated it. She would always talk behind his back and say rude things to him. The husband on the other hand was a very greedy man. If you could save any money he would at all cost. There would be times where the house needed repair, but he was to cheap to spend the money. There was a time when he became very ill and refused to spend the money to get better.

One day the man became so tired of the nagging from his wife that he decided to go for a walk. On this walk he found a hole by a berry bush. He thought to himself that if only his wife could fid her way into this bush she would fall into the pit and no longer be his problem. So, the man went home and told the wife that she was not to leave the house and was not to go into the bush with the berries. She laughed at him and said, “I will do as I please, you old, fat man.”

The man smiled for he knew what would happen. Just as he thought the woman went out to the bush fell in the pit and was never seen again. The man looked down into the pit to see only the tiniest bit of light coming from it. He smiled inside knowing that she was in hell never again to bother him. He turned from the pit to head home when out of the pit sprung a fiery beast. It grabbed him and pulled him to hell. When he got to hell, he saw his wife on the torture rack being tortured. The devil looked at him and said,” Your greed you shall have a place beside your wife. You shall be tortured and listen to her nagging for all eternity. You had every opportunity to give your vast wealth you have horded in jars under your house to others, but you have decided not to.” The man wept knowing the truth of it.

Author’s Note: I decided to combine two Russian stories. One story was about an evil wife who did everything she could to make her husbands life a nightmare. He told her not to go pick the berries and she did and fell into a pit he knew was there. He no longer needed to see her ever again. The other story was a man who went to hell for his greed. He had vast wealth saved up but didn’t give it to anyone. A fiddler came to hell and talk his way out of hell. When he got back to earth the fiddler told the man’s family to distribute the wealth so that he could leave hell. They did so and he was rescued from hell. I decided to make it a married couple of an evil wife and a greedy husband. Both of which go to hell with no chance of redemption.

Bibliography: The Bad Wife, The Fiddler in Hell from RussianFairy Tales by W.R.S Ralston

 

Abyss Fire Inferno by Wraithrune

 

Week 11 Story

Unlikely Partners

The sun beat down on the desert floor scorching all the inhabitants that lie on it. One such critter was the snake named Earl that had always found himself a nice rock up high to lie on. He enjoyed sun bathing and wanted to lay there and soak up as much of the suns rays as he could. One day while he was sun bathing an annoying hawk came by and about landed right on top of him. Before the hawk got close enough Earl called out to the hawk saying, “Halt go away. This is my rock.” The hawk got ever closer and closer. Eventually after many more screeches from Earl the hawk could see him. The hawk hovered above him and yelled down to him, “Move or be trampled over. This is the perfect place for a nest so that I might start my family.” Earl was quite flustered and yelled back, “Get your own rock, this one is mine!! I have never moved, nor will I ever move for anyone.” The hawk became most flustered and said, “If you will not move willingly I will force you to move.” “I would advise against it for I am a formidable enemy to make.” exclaimed Earl. The hawk ignored his warning and dove to attack Earl and they battled for quite sometime. The hawk pecking with his beak and grabbing with his talons. Earl winding himself tighter and tighter around the hawk until the hawk could barely move. The hawk then decided to take a dive from the cliff. He refused to allow Earl to win. When he got closer to the ground the hawk yelled, “Now we both shall lose the rock. Lessen your grip or we shall both die.” Earl admired the hawk for the drive it had to keep fighting till the end, giving no ground. Earl smiled and loosened his grip and the pair landed smoothly on the ground just barely making it thanks to the hawk’s wings. The pair stared at each other in an awkward silence before Earl said, “I think there is enough room up there for the both of us. I like your style partner how about we become friends.” The hawk looked at him confused and said, “Sure I don’t see why not. My name is Patricia.” Thus the two flew back up to the top of the mountain and had a long fruitful friendship that spanned generations.

Author’s Note: I based this story off the combined stories of “The Buffalo and the Grizzly”, and “Coyote and the Snake”. In “The Buffalo and the Grizzly” a Grizzly and Buffalo fight at a spring until they eventually become friends. In “Coyote and the Snake” the Coyote is walking through the desert in a straight path and a snake is in his way. The coyote tells him to move but the Snake refuses and so the Coyote tells the Snake he will just walk right over him. The Snake threatens him that he will die if he does. The Coyote does it anyway and the Snake bites him resulting in his death. I decided to make it a happy ending where two animals meet fight and decide to be friends for life. They both wanted the hill but compromise saved each of their lives.

Bibliography: Myths and Legends of the Great Plains byKatharine Berry Judson

Short Toed Snake Eagle Ashish by Ashish Tripurwar

Week 10 Story

Price of Fitting In

There once lived a man named Timothy in a faraway land that knew not what it was like to have a wife. He wanted a wife for as long as he could remember. He wanted to grow old with a woman raising their children together. He also wanted very much so to be included in his friend group when his friends went over with their wives to Mark’s house. Mark’s house was where all the cool and interesting get togethers happened, at least that was what he was told. One day he was walking along the street when an old women bumped into him on the sidewalk.

“I am so sorry young man. I must not have been looking where I was going” the old lady said.

“It is no trouble” said Timothy as he turned to continue walking.

The lady grabbed his hand and pulled his face down to hers so she might inspect his face.

“You have a very interesting soul. You should marry my daughter she is about the same age as you” said the old lady.

“Thank you, but no thank you” said Timothy as he turned to walk away quickly.

Then out of the corner of his eye he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen sitting on the bench. She waved to him to come sit down next to her. He dumbly walked over and started to have a conversation with her. This just so happened to be the old lady’s daughter. Soon after a while they were married and living together. Timothy was finally invited to Mark’s house to one of his get togethers. He showed up with his wife but for some reason he couldn’t remember going home with her. He also couldn’t find her anywhere at their house. Eventually he figured she must still be at Mark’s house so he went back to see her. He found her strolling out of Mark’s house covered in blood.

“What happened? Are you okay? Why are you covered in blood?”

“Mark forced himself on me so did the other men at the party. Apparently it is not a very friendly party, and your friends wanted to bite off a bit more than they could chew. I’m surprised anyone shows up to these parties at all. Mark is apparently the head of a cult and suckers people into bringing their wives as a sacrifice to join. I am no sacrifice do you hear me?” she said quite firmly.

“Well where are they? What did you do with them?”

“I cut the important bits off of each of them so they will not forget what they did for as long as they live. I come from a land far from here that consumes man flesh to become one with the gods. I left that to start a new life. Who knew that I would use my skills again?”

“I am so sorry for what you had to go through. Let’s go to the hospital to get you checked out then let’s go home!” Timothy said.

“Fine, fine as long as we can be home for dinner.”

The couple turned and headed off into the distance with the sun at their back as it dipped below the earth.

Author’s Notes: This is a combination of a story about a man who wanted a wife so he could be part of a group that got to see the wizard. He gets a wife only to have her taken from him. He challenges the wizard and gets her back. In my story the man does want to go to the get togethers with his friends. His wife is taken but she cuts her way out. The second story is about the wife who lies that gets her villages women killed. She goes back to her own people and they believe that she is treated harshly so they attack her husband’s village. Her husband’s village retaliates and attacks back and then kills her. In my story the women is from a faraway land and is married off by her grandmother. I however left out the part about her lying and instead of a slaughter happening to those that didn’t deserve it I decided to turn it around on Timothy’s friends.

Bibliography: Eskimo Folk-Tales by Knud Rasmussen  

Eskimo Massacre Site by Universal History Archive

Week 9 Story

Heartbroken Man

There once was a man named Jason that lived in a small village. He was a very wise and powerful man that gave the people of his village powerful blessings. Eventually the people of the village grew jealous of his wondrous gift that he had and came to imprison him so they could get blessings whenever they wanted. The man heard of this and decided to leave the village and take his son through the forest in search of a better village, one that would appreciate what he did for them. While the man was out on a walk through the forest when he came across his son, a lion, a goose, and an ox that were in a net hanging from the tree.

Jason thought to himself, “I need to rescue my son the others I will leave in the tree, they are of no use to me.”

When he told his son that he would be up to get him the other animals pleaded to him asking him to please save them and that he would be richly rewarded. The lion said that he would be his protector and would make sure no harm ever befell him. The goose promised him golden eggs and the ox promised him to work for him in his field for as long as he needed. Jason agreed and went up the tree and cut everyone down and they all made their way to the next village. When Jason made himself at home in the new village he started blessing the people of this village. He too was blessed by the deeds which the animals did for him. They all kept their promise and he was made quite wealthy. One day the king saw him as a threat and wanted him gone but couldn’t figure out a way to capture the man. Jason’s son decided that he too wanted to be wealthy and told the king he would let him in the house to capture his father. When the King heard this he was quite pleased.

So, in the dead of night the king came for him and was let in by Jason’s son. As the guards that were with the king piled into the house they were met with a most ferocious foe. The lion jumped upon them and in a few short moments had killed all but the king. Jason woke up and jumped out of bed to see what the matter was. He saw the king lying on the floor with the lion on top growling.

Jason asked the king, “What are you doing in my house? Who let you in here?”

Sputtering the man said, “It was your son he let us all in to take you. We promised him many riches for doing so.”

Jason looked at the man, then at his son and said, “Leave while I allow it, both of you.”

Though Jason had all the blessings and wealth he was never to be happy again. He had lost everything that truly mattered to him, his son.

Author’s Note: I decided to combine two stories. I combined a story about Anansi in which he gives out wisdom to the people only for them to begrudge him. He decides to take all the wisdom back and hide it from them. In the process of hiding it his son tells him a better way to climb the tree so that he might hide it. He decides he doesn’t have all the wisdom and decides to get rid of his plan. I incorporated the son but changed him from being good to being evil. I also made it to where it was blessings instead of wisdom. The other story I mixed in was the story called the Ungrateful Man which is about a hunter who finds several different things in a whole. He saves them and all of them bestow him with a gift for his deed. All except the man who ends up lying to the king telling him that it was hunter who stole from him. After being imprisoned he cures the king’s son using one of the gifts he received. In my story I decided to incorporate him saving a few animals that would bless him, but made his son the ungrateful man in my story.

Bibliography: West African Folktales by William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair 

Disappointment by Unknown  

Week 7 Story

The Close of an Age

As my life draws to a close and I look back at it now I think that I am thankful for all the things that have happened. I have learned about true friendship and what it means to have a home with a family. In my younger years I sought for the secrets of life and the answer to immortality. I found that and in so doing also obtained a stain on my character known as pride. I was so proud and arrogant in my younger years. I did whatever I saw fit for I was blessed with untold powers that I acquired through the teachings of my master. I know now if I only but put my talents to good use my life wouldn’t have taken the turn it did. I did many things I should say I regret now. All of those things lead me to be sealed in water, earth, metal, and fire. I was there for so long that I had to come to grips with what I had done and who I should become to be a better person. I was blessed and gifted so much to just squander it on my personal endeavors. When I was released I was able to put my talents and gifts to good use in helping the Monk of the Yangtze-kiang. I also had a circlet placed around my throat to control my behavior which in the past gave me so much trouble. It is never used however because I have reformed myself. I have decided however that my time should have an end just as it has a beginning. Though I once desired to live forever after many millennia I think it is time for me to pass on. To leave this world behind and move on to the next beginning. That is why I have decided to write this book, this being the last page, to tell of my life story and finally have an ending. Who would have thought I would walk with death to the gates of the next life as an old friend. I who had been so afraid to stare upon his face but a few centuries ago. To the apes living on our mountain I say goodbye and thank you for all you have done for me, welcoming me home every time I returned. This is my final goodbye for I shall not see you again in this life. Farewell.

Authors Notes: I decided that I wanted to have an ending to the life of Sun Wu Kung who was a stone ape that found immortality. I wanted him to feel after all the years he lived that he was finally done with this life. Sun Wu Kung was very mischievous in his life that lead him to many problems and many adversaries. He eventually was sealed up until being let out much, much later. I think he would reflect on his life and think about doing things differently. He would change the way he had been acting and become like his old master was, mild mannered and wise.

Bibliography: “The Ape Sun Wu Kung” in The Chinese FairyBook, ed. By R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens

A Modern Journey to the West by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Week 6 Story

The Divide

There once were two brothers that were born into the world. When they were born the world trembled, and a loud voice thundered all over the earth saying that the older would serve the younger.  The first brothers name was Veri and the second brothers name was Ashmal. Each of these brothers grew up in the same house with the same parents. Though they grew up in the same environment each brother did not behave the same. The first brother was cruel and jealous of his younger brother. The younger brother was kind and loving, he sought to do the best he could in life. Ashmal was also devoted to god, for he knew he could place his full trust in him. Tragically one day their parents were killed in a flood and the inheritance went to the older brother. The older brother found himself a wife and forced his younger brother to work the field for him, allowing him to sleep in the stables. Ashmal however did not have a problem with this. He loved his brother very much and wanted only the best for him. One day while both the brothers were out hunting for food Veri was bitten by a poisonous snake. Ashmal knowing that they had the antidote at home rushed home to retrieve it. When he got to the house Veri’s wife asked where Veri was. He told her what had happened, and she smiled looking upon Ashmal seductively. She approached him and rubbed her arm down his back promising if he would but sleep with her, she would be his. Ashmal was disgusted and told her that he could not betray her brother like this, and that she should be ashamed of herself. He quickly retrieved the poison and ran to his brother’s aid. When he reached his brother, he did not mention what his brother’s wife had done only that he had gotten the antidote and that he would be alright. Once he gave him the antidote, he helped him up and onto his horse so they could return home. Once they arrived home, they saw Veri’s wife laying bruised and naked on the floor inside the house. Veri enraged asked what happened and his wife simply pointed at Ashmal. Veri quickly grabbed for his knife intending to kill Ashmal. Ashmal pleaded with his brother saying that he did not do this and that she was lying. It did not matter to Veri however for his heart was cold and hard. Ashmal refused to fight and kill his brother, he prayed to god for help. Suddenly a light surrounded Ashmal, and god softened the heart of Veri, for his heart had been clouded with hate for so long. Veri felt the love his brother had for him and knew that he could not have done this. From then on Veri lived to help and be there for his younger brother. Thus, the roles were reversed, and the older brother served the younger.

Authors Notes: I based this one off the story of The Two Brothers that I read. I changed a few things from the original story. Instead of a piece of a god living inside the younger brother I made the younger brother devout to god. I also added the bit about the older brother getting bit by the snake and then be tempted by his older brother’s wife when he goes for the antidote. In the original the older brother sends the younger brother or more grain so they can plant crops and his wife tempts the younger brother then. I also changed the end and made it to where a light shine around the younger brother and Veri’s heart is changed to feel love. There is also no proclamation in the original story about the older brother serving the younger, I made that bit up. 

Bibliography: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie

 

Naja Tripudians Cobra poisonous snakes of India by Joseph Ewart