1. The Lost Prophets - This story explores a more modern and altered version of Rama, Sita, King Sugriva, and Lakshmana. I wanted my story to be filled with realism and a somber ending to show the reality of how when there is one ending there is always a new beginning that will follow.
2. The Final Stand - This short story represents three important characters in the book version of R.K Narayan's "The Mahabharata." The Kauravas or the sons of Dhritarashtra, the Pandavas, and their wife Draupadi are the three main characters. My story is a spinoff of the original story with some added realism.
3. The Forgotten - This story is a remake of the comic book story, "She Gave Her Heart to Krishna." Mira, a princess, gives her heart to Lord Krishna and promised to only serve him. Her loyalty was tested when she marries a prince who tells her she cannot worship Lord Krishna. My narrative is about the similar struggles Mira is faced with but in a more modernized setting.
4.The World War that Changed Millions - This story was inspired by a comic book story called, "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The Miracle Messenger of Love." The story is about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who showed a simple path to God when they were under place of strict Muslim rule. He showed that religion is a great way to safety. My story is a depiction of a World War Two and how many ran to a belief during that time as a way of seeking some type of refuge. Much like the comic book revealed is important to do in everyday life.
Showing posts with label Portfolio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portfolio. Show all posts
Monday, May 1, 2017
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Storytelling Week 12: The World War that Changed Millions
Zweiter Weltkrieg/ World War 2
There were raids happening for weeks trying to find those who were Jewish. Johnny was one of them. He was of polish descent and was sent into hiding like many other children during this time. Although he is polish since he has been hiding in a catholic orphanage on the border of Germany he has been able to learn some German so he can speak to the other kids around him. At this point it has been recorded that at least half a million kids have been eradicated and about a half a million were about to meet their maker soon. Johnny was one of five children who were Jewish that were hiding in the church. If they were to be found out the church and others around them were going to be punished. But this group of people did not care. They wanted the children no matter what religious descent to be safe. Through this love and kindness he was able to find God and found that refuge in Him could only keep him safe now. His parents were already killed about 4 months prior to this moment and it was during one of the house raids of Hitler's regime. All he remembers his mother saying was, "Uciec" which is a polish term for run away. He turned out of fear and ran and hid in a hole already dug in the backyard and he covered dirt on top of himself to hide from the Nazis. He heard the Nazis speaking from under the dirt.
Children
"Wo ist dein Kind?"
" Es ist ganz sicher, Sie brauchen keine Angst zu haben."
He could not understand most of what was said but he did know the word Angst meant afraid in German. He felt like they were trying to say he was safe and he shouldn't worry. Johnny was a smart ten year old and knew that he shouldn't feel safe at all.
After a considerable amount of time had passed he picked up his head from under the ground. Johnny heard his parents scream go from loud to soft. He was scared and dirt and tears were all over his sweet innocent face. The soldiers said, "Heil Hitler." Then sped off from what he could make of the surroundings from the dirt hole. Johnny's next move had to be discreet but he did not know what to do. He looked over at another family that was in a hole and decided to make a run for it. He knew they had to be nice for the fear in their eyes is the most familiar face he knows now for he wears the same one.
In Sicherheit/ In Safety
One, two and three and he began crawling out of the hole and running towards the backyard and through the barbed fence that stood between the yards. Johnny arrived at the hole and jumped in. In this big hole that was dug there was two small children like him and the parents were in the hole next to him. The mother and father were headed to a catholic church that they know are hiding Jewish. The family was waiting for the signs be clear of the Nazis and for night to fall.
As Johnny looked at the door of the catholic church he wondered where he be if he did not find this German family and if he did not take the leap of faith running to them. The war was over soon and soon he will be able to begin his new life. The family decided to adopt him and make him a part of their family. The lives of the 6 million who died will rest in paradise from this awful event. All Johnny knows is that because of the refuge he experiences in his God he has the path that he needs to follow.
Child in hiding
Author's Note:
I wrote my story based off the comic "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The Miracle Messenger of Love." The story is about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who showed a simple path to God when they were under place of strict Muslim rule. He provided a new way of seeing Hindu religion. There was a quote that said, " Forsaking all dogmas of religion, take refuge in me." His message is to show that this religion is the way to all safety. I used this as part of my story by allowing my character to be of Jewish descent yet truly finding his God when he finally takes refuge in Him. I first thought of World War 2 because I know a lot of soldiers or people impacted by the war find a God usually. The idea of a protector during war is seen as comforting to people who are in the midst of danger. I felt like World War 2 was a big indication of the fear that was instilled within people of this religious background. I know because I have studied German and the language that there were many people who opposed the Hitler and also did something about it. I used stories I have heard from Holocaust survivors I met when I was younger and with the history I know about Germany to make my story. I was told a story about a survivor who really did hide in a hole for two weeks to hide from the Nazi soldiers that would come in and raid homes. I wanted this to be the focal point to show that with God at Johnny's side he was able to be safe and even found a family. This relates to the comic I read because they both relate to God and how religion tends to save people.
References:
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The Miracle Messenger of Love
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Week 9 Storytelling: The Forgotten
The Lost
Nights and days began to blur as she tried to continue life without him. She remembered the last goodbye. He held her tightly in his grasp and she never wanted him to let go. The way his face glistened with tear-filled eyes broke her heart into pieces. They spent every day together. She played memories of them in her head over and over on repeat. The first night they kissed, and even the first night they realized they had fallen in love. The memories were endless and she never wanted them to fade. He had left for the United States Navy for deployment. She has not heard from him and she was given information that he was lost at sea. Kallie waited for him to call. Weeks went by and then months, yet still no call. The military police came by to break the news. "Ma'am, I am sorry to say but your husband Jamar has been lost at sea. The SEALs' ship got caught in a big undertow and pulled the ship down." Her cheeks began to swell and her eyes filled with tears. Her ears could not believe it. Jamar, her rock, her husband, her friend was gone. She wished she could fall into a deep sleep that will allow her to skip so many of these days without him.
Navy SEAL
The next couple of months dragged on even more and Kallie grew desperate on believing he would return. She noticed his best friend Mike was coming around more often at her job at the "Giggly Wig Journal,"where she was a writer and reporter. Mike and Jamar had been friends since they were kids and before the accident were inseparable. One thing that drove them into arguments was in fact Kallie. At one point Mike admitted his attraction to Kallie and Jamar became very displeased. Now Jamar is gone and Mike had a mission and Kallie knew it was her. The one problem with Mike is his handsome features. His smile lit up the room and melted women's heart. He had a defined muscular core and arms. His eyes were a deep green and his hair was dirty blonde. He was what young girls call "the dream guy." Even though Kallie knew this could be wrong she kept him at a short distance and allowed him to be her friend. Little did she know that might have been her biggest mistake.
The Betrayal
About eight months had passed since her husband Jamar went missing and Kallie was holding up a little bit better. She decided to believe he was gone. The only thing she could do was move on and hope maybe she could be wrong some day. She typically stays to herself unless Mike came around. Lately he had been fixing things in her home and helping her clean up. She lives in a big house and for her alone it would be hard to keep up. One day Mike started acting strange and Kallie could not figure out why. He would shrug her off when she asked if he needed help fixing some light bulbs. He declined the lunch she had made for him, and he did not speak very many words to her. Kallie soon realized she could not take the tension anymore, and started stomping her way toward the pools edge in her backyard where Mike was. She began yelling, "What the hell is your problem?" In a disinterested tone Mike exclaims,
" What do you mean?"
She continued, " Well, you have been ignoring me, not talking to me, and so I want to know what is your problem?"
He paused for a second and stood along the pool with a puzzled look on his face, and then he explained.
"Well, after everything I have done I figured I would at least get some action if you know what I mean."
Outraged by what he said she yelled at him and told him it would never happen. She said she still loved her beloved husband and until she knew he was truly gone she would remain loyal to him. After she screamed she stormed into the house and did not look back.
Colton Haynes
Beautiful End
After some minutes inside her big empty home she heard a noise coming from the front door. She began to walk steadily toward the door to investigate the sound. As soon as she reached the front door she noticed it was open. As she turned around she saw a figure standing in front of her. She began to cry in disbelief. It was her beloved. She ran and jumped into her arms. She knew he would come back. He brushed her hair out of her face with his manly fingers and told her how he made it off the ship before it crashed and sank. That they survived off this abandoned island in the China Sea and they ate their military rations to help keep them alive all this time. Her heart sank to the floor as she was wrapped in her man's arms. She could not believe he was here and it could never have come at a better time. Life after that point was a blur. She was happy now more than ever and she also found out she had a little boy on the way.
Lydia and Stiles
Author's Note:
My story is based off the comic book story, "She Gave Her Heart to Krishna." The story is about this little girl Mira who gave her heart to the Lord Krishna and promised to only serve him and not another Deity. When she got older she married a prince who was against her strongest belief. She was told to stop worshipping Krishna and she would not. My characters are different. Kallie is a representation of Mira yet she has a happier ending. Kallie instead loses her husband who is a Navy SEAL and she gets tempted in other ways. Mira's loyalty to Krishna is tested and she stays steadfast. Kallie in her own way stays completely loyal because she never touched another man while her husband was away. She was a good wife like Mira and stayed true. Another interesting fact is I started out with the military theme because my husband and I both met in the military. He was my " man in uniform" and I also wore the uniform. I began to think about the first time we were separated due to the military and I remembered how bummed out we were. I took my story from there adding twists and turns in the story so I could provide a more adventurous appeal. My husband is not a Navy SEAL but if he was lost at sea I know I would wait for him. My story is a reflection of how in real life we come to a point where we are tempted in some way. The way we think is questioned and things may derail what we believe in. The key to this all is to remember who you are and where you came from. The only person that will ever be strong enough to live your life is you. I wanted my story to represent that.
References:
Mirabi- She gave her heart to Lord Krishna
Nights and days began to blur as she tried to continue life without him. She remembered the last goodbye. He held her tightly in his grasp and she never wanted him to let go. The way his face glistened with tear-filled eyes broke her heart into pieces. They spent every day together. She played memories of them in her head over and over on repeat. The first night they kissed, and even the first night they realized they had fallen in love. The memories were endless and she never wanted them to fade. He had left for the United States Navy for deployment. She has not heard from him and she was given information that he was lost at sea. Kallie waited for him to call. Weeks went by and then months, yet still no call. The military police came by to break the news. "Ma'am, I am sorry to say but your husband Jamar has been lost at sea. The SEALs' ship got caught in a big undertow and pulled the ship down." Her cheeks began to swell and her eyes filled with tears. Her ears could not believe it. Jamar, her rock, her husband, her friend was gone. She wished she could fall into a deep sleep that will allow her to skip so many of these days without him.
Navy SEAL
The next couple of months dragged on even more and Kallie grew desperate on believing he would return. She noticed his best friend Mike was coming around more often at her job at the "Giggly Wig Journal,"where she was a writer and reporter. Mike and Jamar had been friends since they were kids and before the accident were inseparable. One thing that drove them into arguments was in fact Kallie. At one point Mike admitted his attraction to Kallie and Jamar became very displeased. Now Jamar is gone and Mike had a mission and Kallie knew it was her. The one problem with Mike is his handsome features. His smile lit up the room and melted women's heart. He had a defined muscular core and arms. His eyes were a deep green and his hair was dirty blonde. He was what young girls call "the dream guy." Even though Kallie knew this could be wrong she kept him at a short distance and allowed him to be her friend. Little did she know that might have been her biggest mistake.
The Betrayal
About eight months had passed since her husband Jamar went missing and Kallie was holding up a little bit better. She decided to believe he was gone. The only thing she could do was move on and hope maybe she could be wrong some day. She typically stays to herself unless Mike came around. Lately he had been fixing things in her home and helping her clean up. She lives in a big house and for her alone it would be hard to keep up. One day Mike started acting strange and Kallie could not figure out why. He would shrug her off when she asked if he needed help fixing some light bulbs. He declined the lunch she had made for him, and he did not speak very many words to her. Kallie soon realized she could not take the tension anymore, and started stomping her way toward the pools edge in her backyard where Mike was. She began yelling, "What the hell is your problem?" In a disinterested tone Mike exclaims,
" What do you mean?"
She continued, " Well, you have been ignoring me, not talking to me, and so I want to know what is your problem?"
He paused for a second and stood along the pool with a puzzled look on his face, and then he explained.
"Well, after everything I have done I figured I would at least get some action if you know what I mean."
Outraged by what he said she yelled at him and told him it would never happen. She said she still loved her beloved husband and until she knew he was truly gone she would remain loyal to him. After she screamed she stormed into the house and did not look back.
Colton Haynes
Beautiful End
After some minutes inside her big empty home she heard a noise coming from the front door. She began to walk steadily toward the door to investigate the sound. As soon as she reached the front door she noticed it was open. As she turned around she saw a figure standing in front of her. She began to cry in disbelief. It was her beloved. She ran and jumped into her arms. She knew he would come back. He brushed her hair out of her face with his manly fingers and told her how he made it off the ship before it crashed and sank. That they survived off this abandoned island in the China Sea and they ate their military rations to help keep them alive all this time. Her heart sank to the floor as she was wrapped in her man's arms. She could not believe he was here and it could never have come at a better time. Life after that point was a blur. She was happy now more than ever and she also found out she had a little boy on the way.
Lydia and Stiles
Author's Note:
My story is based off the comic book story, "She Gave Her Heart to Krishna." The story is about this little girl Mira who gave her heart to the Lord Krishna and promised to only serve him and not another Deity. When she got older she married a prince who was against her strongest belief. She was told to stop worshipping Krishna and she would not. My characters are different. Kallie is a representation of Mira yet she has a happier ending. Kallie instead loses her husband who is a Navy SEAL and she gets tempted in other ways. Mira's loyalty to Krishna is tested and she stays steadfast. Kallie in her own way stays completely loyal because she never touched another man while her husband was away. She was a good wife like Mira and stayed true. Another interesting fact is I started out with the military theme because my husband and I both met in the military. He was my " man in uniform" and I also wore the uniform. I began to think about the first time we were separated due to the military and I remembered how bummed out we were. I took my story from there adding twists and turns in the story so I could provide a more adventurous appeal. My husband is not a Navy SEAL but if he was lost at sea I know I would wait for him. My story is a reflection of how in real life we come to a point where we are tempted in some way. The way we think is questioned and things may derail what we believe in. The key to this all is to remember who you are and where you came from. The only person that will ever be strong enough to live your life is you. I wanted my story to represent that.
References:
Mirabi- She gave her heart to Lord Krishna
Sunday, March 5, 2017
The Final Stand
The Final Stand
Chapter 1: The Last Hit
He pushed her hard against the wall in their living room. They had been having screaming fights for weeks and she felt trapped. Her body trembled in the harsh grasp of his rugged hands. He tossed her around like a piece of junk. Paul crushed every sense of self Sally had. His threats grew louder as the days went on and she could not break free. Sally spent nights awake with bloodshot eyes trying to shut the world around her. She came seconds to ending her own life and spent hours pondering if that would be the better choice. But in this moment in time she could not stand it. He began yelling, "You dumb slut. You will not amount to anything." She hovered in the corner with tears crashing onto her cheeks that were swollen. He began to pace back and forth in front of her, yelling threats with arms whirling at both sides. She looked from her reddened eyes and immediately stood up. She took the lamp that stood on the nightstand that was next to the bed that she was near; Sally whacked him in the head when he got distracted. She ran out the door as he lay unconscious on the bedroom floor. Sally tripped running to the door as the tears on her face began to turn to sweat. She ran out of the house after she quickly composed herself. As she stepped outside she frantically turned her head in both directions as the upper Manhattan streetlights flickered and began to run down the street.
Girl Crying
Chapter 2: Lost and Found
Sally finally stopped running after a long period of time and stumbled upon a homeless shelter. Not knowing anywhere else to go and not wanting to return to the man who has been abusive towards her, she walked in. The place was far from glamorous. It was only made up of a few rooms. One room had rows of twin beds lined up for people to come and go. The cafeteria was bleak and painted white and was filled with cheap dining tables. Rows of cafeteria benches stood sporadically in the room. Volunteers stood around and were walking in and out of the kitchen getting ready for the afternoon meal. The place made Sally feel like she had hit rock bottom. She could not believe this was what had become of her. The pain made her want to surrender but she knew that she had to keep going. Then suddenly she caught a man staring at her and she began to feel flushed. He had manly features and was quite handsome. He stood with broad shoulders and a chiseled jaw. His eyes were a sparkling light blue that reflected brightly under the fluorescent lights.
Harry introduced himself as the director of the homeless shelter. He was smitten with her. He felt a deep connection and felt like he needed to protect her. She was vulnerable in a way no other woman was. It revealed how feminine she was in nature and it intrigued him. She also felt the same about his features. There was an instant connection and within weeks they fell in love. The were two peas in a pod. Nothing could separate them. Even though they were so close Sally was still hiding from Paul. She knew he would not stop till he found her. She kept him in the back of her mind. She knew she was lying to Harry because she did not tell him about Paul. Regardless, Sally could not bear allowing him to get involved. She kept Harry at an emotional distance as much as she could. She would tell him they could make their relationship public when she "gets her life together," but deep down that was far from the case. Sally felt a gaping hole within her. She did not feel her past deserved to be reopened. Maybe Paul would never find her, or maybe she could live free without ever being seen. Her life had been falling apart for ages. It all began when she met Paul. He was always so controlling but to what end? Harry could not love her to the depths of her soul. No man could. But to her surprise, she might finally be wrong.
Couple
Chapter 3: The Haunting Past and The Bright Future
Six months had gone quickly and Sally found a job as a bartender to get by living in a cheap studio in the Bronx. She still was very close to Harry and spent many moments with him. If she was not with him then he was steady on her mind. Harry would surprise her at work but on this particular day he decided to show up to her studio and walk her to work. As he was rounding the corner he saw a strange man handling her roughly. He was drunk and you could tell he was using her to keep himself up. Harry sprang into action and ran towards them. Sally quickly tried to shove Paul off but continued to struggle. Sally yelped," I am so sorry, Harry. This is my ex. I did not want to frighten you with my baggage." She quickly tried to catch her breath. Harry in an irrational state of mind beat Paul's face in as soon as his arm was within reach. Sally fell to the ground beneath her and her eyes started swelling with tears. He finally was able to see what kept her from his love. He picked her up as if she was his bride and he was taking her inside their new home. He whispered sweetly in her ear, " You are safe with me. I will never let another man touch you unjustly." As the police car lights in the background began approaching closer, they still did not stop staring at each other. She began smiling and kissed him passionately and the world around them grew fuzzy. Their love blinded them from all the cruelty around them.
Happily Ever After
Author's Note:
I read through the first part of the book version of R.K Narayan's "The Mahabharata" and created my story based from that. I decided to go with a more realistic approach and incorporate domestic violence. In the story the sons of Dhritarashtra were a family known for demonic birth and were said to be incarnations of demons. They wanted nothing to do but destroy the Pandava family. The sons of Dhritarashtra tricked one of the brothers and took the Pandava family and even their wife Draupadi. My story is based on the ridicule the sons of Dhritarashtra brought to them and the abuse that Draupadi endured. Sally resembles the wife and the two other men represent the Pandava family and Kauravas. I decided to stay with three characters representing the story because I wanted to go more in depth so my readers can follow easier. I wanted the major focus to be on Draupadi. She is represented amazingly within the story. Out of the many stories they had in that time period this story was chosen to be remembered. The way they represent Draupadi to tell a tale makes her character interesting to read about. Draupadi may not be based on a historical figure, but that does not mean she doesn't carry meaning and significance. In modern times abuse, like in the past is common overall in relationships. Women all across the USA struggle with some form of abuse. Draupadi experienced verbal and emotional abuse from the readings. Physical abuse is not the only type of abuse out there. Every woman deals with the abuse differently but overall everyone can agree that abuse is never okay.
References:
Narayan's "the Mahabharata," Link to Reading Online
Background Information about the Mahabharata
Chapter 1: The Last Hit
He pushed her hard against the wall in their living room. They had been having screaming fights for weeks and she felt trapped. Her body trembled in the harsh grasp of his rugged hands. He tossed her around like a piece of junk. Paul crushed every sense of self Sally had. His threats grew louder as the days went on and she could not break free. Sally spent nights awake with bloodshot eyes trying to shut the world around her. She came seconds to ending her own life and spent hours pondering if that would be the better choice. But in this moment in time she could not stand it. He began yelling, "You dumb slut. You will not amount to anything." She hovered in the corner with tears crashing onto her cheeks that were swollen. He began to pace back and forth in front of her, yelling threats with arms whirling at both sides. She looked from her reddened eyes and immediately stood up. She took the lamp that stood on the nightstand that was next to the bed that she was near; Sally whacked him in the head when he got distracted. She ran out the door as he lay unconscious on the bedroom floor. Sally tripped running to the door as the tears on her face began to turn to sweat. She ran out of the house after she quickly composed herself. As she stepped outside she frantically turned her head in both directions as the upper Manhattan streetlights flickered and began to run down the street.
Girl Crying
Chapter 2: Lost and Found
Sally finally stopped running after a long period of time and stumbled upon a homeless shelter. Not knowing anywhere else to go and not wanting to return to the man who has been abusive towards her, she walked in. The place was far from glamorous. It was only made up of a few rooms. One room had rows of twin beds lined up for people to come and go. The cafeteria was bleak and painted white and was filled with cheap dining tables. Rows of cafeteria benches stood sporadically in the room. Volunteers stood around and were walking in and out of the kitchen getting ready for the afternoon meal. The place made Sally feel like she had hit rock bottom. She could not believe this was what had become of her. The pain made her want to surrender but she knew that she had to keep going. Then suddenly she caught a man staring at her and she began to feel flushed. He had manly features and was quite handsome. He stood with broad shoulders and a chiseled jaw. His eyes were a sparkling light blue that reflected brightly under the fluorescent lights.
Harry introduced himself as the director of the homeless shelter. He was smitten with her. He felt a deep connection and felt like he needed to protect her. She was vulnerable in a way no other woman was. It revealed how feminine she was in nature and it intrigued him. She also felt the same about his features. There was an instant connection and within weeks they fell in love. The were two peas in a pod. Nothing could separate them. Even though they were so close Sally was still hiding from Paul. She knew he would not stop till he found her. She kept him in the back of her mind. She knew she was lying to Harry because she did not tell him about Paul. Regardless, Sally could not bear allowing him to get involved. She kept Harry at an emotional distance as much as she could. She would tell him they could make their relationship public when she "gets her life together," but deep down that was far from the case. Sally felt a gaping hole within her. She did not feel her past deserved to be reopened. Maybe Paul would never find her, or maybe she could live free without ever being seen. Her life had been falling apart for ages. It all began when she met Paul. He was always so controlling but to what end? Harry could not love her to the depths of her soul. No man could. But to her surprise, she might finally be wrong.
Couple
Chapter 3: The Haunting Past and The Bright Future
Six months had gone quickly and Sally found a job as a bartender to get by living in a cheap studio in the Bronx. She still was very close to Harry and spent many moments with him. If she was not with him then he was steady on her mind. Harry would surprise her at work but on this particular day he decided to show up to her studio and walk her to work. As he was rounding the corner he saw a strange man handling her roughly. He was drunk and you could tell he was using her to keep himself up. Harry sprang into action and ran towards them. Sally quickly tried to shove Paul off but continued to struggle. Sally yelped," I am so sorry, Harry. This is my ex. I did not want to frighten you with my baggage." She quickly tried to catch her breath. Harry in an irrational state of mind beat Paul's face in as soon as his arm was within reach. Sally fell to the ground beneath her and her eyes started swelling with tears. He finally was able to see what kept her from his love. He picked her up as if she was his bride and he was taking her inside their new home. He whispered sweetly in her ear, " You are safe with me. I will never let another man touch you unjustly." As the police car lights in the background began approaching closer, they still did not stop staring at each other. She began smiling and kissed him passionately and the world around them grew fuzzy. Their love blinded them from all the cruelty around them.
Happily Ever After
Author's Note:
I read through the first part of the book version of R.K Narayan's "The Mahabharata" and created my story based from that. I decided to go with a more realistic approach and incorporate domestic violence. In the story the sons of Dhritarashtra were a family known for demonic birth and were said to be incarnations of demons. They wanted nothing to do but destroy the Pandava family. The sons of Dhritarashtra tricked one of the brothers and took the Pandava family and even their wife Draupadi. My story is based on the ridicule the sons of Dhritarashtra brought to them and the abuse that Draupadi endured. Sally resembles the wife and the two other men represent the Pandava family and Kauravas. I decided to stay with three characters representing the story because I wanted to go more in depth so my readers can follow easier. I wanted the major focus to be on Draupadi. She is represented amazingly within the story. Out of the many stories they had in that time period this story was chosen to be remembered. The way they represent Draupadi to tell a tale makes her character interesting to read about. Draupadi may not be based on a historical figure, but that does not mean she doesn't carry meaning and significance. In modern times abuse, like in the past is common overall in relationships. Women all across the USA struggle with some form of abuse. Draupadi experienced verbal and emotional abuse from the readings. Physical abuse is not the only type of abuse out there. Every woman deals with the abuse differently but overall everyone can agree that abuse is never okay.
References:
Narayan's "the Mahabharata," Link to Reading Online
Background Information about the Mahabharata
Sunday, February 12, 2017
The Lost Prophets
Chapter 1
Rodger sat on the couch and crossed his arms waiting to hear what was to come next. Then Stiles began speaking.
"Alright, so, listen up, Rodger, if this is going to work, this is what we must do. When we go at him we can't be careless. You and Pete will split up. One of you will go to the east side of the house and the other to the west. Make sure you have a clear shot of the back deck. When I give the signal, put the red dots on his chest. I will go through the front with the counterfeit bag of money. Keep a watchful eye because the situation will unravel quickly."
Pete arrived shortly and perched himself next to Rodger on the couch. The two men studied Stiles face wondering if he might be bluffing. Instead Stiles stood quietly and waited for a response from them. Offering no response, the men stood up and headed for the door. Everyone agreed on what came next.
Chapter 3
Stiles arrived at the house where he met Jesse, the main man in the opposing gang. He would pay his dues to the gang, and right his wrongs. Jesse thought one million dollars should do the trick! Stiles arrived holding tightly to the brown bag of counterfeit money. A big burly man opened the door. Stiles stepped inside the tiny run down house. Jesse stood inside the room near the door. Beyond him, Stiles can see out the window and sees his buddies crouching and waiting for his signal. He approached Jessie to stand in front of him, and raised his hand toward the window. He gave the signal. Gun shots exploded in all directions. Staying low he ran toward the door. Guns continued to fire over and over, and suddenly the world around him was a blur and pain overcame him. He had been shot twice.
Malia was hiding in the back of the house, and quickly began to try to free herself. She raced out of the house, but tripped over Stile's body during the attempt. Malia became hysterical when she realized his fate. Jesse who was consumed with anger shot her. As she gasped for breath she fell and landed next to Stiles. Their arms entwined, and then her body went limp. Stiles turned his head toward her one last time.
His dying wish was that she would survive. He remembered the day he had become an organ donor. He wanted to provide for her after he is gone. His thoughts faded and he turned his head toward the sky and the world went black.
Crime Scene
Chapter 4
Malia woke the next morning in the hospital not fully aware of what happened. There were flowers and get well cards scattered around her hospital room, and Rodger was there. He told her how the brawl ended and that Stiles was dead. As soon as those words were spoken her heart sank. Her one true love was gone. There were no words to express the agony she felt.
"I know you do not want to hear this Malia, but when you arrived at the hospital you were close to death. One of your heart valves was damaged when you were shot. The surgeon immediately called for emergency surgery. They cut an incision down the center of your chest. Tubes were placed in your chest, and connected to a bypass machine to await a new heart. The surgeon put the new one in and connected the blood vessels so there would be no leaks. Malia, you would not be alive if Stiles did not have the heart that was a perfect match for you. You needed Stile's heart. He died, but because of him you live."
In Memory
The words hung in the air and for a long time and she did not respond. He loved her with a love she could never comprehend. She felt her chest and moved her fingers over the patch that covered her wound. Malia could feel the heart beating against her chest and she knew that her world would never be the same.
Author’s Note
I wrote my story based off of the stories beginning from" The Rainy Season" and the next few chapters following. My character Stiles was based off Rama, who was upset at King Sugriva. He was annoyed that he was not helping him find Sita sooner. So instead he took some of the measures into his own hand and reached out to Lakshmana to go help them start more search parties across the land. I decided to turn my story darker because of the reality of the world these days. Some times in life there is no happy ending but there is just an ending. Stiles died but he did what he set out to do, which was to save his love. Malia (Sita) was pure in heart and because of that was saved. Stiles and his friends, who represent King Sugriva and Lakshmana, were good people but surrounded by bad environment. I wanted my characters to have depth to them. They have good hearts but never had a good role model. I wanted to provoke the question of what if Rama was not a good man? What if he was filled with greed? How different would the story be? I added to my story as well by expressing more of his thoughts behind certain decisions he made. I felt it would add more understanding and flow as my readers are able to connect more with my protagonist. I chose the research and learn editing method last week to allow my story to be more believable. I learned about how heart surgery is done so my audience can realize the depth of what Malia went through being part of the story. Last week I choose start strong and end strong as my editing method. This week I chose sharpen and focus because my story was originally quite lengthy.
Bibliography
Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic.
How Heart Surgery is Done
Stiles stood under the streetlight in the pouring rain. It was a cold, somber rainy day and Stiles was heartbroken. His muscles tensed, and his eyes welled up with tears. He lost his beloved Malia. The gang had found where she lived and had kidnapped her during the night. Stiles was involved in gun smuggling. He stole guns from another gang to make a profit. Malia had insisted on helping him. They were now seeking restitution for the guns taken from them. It was up to him to save her now. Stiles gave a shake of his head to scatter his thoughts, and started walking toward his apartment on the south side of town.
Happy Ending
Chapter 2
Stiles set on his couch and looked toward the big glass window that overlooked the bustling city beneath him. He waited for a knock on his door from his friend Rodger. Rodger was his partner who helped steal guns from the gang, The Lost Prophets. Rodger was like him. They were one and the same. Pete was also involved within the gang, but had yet to arrive as well. They had good intentions, but always seemed to end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. As soon as the thought of Rodger faded from his mind he heard a knock. In the hallway stood Rodger.
Hey, Man. Sorry, I tried to come as fast as I could.
"It’s ok. Come in."
"We need to leave soon."
Chapter 2
Stiles set on his couch and looked toward the big glass window that overlooked the bustling city beneath him. He waited for a knock on his door from his friend Rodger. Rodger was his partner who helped steal guns from the gang, The Lost Prophets. Rodger was like him. They were one and the same. Pete was also involved within the gang, but had yet to arrive as well. They had good intentions, but always seemed to end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. As soon as the thought of Rodger faded from his mind he heard a knock. In the hallway stood Rodger.
Hey, Man. Sorry, I tried to come as fast as I could.
"It’s ok. Come in."
"We need to leave soon."
Rodger sat on the couch and crossed his arms waiting to hear what was to come next. Then Stiles began speaking.
"Alright, so, listen up, Rodger, if this is going to work, this is what we must do. When we go at him we can't be careless. You and Pete will split up. One of you will go to the east side of the house and the other to the west. Make sure you have a clear shot of the back deck. When I give the signal, put the red dots on his chest. I will go through the front with the counterfeit bag of money. Keep a watchful eye because the situation will unravel quickly."
Pete arrived shortly and perched himself next to Rodger on the couch. The two men studied Stiles face wondering if he might be bluffing. Instead Stiles stood quietly and waited for a response from them. Offering no response, the men stood up and headed for the door. Everyone agreed on what came next.
Chapter 3
Stiles arrived at the house where he met Jesse, the main man in the opposing gang. He would pay his dues to the gang, and right his wrongs. Jesse thought one million dollars should do the trick! Stiles arrived holding tightly to the brown bag of counterfeit money. A big burly man opened the door. Stiles stepped inside the tiny run down house. Jesse stood inside the room near the door. Beyond him, Stiles can see out the window and sees his buddies crouching and waiting for his signal. He approached Jessie to stand in front of him, and raised his hand toward the window. He gave the signal. Gun shots exploded in all directions. Staying low he ran toward the door. Guns continued to fire over and over, and suddenly the world around him was a blur and pain overcame him. He had been shot twice.
Malia was hiding in the back of the house, and quickly began to try to free herself. She raced out of the house, but tripped over Stile's body during the attempt. Malia became hysterical when she realized his fate. Jesse who was consumed with anger shot her. As she gasped for breath she fell and landed next to Stiles. Their arms entwined, and then her body went limp. Stiles turned his head toward her one last time.
His dying wish was that she would survive. He remembered the day he had become an organ donor. He wanted to provide for her after he is gone. His thoughts faded and he turned his head toward the sky and the world went black.
Crime Scene
Chapter 4
Malia woke the next morning in the hospital not fully aware of what happened. There were flowers and get well cards scattered around her hospital room, and Rodger was there. He told her how the brawl ended and that Stiles was dead. As soon as those words were spoken her heart sank. Her one true love was gone. There were no words to express the agony she felt.
"I know you do not want to hear this Malia, but when you arrived at the hospital you were close to death. One of your heart valves was damaged when you were shot. The surgeon immediately called for emergency surgery. They cut an incision down the center of your chest. Tubes were placed in your chest, and connected to a bypass machine to await a new heart. The surgeon put the new one in and connected the blood vessels so there would be no leaks. Malia, you would not be alive if Stiles did not have the heart that was a perfect match for you. You needed Stile's heart. He died, but because of him you live."
In Memory
The words hung in the air and for a long time and she did not respond. He loved her with a love she could never comprehend. She felt her chest and moved her fingers over the patch that covered her wound. Malia could feel the heart beating against her chest and she knew that her world would never be the same.
Author’s Note
I wrote my story based off of the stories beginning from" The Rainy Season" and the next few chapters following. My character Stiles was based off Rama, who was upset at King Sugriva. He was annoyed that he was not helping him find Sita sooner. So instead he took some of the measures into his own hand and reached out to Lakshmana to go help them start more search parties across the land. I decided to turn my story darker because of the reality of the world these days. Some times in life there is no happy ending but there is just an ending. Stiles died but he did what he set out to do, which was to save his love. Malia (Sita) was pure in heart and because of that was saved. Stiles and his friends, who represent King Sugriva and Lakshmana, were good people but surrounded by bad environment. I wanted my characters to have depth to them. They have good hearts but never had a good role model. I wanted to provoke the question of what if Rama was not a good man? What if he was filled with greed? How different would the story be? I added to my story as well by expressing more of his thoughts behind certain decisions he made. I felt it would add more understanding and flow as my readers are able to connect more with my protagonist. I chose the research and learn editing method last week to allow my story to be more believable. I learned about how heart surgery is done so my audience can realize the depth of what Malia went through being part of the story. Last week I choose start strong and end strong as my editing method. This week I chose sharpen and focus because my story was originally quite lengthy.
Bibliography
Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic.
How Heart Surgery is Done
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