Week 9 Story: The Mighty Ogre of Rashomon

There once was an ogre known to the people of Kyoto. The townsfolk loved to assume that he was a big, bad ogre that loved to eat people. Sure, this ogre in question may have eaten a person or two when he got desperately hungry, but it wasn’t a regular practice of his.

At a certain gate of Koyoto, the gate of Rashomon, the people were outraged after a recent slaying. The ogre had eaten yet another townsperson for no apparent reason. Little did they know that the ogre was just minding his business when a citizen of Kyoto decided to throw rocks at the peacefully resting ogre. This was often done by passersby to ensure they pass through the gate of Rashomon unharmed, as if doing something foolish was better than doing nothing. However, this is what caused the ogre to be upset and defend itself.

The town people couldn’t tolerate this ogre "problem" anymore. They sent word out to a band of valiant warriors who were known to slay ogres with ease. When this group of respected knights heard the call, they sighed at the townspeople’s cries, as their complaining of ogres was a routine occurrence. However, Matthias, the newest member of the group of knights saw this as a great opportunity to set himself apart.

Matthias reassured the rest of the group and said that he would take care of it all. The older knights of the unit were relieved and impressed by the young warrior’s initiative. They half expected the ogre to eat him, and half expected the ogre to not even be there. It was readily apparent that they hadn't much faith in their young comrade.

Matthias set out towards the gate of Rashomon at sunset. With a mighty sword on his hip and sturdy shield on his back, he was certain that he would return with the head of the ogre drug behind his horse. Matthias was eager to prove himself to be the hero that he always wanted to be.

Once Matthias got to the gate around midnight, he saw the ogre peacefully lying there. The ogre was sleeping! Not bothering anyone or being a nuisance to society, the so-called vicious ogre was hardly a threat. Matthias saw this. He was unsure of what to do. He knew he could not return empty-handed. Thus, he decided to confront the ogre.

Sword in hand, shield at the ready, Matthias approached the snoring ogre. To wake him up, he kicked the giant ogre in the shoulder. The ogre was unmoved. Matthias resorted to prodding the ogre with the tip of his sword; this woke it up. The ogre immediately opened his eyes and let out a deafening roar, as was his usual practice to fend off small animals that liked to disturb him in his sleep. Our young Matthias was a mighty warrior, no? The roar startled Matthias and caused him to jerk away from the ogre. He wasn't expecting the beast to react so quickly.

When the ogre awoke and looked around, he saw no being but an iron-clad knight cowering behind a tree. The ogre ushered the knight to come and tell him about why he was at the gate of Rashomon and woke him from his slumber. Matthias apologized for disrupting the ogre’s sleep, and the ogre sympathized for the ambitious, inexperienced knight and his endeavor. The ogre decided to give the knight a sign of his slaying, one of his great toe's toenail, which Matthias gladly took. The ogre bid his new sword-friend farewell and said that he could come back anytime if his other warrior friends didn’t believe that he had slain the mighty ogre.

Matthias nervously went back to the band of knights he called his brothers. He approached them all and tossed the giant toenail of the ogre onto a table. All of the knights gathered around to see what Matthias had brought as proof. They looked at each other, trying to stifle their laughter, but eventually burst out laughing. They couldn't hold back the tears that were streaming down their faces. Matthias was stunned and unsure of what he could have possibly done to be the cause for such amusement.

Finally, the leader of the knights felt bad and decided to break the silence.

He looked to the young one and said, “This ogre is a friend to all of us. Did you take notice of how many toenails he was missing?”

Counting the ogre's remaining green, gnarled toenails were the last thing Matthias thought to do. However, he began to ponder what this all meant. He scanned his surroundings and immediately was drawn to a chest that was propped open in the corner of the room. It was filled to the brim with ogre toenails.

Matthias hung his head low upon realizing that it was all a test. He would definitely be visiting his new ogre “friend” soon.

Author's Note: I based this story off "The Ogre of Rashomon", a story in Japanese Fairy Tales by Yei Theodora Ozaki. In my telling of it, I didn't change a whole lot. I primarily made it more concise and switched the role of the ogre. In the source material, the mean ogre is actually mean. The brave knight ends up having to fight the beast but makes it out alive with the ogre's arm. The knight presents the arm to his band of valiant knights and is praised as a hero throughout Kyoto.

Bibliography: Yei Theodora Ozaki, Japanese Fairy Tales, Source

An ogre eating a leg. Source

Week 7 Story: How Raja Kumari Defeated the Giants

Updated version on portfolio.

There had been talk about a "Raja Kumari" travelling to city after city, helping people in need wherever necessary. This Raja was gradually becoming known throughout the country. One day, Raja Kumari arrived in Nila city and saw an old woman weeping about the death of her sons. She explained how they were killed by a pack of giants who come to the city once a week to take a sort of tribute from them. Each week the giants would take something else - a house, a buffalo, a villager, loaves of bread, etc. By now, the giants had taken six of the woman's seven sons. She was terrified that they would take her last son away from her. Raja Kumari consoled the woman and reassured her that no harm would come to her only remaining son.

"But how?" The old woman asked. "The giants can pick whomever they want."

"I will go to the giants' dwelling myself and volunteer myself ," replied Raja Kumari.

The next day, Raja Kumari elegantly adorned in heavy armor with a shining sword, went to visit the giants. As the horse approached the giants' cave, the guards became alert. They questioned why the stranger had arrived in their land, not believing that this was Raja Kumari. With a quick slash of a sharp sword, Raja Kumari sliced off the arm of one of the giants. Terrified and taken aback, they rushed inside the cave to alert the other giants. The ground suddenly trembled with their hurried footsteps, and dust from the ground rose up in their midst. When the air cleared, the giants were surprised to see the new arrival to their land, for it was a woman.

"Come forth, for I am Raja Kumari, born enemy of the giants!" 

Silence. Then, laughter. The giants were both surprised and amused. 

"You can't be Raja Kumari, young lady," one of the giants finally stated. "Raja Kumari is a mighty soldier, known for defeating his enemies in every city he crosses! You look like the many villagers and kids I have eaten."

Raja Kumari said nothing, but instead brandished her sword and took aim at the giant who spoke to her in such a condescending manner. With a single movement of her right arm, she was able to pierce the giant's heart and kill him immediately.

The remaining giants now began to fear the girl, yet continued to deny the identity of Raja Kumari.

"We have eaten so many children that look just like you! You cannot be the Raja Kumari that the giants have come to fear so much. When the real Raja Kumari comes, his sword will pierce seven girdles placed one behind the other."

The giants haughtily assembled seven iron girdles one behind the other, then stood behind them as if it were a shield. Raja Kumari spun her sword above her head, and when she let go of it, it effortlessly pierced all seven girdles, as well as the giants. 

"And that is what you get when you underestimate a woman's ability," said Raja Kumari, as she picked up her bloody sword from the ground.

The onlooking giants fled. They took refuge in a nearby cave, hoping that the mighty Raja Kumari would not venture into its dark corners to seek them out. Correct they were, as Raja Kumari resorted to having a statue made in her likeness to stand guard over its entrance.The giants were not a problem for the Nila City furthermore.

This is the story of how Raja Kumari Defeated the Giants.



Author's Note: I kept most of the details from the original story, but changed it to reflect a female perspective. In the Hindi language, Rajakumari means "princess." I decided to keep this name because it could also mean there was a Raja (king) named Kumari, which is the reason nobody knew that Raja Kumari was actually a woman. I kept the main plot details, such as the old woman losing her sons to giants, the Raja volunteering to take the last son's place, and the giants not believing that the person in front of them will soon kill them. I also kept some of the same dialogue because I enjoyed that part in the original story.

Mulan from the TV show, Once Upon a Time. Source 

Bibliography: Flora Annie Steel, Tales of the Punjab, Source

Week 5 Story: Sibling Rivalry

Updated version on Portfolio: Link
Osiris was a great and wise king. He was rich in wealth and treasure so much so that he had followers and family members alike that wished him ill. One person in particular that disliked him was his little brother Set. Osiris was the reason for a lot of unrest in Set. His brother was jealous of his fortune. His brother wanted his throne. His brother wanted his fame and recognition. There was not much in Osiris' life that Set did not feel overshadowed by. Set's jealousy towards Osiris was consistent with that of being the younger child--an experience rooted in having to see his sibling as older, bigger, and better than him. Set, however, did not let that fuel for anger blind him. He bided his time patiently and looked for opportunities to undo the mighty Osiris.

Osiris one day had returned from a successful raid, full of pride and joy. Osiris' happiness and success meant unhappiness and complacency on Set's part. So naturally, Set recognized this and wanted to knock his brother down a peg. As was the usual custom, Osiris had a city-wide party arranged for his welcome. Set, up to his usual antics, decided to put on a magic show. His show revolved around a disappearing act that would result in Osiris being trapped in the contraption. He could play it off as an accident, and although people would mourn for Osiris for a while, Set would be the one in power.  Little did he know, Osiris had his own plan set in stone. He knew what kinds of things his brother was capable of and how his envy drove his personality. For this reason, Osiris decided to go along with Set's plan--but instead of actually being trapped in the instrument and being impaled by its hidden blade, he developed his own plan to fake his death. Osiris was able to get a mannequin made specifically to his body, including all the features he possessed. When it came time for the disappearing act, Osiris came forward on stage and did everything Set had planned, while also pretending as if he had no idea what Set was up to. After Osiris stepped foot into the instrument that Set had planned to kill him with, Set closed the instrument and began waving his hands to keep the audience engaged. While in the box, Osiris only had about 20 seconds to quickly open the secret compartment in which he had hidden the mannequin in and switch spots with it. He was successful in doing so. He clicked the secret compartment shut as soon as Set opened the actual compartment to show the mannequin stuck inside the contraption with the blade that impaled it. The audience immediately gasped, then began shouting, running around, and crying profusely for their beloved king, as they believed that Osiris had been killed in a magic show accident. Set tried to control his happiness and put on a grave face until he was able to get out of sight behind stage and jump for joy. He thought he had successfully killed his brother and that all the fame, gifts, and praise that was once Osiris's would now be his. 

It had been a few months since the magic show incident, and Set was now in power. The people were still grieving for their lost king, with no idea that he had actually escaped his brother's devious plan. Set had just finished dining with his fellow knights, and as he walked back to his chambers, he felt as if he were being followed. He quickly ran to his door and pulled out his sword as soon as he was able to get inside his room and turn around. H couldn't see the attacker until they sparred for a few minutes and the attacker was forced to step into the light. As the shadow across his face slowly disappeared, Set was able to distinguish his features. 

Set gasped. "It can't be..." he stated, in shock.

"Hey little brother. Miss me?"

Author's Note: I kept the basis of the original story, which was the backstory about Osiris the King and how Set envied his brother. In the original story, however, Set brought forth a beautiful chest and claimed that he would give it to the person that fit in the chest perfectly, knowing that the chest was only made to Osiris's body. Many people tried to fit in it but to no avail. Finally, Osiris stepped forward and laid in the chest, fitting perfectly, as Set intended. Before Osiris could get up, Set's followers closed the lid, nailed it, and smothered it with lead to kill him. The beautiful chest now became Osiris's coffin, while the joyful town soon became overwhelmed by sorrow and Set's tyranny. In my story, I decided to add a plot twist. I like the idea of one character thinking he got the best of the other, then realizing he was outsmarted. So, I had both brothers develop their own plans against each other, which resulted in Osiris getting the best of his evil brother Set.

A beautiful ornate Egyptian chest. Source

Bibliography: Donald Mackenzie, Egyptian Myth and Legend, Source

Week 4 Story: Anastasia the Savior

Updated version on Portfolio: Link

Anastasia was an aspiring psychologist, young and full of energy coming out of high school. She dreamed of going to a well-known university like Harvard or Yale. She had the academic performance to earn herself an admission to any school of her choosing, but she simply could not afford it. Distraught and feeling downtrodden, she didn't know what she was going to do. Luckily, she earned tuition waivers and plenty of scholarship money at the best university in her state, so she settled for that school.  She went on to do amazing things, not letting anyone or anything get in her way. She caught the eyes of many of the psychology professors, wrote articles that got published in psychology journals, and quickly rose to the top of her department's graduating class. Her record and reputation were impeccable. She took advantage of her being at a seemingly unimpressive university and molded it into an amazing experience, outcome, and story. She went on to complete the same university's doctorate program after she had earned her bachelor's degree. By this time, she had made a name for herself across her state at a relatively young age. Anastasia continued to write amazing articles and be known for her thought-provoking and impactful papers.

Over time, Anastasia's success did not dwindle. She soared higher and higher with each year. Now as a prolific author, Anastasia eventually began a world tour for her best-selling book, "The Unique Life of a Child Psychologist". Selling over a million copies over the span of a few years,  Anastasia had made it. She had made a name for herself, made a fortune in sales of her various works, and had not a single worry in life. 

Near the middle of her career, Anastasia heard disheartening news; her alma mater was having to shut its psychology department down. Not having visited or even thought about it, Anastasia had almost forgotten about the university she once called home. Thankful for the destined fate that was her attending that university, she couldn't imagine where she would have been if she had gone to Harvard or Yale, accepted loads of loans, and not had the same opportunities to become a prosperous psychologist. Because of this, she could not let her dear university's psychology department be shut down. She did everything in her power to stop it from collapsing. Ultimately, with no other option, she injected over 10 million dollars into that psychology department and brought it back to life. Now named after Anastasia, her alma mater's psychology department could not be more thankful and indebted to her. 

A pencil sketch of a happy wolf family. Source 

Author's Note: I based my story off the story of Ailbe, the human child that was abandoned by his parents in the woods. The helpless Ailbe was taken in and raised by wild wolves. Many years later, Ailbe was found and taken in by a nearby kingdom's prince and princess. Ailbe, now as a man amongst living amongst royalty, thrived with regard to fortune, position, and knowledge. Many years down the line, his former wolf family came before him as they were threatened by hunters. Ailbe came to their rescue and ensured their safety and well-being from that point on. 

Bibliography
Abbie Farwell Brown, The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts, source

Week 2 Story

There once was a school teacher who set out to be the best elementary school teacher she could be. She brought extra supplies to school for her kids, she stayed late after school just to help students who needed it, and she even went above and beyond outside the classroom. However, there was just one student who wouldn't listen to her. The rest of the class always put in the effort to be good, obedient students, so she knew it wasn't entirely her fault.

The student in question would always be a nuisance in class. He would be loud and disruptive. He would steal pencil lead from other students' pencils. He would make weird noises from his corner when he was in timeout. He would throw eraser bits at the students he didn't like and say "HEADSHOT" anytime he pegged someone right in the head. Time after time of being told to stop, he would never correct his behavior. Because of this, the teacher decided to tell the troublesome student a story about how she once had a student named Walker that failed to listen.

"Walker was about your age, 9 or 10. He was an energetic lil kid, loved breaking the rules, and always tried to push his luck with me. On one day in particular, he felt extra extra mischievous. Walker had tried Indian food for the first time the day before, so he was feeling fairly gassy. To make the best of an otherwise poopy situation, he let his bottom fill up with gas and tried his hardest to keep it all in. When he couldn't hold it all in any longer, Walker started running across the classroom from desk to desk, farting on his classmates. One by one, he made run-by farts on his friends, all the girls, everyone. He didn't treat anyone differently when it came to sharing his gas. All the students already thought he was a smelly, obnoxious turd, so their yelling and pushing and shoving were nothing new to him. If anything, it only encouraged him even more. If you're wondering what I was doing, I was actually chasing Walker across the room...yes, right behind him...and unfortunately catching most of his farts. His legs were so small, yet somehow still faster than mine. So, I eventually had to stop and call the principal of the whole school to come stop him. Principal Sheehan quickly made his way down, but Walker didn't think I was actually going to call the principal. As it turns out, Walker was near the end of his gas tank. He saved the best for last. He joyfully bent over as if he were snapping a football to a quarterback behind him, saw Principal Sheehan walk into the classroom from between his legs, and mistakenly let out the biggest, grossest, and loudest fart he had released. It was too late. He failed to clench his bottom closed in time and immediately knew that he had signed his death certificate. The principal immediately yanked Walker by the ear and took him off to his office to be paddled. All it would take is for me to make the call, and your bottom would be just as red and swollen as Walker's was on that day. The students had spread rumors that Walker wasn't ever able to fart again because of how bad he got spanked by Principal Sheehan. Walker learned from his mistake and never gave me a reason to have to call the principal ever again.

So, take this story as a lesson. When I tell you to stop and listen to me, I mean it. You won't like who may come after me if I can't get you under control."

The teacher imparted quite the tale upon the difficult student, and it had hit its mark. The student corrected his behavior and gave the kind and patient teacher no trouble from then on.

Author's note: I adapted this from the story of Buddha and his Unruly Monks. I put more of a modern twist on it, while trying to make it funny.


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Author: Robert Chalmers, Title: Unruly Monks, Source

I have always loved hearing parables that demonstrate a valuable life lesson, which Jesus often used. -- Source