Gracie

In this story, the prince must guess the names of the beautiful women so he can make them his wives. His dog waits by the town, listening for the names so he can go tell the prince He hears the names, and returns back But on the way he stops to eat, while he eats he forgets the names He returns back to the town and listens fort he names again Hearing them once more, he goes back to tell his master He gets thirsty on the way back and stops for a drink While drinking he forgets the names again, so he goes back to town He hears the names again, and returns to his master This time, he remembers the names and he and his master go back to town to claim their wives The prince marries the women because he knew their names.  This  story is a light, fun read. If I were to rewrite it, I would write about a bird who must gather certain pieces of material to build a nest, but he keeps forgetting the items needed. His guardian keeps telling him, and he flies back and fo...

South Africa: The Monkey's Fiddle In this story, the monkey receives a fiddle and a bow and arrow from his great uncle. He ventures off to go back home and meets the wolf. The wolf is hunting a deer that the monkey shoots down with his bow and arrow. The wolf sees how prized the weapon is, and wants it for himself. He tells the jackal that the monkey stole it from him, and the jackal believes him, so they go to court to be judged by the lion. While in court, all the animals see what a prize the bow and arrow is, so they make efforts to take it for themselves. The monkey begins to play the fiddle that can make anyone dance, and the animals dance and dance and dance until they are exhausted and fatigued. They tell the monkey he can have his bow and arrow back and they all would leave him alone if he would stop playing the fiddle. If I were to rewrite this story, I would write about a person who has a special key that could unlock any door. This could be used for goo...

The tales of the Parrot: The Merchant and His Wife This story is quite interesting. I like how the narrative is set up, and the story behind it. If I were to rewrite this story, I would make it about animals and tie it back to providing food instead of dancing and jewels. merchant's wife and image link The Tooti Nameh or Tales of a Parrot , by Ziya'al-Din Nakhshabi (1801).

Week 6 Reading Notes: The Hind  A  son and a slave who got transformed into cows by a woman. They had a feast and the king needed a cow, so the servant brought him the cow who was actually the slave. The king showed mercy and couldn't kill it, so he had the merchant do it, but the cow was empty inside. They brought in another cow who was actually the son. The king looked into his eyes and showed mercy, and told the servant to take great care of that cow.  Then a girl told the king that she was magical and she knew that the woman transformed his son into the cow and she will change him back as long as she can marry him.  If I were to rewrite this story, I would recreate it using different characters that gave a more magical and mysterious ideology. Maybe incorporate some mythical creatures and a different setting than the original. I do like the storyline of the original, so I would keep that same idea.    The Arabian Nights' Entertainments  ...

The Giant and The Creature In a world above the clouds, lived a clan of giants. This world was magical, full of joy and excitement. Everything that existed shimmered a bright gold. The giants were majestic creatures, who were known for their grace and beauty. The giants were responsible for looking after the creatures that lived below them. They provided the rain, the wind, and the sun. The giants were good, and they loved the creatures that they were destined to care for. To the creatures, the giants were royalty. The creatures praised them and sang to them, knowing that their fate depended on the giants. Because the creatures praised the giants, and the giants loved the creatures, their world was blissfully beautiful. Although the giants did love the creatures, once a year, they would request a sacrifice from the creatures as an act of appreciation for everything the giants give to them. The giants would feast on the sacrifice, and all would be well. On a cold and rainy winter d...

The Woman and the Witch In a small village lived a sweet, loving mother and her four children. They lived in a cottage on the outskirts of town, just over the bridge. The mother prepared to go to the market, and before she left she asked her children if they would like anything. "I'll take some bread," one child said. "Me as well," spoke another. "We'll take some flowers," chimed her two daughters. With her list in hand, she headed out for her goods. "Before I forget," she said, "Lock the door, and only open when you hear my special knock." "Yes, mother," said three of the four children. The fourth child was in the backroom playing with the dog. After a brief time, a knock approached on the door. It was not the knock the mother had created, but the fourth child who was not aware of the special knock opened the door anyway. A witch came through and snatched all of the children. She took them away to her home...

Shah Abbas and the Poor Mother I like this story because of the goodness it beings to the people in need. The Shah tried to provide a selfless action to the mother and her children, and once he knew it didn't go as he had planned, he did everything he could to make it right again. I like that this story is about doing kind things for those in need, and finding justice and punishment for those who did wrong. If I were to rewrite this story, I would make it be in modern times, and the mother would be struggling with trying to get her gets where they needed to go. A pastor will come and give her a new car. She will drive the car, but since it is so nice, a police officer will think she stole it and send her to jail. The pastor will find out, confront the police for assuming false accusations, and in a lawsuit, the woman will win enough money to care for her children.   Persian Tales ,  translated by D.L.R. Lorimer and E.O. Lorimer and illustrated by Hilda Roberts (1919)....