Portfolio Introduction

The Ants' Revenge

The Ogre's Great Deceit 

The Fairy Bride

Pearl and the Thief 

The Kitten's Big Responsibility

Storytelling Week 5: The Kitten's Big Responsibility

Storytelling Week 5: The Kitten’s Big Responsibility

“I’m so excited!” the kitten thought to herself.  

You see, today was a big day for the kitten.

The kitten’s mom worked for a lion.  Her job was to scare away the mice at night.  The mice had a tendency to steal leftover food from the lion’s mouth while he was sleeping, which would disturb his sleep patterns and make him very groggy the next day. The cat kept the mice away and worked her way up to a position of power and became a very respected member in the animal community.

Tonight, however, the cat was going away for personal business and asked the kitten to take over watch.  The cat would only be gone for the day, but without someone to watch the mice, things would get out of hand. Keeping the lion happy was the number one priority! The kitten was ecstatic at the chance to work the job.  Not only did the kitten love scaring mice, but she also wanted to prove to her mom how great of a worker she was.

That night, while she was on watch, the kitten had a great idea!

“What if I show my mom how hardworking I am by killing the mice! Then mom’s work won’t be as hard when she comes back!”

The kitten was so proud of herself for coming up with the plan. She just knew she would be praised by her mom, and maybe even by the lion himself! With her quick kitten-like reflexes, she was the perfect candidate for this job!

The lion was snoring peacefully as the kitten got to work.  She was killing mice left and right, silently creeping behind shrubs and trees, pouncing at the right moment! The mice didn’t know what hit them.  They were dropping like flies! They had never known a cat to kill them, only scare them, so they weren’t fearful for their lives until it was too late. By the end of the night, there were no more live mice left.

(Kitten Eating a Mouse)

By morning, the kitten had produced a large pile dead mice for her mother to see.  When her mother got there, she was appalled by what she saw.  She reprimanded her kitten for killing all of the mice, for she knew she would no longer have a job.  Realizing that she had never specifically told the kitten to not kill the mice, she accepted the blame.

That day, realizing the cat’s job was unnecessary now, the lion fired the cat.

The kitten felt horrible, but at least now she had more time with her mom! The cat and the kitten went on their way to find work in a new village, for they were no longer needed in this one.  

Author’s Note:  This story comes from the Tales of a Parrot unit, specifically the story, The Old Lion and the Cat.  The original story was very similar to mine. The difference in the original version and my version is that in the original version the kitten did not have its own point of view I decided to give the kitten a voice of its own and explain her side of the situation. I really like giving a voice to characters that originally do not have one in the stories.
I have cats of my own, and though cats can be jerks sometimes, I know a lot of the times when they ruin things it’s innocent.  I thought the kitten’s mess-up was innocent as well, so I wrote about it!

I also think seeing both sides of a story is really important in every day situations. I think a lot of the time when people mess up it is purely by accident or from a misunderstanding. I know I keep myself calmer when I think about this, and it's easier to let things go. Hopefully this story helps you all think about all sides of a situation, which will hopefully result in less conflict!

Bibliography: From the book, The Tooti Nameh or Tales of a Parrot by Ziya’al-Din Nakhshabi (1801)  

Online Education Review

Online Education Review

I really enjoy online classes! Sometimes I learn better on my own, so I really appreciate the opportunity to take online classes.  Honestly, it depends on the subject, but online classes can definitely be more beneficial for me.  There are some classes that I don’t think online courses would work for.  This was a really great topic to have an online course for! I really enjoy the freedom of online classes, but it can be easy to be lazy about them.  Your daily assignment system made it easier to stay on track!

(Personal photo of my mom and I! She’s the cutest thing next to my cats! Also, she knitted those socks for me!)

Gen. Ed. Review

Gen. Ed. Review

I feel like general education classes are really important! Having a well-rounded education is important to being a well-rounded individual. However, I think some of the gen ed requirements are ridiculous and aren’t very beneficial.  For both of my non-western gen ed classes I took music courses that were a joke.  Also, most of the gen ed classes are so easy, and you don’t really learn much.  At least with my experience!  I think making a WGS class as a required Gen. Ed. course would be really beneficial.  

(Personal photo of my cats being adorable)

College Writing Review

College Writing Review

My major is Pre-Occupational therapy and writing is really important for it! Honestly, I think classes like this are important for all majors. This class was actually a really fun way to learn how to become a better writer.  I really appreciate how nice you were in your feedback! The amount of people I know in college who don’t know the correct use of your/you’re is ridiculous.  I think a class like this would be extremely beneficial for most college students.  English 1 and 2 were great for becoming better writers, but because there were only 4 main papers, there really wasn’t very much feedback on how to become a better writer.  With having to write new things every week for this class, it was a much better environment to get better and more beneficial feedback! 

(Personal Photo of my cat being seductive)

Extra Reading Diary: Hans Christian Anderson

Extra Reading Diary:  Hans Christian Andersen

The Princess and the Pea:

If I’ve learned anything from this story, it’s that I’m definitely not a princess.  I sleep WAY too hard for that! Also, I doubt that this is a true story.  There’s no way anyone would be able to feel a pea.  They might as well feel the dust mites that live in mattresses! Also also, why is being that sensitive so important? Why is that seen as princess-like? It’ s an interesting concept.

(illustration by Dulac)

The Wicked Prince:

It’s interesting how some people want to hold all the power in the world.  I suppose I can’t relate, so the thought seems so repulsive to me.

This was such a weird story! I like it. Defeated by a gnat, heck yes.  At first I was wondering why God didn’t just kill him or defeat him early on, but losing the reputation he had wanted so badly, because of a gnat, did more damage than just killing him would have.  Awesome.

The Little Match-Seller:

I had already read a storytelling revolved around this story.  I like the storytelling better! This version was way more tragic.  :(

Reading Diary B: Grimm (LibriVox)

Reading Diary B: Grimm (LibriVox)

Twelve Huntsmen:  Why couldn’t the man’s wife go with him? Wait, but if he already has a wife, how would he marry again? Did the dad not know he already had a wife? wut.  

I love that the lion is the wise one! Why don’t they just confront the women? These are the weirdest ways to see if someone is a woman or not.

I feel like he should have kept his promise to his original wife the whole time… What a weird story.

Jordina and Jordinel:  This was a weird story, but I liked it.  I’m used to fairies being the good guys, so it was fun reading a story where that wasn’t the case.  

Twelve Dancing Princesses:  I wonder why a lot of these stories have 12s. Not only in these fairy tales, but in the other units as well.  I should google it.  

An invisible cloak?? What is this, Harry Potter? This is exciting!

The Turnip:  Okay, I really love that this story is about a turnip.  

(Illustration by Otto Ubbelohde)

Reading Diary A: Grimm (LibriVox)

Reading Diary A: Grimm (LibriVox)

The Frog Prince:  It is really awesome to actually read this story.  I’ve seen the disney version, and I’ve heard this story various times, but I’ve never actually read it for myself.  I love the introduction.  I never really thought about how the princess got near the frog, but I love that it’s something as light-hearted as playing with a ball.  

Being with someone in exchange for a ball seems a bit extreme, but hey, whatever.

Geeeez, I would have never guessed that the story would get this in depth with the details.  Ilike it!

If I was the frog, I wouldn’t want to marry the princess.  She lied and wouldn’t have helped the frog out if it wasn’t for her father.  She’s only into looks. Forget that.

Rapunzel: I really enjoyed reading this story.  There were many parts that this story elaborated on that I hadn’t heard in other stories.  It’s interesting how different stories can be based on what points and backgrounds the story teller elaborates on.  

(illustration by Walter Crane)

Clever Elsie:  I don’t even know what I just read… This story was ridiculous! I’m not really sure who is the clever one in this story.  Geez.  

Reading Diary B: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)

Reading Diary B: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)

The Fox and the Cat: I remember reading this story or at least a similar story about a fox using many different tricks to try and get away, but in the end failing.  I believe the other version of this story was better written, though.  With more details and everything.  

Simeli Mountain: I really liked this story.  I think it’s awesome that the poor brother, when he got rich, he gave to the poor and lived happily.  Also, he wasn’t extremely greedy and didn’t take all of the riches from the mountain.  I think it’s really awesome as well that the story had a semi-happy ending.  The rich, greedy brother ended up dying, which I think is fitting for a fairy tale.

The Duration of Life: This is probably one of my favorite short stories now.  Wow.  That’s kind of sad that the animals wanted a shorter life.  But it makes sense! I was definitely a fan of this story.

(illustration by Otto Ubbelohde)

The Peasant and the Devil: A peasant got the best of the devil? danggggg.  How is the Devil not smart enough to realize that different plants grow above and below the earth? That’s a little ridiculous.  But then again, I’ve always pictured the devil being more intelligent than that. Good for the peasant, though!

Reading Diary A: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)

Reading Diary A: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)

Cat and Mouse in Partnership: This story is starting out really sweet!

Nooooo! I hate it when the cat is the bad guy in a story. That’s the way of the world?? really, that’s the ending? That’s terrible. I had gotten my hopes up for a sweet story.  sad day.

(Lying Cat)

Little Red Cap: This is obviously similar to Little Red Riding hood! Yep, it’s exactly like little red riding hood.  

The Elves: I think it’s kind of funny that the shoemaker isn’t freaking out more.

I could write a storytelling from the Elves’ perspectives on the matter.

The wife made them clothes. :) Oh man, this story is great! It’s almost like they freed a house elf like in harry potter.  Thank goodness the shoemaker continued to be successful!

Old Sultan: The dog sounds so sweet.  And the farmer is going to shoot him?? Why can’t the dog just die in peace since he had been so good to the farmer for his whole life? The heck.

Apparently the wife and I are on the same page.

Oh goodness. The wolf has such an elaborate plan.  It is brilliant, though.  

Extra Reading Diary: More English Fairy Tales

Extra Reading Diary: More English Fairy Tales

Since I only have to do half of the reading, I’m just going to pick 7 stories to read that interest me, and I’ll write about the ones I like the most.

The Three Wishes:  How sweet of the man to spare the tree for a little fairy. Three wishes? oh my goodness.  That’s awesome.  Hahaha, I love that he wanted pudding.  Seriously, I don’t know how I would feel if I wasted three magical wishes on pudding.  At least they seem happy, though.  And at least the pudding was tasty!

King O’ the Cats:  Of course I had to write about this one.  I can never say no to a cat story.  Hahaha, okay, this story was cool.  So sad that Tim died, but at least Tom gets the chance to become King o’ the Cats! What a title!

The Old Witch: I feel like the bread, if it had been baking for 7 years, would be super burnt and probably unable to talk.  But I suppose it isn’t that weird since the bread is talking to the little girl in the first place.  

Never look up at the chimney? Wanna bet that they do? She got money?? What the heck kind of chimney is it??

Well that was a happy ending for the first girl!

Dang! Karma at it’s finest.  

Reading Diary B: English Fairy Tales

Reading Diary B: English Fairy Tales

Molly Whuppie: They couldn’t feed all their children so they just left three of them for dead? What? Why wouldn’t they just send them to another family, or at least be humane about it instead of letting them just starve and suffer in the forest.  It’s weird how people exchange wealth for marriage.

Mr. Fox:  Lady Mary had two brothers and more lovers than she could count - I like her already.  

If she only cared for Mr. Fox, why have other lovers?

Mr. Fox is a serial killer? Wow, what a twist.  She pointed the hand at Mr. Fox? Geez.   That is pretty morbid.  Maybe I can make my storytelling about Mr. Fox’s point of view.  Or a re-telling somewhat of this story. -I married a serial killer story.  

(The Hand)

Mr. Miacca:  I could write a storytelling about a similar story of being kidnapped and escaping.  

Fairy Ointment:  Dame Goody got stolen! Whaaaat. Oh wow, ointment to make everything look perfect.  That is really cool and dangerous!

Well, at least he was nice enough to take her back.  People do really do anything for their kids.  

He blinded her! dang.  That’s what you get for stealing, I suppose.  

Reading Diary A: English Fairy Tales

Reading Diary A: English Fairy Tales

Tom Tit Tot: Hahaha, I like that the story is based off of miscommunication.  Also, if my mom started singing loudly that I had just eaten five pies, I would be so embarrassed.  I want to get married just based on the fact that I can eat a lot! What a catch.  Riddles to stay alive, gotta love fairy tales.  Why would he shriek and run? Just because he lost?  Weird.  

(Tom Tit Tot)

Binnorie: Shouldn’t the sister hate Sir William instead of her sister? It’s not the sister’s fault that he loves her! Though, maybe she shouldn’t have acted on his love. Hmmm.

She killed her sister?? What? She would just leave her sister for dead over a man? That’s what family is all about, eh?

That had kind of a creepy ending.

Cap o’ Rushes: What kind of father compares how much his daughters love him? That’s terrible.  The poor daughter.  Dang, this totally is a cinderella story!

How does a story like this get a happily ever after? She just forgave her father like that? Dang, she must be really mature.

The Story of the Three Little Pigs: He ate the pig? What?? Is this what it’s like to have your childhood ruined?  I totally thought all the pigs hid out in the brick house! Alive! My heart hurts.  

Storytelling Week 10: The Fairy Bride

Storytelling Week 10: The Fairy Bride

(Enchanted Forest)

There was once a beautiful girl named, Neen-i-zu, which meant, “My Dear Life.”  Neen-i-zu was a beautiful girl who was loved by all of the people who knew her.  She was different from the other girls in the tribe, though.  While other girls preferred to learn trades that would make them more pleasing wives, such as basketweaving and cooking, Neen-i-zu preferred to get lost in her thoughts and explore the forest.  She was atypical, and everyone knew it.

Neen-i-zu could spend hours in the forest, playing with the animals, walking through the trees, and lost in her day dreams. Her most common day dreams were about a life where she could stay happy in the forest forever. She would be so thrilled to live in the forest and be at peace with nature.  Her mother wasn’t pleased with this.  Neen-i-zu’s mother loved her so much and wanted the best life for her.  Her mother believed the best option was to marry her off to a hunter, so she would always be well fed.  Neen-i-zu hated the thought of marrying someone who only thought of killing animals.  It hurt her heart, but marrying the hunter was her only choice.  As much as she wanted to disobey, family came first and she could never go against her mother's wishes.

On the day of her wedding, Neen-i-zu was the most gorgeous girl around.  Everyone was excited for her wedding except for Neen-i-zu herself.  Knowing that she wouldn’t be able to explore the forest at will once she was married, Neen-i-zu went exploring into the forest one last time, just hours before the ceremony.

She slowly wandered through the forest, taking in everything around her. The trees, the little stream, and all of the animals.  She was crying sadly as she moved through the trees when she was suddenly caught off guard.  The most beautiful creature she had ever seen had peeked around a tree and made eye contact with her.  Neen-i-zu froze, unsure of what to do.  Slowly the creature, a gorgeous man-fairy, came up to her.  He gently wiped away Neen-i-zu’s tears from her cheek.  Instantly she fell in love with this fairy, and she knew in her heart they were meant to be with each other. 

The man-fairy had known of Neen-i-zu’s predicament.  He had always watched her from afar, but he had always been too shy to express his love for her.  Knowing this was his last chance, he gained the courage to approach her.  He expressed his love for her and she reciprocated, both ecstatic to have finally found true happiness.  

Neen-i-zu was so happy and they married in that moment. The marriage was a magical kind of marriage. Once they were married, the magic of the forest made Neen-i-zu into a fairy so she could stay with her fairy husband forever and live the life she had always dreamed of. The couple lived happily ever after in the forest until the end of their days. It was Neen-i-zu's dream come true.

Author’s Note:  This was based on the story, The Fairy Bride.  In the original story Neen-i-zu had the same backstory that I wrote about.  However, in the original story, Neen-i-zu went into the forest before her marriage and was never seen again, except for by her hunter husband-to-be. Her hunter husband-to-be saw Neen-i-zu walk unto the arms of the man fairy, while in her wedding dress, and embraced him. When he saw this, he assumed she became a fairy-bride and told the rest of their people.  There was actually no story of how exactly she became a fairy bride, though.  I didn’t like that the original story skipped how exactly she became a fairy bride, so I wrote my own version of how I thought it would happen. I thought about making the story dark, but I decided against it. I wanted to make the story sweet, because I thought that such a good-natured person like Neen-i-zu deserved a happy ending, especially after being so misunderstood her whole life. Also, I tried to imagine the backstory of her fairy husband, so I decided to make him shy to explain why they didn't get married until the last minute. I hope you enjoyed my version!

Bibliography:  The Fairy Bride from American Indian Fairy Tales by W.T. Larned (1921).

Extra Reading Diary: Canterbury Tales

Extra Reading Diary: Canterbury Tales

The Wife of Bath’s Tale: The Unknown Bride:

What is it that women wish for most? Hmm.  Initially I thought of respect.  I’m curious to see how the Knight figures out the answer! And to see what the answer actually is.

Bahaha, “One even insisted that a woman would rather keep a secret than do anything else, but of course that is nonsense, for we women cannot conceal things.”  That’s the best line in the whole story.

(King Midas and his ears)

It’s noble that he’s going back.  Personally, I would probably hide out.  Especially back in those days when it was easy to hide away.

The Unknown Bride (cont.): What women desire most is to rule their husbands? What…??? That’s a bold answer I suppose.  

Oh man.  The old lady is going to make the Knight marry her! That’s perfect.  Though, since she saved his life, he should be more willing, I think.  Especially since if she’s that old then she won’t be around for too much longer.  

The Friar’s Tale: The Story of the Summoner:  What a weird way to start a friendship.

The Pardoners who went out to meet death: Honestly, that sounds like a pretty awesome life! or a typical night out for a college student.    Why do you keep living any longer when you are so old? What a terrible question.  This story took an interesting route.