Week 2: Famous Last Words

When I first saw how much we had to read this week, I was a little bit overwhelmed. However, after reading a couple of pages, it seemed like I was just reading for fun, not doing required reading. The story is so interesting and easy to read. For my storybook assignment, I came up with some ideas that I really liked. My favorite is probably the “good” asuras storybook. I think it would be really interesting to tell their stories. I felt pretty good about my writing this week. From my experience in Dr. Gibb’s class, there are some weeks that the creativeness just flows, but other weeks, it can be really difficult. So far, I feel like I have had a pretty good flow.

My favorite writing that I read this week was probably The Break Room, by Elena Morgan. Similar to my storytelling post, she also focused on the character, Kooni. However, she told the story from the perspective of Kooni, who secretly is overjoyed, while the rest of the kingdom cries about Rama’s exile. I thought it was a very interesting perspective to tell the story from.

My other classes are going pretty well. During the first week of school, I ended up dropping Physiology, therefore, my schedule has become much easier. I am now taking this class, nutrition, understanding statistics, tennis, and intro to biochemical methods. My most challenging class will most likely be biochemical methods. I’ve really enjoyed my tennis class, because I played tennis in high school and always loved it. When I got to college, I just kind of stopped playing, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it until taking my tennis class. I also am really enjoying working at the OU Tennis Club. I just started at the end of the summer. Up until this year, I had never worked during the school year, only the summers, because I am lucky enough to have parents who financially support me. It’s really nice to actually be earning on my own money this year though.

Outside of school and work, my boyfriend and I watched the movie, the Delivery Man. Personally, I think Vince Vaughn does a great job in those heartwarming comedy types of movies, like Delivery Man and The Internship. It was really nice being able to relax over this three day weekend. Unfortunately, I work every Saturday, so it is unlikely that I will be able to attend the football games. This week, my mom kept me updated through text, and it was like I was hearing about a touchdown every 5 minutes! Sooner football is back! 

Image information: Racquet with tennis balls lying on a tennis court

Web Source: Idaho Falls Community Tennis Association

Week 2 Storytelling: Bharata's story

As Bharata journeyed home from visiting his grandfather, he questioned why he would have been called home so early. Bharata had always been close with his father, much more so than his mother, so naturally he feared that his father may be sick. Instead of dwelling on these fears, he pushed them aside and thought about how happy he was to be returning home. His family was so important to him, and he had missed them greatly, especially his brothers.

When Bharata entered Ayodhya, he sensed that something was terribly wrong, but he tried to remain optimistic. Ayodhya, usually a festive, beautiful place, now looked seemed so melancholy. On his arrival at the palace, the servants, the advisors, everyone stared glaringly at him. What could he have done to warrant such a reaction? He soon found out. After learning that his father had passed into the afterlife, Bharata broke down in tears. His first thought was to find Rama, but Rama and Lakshmana were nowhere to be found. His mother, Kaikeyi was his last resort, and he wanted some answers.

Bharata questioned, “Mother, what has happened?”

“Your father became very sick after Rama left him, and he could not bear the separation, so the old man is dead,” Kaikeyi responded coldly.

“How can you be so heartless! That is my father you are talking about. Why would Rama leave?” Bharata asked angrily.

Kaikeyi told him the story of how Dasaratha owed her two promises.

“Now with Rama out of the way, you will be King,” she said triumphantly.

Bharata suddenly felt sick to his stomach as he realized what had taken place while he was away.

“You are not my mother! You are a terrible demon of a woman. I wish nothing, but tragedy for you. The only good thing that has come of this is that I am King so I can banish you from this kingdom. You are just lucky that I am not banishing you from the Earth. You will leave immediately and never come back, or your sentence will be death. I disown you,” Bharata raged.

Bharata turned to leave, but heard a terrible growl. Slowly, he turned and found in front of him, not his mother, but Kooni. Kooni, his mother’s servant who no longer maintained the appearance of a woman, but of a demon. Bharata pulled out his sword.

“Where is my true mother? Answer me, you wretched demon!” he yelled.

Kooni responded, “I needed her out of the way, if I was to control the throne.”

Bharata quickly understood the meaning of this. His adrenaline rushed. He took a step toward Kooni, who blew fire at him. Bharata stepped back and dodged another attack. After Kooni’s missed attack, Bharata saw an opening. He quickly took advantage of this and Kooni was soon vanquished. 

After Bharata’s battle with Kooni for what she had done to Rama and Dasaratha, the people accepted and loved him again. Bharata found Rama to tell him what had passed and to ask him to take the throne, but Rama refused. For fourteen years, Bharata served to protect Ayodhya, until Rama could return.

Image information: Bharata questions Kaikeyi on his return home 

Web Source: KidsGen

Author's Note: In my retelling of Bharata and Kaikeyi's conversation on his return home, I turned Kooni into the real villain of the story. In the original story, Kooni had planted the seed in Kaikeyi's mind that Bharata should be king. I was really bothered by what took place and how Dasaratha had died, so I wanted his death to be revenged. I thought about having Kaikeyi turn into a demon, but I didn't want Bharata to have to kill his own mother, and since Kooni was the real reason for Kaikeyi's change of heart, I had her true personality revealed. Another reason I wrote this story is because I really liked Bharata and wanted him to be seen as a hero as well. 

Bibliography: Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana.

Week 2: Reading Diary B

Starting out, I'm just amazed at how peaceful and accepting Rama is of what was asked of him. He seems to be very wise, even without knowing that he is Vishnu. He is definitely an old soul. Lakshmana, on the other hand, seems to be a very young soul. I'm really glad that Lakshmana and Sita insisted on going with him though. I don't think he should have to be alone all those fourteen years.

Although Kaikeyi is a terrible, cruel woman, her son definitely inherited more of Dasaratha's characteristics. He seems much more noble, and I hate that, because of what Kaikeyi did, he may be looked at in the same way as her. 

The author made an excellent point about how interesting it was to see two princes, arguing over who should rule, each thinking the other should. All of the sons in this royal family seem to be good men who care for each other deeply. That is one of the things I am finding myself to like most about this story. The author seems to have a much more optimistic view of humanity than other authors do. I also like how it gives me characters that I want to cheer for.

ENCOUNTERS IN EXILE

I don't think I trust this new Kamavalli character, as she is the sister of Ravana. It seems so weird to me that Rama's excuse not to marry her could not just be that he was already married! It's strange to think of any man being able to have multiple wives. I'm glad Lakshmana was there to protect Sita from that terrible demon. Soorpanaka is pathetic in her attempts to covet Rama. I can’t believe that any woman would be so desperate that she would offer to be a man’s slave.

THE GRAND TORMENTOR

Soorpanaka remains crazy in this chapter. How can she seriously think that Rama would ever want her, especially if she caused his separation from Sita. She is crazy! Also, what is with Ravana thinking that Sita is just some possession for him to collect. What is even more bothersome is that there are guys that I know that think in that same way! Ravana is impossible to please (talk about high maintenance!).

Also, he hasn’t even met her or seen her! He’s wreaking havoc on Earth over some woman he has never even met!

I actually felt kind of bad for Mareecha. There he was trying to turn his life around, and Ravana has to come and ruin it. Also, I was shocked out Rama’s foolishness! He is not usually one to fall for such obvious trickery. I guess love really can make you foolish. Rama and Sita fall for tricks that if had not been for their love for each other, they would never have fallen for. This chapter ended very badly. I was saddened that Jatayu, who had been so loyal, died, and that Rama lost his beloved to Ravana. I hope that Rama and Sita will be reunited.