Week 6 Storytelling: A Tree's Suitors

One sunny day, a carpenter was walking alone in the woods. He stopped when he saw a tree made from the most beautiful wood he had ever seen. Not wanting to risk such a great opportunity, he stopped immediately to carve a large piece from the tree. He wondered what he should design. He decided to carve the most beautiful woman he could imagine as only that would be fitting for the most beautiful wood. When he was done, he went into town to find men who could help him carry his statue.
Next came a jeweler who saw the beautiful carving. "A woman so beautiful is worthy of the finest jewelry." he adorned the statue with his greatest pieces. Seeing no owner in sight, he went into town to find some men who would help him carry it.
Next a tailor came down the rode. Upon seeing the statue beautifully carved and bedecked in fine jewelry, he thought "A woman so beautiful is worthy of the finest clothes." When he learned there was no one near to claim the prize, he headed towards the town to find some men who could help him carry the woman made of wood.
Lastly came a man who had lost everything in a fire. He had no home, money, food, and only rags to cover his body. He saw the beautiful statue with beautiful clothes and jewelry from afar. Looking around for an owner of the statue and seeing no one, he jumped for joy at his luck. He ran towards the statue in order to take her finery and sell it. Looking at the face of this beautiful woman, he was reminded of his wife he had lost in that destructive fire. He remembered how he had never been a rich man, but he had always been happy when he had his wife at his side. More than possessions, he wanted someone to spend his days with.
"Oh gods of life, love, and mercy! I beg you pity a sad, starving man. Though I may crave sustenance or wealth, I need to not be so lonely. Give me someone who will love me, and whom I can love as I once loved my wife." And with that he fell at the feet of the statue, weeping.
When the woman opened her eyes, she was surprised to find she had been given the gift of life. Having watched passerby's wonder before her tree for years, she had always wanted to take part in life the way they could. She looked down to see the man crying and her newly formed heart opened for him.

"Mrs Richard Brinsley Sheridan". Painting by Gainsborough
Source: Wikipedia

"Dear sir, please tell me where I might be able to find somewhere to sleep for the night."
The man looked up in shock. Once the awe had faded enough to plan, they decided that they should go into town, pawn her finery, and find an inn for the night.
However when they got to town, they found a crowd of people. At the center of the crowd, three men were arguing.
"Let me take my men to bring it home for myself!" the carpenter shouted. "I created it originally from the tree!'"
The jeweler and the tailor began shouting about how they had both given up their finest goods to ornament it in the beauty it deserved.
"Wait," the carpenter said. "Isn't that the statue?"
The whole crowd turned to see the most beautiful woman in the finest jewels and clothes walking along side a man of obviously no fortune.
"What is the meaning of this?" they all demanded. The poor man explained how the gods had granted her life at his supplications.
"Well she should be mine!" The four began shouting.
The woman was appalled at the ferocity of the men who demanded to possess her based purely on her appearance. So she devised a plan.
"Gentlemen, might I solve this problem? I shall marry whichever man has the most to offer me."
The carpenter, the tailor, and the jeweler immediately began running home to grab their most valuable items to impress the woman. The poor man stood silently, puzzled at what to do. But soon he fell to his knees and began praying aloud. He asked the gods to grant him whatever he needed to win this woman he had fallen in love with. He did not ask for money or finery, merely whatever was necessary, calling for the wisdom of the gods.
After they had all returned, each man took his turn presenting what he thought would most impress the woman. She stood stoically, not betraying a hint of emotion. Three of the men had had their moment, leaving only the poor man left to present his case.
He stood before the woman, shoulders slumped, but hope in his eyes. "Madam, I am all I can offer," and he held forth his empty hands. "I only pray I can ever be enough for you."
Suddenly, a gold mist surrounded the man, shielding him from the gaze of everyone there. When the mist disappeared, the man was left standing. But now, he was dressed in simple, clean clothing. His face was shaved and hair trimmed. In his hands that were just before empty, he held a red rose in full bloom.
" I have made my decision." The woman said boldly. She pointed to the fourth man and merely said, "I'm yours."
The first three men shouted their protests. The crowd stood in awe. "Why?" several shouted. "He has the least to offer!"
"He has a humble heart. This is the most beautiful, most worthy thing which someone could offer."

Author's Note: This is a combination and retelling of two different stories, both in the Parrot's Tales saga. The Parrot Tales is a frametale in which a parrot must distract the lady of the house from going to meet with her lover. He tells these stories so she won't leave.
The first story I used is the The Goldsmith, the Carpenter, the Taylor, and the Hermit. Very similar to my story, each of the four men contribute their own specialty to creating a statue until the fourth hermit brings her to life by praying to the gods. However, she never talks. When they argue, they go back to the tree to see if that can judge who should have her, she returns to the tree. The moral is all things must return to where they belong/where they are from. 
The second story I borrowed from was the The Merchant whose Daughter Was Lost. In this a beautiful girl is asked to choose a suitor. In this she says that she will only choose the most wise/skillful suitor. She goes missing and each man uses his best skill to save her. After being saved, she is asked to choose. 
So for this, I stuck mostly with the first story, but rather than her returning to the tree, I made her in charge of her own fate. She puts them to the test and is confident in her choice. 


The Merchant whose Daughter Was Lost: The Tooti Nameh or Tales of a Parrot, by Ziya'al-Din Nakhshabi (1801).

Tales of a Parrot: The Goldsmith, the Carpenter, the Taylor, and the Hermit

: The Tooti Nameh or Tales of a Parrot, by Ziya'al-Din Nakhshabi (1801).

Reading Notes: Lost Daughter, Part B

• There is a beautiful daughter of a rich merchant
• He says that she can choose her husband
• She says she wants one that is either very wise or skillful
• Word spreads of what the beautiful, rich daughter wants in a man
• Three suitors
• one essentially knows all "knows what is lost, and the future"
• Second can build a floating wooden horse
• third is a great archer
• Daughter says she will sleep on it
• goes missing in the night
• Father asks all three for help
• The first knows what happened to her
• she was kidnapped by a fairy and taken to the top of a mountain
• Second builds horse to go to the mountain
• Third rides the horse and shoots the fairy, brings the girl home
• Parrot tells mistress that she will know if her lover is wise if he can say that the third suitor should marry the daughter

Photo author: dreamypixel.com Source: Wikimedia

The Merchant whose Daughter Was Lost: The Tooti Nameh or Tales of a Parrot, by Ziya'al-Din Nakhshabi (1801).

Reading Notes: Parrot Tales, Part A

Source: Maxpixel

• The parrot is trying to keep the woman of the house from cheating on her husband
• Every night he drops the name of a story, she is intrigued enough to stay and listen
• By the time he finishes the stories, the sun has risen and she can't go
• This time he tells of four men who were in the woods. 
• Each man has a different specialty. 
• As each keeps watch, they use their specialty to create a beautiful figure.
• The last prays that the wooden figure because a real woman (very pygmalion)
• The men fight over who gets her and everyone they go to to ask for advice ends up trying to claim her. 
• They come up with dumb excuses. 
• We never hear her speak up for herself. In fact she never speaks. Can she speak? Does she have thoughts and feelings of her own?
• When they go to the tree for judgement...
• Tree first splits open. 
• She "ran" to rejoin the tree
• Went back to where she belongs, where she came from

Tales of a Parrot: The Goldsmith, the Carpenter, the Taylor, and the Hermit

: The Tooti Nameh or Tales of a Parrot, by Ziya'al-Din Nakhshabi (1801).

Week 5 Storytelling: Her Story

Ancient Egyptian woman.
Photo by Florence Hornblower
Source: Flickr

Jezebel felt terrible complaining about her life. She knew she was lucky. There were women, even some of her sisters, who hadn't found kind men to take for husbands. They lived at home and dreaded the day their fathers would no longer be there to provide.
It seemed that in many ways, the gods had smiled on Jezebel and belssed her. She had a husband who never shouted without cause. She had a home and a farm. She had a brother-in-law who was kind to her. She hardly wanted for anything.
Yet her life felt so empty. All day long she either weaved, cooked, or lounged. She took no pleasure in these activities and longed for something more. Something meaningful in her life. She had hoped to have children who would fill her days with liveliness and laughter, but she and her husband had not been blessed by the gods in this way, though she still hoped.
This feeling of emptiness had merely tugged at her heart for years, and she pushed it away, reminding herself of her blessings. But a few days ago, a few travelers had come through and stayed at her husband's home for dinner. They regarded her ad asked if she was a sister or wife.
"She is my wife," her husband said.
"A beautiful one," a traveler said.  And after that, no one said a word to her. She served them food, she danced, and she tried to start interesting conversations. But no one looked her in the eyes again. No one asked her a question. And at the end of the night she realized no one had bothered to learn her name.
"Jezebel!" she wanted to shout. "My name is Jezebel and I have thoughts, feelings, and a life of my own!" Though she was beginning to wonder if this was all true.
After that dinner, she was unable to remember why she should be happy. She couldn't recall a singularly happy moment in her life that wasn't tainted by a feeling of a lack of purpose and meaning.
It was upon one of her moments of deep reverie that her brother-in-law walked in. His skin glistened from his work in the fields and he shook the dark hair out of his eyes to reveal his deep brown eyes. So lost in her thoughts, she did not recognize him at his entry.
"Get me some corn," he said.
Her mind couldn't make sense of his words, so mangled were her thoughts.
He wanted something, is that right?
She mumbled something about how he should get it so that she wouldn't haver to ruin her hair.
He left and she silently berated herself for being so unlike herself.
When he returned, she was taken aback by his strength. Had she never noticed before how handsome and strong he was? Is he different than she had always thought? Perhaps they're both different. Maybe they've both been hiding who they truly are.
Maybe he is what's missing. 
"Dear, won't you come lay beside me? We could make each other so happy. Your brother never needs to know. Please, come be with me."
"How dare you!" he shouted. "You are like a mother to me!" He began hurrying away.
"Please don't leave me alone here!" She rushed to stand and chase after him, but she was restrained ad tripped on all the refinery she was expected to wear each day. "There is so little left of me! Please help me!"
But he was gone. All those time she had felt empty before did not compare to this absolute hopelessness she had now.
I won't let this one moment of weakness ruin everything. 
She could hardly remember how she did it, the pain she felt, or why she did it. But before she knew it, she was lying on the ground, bleeding, a black eye, and a broken chair at her side. She lay there, giggling nonsensically as she awaited her husband's return home. She seemed unaware of her surroundings, staring at the door.
She couldn't tell  if hours had gone by, days, or merely a few moments. She didn't even hear her husband come in, but heard him suddenly shouting.
"He beat me. When I refused to sleep with him, he beat me."
"Who beat you?"
Don't lose everything you have. He can't know. 
"Your brother."



Author's Note: One of my pet peeves in stories is when women are demonized and everything that goes wrong is blamed on them, but they don't even get so much as a name. More than that, when reading the story of the two brothers, what struck me what that the death of the wife is covered in one sentence. We know nothing about her, and all we get is a sentence in regards to her murder by her own husband. The brothers are considered perfect.
So for this re-telling, I stuck to the same story, but it is completely from her perspective. I wanted to show why she may have done what she did. I often think about how life as a woman in most every ancient society would have been horrible, and this was my attempt to imagine what exactly it would have been like for a woman who had nothing going on except being a wife and sister-in-law.

The Two Brothers Part One: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907).

Reading Notes: The Two Brothers Part 1 and 2, Part B

The Two Brothers: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907).

• There were two brothers who lived together
• The older had a wife 
• The younger was single, taking care of his brother's farm and animals
• His brother and sister-in-law were like family to him
• The younger brother could understand the animals talking
• One day he needed to go inside for some supplies while his brother was out
• While grabbing the supplies, his sister-in-law starts hitting on him
• she is amazed by the strength that he displays
• She offers to sleep with him while her husband is away
• he refuses
• The brother returns and finds his wife on the floor, beaten with bruises
• He demands to know what happened
• She lies and says that the younger brother was coming on to her
• She said that she refused her and in retaliation, he beat her and told her not tell the older brother
• She says that to avenge her, he must go and kill his brother
• The brother goes out to kill his brother
• Before the eldest can reach him, the animals warn him of what's coming
• Just as the eldest brother is chasing him, the youngest cries out for help from the god Ra. 
• Ra sends down a pond of crocodiles to separate the two brothers
• The younger brother is able to explain the truth and the god Ra is a witness of his testimony. 
• The younger says he must go on a long journey for seven years and that his brother must stay here
• The older brother goes back to the house, kills his wife, give her dead body to the dogs o be eaten, and he mourns his brother

Ra in his solar boat.
Posted by Ausir Source: Wikimedia

Reading Notes: the Death of Osiris, Part A

Greek marble Statue of goddess Isis
Photo by Tilemahos Efthimiadis Source: Wikimedia

• Osiris is a great king of Egypt and has been ruling with such effectiveness that he leaves on a mission to help other peoples and make them good
• Set, the brother of Osiris, is so jealous that he conspires to remove him
• Iris is queen and rules while Osiris is on his mission. 
• While Osiris is away, Isis must work to foil Set's plans
• Set comes up with a plan to kill Osiris when he comes back
• Osiris comes back and hosts a large banquet
• Set bring a large, beautiful box and says whoever can fit perfectly gets to keep it. 
• No one fits except for Osiris. 
• Osiris can't get out of the box. Set's followers all close the lid, locking him in there
• Osiris floats down the river Nile in the box. 
• Grief stricken, Isis wonders the land trying to find Osiris. 
• Seven scorpions find her and become her protectors
• Set ascends to the throne and rules by tyranny. 
• Followers of Osiris are persecuted
• Ra, having pity on Isis, sends the son of Osiris, Anubis, to be her guide
• Isis comes to a house and upon arrival,
• The mother fears the scorpions, so she closes the door, not allowing the goddess to enter
•  a scorpion kills the son while trying to enter
• Isis pities the grieving mother and brings the son back to life. 

The Death of Osiris: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907).

Wikipedia Trail: From Saint Juliana to Indulgences

Juliana of Nicomedia: I started with this article because I really enjoyed reading about the female saints and found their stories so compelling. Saint Juliana is the martyr who was killed because she refused to marry a man who wasn't a christian.  According to this article, she is recognized by both Latin and Greek churches, but is particularly venerated in the Netherlands as the saint of sickness.

Saint Barbara: This saint's story is very similar to that of Saint Juliana. However, the accuracy of her story is so doubted that she was removed from the Roman calendar in 1969. Due to the lightning that killed her fire, she is associated with protection from lightning and fire and the patron saint of artillerymen.

Fourteen Holy Helpers: These are fourteen saints who are believed to be particularly strong helpers against  illness. The idea of this group of saints was created in the 14th century with the rise of the bubonic plague in the Rhineland. It started with three virgin martyrs: Saint Barbara, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine.

Painting of the Fourteen Helpers.
Restored and photographed by Alois Lieberwein Source: Wikimedia

Indulgences:  In the Catholic church, it is believed that there are punishments for sins. Indulgences are a way of lessening the punishment of a sin. At one point there were indulgences when one showed devotion to the Fourteen Helpers, but those no longer apply.

Learning Challenge: Happiness

Confirmed: Exercise leads to a happier life. I knew this was true from my own experience. For example, last week I started teaching dance. I was so stressed that I would be extra tired all the time from this added responsibility. Instead, I sleep better at night, feel better and more energetic the next day, and I don't feel like such a potato all the time. I definitely miss being active, especially as active as I was in high school. I am hoping that I can commit to the 7 minutes a day of exercise!

Trying to be as happy as this Golden Retriever.
Photo by Kevin Sando Source: flickr 

News: Planning a trip can make you happier. It is hard for me to believe that this is true, but I am going to try and implement this as well. I often go on google flights, just to check out how expensive flights are and I come away from it more nostalgic than before. But perhaps if I followed through with the plan, it would make me happier. So excuse me while I plan Thanksgiving in Budapest.

Curious: Exist the app. The author just barely mentioned that this expert created an app which "connects all of your services to turn that data into insights about your life." How cool is that? I definitely want to check it out! My life could be changed from this little app they couldn't be bothered to add a second sentence about. 

Just kidding, I looked it up. It costs money. Probably not worth it. 

Growth Mindset: Multiple Intelligences

I am a Peer Learning Assistant (tutor) for the Student Learning Center this year. This semester, they wanted all tutors to learn about the theory of multiple intelligences and implement it in our sessions. So I have heard a lot about this theory, and really like it.

The two intelligences that I would like to develop are visual-spatial and interpersonal. My visual intelligence is particularly lacking.

Photo rights from Creative Commons CC0 Source: pxhere

This year I moved into an apartment with my friend and she was always getting mad at me because I had absolutely zero input on how to decorate and organize it. I just couldn't find a vision, much less know what to put where to make that vision a reality. To develop this, I think it would be good practice to try and visualize what I want before I take action. For example, I think I am far more kinesthetically inclined. I would rather begin and keep trying to fix it. But if I don't allow myself the process of trial and error always, I will have to develop my visual skills.

While I think I have good interpersonal intelligence, I would always like to develop it further! It's still not great, and we definitely need great interpersonal skills to excel.

Tech Tip: Blogger Profile

I started my Blogger profile years ago in order to comment on Gail Carson Levine's blog. (Which side note, not only is Gail Carson Levine an amazing author, but she has a blog with writing tips that could be extremely useful for this class! Here is the link). The only thing I have ever messed with much for my profile is the picture (how vain). I've never truly understood the point of the profiles, mainly because they always seem so hard to get to. I really have a problem with how it's not easily accessible, you have to go through the link on your blog.

However, I am glad I did this tech tip because I finally figured out how to put the introduction fro my profile underneath my picture on my blog! So much more pressure now to come up with a great introduction!

I have often thought about my online presence because I think I grew up in a strange time. My age group remembers before the internet and social media took over, but we were also so young when it did that it feels natural. We have had an online presence since we were at least 13, often younger! My Webkinz are out there are probably starving!!

I try to be careful with privacy, especially for future jobs and professional opportunities. It is popular in France to not even have your real last name and sometimes first name on Facebook so future employers can never find it. I haven't gone that drastic, but it is creepy how much a stranger can learn about you!

Week 4 Review

The most interesting part of the announcements from this week was the suggestion of retelling the stories by changing the characters from humans to animals. I loved the inclusion of the trailer of Disney's Robin Hood. That was one of my favorite movies growing up! I've never thought of writing a story like that, but now I definitely want to try it.

Thursday September 14 Announcement

Robin Hood (1973) Trailer

Famous Last Words: Catching Up

As classes are hitting the fourth week and really starting to ramp up, I have felt so behind. I hate the feeling of running just to catch up and never getting ahead. Thankfully, I've been able to stay up to date with this class and still complete extra credit assignments, probably because this class is so fun for me!
One class I am having particular trouble with is my course called Milton and The Bible. I have never been a big poetry fan, and I had never read Milton before this class. I am really struggling to read and comprehend a lot of his work on my own, especially as we are starting Paradise Lost. So much of it seems to go over my head and it is so frustrating! As an avid reader, I hate not feeling like I can read well. But I am trying to embrace the Growth Mindset Theory and remind myself that challenges only make me a better student and reader.
While classes are getting more stressful, I am also experiencing some personal drama, which I am definitely not used to. Thankfully I was able to end the week on a good note by hanging out with some friends, two of which I hadn't seen in months and another who is leaving in a week to move to France for a year! We went to the OKC Improv show and it's such a great reminder that we often need to take a break outside of our own heads!
This past week, I officially met all my students this year for the dance classes I am teaching. I am so grateful that I have such great kids this year! Considering this may be the last year I teach dance, this is the best way to go out.

Personal Photo. Wednesday night ballet class at Top Hat Talent. 

I am hoping to devote this week to catching up on my studying. And maybe by posting that statement here, I may actually hold to that promise!

Extra Reading Notes: Emilian The Fool, Part A

Oranienbaum Palace. Photo by Ninaras. Source: Wikimedia

I am excited to use this story for my project! I think it is the perfect story that Eleanor of Aquitaine would enjoy if it was told from he perspective of the princess!

• This guy who is one of three brothers is left with their wives while the brothers are away
• This brother, Emilian, is a fool
• While getting water one day, a pike gives him the ability to do anything.
• The village turns against him when they see a cart moving without a horse or person pushing.
• The king intends on killing him
• doesn't do so because the princess is in love with him
• Has daughter and fool married, then put in a tub, has the tub enclosed by tar, and sent out to sea
• The fool saves them both
• Builds a beautiful palace for his wife just across from the king's

I'm thinking that for my project, the troubadour will be staying at the court of the king. The princess feels lost and alone. The king has been receiving complaints about a man who can perform witchcraft, and the villagers say he must be killed. The princess is fascinated by these stories, and the troubadour watches her fall in love with the fool when he comes to court. 

Emilian The Fool: Russian Fairy Tales by W. R. S. Ralston (1887).

Comment Wall

Hey all!
I hope you enjoy my storybook: Eleanor's Troubadours

Week 4 Story: Martyrs Imprisonned

Sitting in the cold, damp prison cell, the last thing I expected to hear was a baby's cry. At first I thought my ears were deceiving me, but the more I listened, the more sure I became that it was a baby in the prison. I strained my ears to hear more, and identified a woman, cooing at the baby to calm it down.
"Can you shut that thing up?" a guard shouted. I didn't hear a response.
Moments later, I saw the small family being marched through the prison, and they were locked away into the cell just across from my own. The mother, though she looked tired and unkempt, was obviously beautiful. It was almost as if a light radiated from her, and I felt drawn to know her. Though she was locked away in her cell, I wanted to run into her arms and have her protect me just as fiercely as she protectively held the babe wrapped in her arms.
"We'll be back for you two tonight,"the guard said. "Don't get too comfortable."
I sat quietly in my cell, staring at the woman. I was torn: waning to call out to her, but not knowing what to say.
"Miss," she whispered. "Do you have any water you could spare? My child and I have had nothing to drink for so long. I'm afraid he won't stop crying until I can feed him."
I found the water in my cell, placed as far towards her as I could, before gently pushing it across the floor.
"Thank you, my dear. What is your name?"
"Livia."
"I am Juliet and this is my son Quirinus. Why are you here? You are so young!"
"My parents were caught leading a worship ceremony of the god Bacchus within the city walls. I am being held until relatives come to take me away while my parents serve their time."
"I see." Juliet was quiet a while. "I hope your parents find the right path." I didn't know what she meant exactly, but I nodded.
"Why are you here? What could you have done?"
Juliet sighed, and looked down at her baby. "Officials demanded that I make sacrifices to their gods. But I cannot. There is only one true god, and I must worship only Him. No matter what happens in this life, I cannot jeopardize the eternal life of me and my child."
"What is the name of your god?"
"Names are not important when there is only one."
I couldn't understand why Juliet was doing this. What is the harm of sacrificing to one god when you can then just sacrifice to another? This god of hers seemed awful selfish.
"Why would you sacrifice your future? Just appease the officials."
"Livia, let me tell you a story. There was once a man who was told to do just as you have suggested I do. Stop doing what He believes in to appease mortal governments and institutions. But He understood that there are more important things than mortality."
As Juliet told me the story of this man, I was amazed by his miracles, his strength, and love.
"When He died on the cross," Juliet said solemnly, "He died for everyone. But we must stay true to Him, and never betray Him by worshiping or sacrificing to other gods. It's a small price to pay for eternal life. And if I should die for it, I am confident that he will bring me safely to Heaven."
"Juliet and son," a guard called. His heavy steps began getting louder as he walked through the prison towards my new friend.
"It is my time, Livia. Be strong. I hope you find the correct path."
As I watched Juliet and her baby taken from the cell and marched away, I was amazed at how I could have known her for so little time, but feel so connected to her.
In that moment I prayed for her, her baby, myself, and those who feel so lost. I'm not sure who I was praying to, but I felt certain someone was listening.

Prison cell of Saint Paul in Rome.
Photo by Edith OSB Source: Flickr

Author's Note: This story is based on the story of Saint Juliet. During the Roman empire, she is told she must make sacrifices to Roman gods. When she refuses, they torture her. The baby seeing his mother tortured, tells the provost that he is Christian. He throws the baby down on the steps. Seeing her child killed, she is happy to know that he is in heaven. They then kill Juliet herself. 

My story takes place before her torture. I imagined that before her torture, she would have been imprisoned. Even in her last hours, knowing that this cannot end well, she would still be hopeful, and have the desire to comfort others with the good news of Jesus. The story is told through the eyes of my imaginary other prisoner. 

Bibliography:  Saint Juliet. The Golden Legend edited by F. S. Ellis (1900).

Reading Notes: Saint Theodora, Part B

Saint Theodora Story source: The Golden Legend edited by F. S. Ellis (1900).

• Theodora has it all: beauty, piety, noble title, rich husband
• A devil is jealous, entices man to pursue her
• Man pursues her relentlessly, but she doesn't give into temptation, though she almost does
• Man hires a witch to convince her
• witch says that God can't see what happens at night. For some reason Theodora believes this. 
• Theodora invites man over, has sex with him, and he leaves her alone and heartbroken
• She is distraught by the sin she has committed against God and her husband
• Husband asks what is wrong, she won't say
• She runs away to a nunnery and ask if God knows what happens at night
• The nuns say "duh". She asks for a Bible and it falls to Quod scripsi scripsi
• Theodora disguises herself as a man (Theodorus) and becomes a monk
• The husband laments her absence. God tells him he will meet his wife on the road
• the husband sees her, but doesn't recognize her, and goes on.
• A woman in the village accuses her of fathering her child
• the monastary expels Theodorus and Theodorus cares for the child for 7 years
• During the seven years she is continually tempted by the devil, but doesn't give in. She prays or signs the cross and the devil vanishes
• The abbott rewards her patience by welcoming her back. 
• She takes the child into her cell.
• the monks overhear her and hears her say she will die, and that the child should take God as his father
• After receiving a vision that tells him the truth, the abbott discovers her dead body, and knows she is a woman
• The abbott is told by God to go find a man on the road
• Finds his husband who is on his way to see Theodora
• They go to the monastery and weep over her

Orthodox Icon Source: Mystagogy Rsource Center

Reading Notes: Saint Juliana Part A

The story of Saint Juliana, from the Golden Legends, edited by F.S. Ellis (1900)

• Saint Juliana is a good Christian woman. So when her father tells her to marry a pagan, she refuses.
• Father beats her
• "Provost" (prospective husband) finds her so beautiful, he wants to know why she has refused.
• She says she will not marry a pagan
• He says he can defy his emperor
• She says she can defy her "emperor", Jesus Christ, who is in fact immortal and therefore scarier. 
• Provost has her tortured
• While being tortured, a devil disguised as an angel comes to her
• He tells her she will be saved if she sacrifices to idols 
• She is told by a voice from God that she should hold him and demand who he is
• He confesses he is son of Beelzebub, sent to turn Christians against God
• If he doesn't turn someone against God, he is tortured by his Father
• Juliana refuses to denounce God, frees the devil
• The next day, she looks fine when she is presented before the Provost.
• The Provost tries to kill her twice, both time she is saved by an angel who converts the people in the crowd (save the Provost)
• The third time he tries to kill her, the devil comes and tells him she must have no mercy, and he vanishes to avoid being held by her again
• Before she is beheaded, she tells the newly converted crowd to pray for her
• She is killed
• The provost gets on a ship and he and his men are killed by a terrible storm

Orthodox Icon uploaded by the site: svetigora

Feedback Strategies

Article 1: Presence, Not Praise
When I first read your statement about Alfie Kohn believeing that praise raise children to work for pleasing others rather than their own sense of accomplishment, I thought about how that may be true, but I could never do that.  However, after reading this article, I think that my philosophy leans towards this way of viewing praise. I am much like the child discussed in this article that was overpraised as a child, and is now anxious about failure, and feels the need to please teachers. When the article explained presence over praise and gave the example of  the teacher watching a student draw. Just by being there, the student knows that she cares about what he is doing, but doesn't need to be praised for what he is supposed to be doing.

Article 2: The Difference Between Praise and Feedback
My favorite part of this article was the idea that questions are a way of avoiding overpraising. At first I didn't think this could help, but upon further reflection, this is a great way of ensuring that children are participating and trying hard for themselves, rather than for the praise of others. This would be good for adults too. Rather than doing the bare minimum, but asking people about their work, they have to work for their own approval.

Meme by Meme TN Source: Flickr

Topic Research: Eleanor of Aquitaine

After reading more about Eleanor of Aquitaine, I found her to be even more fascinating a historical figure than I always thought her to be. She was arguably THE most powerful woman of the Middle Ages! Not only was she a woman married to powerful men, but she was a duchess in her own right, helped orchestrate revolts (possibly murders), and she set French literary arts on the wonderfully successful path that it has taken.

For my project, I think I will write about the time in which she is imprisoned. She is tired of being unable to explore, and she realizes how limited her perspective has been (European). So she sends troubadours out into various corners of the world with instructions to witness great foreign heroes and stories, and to return with great epic poetry for her to here performed. They return and recite the stories.

Here are stories that I thought would be interesting, but I am mainly focusing on where should the troubadours be sent. I originally thought that the Middle East would be one great region for a troubadour, but thought about the time period, and I am not sure with the Crusades and Eleanor's own experience with the Crusades, if that would be a region to which she would send someone. So I will most likely change the Turkish story, but I did like this story!

Source on Eleanor: Wikipedia
Stories: The Wizard and His Pupil, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, The Election of the King Bird

Posted by Wikielwikingo Source: Wikimedia

Week 3 Story: Broken Promises

"I think we should break up," she said.

Alex didn't know what to make of this. How could Elodie break up with him after all they had been through? They were perfect together! "Elodie, we can make this work! Just because we've hit a rough patch doesn't mean this relationship isn't worth saving!"

Elodie shook her head. "No, Peter told me that if our relationship is strained from a simple fight at Ikea, it's not worth it. We're better off apart."

"Who's Peter? And why does a guy I don't even know get to determine if my girlfriend breaks up with me?"

"You know Peter, he's my downstairs neighbor! He knows all about break ups because he's had four divorces himself! And now he's lived alone fore 20 years because he says the drama in a relationship isn't worth it. He said he could hear us fighting all night, and that it's a sign I'm better off living alone."

"Elodie, don't you see! He doesn't want you to be happy! He wants you living alone so he doesn't have to hear-"

"Alex stop! You're being ridiculous! What could he possibly gain from seeing my heart broken?" Now please go. If I ever see you again, I'm afraid I won't be strong enough to resist you, though I know now we are better off apart. You must promise me to never come back here. 

Alex felt the whole thing was hopeless. He promised Elodie never to come back to her apartment and bother her. He wandered around New York City, searching everywhere for an apartment. Everything was too expensive, or too far from work, or absolutely disgusting.

One year passed, and Alex saw an ad for the perfect apartment. Close to his job, under his budget, and great reviews online, he knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The address seemed familiar, but he didn't think much of it. He put a deposit down and signed the lease by email before anyone could grab it before him. 

Photo by Beyond My Ken Source: Wikimedia

As he approached the building, he soon realized he was walking a familiar path. He now knew where this apartment was, and remembered his promise. He wondered if it was wrong, but kept having flashbacks to rat infested living rooms and overpriced studios. He pressed on. 

When he entered the building, he wasn't surprised to see Elodie walking down the stairs, but it hurt all the same. 

"What are you doing here?" she shouted.

"I live here now," he said calmly. 

"You!?! You bought Peter's old apartment? You're my new downstairs neighbor?!?"

"Yes. I'm sorry but-"

"You promised! You swore you would leave me alone! How could you do this to me?"

Fifty years later, no one in the neighborhood could recall what ever began the fighting. But everyone was used to old Ms. Elodie and Mr. Alex fighting and shouting at each other. One day a child asked his parents what could have possibly started all this. 

"There's not really a reason, son. That's what they do. They fight. Everyone knows that."

Author's Note: This story is inspired by The Quarrel of the Cat and Dog which tells how the dog and cat came to hate each other. Just like in that story, the two start off as the perfect pair. When something goes wrong (no food for winter, a fight over Ikea furniture), one character calls it quits after being encouraged to do so by a  third character. This third character has an ulterior motive. They swear to stay apart, but a character breaks the promise, so they hate each other and fight forever after. I changed it to a couple rather than a cat and dog. But like a cat and dog, people just accept that they fight, and don't think much of there being a reason. However, I do not think that hatred is natural, so I hope that this story points out that there is almost always a reason, and we shouldn't just blindly accept hate. 

Bibliography: Story source: Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919).

Reading Notes: Dog and Cat Part A

• Cat and Dog originally best friends
• New experience tests their relationship
• their relationship was great during the easy seasons. 
• When things get hard, their friendship falls apart
• Serpent convinces Cat that she is better off without Dog
• This character wants to bring about sin
• Supports the destruction of love and happiness. Wants to tear relationships apart the way he did with Adam/Eve and God. 
• Dog doubts that they are better off apart, but does as Cat wants
• They swear never to cross paths again
• This seems dramatic. Cat treats it as a business agreement. Perhaps she is afraid that without the oath, neither would be strong enough to stay apart? particularly Dog?
• Cat already knows what she can do for the winter
• Dog must explore woods to find a place where he belongs
• it is always with a different species. Never fits the way he did with cat. Their strengths and weaknesses could have played off of each other. 
• Dog helps Adam, Cat and Dog at the same house
• Cat asks Adam to turn out Dog. 
• Dog wants to keep promise. Tries to leave, but Adam wants him there.
• Cat forever hates Dog for breaking the oath. 

Photographer: Birhanb Source: Wikimedia

Bibliography: The Quarrel of the Cat and Dog from Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919).

Reading Notes: Jatakas!

When reading this anthology, I decided to focus my notes on The Cunning Crane and The Crab. Before this course, I never enjoyed trickster tales, because I always felt so bad for the victims. However, I enjoyed the tricksters of Aesop, and I enjoyed the twist ending of this trickster getting his due!

Here are my notes:

Author: KALX999 Source: Wikimedia

• There is a dry pool and a cool, full pool
• The crane offers to carry dying fish to the better pool
• He has to convince them first! (uses older, one eyed fish)
• The fish knows he eats their kind, but they are willing to trust him so they don't die in that pool. Perhaps they know that either way, they will die. 
• They agree to be carried. Crane eats them one by one, leaving bones beneath tree.
• He isn't ashamed of his treachery, and doesn't feel the need to hide what he's done/ He leaves the bones where anyone can see.
• Out of fish, he turns to a crab. 
• Was he hungry, or at this point, just greedy? Could have eaten somewhere else?
• Crab agrees to hold on to him with claws
• Sees bones of fish, snaps the cranes neck
• Before he does so, the crane asks for mercy. 
• Crab lies and says he won't kill him. Kills him once he is safe on the ground.
• No one here acts very courageously. Except perhaps the one-eyes fish who went first. 

Week 2 Review: Great Things to Know

I am grateful that I did this extra credit assignment because without it, I would be missing out on some great information. First of all, I had no idea you could back-up a blog! I have a blog for another class so I have now backed-up that one also. Secondly, somehow I missed the fact that we have a separate announcements page for this class, so I had no idea until now that I had been missing all of these. The two things that stood out to me in the announcements were:

1. The Monday the 28th announcement mentioned how there is a project stack. I do not understand what that is. I sent my project email, but I didn't see my name. Are those the names of people who did not send the email?

2. My favorite part of the announcements was definitely the mythical monster Venn diagram from the announcement on Tuesday the 29th! I love mythical creatures, and this is such an interesting way of visualizing them.

My face when I found the announcements.
Photo by finishings Source: pixaboy

Famous Last Words: Beginning the Finale

As this is my senior year, I feel the constant pressure to do this year "right". Take the right classes to graduate, get good grades, enjoy my friends and family while I'm still nearby, prepare for life after college etc While the first week of school was easy to live in the moment and enjoy the beginning of a new year. However, this second week I began looking to the future and considering what is most important. So I dropped my Latin minor and the Latin course I was taking this semester. This way, i can focus on the courses which are most important to me, and are more pertinent to what I may want to do in the future. This way, I am not so overloaded with translations that not only can I do better work in my courses, but I can enjoy my senior year.

My first day of school picture!
Personal photo taken by Sarah Steward

This week I also set up my on-campus interview for Fulbright. So I am spending the weekend preparing for that, while also perfecting my essays. With all of this pressure, I have found myself looking forward to this class and the assignments we are doing. With every assignment, I get a sense of accomplishment and I learn something.
I really enjoyed doing the storytelling assignment this week and the creativity I was able to tap into. I realized how much I miss creative writing. It makes me wish there was an extra credit extra writing assignment.
This was also my last week before my third job starts: teaching dance. While I am excited to meet my students, I am worried that I am already so tired. However, I think having dropped my Latin course will help. Overall, I am looking forward to next week, and more confident now than last week that I am going to accomplish a lot while also enjoying this semester!

Wikipedia Trails: Aesop to Laertius

1. Aesop: The life of Aesop is obscure to say the least. Scholars are still unsure if Aesop was a real person. Even if he was a real person, we do not know where he was from, where he traveled, and if he even wrote fables himself. However, if such a person did exist, scholars estimate he would have lived in Greece in the 6th century B.C.E. He is mentioned throughout the centuries by Greek and Roman writers alike. There are no surviving "original" manuscripts, and fables from around the world have been added to the original fables attributed to Aesop.

2. Seven Sages of Greece: From there I arrived at the Seven Sages of Greece because Plutarch wrote that he met with them, and that Aesop is apparently often included with this group. It is not agreed how many sages there truly are and who should be included in the group. However, each many was a leader of his city-state/community. They are known for the clever sayings and each have different morals and pieces of wisdom for us to learn. 

Periander of Corinth.
Photo of bust by Jastrow. Source: Wikipedia

3. Periander of Corinth: Reading the summary of who Periander was in the "Seven Sages of Greece" article made the man seem like a walking contradiction. The man was a sage who was also a tyrant. Some accounts describe him as a harsh ruler, while others praise his efforts to redistribute the wealth of Corinth. Reading his life story and then comparing it to his patronage of art and literature doesn't clear things up much. He was a man who either killed his wife, or defiled her corpse. His son ran away from him, and when the son was killed, Periander died from the grief. Yet, he is a sage of Greece and supported the writings of philosophy. What a fascinating historical figure!

4. Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers: This is the text in which the story of Periander killing his wife appears in. Written by Diogenes Laertius in the 3rd century C.E. (almost 1,000 years after the events of Periander took place), it is a collection of ten books which recount the stories of philosophers since the birth of Greek civilization. While Laertius is a great source for us, the main reason is because the primary sources have been lost and Laertius doesn't cite his sources. We are left to trust hiim without much corroborating evidence. Therefore, stories told in this collection must be taken carefully, not at face value.