Reading Notes: The Great Sea, Part A

For week seven’s reading notes, part A, I chose the Asian story that is part of The Monkey King unit, Sun Wu Kung: The Great Sea. A quick overview would be that an ape, King of his kind, faces realization that he has not necessarily lived and seized the day yet on Earth. His objective in the first half of the story is to venture out to find the three kinds of living creatures who are immortal. Throughout the beginning of his travels he runs into a couple obstacles and gets a chance to experience the famous spots that he wandered through.

This story made me think of a relatable feeling that people face during a mid-life crisis. Some want to go and explore into the cracks of the world and intertwine with various cultures while others solve their mid-life crisis with expensive luxurious items. I figured that this snap into reality would be fun to write about. I could possibly keep the topic of the story about a man having a random mid-life crisis and having the need to escape and travel or I could have a similar situation but turn it into a bucket list quest.

In the original of the story they mentioned three important subsections (the three kinds of immortal creatures) that might be touched in the story. In my edited story I could possibly incorporate that as three important places that the main character would want to make it to. Or I could possibly make it three people he or she would like to meet before their death.

The tone and setting of my story would be held in a more modern time with a similar tone of the movie, Up. It is a sad moment when someone realizes how old they are and how fast life is passing before their eyes. For that reason, the tone in the beginning will most be portrayed as sad but hopeful. Later on, in my part A of the story the tone will become more positive and motivational when achieving what the main character is striving for.

Mid-life crisis cat meme 

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Bibliography: This story is part of The Monkey King unit. Story source "The Ape Sun Wu Kung" in The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921). 

Reading Notes: Japanese Fairy Tales, Part B

For today's reading based on, The Japanese Fairy Tale, Part B, the story that stood out to me was The Crab and the Monkey. Considering the plot outline I put together yesterday from part A of my reading notes I found that the story, The Crab and the Monkey, could be incorporated based on the teamwork and loyalty portrayed in it's ending. Just so you know what I am referring to I will give a quick overview of this short story which will show the audience a better understanding of what I am incorporating in my story. The monkey passes this crab who obtains some rice in which he is interested in. After asking for some, they decided to do a trade--the crab gave some rice to the monkey in return for half of a kaki fruit (and the seeds within it). After some time, the crab grows a luxurious tree full of the kaki fruit. Once the monkey finds his way to pass through he notices the full tree and bothers to ask the crab for some fruit. He begins to take advantage of the crab and her kaki fruit tree and then injures the crab close to death. This upcoming part is what will be incorporated into my story. The crab is then found by her animal friends in the forest and nurtured back to health while they devise a plan to punish the monkey next time he comes around. To see what happens in the end for that story you will have to read it yourself!
Furthermore, for the outline of my story, I plan to continue with my idea of the two cats eloping to start a new life full of happiness together and that they are only left realizing that their happiness has always been with them all along. Now, since I am incorporating the story with the crab and the monkey I will design an obstacle that the cats will face at some point during their journey where they seem to have a hard time overcoming the challenge. With the help of their feline friends back home and the new animals that they have befriended along the way, they will be able to work together to defeat the obstacle and fulfill their goal.

Japanese Fairy Tale image with a cat

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Bibliography: This story is part of The Japanese Fairy Tale unit. Story source: The Violet Fairy Book by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H.J. Ford (1901). 

Reading Notes: Japanese Fairy Tales, Part A

For week six I chose to begin the reading, Japanese Fairy Tales. All of these short stories had cute details and characters which kept my interest peaked. A lot of the characters were made up of a collective amount of various animals (which I appreciated). I was thinking of combining the two stories, The Two Frogs and The Cat’s Elopement. The other stories were creative and cute but I felt that the combination of these two stories would compliment each other. In the story, The Two Frogs, there were two identical frogs that were traveling in between each of their hometowns. Both frogs were curious about the other frog’s hometown where later on they find out they are identical like themselves. In the story, The Cat’s Elopement, it was basically about two cats who lived with different owners where they then attempted to run away together to elope. However, soon after they run away from home they only find themselves being split up facing their own obstacles along the way.
For my story I plan to create an outline that would most likely correlate more with the elopement story rather than the story about the frogs. The characters would be two cats who love each other and plan to start a new life together by eloping and finding a new home elsewhere. Maybe I could write about a journey that the cats face together when transitioning from their small town lifestyle into a big city lifestyle. I could create an obstacle the newly wedded cats face while moving and end with them knowing that it doesn't matter where they end up as long as they are together. The purpose from the story about the frogs would hopefully mesh well when I incorporate the meaning in the end. Furthermore, I would aim to have the story end with some kind of relatable anecdote people face when realizing that happiness is only found from within.

Two cats cuddling
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Bibliography: This story is part of The Japanese Fairy Tale unit. Story source: The Violet Fairy Book by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H.J. Ford (1901). 

Tech Tip: Resizing Images

For this Tech Tip, here are some of my personal pictures capturing where I have traveled in the past. 

Lookout Mountain Park

Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge 

Doc Holiday's Cemetery

I have added captions to these images so that you know the location of where I took the pictures. 

Google Timer Tech Tip

Google timer is actually new to me! I have never used it before but I have heard about it. I like to think that I am organized so these tactics such as time management seems pretty beneficial. I think it could possibly be useful during class assignments, managing your studying time, or timing a break from whatever you were doing. Sometimes when I have a hard time focusing on one assignment I try to take breaks by working on other assignments I have to finish. This could potentially be a good time I could incorporate the google timer.

 

Story: The Evil Magician's Desire for Power

“Sire, that is the deceased man’s son, Aladdin” the snake whispered, “he is who will retrieve the lamp for you from the dangerous depth below.”
“Ah, good work, Vincent,” the magician affirmed. “With his vulnerability exposed we will have no problem manipulating him to getting what we want, which is the magic lamp.”
The evil magician approached the little boy and introduced himself as his uncle and said that his dead father was his dead brother. Without knowing that his posed uncle was not who he said he was, Aladdin freely brought him back home to meet his mother. The evil magician didn’t predict this coming so he immediately began to panic. As they arrived back to Aladdin's home the posed uncle out poured in sweat and had no choice but to wing it hoping his mother won’t remember his true uncle’s face. Before he knew it he was standing before her analyzing her face which expressed despair and confusion. Aladdin quickly updated her on what happened leading her to believe what he says is true. Without haste, the magician broke the silence by telling Aladdin his plan to take him out into the city tomorrow and that he needs to look sharp and be on his best behavior.
As soon as the sun broke the horizon the evil magician woke Aladdin up to start the busy day. On their way towards the city the posed uncle is dealt with curveball questions regarding his father. With each answer the uncle goes with his gut hoping that his true identity wouldn't be revealed before his master plan has been accomplished. Trying to keep Aladdin distracted the posed uncle attempts to keep the conversation going and entertaining. Unfortunately for him, Aladdin quickly noticed the change in direction the led deep into rural, isolated lands. With some difficulty the posed uncle convinced Aladdin to remain calm and began to explain what he needed Aladdin to do.
“What you will do is enter into this cave, pass the golden arches where you will then find a small golden lamp. There will be treasures all around you, however, you are only there to acquire one-the lamp. I would go in and get it myself but I am unable to enter the cave. Also, avoid touching anything else or else you will die immediately.”
The snake slithered up beside the evil magician as they both watched Aladdin enter the cave. Time passed quickly while they both waited for Aladdin to return. Then, out of nowhere, they felt a crack beneath them and heard a roar that echoed out of the cave shaking them where they stood. Right before them they saw rocks fall from the ceiling of the cave realizing that Aladdin had seconds from escaping. Vincent, the snake, was the first who saw Aladdin appear running towards the mouth of the cave. Knowing that Aladdin wouldn't make it the evil magician and the snake lunged toward the boy to grab the lamp from him but it was already too late. The magician and Vincent looked at each other hoping that one of them at least got the lamp but only realized that neither of them had it and the cave has collapsed. Feeling discouraged they left the boy behind and ventured back to their homeland.

[2 months later]

Vincent raced over to the evil magician’s bedside to deliver the important news. “Sire! Sire! Wake up and look outside. This time you don’t need my whispers. The rumors of the Sultan’s daughter’s mystery man is true. Aladdin, the poor boy whom we remember is now a man with luxury and power. The only possible way he could have achieved thi-”
The evil magician awoke and instantly interrupted Vincent, “he must have the magic lamp! How could he have possibly escaped the cave? We saw it collapsed before our eyes! That smart boy has already found the lamp’s true powers. We must steal back this lamp immediately since it was ours to begin with.” Vincent informed the evil magician about Aladdin becoming a prince after marrying the Sultan’s daughter. He also passed on his previous whispers containing the location of the prince. The snake’s only concern is how the evil magician will wiggle his way in to steal back the lamp.
On their journey back to where Aladdin and his princess reside, they discussed each possible plan of attack knowing that they would possibly face Aladdin themselves. Luckily, once they arrived to the town Aladdin lives in they heard that he was out on a hunting trip. Feeling good, the evil magician and the snake disguised themselves as a poor homeless peasant just trading new lamps for old ones. As they arrived to the palace door he successfully tricked the princess into trading the magic lamp for a beautiful unextraordinary one. Once the lamp was passed off into his hands he removed his disguise to which the princess jumped back in shock. While mesmerizing the lamp he continued to rub it so that a genie would appear and grant his wish of taking the palace and the princess along with himself and Vincent back to his homeland.
Days passed and the evil magician sat in a throne within the palace with the kidnapped princess by his side. He tempted her to leave her faith and forget about  Aladdin. Each day she cried but never broke knowing that Aladdin would find her. As for the magician he and the snake were stuffed with joy and never thought about Aladdin and their worries again. Little did they know, Aladdin had found where the evil magician fled to and raced to the princess’ rescue. At dusk, Aladdin snuck in and was able to devise a plan with his lover.
At dinner the magician sensed something different with the princess and her behavior-a good different. She seemed more open and friendly to the idea of them becoming husband and wife. Feeling overjoyed for his future he began to say a toast before the meal was served, “my sweet princess, you are an unexplainable beauty that was captured when I first lay-” the princess interrupted and said, “first let us drink to celebrate and then you can continue.” The evil magician threw back the cup and downed the wine. As he followed with an inhale he quickly realized the tightness in his chest and pulsation in his eyes. Before he knew what was going on he was already dead.
Aladdin appeared around the corner and embraced the princess whom he then complimented her bravery. He picked up the magic lamp and wished him, his wife, and his palace was back home. As they went to bed early from the exhausting day, little Vincent was able to escape from a cupboard he was hiding in after the murder of his master. He left the palace rushing back to his homeland in attempt to find the evil magician’s brother. Vincent would then proceed to give the news about his deceased brother.
It was near the break of dawn when Vincent found the evil magician’s brother. He approached the man and introduced himself and his previous title of being the evil magician’s right hand counsel. The brother accepted his greeting and asked him what his purpose was once the snake found him. Vincent, out of breath, slithered back, “I have many whispers for you to hear.”

To be  continued

Author’s Note:  After reading the story, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, I immediately thought of a creative idea of switching the main characters. Everyone knows the gist of the story Aladdin and it’s overall plot about the powerful lamp and the genie within it. If you don't then get to it! Moreover, the story shares the same plot and the only difference is the character we are experiencing it through. I had fun writing about the evil magician’s side of the story because I liked the idea of leaving out the information that we already know about based on the original story/movie. I did plan on incorporating the evil magician’s brother, however, I think leaving his vengeance of his brother’s death would be better told in a sequel.

Bibliography: This story is part of the Arabian Nights unit. Story source: The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H.J. Ford (1898). Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

Reading Notes: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, Part B

While reading the story Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp based from the overall story Arabian Nights I thought that turning the tables could be potentially cool and interesting. Instead of the main character being Aladdin I would flip the script by having the false uncle, known as the evil magician, be portrayed as the main character. I think adding this different perspective could be fun and intriguing for the readers and myself. I would add a couple more characters in the story so that transitioning would be easier. For example, in the beginning, the magician would have to find out about Aladdin and his recently deceased father. Therefore, I would create a small character (such as a snake) that would remain by the magician’s side carrying out the tasks of some sort of assistant. The use of this character would be to whisper ideas, information, or opinions into his ear which could possibly be used as an advantage throughout the story. Being so, this is how the magician would find out about the death of Aladdin’s father and his crippled demeanor. The snake, being the magician’s servant, will later perform his routine tasks for the magician’s brother once he is murdered by Aladdin after stealing back the lamp. The character of the snake servant will help connect and continue on with the brother’s vengeance to finish the story.  

From the beginning to the end, the reader will take in different obstacles that the magician faced throughout his distasteful journey that was unseen in the original story. He will have to find his way back to China through the treacherous travel and complete his plan up until his death. There will be different dialogue along with different perspectives of each scenario along the way. Furthermore, the magician’s brother will soon replace his position as the main character up until his death too. I liked this idea of rearranging the characters because most times stories don’t portray the villain as the main character. I also liked incorporating the snake because he shares the same perspective that the audience has which helps put together the malicious side of the story.

I didn't realize there was a snake in the movie, Aladdin. However, the evil snake acting as a servant in my story would probably look something like this. 

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Bibliography: This story is part of the Arabian Nights unit. Story source: The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H.J. Ford (1898). Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp