Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad, Part B

My next reading notes for week three continue with part B of Homer's Iliad, because it's a great story. In this reading portion, the gods continue to influence the battle for Troy, but there is no mention of Helen at all. I find it funny how this entire event happened because of Helen, but how much of the war is fueled by individual men's anger and desire for revenge. In particular that of Hector and Achilles, the main individuals in the Iliad.

Because there is no mention of Helen in part B, I have a thought to include her in some way, maybe as a prize or ransom to Achilles for Hector's body. This might lead to a whole new conflict between Achilles and the Greeks who are there to fight and retake Helen. I could build upon the relationships between the sons/daughters of the Greek gods and have them hold off the Greeks and then possibly become allies to the Trojans? This is just a thought, but a possible plot twist, seeing as Achilles and Hector seem destined to fight each other and this is a plot that I don't necessarily want to change.

Apollo plays an instrumental role in this story as well, because of his interventions which keep the city of Troy safe from Achilles when he is pursuing Agenor near the gates of Troy's wall. Apollo and Athena both, are experienced tricksters, one tricking Achilles, and the other tricking Hector, which ultimately leads to his death. I have a mind to possibly use their characters in order to trick Zeus to meet their own means during the Trojan war. However, despite their obvious biases, the gods never act out explicitly against Zeus, except for Hephaestus, who learned his lesson long ago. Hephaestus might be a possibly catalyst who I could use to jump start Athena and Apollo's insurrection against Zeus.

Finally, good ole King Priam has a great love for his son Hector, whom he cherishes above all his other sons. With this information, I could change the entire story of the Iliad by having Hector's character rebuke Paris and make him leave Troy and/or go back to Sparta and give Helen back, but then again that wouldn't make for a ver good storyline. Unless, Paris ended up enraged by this, which is definitely possible, and becomes allies with King Agamemnon in order to get revenge on this brother. All different avenues of approach to this story that I might end up exploring.





Bibliography: Homer's Iliad by A.J. Church

Image: Achilles slays Hector by Peter Paul Rubens

Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad, Part A

For my week 3 reading, I decided to go with a classical reading, namely Homer's Iliad as retold by A.J., Church. I really enjoyed watching the movie Troy, but the emphasis in that movie is placed on Achilles and Hector, without the explicit help of the gods and their influence. What I found particularly interesting was how much the gods changed, helped along, and/or prevented throughout the battle for Troy. If I were to change this story and make it my own, I think the biggest detail I would change is how the god's interacted with the humans throughout the battle.

For instance, Zeus aids both the Greeks and the Trojans and the other gods are helpless to stop him from doing this. The other gods are more one-sided than Zeus is and I think this is how I would write-up Zeus. I could possibly turn this story into a battle for power on Mount Olympus between the gods, but that is played out in the battle for Troy. Just a thought.

Also, I noticed that Hector said that it would be better if the Earth opened up and swallowed Paris, because of his transgressions against the well-being of Troy. I could play with this and possibly have Hector kill Paris and then try and save Troy by returning Helen. This might require changing Hector's personality though, which would also alter the story and its outcome. Maybe even to the point of Hector taking Helen as his wife?

Another thought I had was to have all the sons/daughters of the gods team up and have them fight against the Greeks/Trojans. I initially had this thought when I read about Sarpedon and how he was also the son of Zeus. This would mean that I would have to introduce some new characters who are the offspring of the gods into the story so that they would have a fighting chance against their enemies, but it could work. However, another interesting detail to explore would be how the gods of Mount Olympus would react to this formation of their offspring. The gods might see this formation as a possible uprising against them to take Mount Olympus. This would be similar to how Zeus and his brothers overthrew the Titans.










Bibliography: Homer's Iliad by A.J., Church

Image: Greek gods in discussion, Wikimedia Commons

Feedback Thoughts

First Reading: Overcoming the Fear of Feedback
Second Reading: Silence the Critical Voices in Your Head
Third Reading: Be a Mirror: Give Readers Feedback That Fosters a Growth Mindset
Fourth Reading: 7 Key Characteristics of Better Learning Feedback

Personally, I found the first reading that I did to be the most insightful because it describes the roadblocks that keep us from receiving and using feedback. I think that even if you do receive the best feedback possible, if you're not open and willing to accept that feedback, then that feedback won't be of any use to you. One of the leadership principles that all Marines, enlisted or officer, are required to learn is "know yourself and seek self improvement." Basically, with this principle, every Marine must recognize and realize their own deficiencies so that they may improve upon their deficiencies and enhance themselves and their unit. In the first reading, it describes the various factors that contribute to our willingness or lack thereof to take feedback and then apply it in a constructive way.
Another thing that I took from this first reading was the way in which high vs. low self-esteem people are likely to give feedback. In addition to knowing yourself and using your own self-awareness in order to enhance your feedback-receiving process, I think one could use this information in order to get constructive feedback from both high and low self-esteem people. Given what we know about both types of people, we could tailor our feedback-receiving processes so that we acquire the type of feedback that we need without wondering if there was a social desirability bias going on.
As for strategies that I'd like to try out, there was the have five positive voices for every one negative voice. I like this, because as humans, we tend to dwell on the negative and give negative experiences much more weight than we do positive experiences. What I also found helpful was how the article stated that there is great potential in becoming more productive if we amplify our strengths. More often than not, I find myself focusing on improving my deficiencies, because I assume that my strong points are solid and thus, do not need as much attention. Although our deficiencies shouldn't be ignored, I think that this article has a good point. Again, it comes back to knowing yourself and seeking improvement.
What I liked about the Be a Mirror article was how it gave ways in which to improve how we give feedback. I've never really thought too much into this, however, a lot of the daily feedback we get is too vague to act on. Although we might get told that we did something right or wrong, most people simply stop there and either think "yeah" or "dang." They never really find out what they did right or wrong and thus, they're stuck in the same boat as everyone else. In the article, it details the five qualities that are used in order to foster a growth mindset. These qualities make it possible for one to engage the feedback process as if you were a mirror, which makes you reflective and not critical, because after all, a mirror only shows what is in front of it.
The last article that read, entitled 7 Key Characteristics of Better Learning Feedback, was supplemental to the third article that I read. I say this because, in addition to the five qualities above, this article adds in the time element. Video games give us instantaneous feedback and this is why the most successful video games allow us to retry and restart as soon as we perish in the game. Also, we all know how forgetful we humans are and this makes the time element that much more important! As the article describes, the more timely we give feedback, the better. You don't want to give feedback on something that occurred weeks or months later, but rather you want to give feedback hours or days later, depending on the occurrence of course. For me, when feedback is given more than a couple days later on anything, I discard it, because I forgot most of what I did initially anyway.  With these articles in mind, I have confidence that in the future, I will be able to give and receive feedback in more beneficial ways.



Image: 360 degree feedback

Week 2 Storytelling: God: A Creation Story

[The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, existing before time has begun.]

THE FATHER: Let us make creation!




THE SON: Yes, Father, let us.

[Holy Spirit glides about in agreement]




THE FATHER: In this order we shall make creation: the earth, the heavens, the vegetation, the sun and moon, the fish and birds, and the beasts and man.




THE SON: It will be good, Father, but after doing all that we should rest.




THE FATHER: Yes, after we finish with creation, we shall rest.

[The Trinity finishes with creation, all except for the creation of man.]




THE FATHER: How should we make man? Surely man will be the greatest of our creations, so we must take care in how we craft man.




THE SON: Yes, we should make him in our own image, therefore man will resemble us and he will be given dominion over earth because of his likeness to us.

[Holy Spirit glides around vigorously]




THE FATHER: You're right Holy Spirit, we shall also provide man with a soul, that man may be guided and will always have a link to us. Also, we will give man free will, so that man's actions will be his own.

[The Trinity continued their creation and brought man to life]




ADAM [gasping for air as he takes his first breaths]: Lord!




THE FATHER: I am here. Be calm!

[Adam tries to calm himself and then notices a strange and unfamiliar feeling in his stomach]




ADAM [clutching his stomach]: Lord! Help me! There is something wrong with my stomach, I'm dying!

[The Trinity exchange knowing glances]




THE FATHER: Adam, did I not say to be calm? You are not dying, you are just hungry.

[The Trinity calls forth the angels and tells them to bring food for Adam]




ADAM: Thank you Lord! Come and eat with me, for none of this would be possible without you!




THE FATHER: I will sit with you, for we have much to talk about.

[The Father, over the course of the meal, tells Adam about all creation and warns him about eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil]




ADAM [now having wisdom from talking with God]: There is so much to do! We must prepare the land for my descendants, name the animals, and I only have so much time before I return to the dust!




THE FATHER: Be calm, Adam. I will have the angels help you in your work and I will also provide for you a helpmate so that you will never be alone.

[The Father creates Eve from Adam, and upon hearing that they must help Adam, the angels are taken aback, especially Satan, the most beautiful of all the angels.]




SATAN [crying out in heaven]:Father! Father!




THE FATHER [confused]: Yes, my son? What is the matter?




SATAN: I will not help Adam in his work! He is beneath me! He is beneath all the angels!




THE SON [becoming angry at Satan's disobedience]: Satan! You will do as our Father commands!




SATAN [enraged and tightly grasping the hilt of his sword]: I will not! I would rather be cast from heaven than serve the Dust!

[Satan draws his sword lightning fast and attempts to strike at the Son, but is blocked by Michael, the archangel].




MICHAEL [terrified by the sight of his enraged brother]: Satan, you fool! You would dare draw your sword against the Son?!




SATAN: They do not love us, brother! Come, together we can overthrow them and be rid of any who might seek to make us their servants!

[Satan and Michael exchange a series of blows while the rest of the angels watch in anticipation.]









SATAN: See how your so-called Father watches and does not intervene to help you? He does not care about you Michael!

[The angels stir uneasily]




MICHAEL [feeling slightly uneasy himself]: No...! That's not true! You are a deceiver!

[Meanwhile, Adam and Eve watch as the heavens tremble above them.]




EVE [trembling]: Adam! Our Lord is upset with us, we must find somewhere to hide!




ADAM [confused and scared]: Surely not, for we have not done anything against our Lord! We should wait here for him to visit with us!

[At this moment, the Serpent walks up to Adam and Eve with evil intentions in his heart, because he is jealous of the creation of man.]




THE SERPENT: Come with me, you two! I know of a place where you can hide and be safe!

[The heavens explode in a great flash]




ADAM & EVE: Ok, Serpent, we will follow you to this place!

[back in heaven]




SATAN: How can you not see the truth, Michael? Our Father favors man above us, that's why we are ordered to work under him!

[1/3 of all angels agree and join Satan.]




FALLEN ANGELS: It's true! Satan is telling the truth! We will fight with you, Satan!




MICHAEL [feeling greatly troubled, rallies the remaining angels to himself]: Brothers! We must cast Satan and his fallen angels out of heaven!




ANGELS: Oorah!

[After a long and terrible battle, Satan and his fallen angels were cast out of heaven, but not before killing the majority of the remaining angels.]




[Back on Earth.]




THE SERPENT: Quick, you two! Eat this fruit from the tree of protection and you will not surely die!

[Adam and Eve quickly eat the fruit and immediately realize their mistake.]




ADAM [in utter disbelief]: What have we done? Now, the Lord will surely strike us down for our sin...




THE FATHER: Adam, Eve? Where art thou?




EVE [trembling]: Adam, we must go to him and blame our sin on the Serpent, for he was the one who deceived us.




ADAM: Yes, our Lord will understand.




EVE: Lord! We are here! We have eaten of the tree of knowledge, but it was the Serpent who deceived us into doing it!




THE FATHER [with a heavy heart]: Because you have done this, you will be cast out into the world, forced to do spiritual battle with Satan and his fallen angels all the days of your life. Serpent, your arms and legs will taken from you, and you will crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. And because of what Satan has done in heaven, my angels are few in number, therefore, you will have little help in your worldly tasks. You will work by the sweat of your brow all the days of your life.




Author's Note: I got my ideas to write this story from both the creation story in the Bible and from the apocrypha's that are written by Louis Ginzberg. The main details that I changed of the angels fighting, the Serpent leading Adam and Eve to the tree of knowledge because of the battle that was going on in heaven, and the dialogue that the Trinity had, mostly the Father and the Son. I've always been interested in how things might sound if you could hear the dialogue that went on in those early days. This story is my take on some of the things that might have been said.


Bibliography: This is based on the creation story as told in the Bible and by Louis Ginzberg in his "The Legends of the Jews."

Image: Angels doing battle, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Adam and Eve, Part A

As I was reading Adam and Eve, Part A, I thought of a lot of changes that could be made in order to craft a different version of the creation story. The following are some details about the history of Adam and Eve that I could use to write a different version of the creation story. I would experiment with man having dominion over all the animals, maybe man being created in an image other than God, himself, God creating the Earth in a different amount of time, rather than seven days, and also, experimenting with the idea of animals having souls. There is a plethora of avenues and crossroads that I could branch off of, but I found those specific details to be of the most interest, because you could really create a whole new world if you changed those details.




For the most part, I would keep all the characters the same, with the exception of Lilith. Reading about Lilith in Adam and Eve, Part A, was the first exposure I have ever had to this character. I have the thought to make her into an evil character of some sort because of the way in which she was treated in the story.




When it comes to the dialogue, I'd like to give the angels more of a voice. For instance, when Satan is arguing with the other angels, there is not much dialogue, and the story quickly comes back to focus on Adam. I'm not sure if I'd make Satan a good guy or keep him bad, but there's definitely some character development there. Additionally, Michael and the other archangels are hardly mentioned, and considering the great battle that they went through in order to help toss down Satan from Heaven, I think they deserve some character development as well.




Another little side note, I've always thought of the Serpent and Satan as being one in the same, but in these stories there is no mention of them being one in the same. With that being said, they could be made into either partners or something like duality, kind of like God is the trinity.




Last but not least, when Adam and Eve are thrown out of the garden of Eden, I've always wondered if they ever tried to get back in. There's definitely an adventure/story there. And considering that Adam and Eve were probably the most knowledgeable humans ever when it came to God, they'd be the humans most likely to succeed and get back into the garden of Eden. That's also assuming that God, in his omniscience, didn't smite them for even trying.

Bibliography: By Louis Ginzberg, Adam and Eve
Image: Adam and Eve being cast out of the garden of Eden

Growth Mindset: My Thoughts

I have never heard about Carol Dweck before, but I have heard about the growth mindset before in my public speaking class during my sophomore year. My professor spent about five minutes going over the growth mindset and what she said amounted to; a growth mindset is where you don't buy in to the idea that you have a fixed level of intelligence, but rather that everybody has the inherent ability to learn whatever they want as long as they continue to work at their skills. Back then, I liked the idea of a growth mindset and to this day, I have agreed with what she taught us that day. However, before then, I would say that I had more of a fixed mindset because I was usually always good at whatever I did and I never really had to try. That is not to say that my mindset was completely in a fixed state, but it was more in an in-between state of being fixed and growing.

                                                          The Mindset of a Champion
                                                             by David L. Cook, Ph.D.

Now, I would say that I'm almost completely in a growth mindset, because, just as Carol Dweck stated in her videos, it is more satisfying when you put your mind to the task and you work hard and come out on top of a problem, as opposed to simply completing an easy problem and being done with it. Also, if you take the growth mindset and apply it to BMX racing, or any other athletic sporting event, anyone quickly realizes that to be the absolute best, you have to put in the time, sweat, and effort in order to outperform everyone else. Sure, if you have raw talent you might go out and beat a lot of people, but you won't be the best. I believe that those who are most successful both academically and athletically know the importance of putting forth their best effort and not relying 100% on their inherent abilities. With that being said, I find the growth mindset intriguing and I might very well do my own research into it and gain some extra credit points as a bonus.

Time Strategies

I read the article entitled The Important Habit of Just Starting by Jory Mackay. This article stuck out to me because I've never had a problem knowing what I needed to do, but rather my problem has always been sitting down and getting started on whatever I had to do. After reading this article, I found that I've already learned most of these time management strategies that are suggested in the article. For example, when I finally do start working on anything, I've found it extremely helpful to only have the necessary materials out and in front of me, so that way I don't find a way to distract myself.

In contrast to that, I hate telling somebody that I'm going to do something and then end up not doing it, which leads me to always having my phone near my person. This is a double-edged sword because, on the one hand, I stay connected and that helps me to keep up with what I have to do, but it also distracts me from whatever my current task happens to be at the time. After reading the part in the article where it asks how many distractions are within reach of you right now, I laughed because I had my guitar, phone, music, and books all laying around my work desk. 

                                                A man who is a puppet to time and money

So, where I really found this article helpful was when it came to the breakdown of big tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks, seeing the long-term value of things, and using the Zeigarnik effect to my advantage. More often than not I look over my course syllabi and wonder how the heck am I going to find the time to complete all these assignments in the 15 weeks that we have. And more often than not I end up procrastinating until the deadline is the same day. However, reading this article opened my eyes to the different strategies that I can use in order to just get started on things. My personal favorite is the Zeigarnik effect, because it gives me a reason to not finish a big project all at once, like I am usually inclined to do. Just like Hemingway would stop mid-sentence, I think I am gong to test this out and force myself into "must finish" mode.

Reading Options

Weeks 2-3 Reading Choice: Adam and Eve
I chose this particular reading choice because one of my New Year's Resolutions for 2017 was to read the Bible in one year and this reading choice fits in great with what I'm already reading! I'm definitely looking forward to reading about these "fillers" so to speak, because the Bible only goes into so much detail concerning Adam and Eve. Also, I was unaware that legends and folktales about Adam and Eve even existed, although it does make sense that there would be considering that a lot is left to the imagination after reading through Genesis. I'm also sure that there'll be some interesting details that go over Satan and how he fell, which I'm also very interested in reading about.

                                                            Adam, Eve, and the Serpent

Weeks 4-5 Reading Choice: Twenty-Two Goblins
For weeks 4-5 I'm looking at the frame tale stories about the Twenty-Two Goblins. These stories intrigued me because they kind of read like Proverbs in the Bible, except in riddle format of course. If you couldn't tell by now, the Bible is one of my favorite books of late because of all it's practical wisdom. With that being said, I'm looking forward to reading Twenty-Two Goblins because I enjoy a good riddle and I'll probably end up retelling them to my friends.

                                                           Stripe, leader of the Gremlins

Weeks 6-7 Reading Choice: China
For weeks 6-7 I'm more than likely going to go with folktales in the China readings. One of the reasons that I chose this reading was because, in the overview, it promised fairy tales that have both happy endings and not so happy endings. Happy endings are too cliche and it's a nice mix-up when you get an ending where your favorite hero ends up dying and the bad guy ends up winning. However, I'm hoping that in these fairy tales an ending like that isn't too predicable either, because that just makes for a not so interesting story as well.

Storybook Favorites

1. If Dragons Took Over the World

My first storybook that I really liked was “If Dragons took Over the World.” This storybook caught my attention because I like this kind of fiction writing, plus you don’t see many stories about dragons ruling the world and being the dominant species on Earth. In the introduction, we get exposed to dragons in “high school” going to their history classes and learning about the dragons who came before them and who fought in the Revolutionary War of Dark Ages. I haven’t read the specific stories concerning the dragons of interest, but the introduction did a great job on sparking my interest, and I’m excited to learn about great dragon Coca, in particular. As for the storybook’s background, I think it does a good job on setting the mood for the story, because the story is set in a cave and the background itself is dark with some red, green, and yellow kind of glowing in the background. 

                                                            Old Red Dragon, KleberusX

2. Fantastically Tragic Deaths in Greek Mythology

The second storybook that I chose was “Fantastically Tragic Deaths in Greek Mythology” with Persephone as the narrator. Based on the title of this storybook I figured out pretty easily what the story was probably going to be about, that is, stories about famous Greek heroes deaths’. Achilles is one of my favorite Greek heroes, because of the fact that he doesn’t really have any special “god” powers, rather he is extremely skilled in fighting. The introduction kind of threw me off however, because I wasn’t expecting Persephone to be the one telling the story. This was a nice little twist though because it paints the picture from her point of view and shows how much trouble we humans cause to the gods, from a Greek-mythological perspective.

3. The Sherwood Investigators

My final choice was “The Sherwood Investigators” that tells the story of Roger Godberd, Robin Hood’s faithful friend to the end. I chose this storybook because I like a good mystery story and that’s the vibe I got from the title of this storybook. This storybook did a wonderful job with the use of images sprinkled throughout the stories and it really helps you visualize what’s going on. Also, the white background with green trimming was a simple, but nice touch that doesn’t distract you from reading the story and getting a visual through the images placed throughout.

Introduction to Me: The One and Only

Hey everyone! My name is John Bates, I'm from Okmulgee, OK, I like to run, race BMX, and watch Supernatural in my free time. I am a senior Communication major here at OU and I plan on graduating this Spring of 2017. As for my plans after college, I will be commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps the day after I graduate. Then, upon successful completion of all my basic officer schooling, I will more than likely be heading to Okinawa, Japan for my first duty station.

                                                     BMX Supercross World Cup 2007
                                                               Wikimedia Commons








In addition to the above, my favorite food is pizza, which I could eat all day every day, despite my fiancé doing her best to limit me to eating pizza twice a week. Also, I’m a big Star Wars nerd. I’ve watched all the Star Wars movies, most of the various series that are out, and I’ve read a lot of the books too. With that being said, if any of ya’ll ever want to chill and talk Star Wars, I’m down. Did I mention that I also have Star Wars games? Well I do!

Something that I didn’t mention earlier, I am already in the Marine Corps, and have been since 2012. I am currently enlisted as a Corporal in the Marine Corps Reserve. Before anybody asks, my MOS (or job) is TOW gunner. Basically, I’m trained to identify and destroy (if needed) enemy armor, which range from anything from IFV’s (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) to tanks. Although that’s my MOS now, it will not be that whenever I commission and receive my new MOS, because officers take a more administrative role as opposed to the down and dirty role that I fill now.

                                                      LCpl Duffourc firing a TOW missile
                                                                  Wikimedia Commons

So, that’s me in a nutshell and I look forward to reading about all of you guys!

Week 1 Story: Too Big and Powerful

A long time ago in a jungle, far, far, away, there was Tiger, Monkey, Cobra, and Jaguar. The four of them were best friends and did everything together, from hanging out to hunting down their prey together. As they grew up, year-by-year, they always respected each other and shared the spoils of their hunt in four equal parts. But as the years went on and everyone began to reach maturity, Monkey, Cobra, and Jaguar started to realize that Tiger did not stop growing, even as everyone else did. So, Monkey, Cobra, and Jaguar decided to meet and talk about Tiger’s continued growth.

“Tiger hasn’t stopped growing, even though all of us have,” said Jaguar. Then Monkey said, “oh I wouldn’t worry about it, Tiger’s our friend!” To which Cobra responded, “Monkey’sss right! Tiger isss our friend and he’d never do anythhhing to hurt usss.” But Jaguar was not convinced by Monkey and Cobra’s arguments. Jaguar took it upon himself to confront Tiger.

“Tiger!” growled Jaguar, “you have grown too big and you cannot stay here amongst us!” “Why not?” Tiger asked in surprise. Then Jaguar responded, “Because you are too big and powerful and one day you might turn against those who are smaller than you!” “No,” growled Tiger, “You, Monkey, and Cobra are my dearest friends!” but still, Jaguar would not listen to reason, so he attempted to pounce on Tiger, but Tiger, reacting out of self-defense, struck Jaguar with his paw. After doing this, Tiger, astonished by what happened, ran off deep into the jungle.

“Look friends,” cried Jaguar, “Tiger has turned against us, just like I said that he would!” Both Monkey and Cobra were taken aback by the obvious scratch left by Tiger upon Jaguar’s face. “I cannot believe this…Tiger was such a good friend to all of us,” Monkey said quietly to himself. Then Cobra hissed, “we cannot let Tiger get away with thisss, he musst be stopped before he caussess more harm!” But Jaguar had a different plan in mind. “Listen to me now, friends,” said Jaguar, “we cannot harm Tiger alone, but if we take control of the Jungle and its resources, then Tiger will be forced to submit to us.” To this, both Monkey and Cobra agreed, and they continued to carry out their plan over the course of many years.

Now, after many years had passed, Tiger was hunting his prey, but unknown to him he had passed into Jaguar, Monkey, and Cobra’s territory. “What are you doing in our territory,” growled Jaguar. Surprised to hear Jaguar’s voice after so many years, Tiger turned around and greeted his old friend, “Hello, Jaguar, it is nice to see you after so long.” “I can’t say that it is nice to see you Tiger,” Jaguar said, “but let us go on a hunt together one last time.”

So, Jaguar called Monkey and Cobra to join in the hunt with them and told them that now was the time to get back at Tiger for what he had done so long ago. The four of them quickly found and killed their prey and divided it up into four equal parts. Then, Jaguar, Monkey, and Cobra quickly surrounded the food and Jaguar growled, “all of this food is ours and you have no right to it because you are in our territory.” Saddened by what his friends had become, Tiger turned and in a low growl said –

“You may share the labors of the great, but you will not share the spoil.”

                                                   A tiger face-palming itself 

                                                               Sad Tiger

 

Author's Note: In the traditional story, there was a Lion, Fox, Jackal, and Wolf who went out hunting, but were not allowed to share in the spoils of the hunt with the Lion. The Lion claimed all four portions of the Stag, that was hunted, and dared the other animals to try and take some of the food. Upon being challenged, the Fox walked away saying, "you may share the labors of the great, but you will not share the spoil." For my story, I wanted to flip the script and make the other animals the bad guys. Although Tiger was bigger and more powerful, it was ultimately the other animals who became "great" by taking over the jungle and asserting their power over the other animals.

Bibliography: This story is based on the fable "The Lion's Share" in the book Aesop's Fables by Joseph Jacobs.

Brisbane, Australia, My Favorite Place

During high school I ran cross country my junior and senior years and during that time I had the opportunity to run at the Gold Coast Marathon in Brisbane, Australia. I spent two weeks there and ever since I left, I have been wanting to go back. This is a picture from a bird's eye point of view that shows the area in which I stayed.

                                     A cityscape of the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia
                                     Source: goldcoast.trade

Test blog 1

My name is John Bates and I like to race BMX.

Comment Wall

Hello all! And welcome to my comment wall! - John

Storybook Website: The God Hephaestus
Image: Hammer and anvil, Wikipedia