Thursday, March 24, 2016

A Woman Scorned: Storytelling: Week 9

The door crashed open and Parvati stormed into the kitchen, daggers flying out of her eyes. “You! How could you!”
Shiva with Ganga spouting from Topknot
Courtesy of YouTube

Shiva quickly grabbed a bowl from the table and dumped the contents on the floor. He thrust the bowl on top of his head upside down. “Whatever do you mean, my love?” Water began to pour from the rim of the bowl all around his face obscuring the view of his wild Goddess.
“Don’t give me that! You know what you did. I mean sure, you're supposed to observe, but this?!”
Realizing the absurdity, and frankly the danger, of not having a clear visual of the raging Goddess, Shiva maneuvered the bowl so that his face was not covered. Soon his elbow was on the table holding the bowl tilted halfway back on his head . A waterfall sprayed down on the floor of the kitchen. “I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about, dear. Would you be so kind as to make breakfast? I’m so hungry. Keeping my eyes open all the time is a real pain.” Shiva wipes his face and fakes a large yawn as water cascades behind him.

“Oh! So we are going to play it like that are we?” Parvati looked at him incredulously. “Really.” Shiva looked as uncomfortable as a baptist in any place called Tito’s Titti Twister Town. Parvati walks over to the stove and slams a pan onto the metal surface. Shiva winces. “So, my husband, why, may I ask, are you flooding my floor? Is this a new thing?”

Shiva shrugged absently, “Yes, something new that just started flowing today. It gives life to all others.” Shiva pointed down the river that escaped his head to the people rejoicing in the water downstream. Parvati looks down, sees the revelers, frowns and slams a box on the counter.

“So my kitchen has to be flooded for others to live. You realize the mess you are making!”

“I can go into the living room if you like.” Shiva begins to rise out of his chair.

Parvati rushes up behind him and pushes firmly down on his shoulders until his rear lands with a thump. “Oh no husband, please stay…” Parvati’s sickly sweet voice froze Shiva in his seat. Her fingers were leaving indentations in his shoulders. “And how long is this new life giving gift going to last?”

“Well, you see, that’s hard to say. If it doesn’t stay everything will die.”

“Oh just stop!” Parvati rips the bowl out of Shiva’s hands and Ganga’s stream spews forth. Parvati slams the bowl down on the floor where it shatters in a thousand little shards. “How dare you bring another woman home!”

Shiva stands slowly but firmly, “Woman! Get ahold of yourself--” The dismay that registered on Shiva’s face lasted a full second before Parvati had picked him up and crashed him against the floor. With the majesty of the Goddess that she was she placed one foot, and then the other firmly on his chest.

“Don’t you dare take that tone with me, you cheater!”

Shiva’s breath came shallowly due to the pressure that was being exerted on his chest. “Wife, please. I’m sorry!”

Parvati (Called Kali in this Incarnation) dancing on Shiva
Courtesy of Wikipedia

Parvati’s rage melted slightly. She stepped off of Shiva’s chest slowly, the wildness in her eyes receded slightly. “Why did you bring her home?”

Shiva rubbed the spot where she had so recently danced on his body. He sat up slowly, water spouting out of his topknot. Parvati happened to be in the line of fire and Ganga soaked her through. The surprise of it shocked her through to the core. Quivering lips gave way to trembling eyes. A flood of tears began to pour from the Goddess’s eyes. She sank down into the kitchen chair and put her hands over her eyes to hide the torrent.

Shiva came up behind her slowly, carefully, “Wife...  Please...  Know my only love is for you.”

“Then, then why...Why is she here?”

“If I hadn’t trapped her she would have destroyed the world. I had to net her in my hair as to save all of creation.”

Parvati slowed the display of her grief. She looked up slowly with hopeful eyes. “Oh, she was going to destroy everything?”

“Yes dear, everything we had built together. I couldn’t allow that. I care too much for what we have done.” Shiva wraps his arms around Parvati tightly. She melts into his embrace.

“But I can’t stand it husband. She is able to be closer to you than I. I am your wife. I am the observed. Yet she gets to be next to your head at all times?”
Shiva leaned his forehead in till it was touching hers. There eyes were a breath apart. He was careful not to point Ganga at her again. “I understand your concern, my love. How about this, what if we merge ourselves? You will be my right half and I will be the left half. That way no one can be closer to me than you.”

Parvati’s eyes alighted with the proposition. “Oh, really? You would do that for me?”

Shiva smiled and squeezed her hand, “For you my love, I would destroy anything!”

“You are not just saying that?” Parvati said hopefully.

“Have I ever lied to you?”

Parvati looked puzzled as she contemplated this. “Well, I only remember since you last opened your eyes...”

“Have I lied to you today, then?”

Parvati smiled. “No my husband. You haven’t!”

Shiva wrapped her in his arms and Parvati returned the embrace. A white light outlined them as the two melded into one being. Soon Parvati was the right side and Shiva was the left. “There, now we are closer than anyone will ever be.
Shiva and Parvati Combined
Courtesy of Wikipedia

Parvati beamed happiness, “You are the most giving husband! I love you!”

Shiva smiled, thankful he had averted any real danger, and in truth, he would at least never get stepped on again. “I love you to my faithful wife.”



Author's Note: This story was created from the story about how Parvati was angry when she learned that Ganga was in Shiva’s hair and was closer to Shiva then she was. She felt like she should be the one closer to her husband and would not abide having one between them. Thus in order to rectify the problem Shiva suggests that they merge together so that no one could be closer to him than she was. Thus was born the God and Goddess being one representation. 

 I put in a couple little Easter eggs such as the part where Parvati steps up on Shiva’s chest. This is originally when she danced on him to keep his eyes open to observe. I also mention the job of Shiva as observer and Parvati as the one to be observed. Also the fact that Shiva is the Destroyer, I had him state he would destroy anything for his wife, and thus that was an endearance to her. I put in the part where every time Shiva opens his eyes everything starts again, I thought that was a funny part that even the Goddess won’t remember the previous incarnation of the world.

7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art : Shiva's Secret    

Friday, March 18, 2016

Eastern Stories and Legends: Week 12 Reading Diary D


The Crow tried to fish but was not born to go beneath the waves like his master and thus drowned. This is pride before the fall. Could easily be rewritten multiple ways. One thing might be interesting to revisit Jesus and the Sphinx, bring them back and the sphinx tries to walk on water?


Judas Tree
Courtesy of Geography

Sons of the king want to see Judas tree but only judge it off what each one sees. This is a great story about judging a book by it’s cover and not seeing the whole truth of the matter. Interesting to develop this more into a story, could have different famous people meeting to discuss a colleague, could be fun.


Interesting story, the guy has his money dropped over the side of the boat and the spirit of Ganges brought it back to him in a roundabout way. I could see this occurring with Odysseus or something like that. Placing it in a different time. Or perhaps in Egypt? Ooo Mayan culture…

Goddess Ganges
Courtesy of Wikipedia



Sakka testing Buddha. Buddha was living on a hillside eating the bark of the tree when there isn’t leaves or flowers. Sakka offers him boon, Buddha asks for no animal to be harmed for his being. Not really much I see to do with this scene.


King didn’t like that everything was valued so high so he fired his valuer and hired a fool. Fool gave value of 500 horses as a measure of rice. Horse trader bribed him to value a measure of rice as the whole city state. King fired valuer. Interesting story about a person trying to cheat the system getting cheated himself..


A village grows a poisonous tree that usually kills everyone so they can take all their wares. This would be a great story to expound upon. A traffic stop gone wrong type situation. Maybe drugs or arms? But in reality it is FBI or CIA in the car?
Mango Tree
Courtesy of Wikimedia



Elephant is Buddha and is able to fly around. The king of one area got angry that the elephant was more revered than he was. Tried to get the elephant to fall of the cliff, elephant flew to new kingdom and became a prized asset. Good story about the worth of and respecting others.


A woman brought a dead child to the Buddha, he sent her for mustard seed and to find one house that hadn’t lost anyone to death. She was unable to find a house untouched by death and thus learned that everyone has to deal with it. Good story about how to recognize a truth and deal with the grief.

Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie L. Shedlock

Eastern Stories and Legends: Week 12 Reading Diary C


This is a cool story about how each friend helps the two hawks protect their young from some men that would eat them. There are 4 friends total. This is easily converted into a buddy story where someone is trying to accomplish something and each friend is needed to contribute something to make it happen.


Golden Dish
Mildenhall Treasure
Courtesy of Wikipedia

This story seems to set up an ongoing feud between Devadatta and Bodisat. In this one they are both merchants. Devadatta tried to swindle a woman out of a golden dish. In the interim though Bodisat came and paid everything he had for the dish then left. Devadatta came back to offer a small payment for the dish and found he had been outmaneuvered and died of a heart attack. This could easily be redone now and days as a double cross thriller script. Change the dish to a cache of arms or corporate espionage…


The sheriff slanders the good people to the king. King orders them to be trampled by elephants, elephants won’t trample them. King hears that they are good people gives them all the sheriffs lands and makes him their slave. Good use of just desserts type justice here. Could easily change this to a story with the Charlotte's Web characters. Make Wilbur be the Bodisat and have the farmer be intent on killing him. Actually this is kinda the Web story already huh?


The antelope is made addicted to honey then lead inside the palace to where he is in danger. He doesn’t realize it until too late. So easily can be made into a drug deal story. I so see this being a drug dealer getting someone hooked on heroin or something.

Drug Addict
Courtesy of Flickr


The King of deer was willing to sacrifice himself to save a doe that was with child. This is a pretty plain and straightforward story.


A brahmin said young in his family didn’t die because they were righteous.
The Teacher
Courtesy of Wizzler's Place



The guy lied about his merits and the garlands that were bestowed on him caused him pain. I feel like this was too easily resolved and the flowers should have been the end of him. Could expand this story and change it thus, I would think they would start choking the lies out of him.



Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie L. Shedlock

Eastern Stories and Legends: Week 11 Reading Diary B


Bodisat incarnate as a bull and convinced his master to bet money he could pull 100 laden carts. When the master called him a wretch though on the bet he wouldn’t move. Interesting story about showing respect to people in order to get what you want out of life. This might be an interesting story laid out in a leather bar….
WallStreet Bull
Courtesy of Flickr


Again as a bull he is with an older woman who treats him well but she works to the bone. He gets a job hauling carts across a ford and gets her 1000 gold pieces, they grow old and die happy together. I don’t really see how I could better this one other than maybe making the old woman have to go to therapy for the anxiety?


Buddha as a horse who was pampered. King was attacked and king had a knight to go battle each of the 7 kings. Knight said give me the horse, King did and even after getting injured the horse kept going till all 7 were captured. Then he begged for charity and passed away. A good story about having humility in victory. This could be seen in a sports game, possibly a basketball game, football something.


Buddha as monkey king. This story has a water ogre and they end up drinking the water through cleverness by using straws. They outsmarted the ogre because they didn’t have to touch the water themselves. Would be fun to have a mythological creature story again. Ooooo, retell it with loch ness?
Loch Ness Monster: Nessy
Courtesy of Wikimedia


Buddha was born as a mallard with golden wings and went back to his former wife and daughter to give them golden wings. Wife got greedy and tried to pluck all the feathers, which right then turned to crane feathers, pure white.


The wagons got turned around in the desert after they had all thrown away their water. They found water under a rock. It’s working to resolve problems, but it would be tricky to redo this. Might be an opportunity to use the story type generator and try to do something different…


I don’t really understand this story. Elephant was loyal subject and then put out to pasture, then was made to be yoked and worked which she asked to not be insulted and the Buddha chastised the king. I don’t see a moral out of this. Maybe we should respect our elders?

Elephant with Dog, Spanish Floor Tiles
Courtesy of Wikipedia

And elephant and a dog are great friends, they are separated, elephant refuses food, then king gets dog back and happy. This would be kinda fun to write as a reporter reporting the return of the dog. Maybe there is a rally etc. He could interview the Buddha, king, elephant and dog.

Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie L. Shedlock 1920

Eastern Stories and Legends: Week 11 Reading Diary A


This was an interesting story in the vein of Chicken Little. It also talks about how rumor is repeated to make it fact. Good example of the telephone type thing in elementary school. This happens way too often in the world. Actually it might be kinda fun to put this story in an elementary school doing the telephone game as a story.

Arctic Hare
Courtesy of Wikipedia


“By Hook or by crook.” I wonder if this is actually where this saying originates from?

I remember this type of story too, however it was a turtle or something that had the person on their back. Anyway this is a good story about trusting the wrong people and being deceived but then deceiving that person to get out of the predicament.

I like this story. It is about the noble sacrifice and in offering to be killed slowly to save the younger trees the tree spirit is given a reprieve by the king. I definitely see the possibility of the children talking with the trees to help them.
Tree Spirit
Courtesy of Wikipedia


This story is a little weird. It has a jackal, monkey and otter in it but they seem to not really be a part of the story. The hare is Buddha and he offers up his own flesh for the god who came down to eat. So this is about giving the ultimate sacrifice for the benefit of another, even one who you don’t know. Not really sure how I could redo this one though. Maybe be interesting to tie this to Jesus?


The Buddha incarnated as a parrot and got captured then convinced the brahmin he was righteous because he gives charity, and is feeding his children and parents. This could definitely be a story told in medieval England or such. A parent having to steal bread to feed the family.


This is very similar to the story of Job. Wow these intertwined with Christianity a lot. Anyway, the Buddha is a merchant that wants to give alms. Sakka, the god, wants to test him so he takes away all of his wealth, and the merchant still tries to give alms. Sakka finds he is in it for the spiritual knowledge you gain and gives him back his wealth. This could definitely have been a longer, more intense trial.


Buddha incarnate King wants to just give everything including his own body parts, just to give. He feels joy from that. Sakka again tests him and King cuts out his eyes and gives them to Sakka. Sakka grants him vision of absolute truth. In giving something you receive even more back. Very interesting how these play into the whole karma setup.  Yama keeping the ledger and all.
Absolute Truth
Courtesy of Flickr

Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie L. Shedlock

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Wedding Dash: Storytelling Week 7

Wedding Dash

The wedding alter

Courtesy of Wikimedia


Doves fly into the sky setting the serenity of the evening setting sun. The sun paints the backdrop of gold around the white wreaths of the alter. Several people in the wedding party let out an audible ahhh at the beauty. Arjuna and Subhadra stand facing each other. They looked like the only couple who could love so deeply. The priest stood behind them with a smile. Several people in the wedding party dabbed at tears that flowed from wet eyes.

“These two have been in love for many days here in Krishna’s kingdom. They began their relationship under his approval and it has bloomed. Their love is not only for each other but has touched all of our lives. Therefore I ask, does anyone have any reason why this couple should not be married?”

The two lovebirds stared in each other's eyes.
Love at Sunset

Courtesy of Pixabay

Suddenly there was a throat cleared at the back of the party. A woman, who too much resembled a human sized serpent, rose from her chair slowly.

“I do.”

Arjuna’s head swivels sharply at the sound of the voice. His face falls like the kings of Babylon.

The woman slowly flowed flowed forward down the aisles toward the site of matrimony. “I am Uloopi of the Naga people. This man,” she raises a bony finger pointed at the groom, “has already been married. To ME!”

Uloopi, Serpent Woman
Courtesy of Pixabay

A gasp elicits out of the crowd. Arjuna’s face grows crimson with rage. “Sit down woman. I only married you because of your threat!”

Subhadra looks shocked at this new revelation. “Arjuna, you are married?”

Arjuna turns to her placatingly, “Sweetheart, she said she would entrap me for all time if I did not. My heart never belonged to her.”

“But our son, Iravan!” cried Uloopi, “Surely he means something to you!” A small boy looks longingly up at Arjuna, pleading in his eyes.

“He is a lovely boy, but he understands that one must follow his heart. Now sit down!” Uloopi stands stock still in shock. The boy buries his face in Uloopi’s dress. Arjuna turns to the priest and smiles his widest smile. “Please continue.”

“Wait! I object!”

Arjuna sighs exasperatedly he looks out over the crowd and sees Draupadi rise in the crowd. “Woman! What are you doing here. Surely you aren’t done with your 3 years with my brothers!”


Relief of Draupadi
Courtesy of Flickr

“How dare you! I married you first.”

“And I get one year out of five for marital bliss? That isn’t fair! Go back to Bhima and lay with him!” Draupadi is shocked silent and wraps her arms around the shaking Uloopi. Arjuna turns to the officiant once again. He smiles as wide as possible, teeth gritting. “Please, let’s get this wrapped up...!”

“Wait. How do I know you will be faithful to me if you have already had two wives?” Subhadra is studying his face. “How will I know I won’t also be abandoned?”

Arjuna’s words drip like honey nectar, “Sweetheart, I only have eyes for you. Yes I have a past, doesn’t any man of worth? But that is over. I only want to be with you.”

Subhadra melts at his tone, she reaches down and rubs her expanding belly. “That’s good to know, because we have an addition coming!” She beams.

The crowd sighs happily.

Arjuna looks left and right like a wild animal caged in a fence. He begins backing up swiftly from the alter. He almost trips but catches himself as he goes. “Wow. You know what? Look at the time. I just remembered I have this thing I have to--” With that Arjuna turns and dashes from the proceedings.

Groom fleeing the scene
Courtesy of Flickr

Subhadra turns scarlet red and yells at the audience, “Get him!” The crowd in a roar of fury rushes after the unfaithful lover.


Epified: Mahabharata videos Part A and B 2016


Author's Note: I watched the Epified videos with this section of class.  In them they go into more detail about Arjuna's history with weddings.  What became clear to me is the many times that Arjuna wed someone, had a baby with them, and then just went on his marry way leaving the women to fend for the children.  This may be the product of the culture, and I can see how these type of chauvinistic tales could be embedded in the culture.  One simply has to look at the rape culture that exists in India today to see that.  So I began to think what would happen if Arjuna was confronted on his wedding day by all of the women he had previously married.  Thus came this story.  I actually see it more of a farce than anything so it was fun to write.