Story: Ovid's Metamorphosis

The world had become corrupt. Men and women from all nations had turned against the Gods and were beginning to challenge them. Jupiter the leader of the Gods began to grow tired of his creations rebellion, he began to see the need for change amongst them. So he made his decision and with the help of his brothers, Gods of the Sea and of the Land, they began to destroy the earth.

Flood waters rose, earthquakes began to destroy everything they had built, homes, temples, monuments were wiped off the face of the earth. And within a matter of days the world was reduced to nothing, with no sign of ever having life. Creatures both guilty and innocent far and wide were destroyed, but in the wake of there destruction Jupiter had a plan.

In the wake of all destruction he saved two sets of men and women, his plan was devious, but would bring balance back to the earth. Decillion, Pyrnna, Ossiccus, and Mirranha were the only humans to survive, but they wished that they had not, for in the wake of destruction Jupiter had come to each of them and had told them of his plan.
"Today there shall be nothing remaining, except for you, my good and faithful servants. I have chosen you to start the world anew, but your purpose will not yet be fulfilled. On this earth I have saved two others, very much like you, whoever among you survives will be given glory and whoever among you dies will face suffering that which the likes have never been felt before."

This grieved and terrified both pairs of couples, but each pair new what had to be done. Each group began to prepare for what was to come, until the fateful day when the four met.
With the Gods watching on, in awe of Jupiter's mighty plan, they could do nothing for all feared the wrath of Jupiter, for even the Gods fear him.

(Gods looking down below)

So the pairs began to attack one another, seeing the desperation in each others eyes. Decillion and Pyrnna against Ossiccus and Mirranha. They fought for glory. They fought out of fear. They fought for each other, not wanting themselves to suffer the fate that Jupiter would laid upon them if they were to lose. In there fight they had forgotten one thing, the Gods who had put them there, this is precisely what Jupiter had intended. The ones to remember the Gods and to seek them out for help would be the true winners, and gain the right to recreate the human race. Then it happened, Ossiccus who saw his true love Mirranha struggling to hold her ground against Pyrnna fled to her aid knowing that he had made himself vulnerable. He saved her and brought her to safety, but in his moment of aid was struck down by Decillion. Mirranha who saw the horrid fate of her love, and knew of hers to come cried out to the Gods to let her be with the one whom she loved. She begged and pleaded with them and in the end asked to have the horrible fate that Jupiter had promised. In that moment, right before she was to be killed, a great flash and the sound of a thousand thunders struck right around her, and she knew that this was it. In a only a moment though, she stood up, not knowing what had occurred only to see Ossiccus standing before her along with Jupiter who told them of there sacrifice and that they had truly stood the test that was given. And so these lovers were given the gift of life and were put to the job of rebuilding this world, with the help of the Gods of course. And so it was. The true test of the Gods was known, to love fiercely both the Gods and those around us.

Author's Note: I changed this story quite a bit from the original. The original story told of a flood that was formed by the Gods to wipe out everything but two people had survived and were found faithful to the Gods, so they were spared. They sought the Goddess Themis for wisdom and to understand what to do next. Through them they recreated the population of people and animals after seeking continued wisdom from Themis. They sought to work hard and to rebuild what they had known in a better form. Through this they recreated the world to be made better through hard work and faithfulness. I liked the idea of showing the true battle that was to be won, and what the God's might have intended. I wanted to make this story a little more dramatic as well, so I added a competition between two pairs of lovers, to show the sacrifice that one should take for those they love. Throughout the original story it talks about the wrath that was placed by the God Jupiter. My story shows the true meaning about what the Gods had intended for people. This story fits the theme of love and sacrifice.

Bibliography: Ovid's Metamorphosis: Deucalion and Pyrrha translated by Tony Kline; link to reading

Portfolio Guide

οικογένεια (Family); link to the reading
This story shows the sacrifice that a great warrior makes for his family.

(Wrath of Achilles)

Sinbad Third Voyage: The Giant; link to reading
This story tells of a courageous crew who would take on evil giants and of the sacrifice for the safety of the crew.

(Giants fighting)

Wisdom's True Heart; link to the reading

This story shows that choosing family is the wisest decision one can make.

(Icy Mountain)

The Giant Elk; link to the reading

This story shows the friendship of two warriors fighting to save their people and the ultimate sacrifice one makes for his friend.

(Two friends)

Ovid's Metamorphosis: Deucalion and Pyrrha translated by Tony Kline; link to reading

This story shows the fight of life between two groups of people who were saved from destruction from the Gods.

(Gods looking down below)

Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm, part B

Reading the second half of this unit I came upon a story that was strange and stood out to me. It was the story of the Traveling Musicians. One thing I love about this story is it shows teamwork between the most unlikely creatures. So one thing I would like to do is change the animals around some to make it even stranger that they would appear together. Another thing I would like to add is that all the robbers would come back to the house and the animals would have to band together to get rid of them once and for all. This would include some sacrifice that one animal would make for the others out of a new love and respect for them.

(Animals on top of each other)

Bibliography: The Brothers Grimm stories by multiple authors; link to reading

Reading Notes: Grimm stories, part A

I loved this section of reading and a story that stood out to me was the Fox and the Horse. It is quite different from the rest because it does not fall into the typical fairy tale story line that the other stories are falling under. A few changes I would love to make of this story is to make it more about love. I would like to make the farmer old and tiresome and can't fend for himself. The horse seeing his master struggling to provide for himself leaves abruptly to go and find food. The master gets very sad thinking his horse had left him, but when he comes back bringing food he is delighted with his dearest friend. I would like to have a new storyline when the horse is in the woods.

(Horse and fox)

Bibliography: Brother's Grimm by multiple authors; link to reading

Story: The Demon-King

After a short time had passed the Monkey King returned to his kingdom. He found it desolate and as barren as a wasteland. "Children, where are my children." Out from behind the rubble and among the rocks apes by the hundreds came to him with fear in there eyes. "What has happened here," the Monkey King questioned. "He came in the night. We fought as well as we could and were able to hold off most of the attacks, but he was able to capture many," the apes replied looking down in anguish. "Where, where is my wife." In the battle that had happened the leader of the evil forces, the Demon King had swooped down and taken The Monkey King's wife. The Monkey King had to get her back and was willing to risk everything for her safety. So with one mighty flip the Monkey King went to the mountain that held the lair of the Demon King. "Come out you foul beast and meet your doom," the Monkey King yelled. The Demon King, who came out of his lair, stepped up to the Monkey King and was so much larger than him that he bellowed a big laugh knowing that this was sure victory. The Monkey King with his magical spear in hand began to jump all around the slower Demon King. The Demon King could not keep up with the Monkey King and was slowly being injured each time the Monkey King struck him with a blow. While the fight was occurring and while keeping the Demon King occupied all of the monkey entered the lair and began to help the captives escape to safety. The last one out of the cave was the Monkey King's wife. When the Monkey King saw his wife he became distracted for a split second and it took only that for the Demon King to connect one blow and launch the Monkey King against the mountain. His wife belted out in horror, but had no way of helping her husband. The Demon King believing he was close to victory began to walk towards the Monkey King desiring to kill the king and take all that he had for himself. The Monkey King was running out of options. He  knew that if he was to be defeated the Demon King would kill of his family and his wife. In a moment, he glanced at his magical spear, in which all of his power was held. He had no time and a decision had to be made. In an instant and with all of his strength remaining he threw the spear with the force of one giving everything he has. The spear connected right at the heart of the Demon King piercing through the thick armor. The Demon King fell and was defeated, but in that sacrifice the Monkey King had relinquished his power and his kingdom. The spear that had once belonged to the gods and killed Kings and brought nations under its power had been wiped from existence. For in the last attempt at defeating the Demon King the spear had been destroyed. In his moment of regret his wife, who had been watching from the side, ran to her husband and gave him a hug that told him that all of his sacrifice was worth it. On their journey back the Monkey King and his wife had began to talk about their future. In the middle of the conversation the clouds opened and Buddha appeared to the Monkey King. "You have proved yourself worthy to yield this blade." While the Monkey King looked up at the sky a magical blade moved towards him. For within the blade was the power and strength to rule his kingdom.

(Monkey King battling the Demon King)

Author's Note: In the original story the Monkey King was able to defeat the Devil King with ease. I made the change of making it a little more difficult and added that his wife was taken by the Devil King. I also added the spear that gave him his magical power. I wanted to add something that would be hard to give up. In the original he was never bestowed with a sword by Buddha because he didn't have a magical spear. I added that to show that sacrificing for others with bring reward for yourself in some circumstances.

Bibliography:Bibliography: The Monkey King by R. Wilhelm; link to reading

Reading Notes: Pied Piper

The story that caught my eye was the Pied Piper. I had read it when I was a kid, but had forgotten about it 'til now. I would love to evolve this story to become my own. There are a few ways I would try to do this. One, I want to make the rat part very small because I would like to focus more of my story on the second side. I would like to do a part of what happened to the children afterwards. One child escaped the trance, but couldn't get any of the other kids to break free. Instead of running back to be with his family he devised a plan to stop the pied piper and to rescue the children and bring them home.

(Pied piper)

Bibliography: More English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs; link to the reading

Reading Notes: English Fairy Tales, Part B

The story that stood out to me this week was Mr. Miacca. I think that this story is one of a very clever boy that escaped deer circumstances by using his mind to outwit those who had captured him. I really enjoyed this story and while I was reading it saw the potential for changes to make it unique to me. One thing I would love to change are the ways in which the boy escapes. I would like to give the boy a friend who helps him escape, sacrificing his own safety to save his dear friend. This would keep up with my portfolio theme and keep the cleverness of the story the same.

(Mr. Miacca)

Bibliography: English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs; link to reading