Reading Notes: Apache Tales, Part A

This section was very entertaining and one part stood out to me a lot and that was the killing of the monsters story. I think this could be a cool story to make my own as I can change the monsters that the man killed and how he kills them. One change I would love to make is instead of an elk, who I see as a peaceful creature, I would choose the monster to be a bear. The man can lure the monster in with food and then jump from a tree above to drive a spear into its back. Then the second monster I would like to make a wolf. This monster though, is more wise and does not give in to tricks as easily. So to kill this monsters the man and his companion devise a plan to slay the beast by using a decoy. I want to leave out the rest of the story and add a little sacrifice of the one of the men while killing the wolf monster. This would keep with my theme and show love conquers all.

(Bear and Wolf)

Bibliography: Apache Tales by Jicarilla; link to reading

Reading Notes: Marriage, Part B

This second part of this section was very good and one part that stood out to me was the Dog-Husband. I did not enjoy very much the second half of the story after they had left the girl behind but I enjoyed the first part and believe I could do something with it. First, when the girl becomes pregnant I would make the parents be angry at the dog, but afterwards the dog changes to his human form and shows the parents. The parents were still ashamed, but did not kill the dog. So the village stayed with the girl, but became increasingly angry at the situation. After the birth of the children the villagers would revolt against their house and ask for the dogs life or all would die. I want to show the sacrifice of the dog for his wife and his children. And have a deeper meaning about the love that is shared between a family and that the man of the house would give his life to protect them.

(Woman and her dog)

Bibliography: Native American Marriage Tales, Part B; link to reading

Reading Notes: Marriage The Fox Woman, Part A

These stories are a very beautiful example of the love between a man and a woman. One story really stood out to me. I feel like there are a lot of different angles that I can take this story. One change that I would love to make would be initially I would like to add a fight between the man and woman and that is why the man left. When he comes back he expects the woman to be gone and she is. He would carry on with his normal daily activity, and his house would begin to be a mess. One day he would come back and find his house is in perfect order. Then he would find the wife. She came back because she had missed her husband and had used the skin of a mouse and had hid within the walls of the house to surprise him.

(mouse)

Bibliography: Native American Marriage Tales; link to reading