Essay: Week 3 Readings

I'm still not sure how I feel about this week’s reading. I wasn't as interested this week as I was last week. I did have fun combining this week's story to my week one story. I daydream a lot so it wasn't hard to morph it into a "chapter two" from the original. I hope I can keep finding different stories throughout the semester to maybe do three or four more "chapters" in these connected stories.

Like I've said before, I'm into the scary folklore type of writing so this unit really didn't keep my attention all that well. I hope to spend more time with the UnTextbook to really find those scary, creepy stories that I really like.

I must say though that I liked all the different elements to some classic stories I grew up reading. I don't ever remember reading about a giant on a unicorn when Noah loaded up the arch so that was fun. I also just love learning about different cultures and seeing how many similarities we all have with one another. It is very fascinating. 

I really enjoy how different cultures also try to teach virtues and values to people through stories. Each culture has their own way of showing how to be nice to one another, or always doing the right thing. I also like seeing how people think different things came to be. This week I was able to see why some people think cats and dogs don't get along. It's very fascinating how all these old stories still can play a big part in our modern culture. 

After this week, I have realized I need to definitely work ahead. It is such a different dynamic than what I normally used to. I also want to have more time when I write my stories to really let my imagination run wild and have a solid storyline. 

Noah's Ark

Essay: Tragedy & Knowledge of Aseop for Children (Winter)

This week I chose to read Aseop for Children (Winter). I found it very interesting that these stories were on the verge of being morbid for children to read. Each story tried to teach a lesson about not being greedy, or too full of yourself, etc. I did like that the stories used mainly talking animals to get the point across. I feel like if they had used children instead of animals it would have been too much for younger readers.

The story I keep thinking of the most is The Tortoise and the Ducks. This poor little tortoise just wants to see the world without worrying about his house (i.e. shell) being carried with him. Then these birds decide to take him on a flight by having him bite a stick. All of a sudden this tortoise goes to speak and he falls to his death. I think I could label this as a “tragedy”. I felt bad for the little guy.

The one thing I did keep comparing these stories with was the cartoon series LittleBear. I grew up watching the show. It was a show that had talking animals that interacted with humans as well. The characters throughout the show would learn lessons about life the same way the characters in Aseop for Children did but the way the cartoon was made, it was less morbid. The setting for the cartoon was the same for these stories as well. It had a very 1800s feel to all the episodes.

Little Bear

The more I read these short stories the more I wondered what it was like growing up almost 200 years ago. I feel like the parents were very blunt with their kids. Both of my parents are elementary principals so I will have to ask them what they think about this book and how it could be used today without overbearing parents completely freaking out.