Friday, February 27, 2015

Week 7 Essay: Mini Khasi History Lesson

          This week I explored Folk-Tales of Khasis by U.K. Rafy. I absolutely loved the entire collection of the stories! The format of the PDF was very easy to use and make sense of. The large titles before each story helped you move on from the previous story, to the new story- even if you didn’t want the story to end.

          Each story was so expertly crafted. The language was very modern and crisp, always getting right to the point. Rafy also used introductions of sort before each story giving background of the modern, real-life implication of these folk tales on the mountainous people Khasis. She also used parenthetical asides to help give more back ground, or explain a term throughout the stories. These tid-bits of information really help when you are quite unaware of Indian culture and names as I was.

          Many of the stories flowed together, often formatted in such a way that the introduction of a character in one story was often followed by the story of the character themselves, or their role in Indian Folk-Tale. This style made these stories not only works perfectly singularly, but also as a whole in a collection of stories of wonderful history.  Many of these stories also reminded me of many other American fairy-tales and stories. While they may have had different story-lines, the principles were generally the same and refreshing.

          In all, I really enjoyed reading these stories. I would have never chosen such a topic to read on otherwise, so the opportunity in and of itself was very enticing. Upon choosing the Folk-Tales, I was not disappointed. These stories were very vibrant and informational and fun. The history embedded within the stories gave a perspective on current Indian culture, religion and customs. Overall, I was very pleased with these stories, and would highly recommend anyone read a few, if not all of the stories!

          

Image of Khasi Children
Provided by Wikipedia
Bibliography:Folk-Tales of the Khasis by Mrs. K. U. Rafy (1920).
Link to the Folk-Tales: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37884

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Reading Diary B: Continuing Folk-Tales of Khasis

The Legend of the Iei Tree
        This tree continued to grow until everyone around it could no longer cohabitate. Yet no one would dare touch it because it was said to be the home of a powerful god. After all, how else could it grow so tall? They finally muster up enough courage to send woodsmen to cut down the tree, and each time they attempt, it heals its wounds. A little bird ka Phreit told them the secret to cutting down the tree. “…the smallest of all the birds, helped mankind to bring back sunshine and prosperity to the world.”

Hunting the Stag Lapalang
        No Lapalang! Mothers know best, leaving the forest can’t be good! And once again, he is killed only to break another mother’s heart. Her laments are like none anyone has ever heard before.

The Goddesses Ka Ngot and Ka Iam
        Another story about twins! They transform into rivers, one sister taking the easy route while the other taking a treacherous route, filling the land with their waters.

U Thlen, The Snake-Vampire
        Oh goodness, another story of how parents know best. A snake-vampire that can only eat human blood? No thank you.

How the Dog Came to Live with the Man
        The dog had nothing to bring to the fair. He found a family which gave him food to trade, but it was so smelly all the other animals made fun of him and trampled over the pot that contained the smelly food. The dog going back to the family was welcomed with open arms, only to avenge his karma by helping the humans capture the animals by smelling their stinky feet. And the addition of how the big was cursed to live in the sty with only scraps to eat while the dog could live with man and be fed what the man was eating. What a wonderful story!

What Caused the Shadows on the Moon?
        The moon was once as bright as the sun, truly beautiful, but he had the issue of wandering off without telling his family. Once he returned he was delusional enough to ask his mother to marry his sister, and his family so ashamed sent him away and threw ashes in his face, the reason why he is shadowed and dull, and the reason why he does not show himself in the day time.
        

Image of the Shadowed Moon
Provided by Wikipedia

Bibliography:Folk-Tales of the Khasis by Mrs. K. U. Rafy (1920).
Link to the Folk-Tales: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37884

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Google Timer Tech Tip

Everyone should know about this. 
Why didn't I know about this? 
Why have I never thought about this?


This Google timer is seriously such a cool idea. I am always setting timers and alarms on to manage my time. I am constantly looking at the clock making sure I do not overrun the time I've set for a task.

This is life changing. While I do set timers and alarms on my phone.... I have a tenancy to leave that said phone across the house.... and completely defeat the purpose of my timer... If I am on the computer, why not have my timer on my computer. It is genius. 



This is definitely going to be used. 

Reading Diary A: Tales of the Khasis

What Makes the Eclipse
        I absolutely loved this story. Each character has their own story within the big grand plan of how eclipses came to be.  There is an essence of the modern day “Princess and the Toad” story with the uncovering of the toad-skin to find a beautiful Ka Nam underneath.

How the Peacock Got His Beautiful Feathers
        I have heard many stories about how the peacock got his feathers, but this one by far was the most beautiful and elaborate. These stories go so well together. Incorporating Ka Sngi adds consistency throughout the tales. Ka Sngi’s tears (The Sun’s Tears) caused the spots of the peacock, reminding him and anyone who sees him, of her love.

The peacock after his grey feathers are filled with the color of The Sun's Tears
Provided by Wikipedia


The Formation of the Earth
        This simple little story was rather interesting. The love and rituals of a mother’s daughters formed the valleys and mountains we have today.

The Legend of U Raitong, the Khasi Orpheus
        This hill is the origin of wife- sacrifice? Poor U Raitong, his family taken from him by a terrible epidemic, vowed to lament their death forever. Oh, but he has a secret life at night: he plays his flute while the village sleeps. The poor Mahadei falls in love with him, having his child. Pushed to death, she follows him unable to bear the thought of being without her lover, forming the birth of the love sacrifice.

The Tiger and the Monkeys

        Tiger elected king simply for strength… this could be dangerous. What is strength without wisdom? The monkeys are ready to plot what would be a dispute for all of time. This little practical joke was no joke for the tiger; he is determined to make their little sister his wife. The monkeys make a clay image of the little sister, only to have her head fall of when the tiger comes to see her, starting the war. Wisdom and cunning surpass strength and ignorance.

Bibliography:Folk-Tales of the Khasis by Mrs. K. U. Rafy (1920).
Link to the Folk-Tales: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37884

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Week 6 Storytelling: Chatterbox's Worst Day EVER

 Just a few years ago there was a happy little family just outside of town. This family lived a wonderful life. They had everything they ever could need. The mother and father had only had one child, and this child was a very quiet child. The father often being gone on business and the mother busy with housework, the poor little boy learned how to play nice and quietly by himself. The mother often went to check on him just to make sure he was still there he was so quiet! This family was very calm and collected and happy…. But that was soon to change.

One snowy winter day, the time came for the mother to give birth to a beautiful little girl. The parents were so in love with their new child. They were sure she would make a wonderful addition to their quiet family.

Everything was well. The siblings played and laughed, filling the mother and father’s souls with joy. They lived such a peaceful life, that is, until the little girl began to talk. She slowly picked up words taught to her by her family and loved it. Her family was beginning to wonder if she was ever going to stop talking! The older she got the more words she learned, and the more and more and more she talked!

The peaceful, quiet brother was becoming quite annoyed with this. He liked his quiet time by himself and his rambunctious little sister kept pestering him.  She would barge into his room, asking him questions. He wondered if he would ever experience quiet again! He just wanted one day to be alone.

One afternoon, the brother being much older and manipulative, came up with an idea. He would trick the little girl into thinking she would lose her voice forever if she talked at all for the entire day tomorrow.

“You’ll never talk again if you say even one word tomorrow,” said the brother to his poor gullible little sister.

“What? Nu-huh. You’re lying!” the little girl retorted.

 “MOO—“

“SHUSH! If you tell mom, you’ll never EVER be allowed to talk. Tomorrow is a special day, and you can’t talk. There once was a turtle that couldn't keep quiet and he tomorrow is the day he DIED because of it,” the brother continued, slowly convincing the little sister.

"Anyone under 10 has to keep quiet the WHOLE day or they won't talk again," the brother added, conveniently excluding his 11-year-old self.

The brother hardly ever lied to her; in fact, he often looked after her like another parent. 

"Surely he isn't lying about this," she thought.  "Surely he would lie about something this serious." 

The little sister thought about the things her brother told her and realized that she must not talk tomorrow. After all, she couldn't imagine losing her voice forever!

The next morning, everything seemed to start well. The little sister was, however, unusually quiet.

“It’s working!” thought the brother. “I can play the WHOOOLLEEE day by myself without any noise!”

A few hours passed by, and the little girl became rather frustrated. She had so many new things she wanted to talk about!  The mother, too, became suspicious of the unusual quietness.

“Honey, what’s wrong? You seem rather down today,” the mother said to her poor, frustrated, quiet child.

The little girl just shook her head and looked away.

“You can tell me,” the mother went on…

The little girl gave no response.

“Well, alright, I’ll be in the kitchen if you change your mind,” the mother said as she continued to worry about her child.

 A couple more hours passed by and the little girl couldn't stand it anymore! She began to cry as she walked up to her mom, pointing at her mouth. Thinking something terrible had happened, she asked her son if he had seen her do anything.

“Uhhh nooo! She’s fine. I don’t know anything!” he said nervously.

 He would definitely get in trouble if his mother found out of his little trick.

The little girl cried and cried as the mother tried to figure out what was wrong. Feeling guilty, the brother finally confessed.

“Uhhhh Mommy…” he began, “I kinda tricked sister into not talking… I told her she would lose her voice forever if she talked today.”

Instantly, the mother ran to her crying daughter informing her of her brother’s trick.

“I have an idea…” the mom said trying to cheer the confused little girl up. “Why don’t you go take your new book to your brother’s room? I’m sure he would LOVE to hear ALLLL about the things you read this morning.”

“OKAY!!!” the little girl screamed, grateful to be able to talk again.
 She instantly ran to her brother’s room chatting the evening away.


Image of my family. 
(Provided by Chon Henderson, my mother)

Author’s Note: This story was inspired by the story “The Talkative Tortoise” in the collection of Indian Fairytales by Joseph Jacobs. In that story, a tortoise needs to be transferred to another pond. Two birds offer to help him by carrying a stick he has held onto with his mouth. In order for them to successfully carry him he must not talk or else he will let go of the stick and fall to his death. The Tortoise ends up cracking in half because he cannot force himself to stop talking long enough to be taken to another pond. While I found this story a bit brutal it is such a good reminder that sometimes silence is the best form of speech. Upon reading this story, I was immediately reminded of my childhood; being nick-named “Chatterbox,” I couldn't help but laugh at the memories of being told that “Someday your words are going to get you in trouble” by my father.  This story, while I may not exactly remember, is more than likely to have happened to me growing up.  Being the pampered gullible baby of the family, growing up with a brother who is seven years older than me, he often managed to trick me into doing things even if I had no idea why I was doing them. The image I chose may seem a little random, being that it is a picture of my family but it is actually one of the few family photos that we have that I don’t have my mouth wide open trying to say something (being the little chatterbox that I am), so I found it quite fitting for the story.

Bibliography: Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs, with illustrations by John D. Batten, (1912). 
Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Reading Diary B: More Indian Fairytales

  • The Cruel Crane Outwitted
    • Tricking the fish by taking one and bringing it back! That is a whole new low…
    • He’s eaten all the fish, AND he wants the crab. Greedy, greedy. 
    • But luckily the crab is smarter than the crane, and grasped him by the neck.
    • I really like this quote from this story: “The villain, though exceeding clever, Shall not prosper by his villainy.”
  • Loving Laili
    • This lady gets told by an angel to marry Majnun…. And she believes him? 
    • And now shes getting in a big fish’s belly….
    • Well she finally found Majnun…. But her clothes are on fire. Interesting...
    • They went into the forest and she is turned into ash?... At least Majnun is faithful.
    • YAY! She gets to be reunited with Majnun… Wait…. Maybe not.
    • Turned into a little dog and can only be human again if he loves her?.... Sounds a lot like beauty and the beast to me.
    • For the record Majnun is a chicken. If the old lady “rakshas” wanted to eat him, then it would have without explaining itself.
    • Majnun is always making poor Leili’s life so difficult! He goes into another situation that she tells him not to, and once again people get hurt.
  • Harisarman
    • He already has a terrible life and now he wants to pretend to have magic knowledge… This could be interesting
    • Ah-ha they’re starting to question his validity… finally
    • But he manages to figure out where the frog is by luck!
  • The Talkative Tortoise
    • This story seems like something my parents would have told me when I was younger.
    • Chatterbox gets himself killed because he can’t stop talking.

Image of the Talkative Tortoise
Provided by Wikipedia

  • The Gold-giving Serpent
    • Oh another story about young, foolish greed makes this poor serpent and man never get along again.   
  • The Pigeon and the Crow
    • The end of story is much like a nursery rhyme. I really liked the format. Very entertaining
Bibliography: Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs, with illustrations by John D. Batten, (1912). 
https://archive.org/details/indiantales00jacorich

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Reading Diary A: Indian Fairytales


  • The Lion and The Crane
    • I LOVE the story about the lion and the crane. I believe I have read a story similar about a Lion that needed a thorn out of his back paw and a mouse that was scared to help him or something like that. It is a very familiar story and moral. It is SO cute
This image is actually of a Wolf and a Crane with the same story, but I really liked it because it showed how the story has evolved through different cultures.
The wolf and the Crane
Provided by Wikipedia
  • How the Raja Son Won the Princess Labam
    • This is also like the story I remember reading many years ago with the thorn in the tiger's foot. Quite possibly a combination of these stories
    • This story also vaguely reminds me of the Disney Princess Jasmine: funny how bits and pieces come together from different ancient stories
    • Yay! All of the prince's friends came to help him with his feats against the king!
  • The Lambkin
    • Am I the only one who finds it a little weird that the Lamb has to make a drum out of his brother’s skin....
  • The Broken Pot
    • This story was so cute and accurate about how planning for the future never ends well. He tried to foolishly plan his whole life and ironically broke the pot that would hold the future to his entire plan!
  • The Magic Fiddle
    • This was a weird story…. A lady is now a fiddle?
I really enjoy these stories so far! Its sort of shocking to see the resemblance to other folk stories I have heard throughout my life. Bits and pieces of different stories always put an image of a movie or a memory of a story I have heard. It’s so interesting to see the correlation!