Week 13 Story: The Magic in the Sky

     Despite the planes roaring overhead, and the cheer of the large crowd, Bheem found himself falling asleep during the airshow. He decided he would slip of behind the nearby hangar and take a nap. This way he would be well rested before the night flying. The large basket of a hot balloon would be the perfect place to take a nap. Quickly Bheem drifted to sleep.

      Suddenly Bheem was awakened by a violent shaking and a loud shriek. All around him he could only see sky. The ground was not even visible below, only crowds. Bheem realized his friend must have turned on the hot air balloon. He would not have long to curse his friends because he saw where the shrike was coming from, giant birds were attacking his balloon. Thinking quickly Bheen created a slingshot out of his belt. Thankfully he had a lot of change in his pocket and began shooting it at the birds. A mighty battle took place, the birds diving and clawing at Bheem, but they were no match for his quarters and dimes. Bheem killed many of the birds and the last few flew of to escape their prey turned tormentor.
 
      Bheem was safe for the moment but he was still climbing higher and higher into the sky. Soon all he could see was clouds all around him. Some of the clouds even seemed to look like buildings rising above a distant cloud city. As he continued to arise Bheen gasped in amazement as he arose before a mighty sky palace. Suddenly his balloon stopped as if he was on solid groud. Timidly Bheem began to test the clouds around him and discovered they would support his weight. As he approached the palace he was approached by the a giant and magnificent golden bird.

"Behold I am Vasuki, King of the sky, It is good to see you Bheem" siad the bird.

"How do you know my name?", asked Bheem.

"We are relatives Bheem, it is time for you to reach your full potential, take this bottled air, it will give you the strength of a thousand eagles."

      Bheem took the bottle and inhaled the sweet aroma. Instantly he felt energized and powerful. He knew it was time for him to become the leader he was destined to be.




Authors note: I based my story on a video series from the Mahabhartha. In the original Beem is tied up and thrown in the ocean. He escapes his bondage, fights off sea snakes, and sinks to an underwater kingdom. He meets Vasuki, the snake ruler of the underwater kingdom, who gives him a magic potion. I decided to do the opposite with my story. Upwards instead of downwards.

Bheem meeting Vasuki
flickr image

Blogspot link to video Playlist

Epified: Mahabharata

Week 10 Story: Riding the Bull

      Krishna never fit in, in his hometown. All anyone cared about was hunting, fighting, and bull riding. Krishina was more interested in helping the less fortunate and spreading kindness. Krishina knew that if he could somehow earn the other cowboys respect they would come to understand and follow his teachings of love. After thinking it over Krishina knew what he had to do, he had to do what every other cowboy was too afraid to do, he had to ride the bull named Hastin.

       Hastin was the biggest meanest bull in town. He was so mean that most people wanted to have him killed before he hurt someone. Krishina gathered the other cowboys around and told them what he planned to do, "In one months time, I shall ride the great bull Hastin in the annual rodeo," he declared! All the other cowboys mocked him, but he was undeterred and began his plan that night. Krishina knew that kindness was the ultimate strength and even Hastin could be rode if someone showed him some kindness. Every night Krishina would visit Hastin. He would play his banjo and feed Hastin the freshest grains and the sweetest moonshine. As the month wore on Krishina could tell his plan was working. Hastin seemed to love his music and even let Krishina feed him out of his hand. By the end of the month Krishina saw Hastin as his friend and he knew the bull felt the same way.

       The morning of the rodeo, Krishina was exited to show off and earn the other cowboys respect. Before he rode Hastin, Krishina explained what he had done.Looking out at the crowd Krishina said "This past month I have been able to tame and befriend Hastin; not through cruelty and fear, but through kindness and compassion. Kindness is the ultimate strength. With his motive explained Krishina sauntered over to Haskin. With one last wave Krishina leaped onto Hastin. As soon as Krishina's butt grazed Hastins back, the bull went wild. What Krishina thought was his friend was still the same wild bull and Krishina went flying off into a pile of manure. Covered in manure as the crowd laughed at him, Krishina decided it was time to go spread kindness somewhere else. 

Authors Note: I retold the Story of Krishina rides Haskin. In the original he is able to ride the bull. This shows his message of  "Kindness is the Ultimate strength" and shows his glory. Krishina is the God of compassion and love. I retold the story in an American setting and had Krishina fail in his task and be ridiculed. 

A bull rider attempter

Link to Bull riding Article

Title:  Krishna

Author:  Epified TV (India)

Year:  2015

Link to Video playlist
Krishna rides Hastin

Week 6 Story: Lakshman Vs Meghnad

Revised portfolio Version at BDOUPORTFOLIO



Finally, the bell rang and all the kids ran out of class to the playground for recess. Immediately, everyone grouped up into their friend groups and began to either play on the monkey bars or play basketball. All of the groups but two. Rama was the king of fourth grade and was determined to get his girlfriend back from school bully Ravana. Ravana thought he was better than everyone else because he was older, but that was only because he failed first grade twice. 

        Rama's younger brother Lakshman was eager to win his brother's favor as well as escape his shadow. When the inevitable fight broke out, he knew he was going to have to do something big. Lakshman's moment came when Ravana's biggest baddest buddy Meghnad came his way. "Hey dummy I am going to kick your ugly butt," Lakshman called out. "No way stinky head," Meghnad replied. Now, the fight was on. Lakshman knew he was in for one heck of a fight. Rumor had it, Meghnad was in possession of the three sacred weapons- a laser pointer, a slingshot, and the stickiest of the sticky hands. 

             The whole school yard gathered to watch the fight ensue. Both of them circled around seizing up their opponent; waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Suddenly, Meghnad leaped forward, both hands a whirlwind of slaps and scratches. Lakshman recovered from this initial attack and did his best to get some good slaps in. For a moment, Lakshman thought he was going to be able to win but suddenly he found himself on the ground. Meghnad loomed over him winding up for a devastating crane kick. Lakshman knew he had been beaten. Suddenly, Rama stepped out of the crowd and with a mighty slap turned Meghnad into a crying baby on the ground. Addressing the crowd, Rama said, "fights over, go back to playing." Rama helped Lakshman back to his feet and they went back to their turf by the swings.

 Authors Note: I based my story on the fight between Rama's brother Lakshman and Ravana's son Meghnad. I told the story as a schoolyard fight between elementary students rather than between mighty warriors. In the story the two meet on the battlefield. Lakshman is killed and then revived back to life. Rama then steps in and ends the fight by killing Meghnad. I thought it would be funny and interesting to tell such an epic and powerful battlefield as a silly playground slap fight. Despite the huge change in setting, characters, and dialogue, I actually kept the major points and plot of the original story intact. 

The Prince Indrajit or Meghnad

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Victory_of_Meghanada_by_RRV.jpg

F.J. Gould, The Divine Archer, http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/05/reading-guide-week-1-gould-divine-archer.html

Ramayana, The Epic of Rama, Prince of India, (1899). Chapter 66. Lakshmana and Indrajit

Week 4 Story: Fight Night

     Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to tonight's title fight. Tonight is a special fight between two heavyweights. In the left corner, we have the ten-headed king of Lanka himself. The fear of the Gods, the ruler of the Rakshasas. The one, the only, the great Ravana! And in the right corner is tonight's challenger. He is a mighty and powerful warrior in his own right. The son of  Dasharatha. He is here to rescue his beloved Sita and has a lot to prove tonight. The great Rama. And without any further ado let the fight begin!

       Rama is off to a strong start he is using what appears to be a flying chariot. And Ravana has a strong answer to that and uses a Rakshasa weapon. The Rakshasa weapon just turned into flaming serpent arrows, I don't see how Rama is going to get out of this. Wow, Rama just used a Garunda-weapon. His weapon appears to be even more powerful and his arrows seem to be eating Ravanas. 

Rama is putting the pressure on Ravana now. Ravana seems wounded and is trying to get away. It looks like we are going to have a new champion here tonight. Rama seems to be having a bit of trouble ending the fight. What's this? Someone from the audience is telling Rama how to end the fight. It sounds like he is saying that If Rama worships the Sun and is worthy he will be able to defeat Ravana.

     Rama seems to be listening to this advice. He appears to be singing a hymn and purifying himself with water saplings. Ravana is getting back up though and looks ready for round two. They are both really going at it now. It looks like this could be anyone's fight. Every time Rama cuts off one of his heads another one is growing back. I have never seen a fight like this folks. And with a final blow with his flaming weapon it looks like Rama will win! We have a new champion, the man with no equal the great Rama!

Authors note: I based my story on Chapter 70 The Battle of Rama and Ravana. I told this epic showdown as if both of these were Heavyweight boxers fighting in a ring as the other Gods watch on. I stuck to the main plot and tried to include some of the big moments in the battle. I told the story from the perspective of the announcer of the fight shouting to the audience.

Rama and Ravana fighting

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rama_and_Hanuman_fighting_Ravana,_an_album_painting_on_paper,_c1820.jpg

Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita. Chapter 70 ramayana-battle-of-rama-and-ravana

Week 3 Story: The Great and Powerfull Ravana

    (Revising story at BDOUSTORYBOOK for story book project. Any ideas how to make longer would be much appreciated)

   Ok she's all alone, knows my chance. Rama actually went after that stupid golden deer and his foolish brother even went to help him. I'll just dress up as a forest sage to get close, then I will throw some complements her way to butter her up, then I will give her the big reveal. Alright, here goes nothing.
 
  "Hello, fair and beautiful lady, you must surely be a goddess for your beauty has no equal. With your long hair, lips red as berries, and that body, why are you alone in the forest? Where is your palace for surely you are married to a king or a God?"
      
"I am waiting for my husband Rama the powerful warrior to return, you are welcome to rest here", She tells me. Already bringing up her husband so that's not good, but surely she was impressed by how beautiful I told her she is. She will surely be overtaken when she knows who I am and what I can offer her.

"Behold, for I am no ordinary Sage, I am Ravana. I am the king of Lanka, I rule over the Rakshasas. Even the gods stand in fear and awe of my power. A women as beautiful as you deserves to be by the side of such. Come and be my wife and you shall share in all of my power and fame. My great empire will be yours, you will be waited on by legion, anything you wish simply ask and it will be so"

       I offer her the world and she dares reject me. She says I am nothing compared the her husband. The great and virtuous Rama. That I Ravana, dread of the Gods cannot even compete with him That I am a jackal trying to take a lioness from a lion. She tells me I might as well try to rip a mountain up by its roots than wed her.

        "You must not be aware of my power and glory. I could kill death itself if it suited me. I say it be and I will blacken the Sun from the sky and rend the Earth apart with my great arrows"

         After all that how can she still not be impressed? Well I guess the only thing to do now is to turn into a giant ten headed demon and kidnap her.

Authors Note: I retold the story of Ravana and Sita- Ch 35 in the Ramayana. In this story after being left alone Sita is approached by a powerful Rakshasa named Ravana. He hopes to steal her away from Rama and when that doesn't work he literally steals her away in his sky chariot. I told the story from Ravana's point of view. Switching back and forth from his inner thoughts and dialogue. I stuck to the original progression structure of the story and dialogue. I also tried to keep some of Ravana and Sita's ,most important argument points in the story. I took a lot of creative liberties with the rest of the dialogue and the inner thoughts of Ravana.

The Great Ravana

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ravana.jpg

Donald A. Mackenzie, Indian Myth and Legend -Chaper 35 Ravana and Sita

Week 2 Story - The helpfull Alien

On July 22 2123, a group of scientists and a space commando landed on a previously unexplored moon. The moon was a lush jungle planet and they hoped to determine if it was safe for a colony. After landing a horrible storm completely destroyed their ship, leaving them stranded with no food or drinkable water. After the storm passed a large Lizard man creature walked up and said "Hello, I saw you land and came to investigate. I have my own ship nearby and would be happy to give you a lift back to your planet." The scientists were skeptical and Sebastian the space commando outright refused because very few aliens are helpful and he was confident at least the radio could be fixed. . Finally Paul, the bravest of the scientist agreed to investigate with the alien and would report back if their was indeed a ship. He figured they were all dead anyway and even though he might end up eaten at least they had a chance. The scientist was lead away with the alien following close behind. After a brief hike he saw a small shuttle craft belonging to the alien. The alien said " here she is, its only made for two but I can ferry your crew up to my ship one by one and then we can be off." Paul was satisfied and hurriedly returned to the crew to tell them they were safe. One by the scientist were lead off and ferried up to the aliens ship. Upon arriving the helpful alien helped the scientists onto the ship and lead them into the ship kitchen. "It will be a long journey help yourself to anything in the fridge.", said the alien. He would then lock them in the fridge as he indeed had a long journey and needed all the fresh meat he could get. Finally only Sebastian remained, feeling hopeless he also agreed to be rescued and was ferried up to the ship. Upon arrival Sebastian was very suspicious of where all the Scientist were and did not believe they were off settling in. When asked if he was hungry Sebastian responded "absolutely, would you mind going in first to show me what you have, I don't want to be in there any longer than I have to be." The alien was overcome by his greed for meat and went into the fridge only to be locked in by Sebastian in his own fridge, leaving him to die by the same deception he used to kill others. Sebastian was then able to fly the ship home where he was able to live a long and warm life.


Authors Note: My story was inspired by "The Cunning Crane and the Crab". I replaced the setting with that of a futuristic setting. I also replaced the animals with people who were also trapped in a place they could not live long and needed a rescue. Instead of a crane coming to the rescue is a large alien who wants to eat them as well. much like the crane the alien would also meet his end by being deceived in the same way he deceived others, getting what's his.

"The Cunning Crane and the Crab" From The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India by W. H. D. Rouse, online at:Internet Archive.

Space ship over planet. 

http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/Space-Forward-Science-Fiction-Sci-Fi-Space-Shuttle-2690279