Week 10 Story: A Little Love

Hastin was the meanest kid on the playground. If any other kid had the audacity to look at him strangely, Hastin was ready to fight. He was the strongest kid at Mathura Elementary and the other students quickly learned to stay out of his way. One day at lunch, an arrogant fifth grader, Richie, decided he would try and provoke Hastin to get him expelled. He began to shoot spit balls at Hastin and mocked the way he looked and spoke. Hastin began to get really angry, but then one of the smallest fourth graders sat down right next to him.

"Hiya, my name is Krishna! I'm new to this school and could really use a friend, can I sit here?"

Hastin was baffled by this small boy coming to sit by him, but he grunted out a "sure" and got back to his rectangle pizza. Krishna carried on the conversation, with Hastin replying with mostly grunts and nods. When the bell rang for recess, Krishna asked Hastin if he would like to stay inside with him and go to the music room. Hastin, still amazed by Krishna's kindness, agreed.

Hastin realized quickly that Krishna was a very talented musician and asked if he could play some of his favorite songs on the flute. Krishna happily obliged and Hastin was singing along by the end of recess.

(Krishna playing for Hastin; Image Source)

This continued for the next couple of weeks, with Hastin growing more and more friendly to those around him. He explained to Krishna what it was like at home for him and that he was mean to kids at school so that they didn't have a chance to be mean first. Krishna patted his friend on the back and reminded him that violence was never the way. Hastin chuckled and agreed with his new friend, thanking the gods that Krishna transferred to Mathura Elementary.

Author's Note:
This story is inspired by Episode 12 of the Epified Krishna videos, "Krishna Rides Hastin." I decided to make Hastin a misunderstood bully who everyone was scared of, and that some even antagonized just to get a reaction. These character traits are fairly constant with the original, but he is now a boy rather than a bull. I thought it would be neat to have Krishna display his kindness to Hastin and show the transformation that can occur when someone is kind, because this story is just as applicable to people as it is to bulls.

Week 9 Story: Hidden in the Himalayas

The man grew more and more excited as he watched a dark figure skitter through the trees, ducking between branches and hiding behind trunks. He quickly pulled out his flip phone and took a grainy photo. A few minutes passed and then the trees began to shake as though a large animal was leaping through the trees. He ran back to the cottage and quickly dialed the number for those in his inner circle.

(Sahil's photo of Hanuman; Image Source)

~~~~~~~

The phone rang furiously off the hook as the group stomped back into their makeshift home at the base of the Himalayas. The leader, Rohan, ran to answer the phone, shaking with excitement at the news it may hold. As the watcher on the other end reported his findings, Rohan's pulse quickened. At the news that Sahil had even captured pictures, Rohan thought he might faint. He quickly rallied his team and they practically sprinted to Site 17, where Sahil was waiting.

~~~~~~~

"Alright gang, we've spent our whole lives preparing for this moment. Today's the big day. Hanuman has evaded us this long, but we know he is somewhere in these mountains, walking the earth as long as Rama's praises are sung. Sahil was able to capture pictures earlier today and they closely resemble the monkey king, so we are led to believe that he is in these parts. He must have a divine message for us or he wouldn't be lurking so closely. Let's split up into teams - I'll go with Anaya to the west. Kiara, you and Himmat take the east. Sahil, as our tracker, you go straight ahead. Sound the whistle if you find something worthwhile, otherwise, we'll meet back here at sunset."

~~~~~~~

"Hey Rohan, look at this! It must belong to Hanuman!"

Rohan jogged over to where Anaya was and saw her standing in the biggest footprint he had ever seen. Hanuman had the ability to change his size, so the only explanation for this footstep was Hanuman in his large form. Rohan let out a giddy laugh, his years of searching were finally coming to fruition with his best friends by his side. With a whoop, he sounded the whistle to tell the others of the news.

(Hanuman's footprint; Image Source)

~~~~~~~

Hanuman sat in the tree directly above the group, chuckling to himself as they fretted about looking for him. Of course, he was thankful for their devotion to him, but he also liked to have a bit of fun. If nothing else, it was a way to pass the time. Someday, when the group most needed it, he would make himself known to them. However, today was not that day. Looking for Hanuman brought these friends together and gave them purpose, and he did not want to remove their central cause just yet. As the group split up again, Hanuman leaned back and closed his eyes, reminiscing over his adventures and looking forward to leading his devoted followers on even more. 

Bibliography: 
Bhima and Hanuman from "The Mahabharata, A Summary" by John Mandeville Macfie
Author's Note: 
The original story focuses on the meeting of Bhima and Hanuman, who are actually half brothers by their father, Vayu. Bhima tries to move a monkey laying across the path, but is unable to despite his massive strength, and it turns out to be Hanuman. The two have a lengthy chat and brother bonding time. My story is obviously nowhere like this, but it was simply inspired by the reminder that Hanuman is in fact immortal, as long as the praises of Rama are sung. I thought it would be fun to do a story pulling from bigfoot enthusiasts, but instead having them focused on finding Hanuman in the Himalayas. I tried to use multiple perspectives which is not something I had done, but I think it worked to show the excitement of each group member with every discovery, as well as portraying Hanuman's fun side. I have always seen Hanuman as a bit of a jokester, so I think this fits him, but he also does care about these people and has used their draw to him as a bonding agent for the group to form friendships.

Week 6 Story: The Hermit's Curse

On a sunny day long ago, five nymphs lounged on the rocks of the river, combing their hair and laughing amongst themselves. They were strikingly beautiful, which was no secret to them. Each of the spirits knew of her beauty and used it to bend the wills of men and gods alike to their liking. The nymphs often found themselves in competition with one another, seeing who could lure a man to them the quickest using their beauty and skills of seduction. Each day was the same, passing the time enjoying the power they wielded due to their beauty.

On this particular day, a holy man was walking along the riverbank while reflecting on his decisions to abandon his life to chase after the will of the gods. He had given up much when he came to the forest, leaving his wife and children, a powerful position in the palace, and a house made of gold. However, all of this was worth it when he looked out at the creation of the gods and meditated on their blessing over his life. He wanted only to worship them and knew he needed nothing else from life.

From their rocks, the nymphs noticed the holy man wandering aimlessly and decided that he was the next target. They decided to first take a one-on-one approach and the most beautiful nymph of all, Harponi, walked gracefully towards the man while throwing her hair over her shoulders and casting a shy smile at him.

(Harponi ready to lure in the holy man; Image Source)

"O traveler, what brings you to this part of the river? I have been awaiting a man such as you to come and whisk me away from this lonely life, can't you grant my wish?" Harponi said all this with a glint in her eyes, confident that she would win the man's affection and cause him to stumble in his worship in choosing her over the gods.

Harponi was shocked when the man answered "I know what you are, nymph, begone from my presence! I have abandoned all to pursue the gods and a lowly nymph will not cause me to stumble!"

Harponi slunk back to her friends, downtrodden at her rejection. They decided to dance and lure the man to them later that night, when the stars twinkled in the reflection of the river. As the sun sank low below the horizon, they unfolded their plan, dancing to the river reed's harmonies while waiting for the lonely man to give way to his seductions.

Soon after, the man did indeed stumble out of his hut and walk towards the nymphs, who all began filling his ears with sweet whispers. He laughed at the nymph's attempts and proclaimed "You will never sway me from my purpose! Because you have provoked me with your wicked ways and tortured men with your beauteous glances, you will spend the coming years as man-eating crocodiles. Until a great Pandava prince defeats you, you will crawl as a beast."

The five nymphs instantly fell to the ground and became ghastly crocodiles, eating any man that dared enter their grounds as revenge for the wicked curse placed upon them.

(Harponi after being cursed, patrolling the waters 

for any sign of man; Image Source)

Bibliography:

Arjuna and the Apsaras, from The Indian Heroes by C.A. Kincaid

Author's Note:

The original story takes place during Arjuna's exile. When he slays a crocodile and brings it to land, it transforms into a beautiful water nymph and tells the story of when she and her friends were cursed by a holy man. The nymphs were trying to make the man break his vows when he grows angry and turns them into crocodiles as punishment, declaring that they will only return to their true form when Arjuna drags them onto land. I thought it would be interesting to go back to the day this curse took place, looking at how the nymphs tried to seduce the man and how he reacted. 

Week 4 Story: Sita's Heartache

Sita sat amidst the Ashoka trees, her only companions over the last several months. She passed the hours praying to the gods that she would soon be reunited with her love. As day by day crept by, she grew more worried that Rama would never come, that some horrible fate had befallen him in her absence. She often found herself awaking from nightmares drenched in sweat with images of Rama's lifeless body burned into her eyes. The rakshasas mocked her relentlessly, taunting her loyalty to Rama and her every present fear that he was not coming for her.

One night after a particularly ruthless attempt to get Sita to come to bed with him, Ravana stalked off back to his chambers, muttering curses under his breath.

(Ravana trying to woo Sita; Image Source)

The rakshasis mocked Sita, using a high-pitched voice and singsonging "Oh Ravana, most wealthy and powerful Lord, why would I ever give myself to you when my homeless and coward husband is coming for me?" Sita simply bowed her head and tuned out the mocking, praying that Rama would rescue her soon.

One night, a strange man with the shape of a monkey came to Sita and reassured her that Rama was still alive and he was coming for her. Sita finally felt hope that her love had not forgotten her and that he would display his might against all of Lanka to find her and hold her again. Word came later that night that the man had been captured and set ablaze, but he set the whole city on fire in an act of revenge. Sita couldn't help but smile to herself as she thought of Ravana looking out at his burning city and knowing that Rama was coming to save his beloved.

The next time she saw the monkey, he came bearing great tidings, Ravana was dead and Rama sought her presence! She quickly bathed and braided her hair, ready to greet her husband and embrace him for the first time in months.

With every step Sita took closer to Rama, her excitement grew and her heart pounded in her chest until she was certain that the entire region would think a drum was banging through the wilderness. At long last, she saw Rama's glorious face and it felt like she was lifted off the ground as her heart sore at the sight of her love. It took all she had in her to not go running into his arms, but she knew that she must preserve his honor and so she maintained her bashful demeanor, waiting for him to call out to her.

As Sita gazed into Rama's eyes, she noticed a sudden shift into a hard and determined stare rather than the love he had just been looking at her with.

At last, Rama spoke. "Sita, I have slayed the Ravana, Lord of the demons, and spent many months trekking the wilderness and fighting beasts to find you. It is finally complete and I have fulfilled my duty."

His stone cold voice made Sita shiver as she worried what would come next.

"I have accomplished what I must and I will now return to my kingdom to rule. A king is an honorable man and my subjects will be looking to me, so it is with this that I declare that I cannot take you back. No man could resist you, and I cannot have a wife who has dwelled with another man that is not her father."

A tear came to Sita's eye and she whispered, "My Lord, I have lived among the Ashoka-"

"Silence." Rama looked away from Sita's eyes and said, "you may choose where you live, but it can not be with me any longer." With this, Rama turned away and entered conversation with the monkey king.

Sita felt like she had been hit with a boulder as her eyes swelled with tears. Lakshmana met her gaze and sorrow overtook his face as Sita turned and walked slowly away.

Bibliography: 
Sita and Rama from Myths of the Hindus and the Buddhists by Sister Nivedita.

Author's Note:
The first part of my story follows very closely to the original, Sita waiting for Rama to rescue her while preserving her innocence all the while. I added the mocking by the rakshasas to try and show some of the torment she probably endured while rejecting Ravana time and time again. In the original story, Rama slays Ravana and sends for Sita. He lectures her on why he will not take her back, but then she ends up arguing that she did maintain her purity and she enters a funeral pyre to prove her innocence, upon which Rama takes her back. However, he does not take her back for long, as he is quick to exile her again when people start talking about her, rather than defending his wife. I didn't see any reason for Sita to go through this embarrassment twice, so I adapted my story to have her only be exiled once by her husband. While reading the original, I could only think of how unfair this was to Sita and how crushed she must've been, so I decided to write my story in a way where we can see her emotion a little deeper. 

Week 3 Story: Ravana, New York's Top Boss

Ravana sat in the back booth of a smoke-filled restaurant in New York City, closing his eyes as he puffed his cigar. Beefy men in dark suits were scattered around the booth and throughout the restaurant, restricting access to their boss, as he only had time for the most important of people.

A bloody and disheveled woman tore through the restaurant and just as one of the guards grabbed her, Ravana spoke with an angry force "Stop!" The guard immediately dropped his hands and the woman, Ravana's sister Shurpanakha, approached the booth.

Ravana grimaced at his sister's dirty appearance and spoke. "You disturb my peace sister, what has come over you? Who dares attack the sister of the mighty Ravana? Tell me now!"

Shurpanakha laughed ruthlessly. "Ravana you sit around in your mansion all day and count your money, when was the last time you looked to see how we were doing on the street? We're falling apart out there Ravana! Our brothers and sisters are being slaughtered on the streets and our family is mocked by all of New England, yet you puff on your cigar as our enemies roam free. Our brothers are dead! They were defending my honor and they were ruthlessly killed along with 14,000 of our best men, yet you ask "who dares?" Not the feds, the cops, or even one of the other mobs, it was the homeless Rama who wanders the streets like he owns them with his fearless brother and beautiful wife."

"Ah Rama, he will rue the day I learned his name. You say he has destroyed our men, but he has never seen the likes of Ravana and he will tremble at my voice. I will seek his one true weakness and I will use it to break him, his weapons and prowess are no match for me. "

"Brother!" Shurpanakha exclaimed, "I already know his weakness - it is his wife Sita. She is the reason that he scorned me and Rama released his fury on our men when Sita was endangered. She is the way to truly damage him."

Ravana slowly put his cigar out on the ash tray at his table, and then a wide grin came over his face and he let out a slow and vicious laugh. The restaurant silenced as the dreadful noise filled the space, with people averting their eyes before Ravana caught their stares. The restaurant quickly emptied, for his laugh captured his murderous determination and none of them wanted to be the first target.

(Christopher Walken, who I imagined playing Ravana in this

mobster adaptation; Image Source)

Author's Note:

This story is based off of "Shurpanakha and Ravana," the first part of The Ramayana where we meet Ravana and prepare for the story to shift. Before this story, Shurpanakha, Ravana's rakshasa sister, approached Rama in the form of a beautiful woman, trying to seduce him. Rama turned her down quickly and joked that she go and see Lakshmana to find a fitting husband. Lakshmana poked fun at her, which made her grow outraged, and when she tried to attack Sita, Lakshmana cut off her ears and nose. She then ran to her brothers who gathered an army of 14,000 rakshasas to go and attack Rama, but Rama subsequently killed the entire army to protect Sita. Then we reach the present story, in which Shurpanakha goes to her brother Ravana, king of the demons, and tells him her woes. Shurpanakha says that Ravana must take Sita as his own to torture Rama, rather than letting him off with death. 

I pictured this story from the beginning happening with Ravana being a mob boss who is pretty oblivious to what is going on in his domain while he enjoys his own pleasures. However, once his sister has been offended and someone dared to kill off so many of his men, I pictured Ravana ready to take matters into his own hands. I think that I related Ravana to a mob boss for the fear they inflict on the people around them, the power they wield, and the lengths they will go to to defend themselves and their family. I pictured Christopher Walken as Ravana and this all unfolding in 1930's New York. 

Bibliography:

"Shurpanakha and Ravana" from The Iliad of the East: The Ramayana by Frederika Richardson Macdonald.

Week 2 Story: The Nervous Student

Once upon a time, on a warm and sunny day, a student was taking a cat nap under a tree on the South Oval.

(My personal favorite tree to pass an afternoon away under, across from George Lynn Cross Hall. Image Source)

Her graduation date was just a few weeks away, but her dreams were plagued by exams and due dates standing between her and her diploma. There was so much to get done before she could walk across that stage, and this bit of stray sleep was the little she had gotten in the past week.

Suddenly, she awoke with a start and scrambled for her planner, exclaiming "Oh no! My biochemistry exam is first thing tomorrow morning and I've forgotten all about it!" She jumped up, stuffed her things clumsily into her backpack, and ran for Bizzell Library.

On the way, one of her classmates saw her running and asked her why she was in such a hurry. The student did not stop to respond to her friend, but shouted that their test was looming and she was absolutely unprepared. At once, her friend's face dropped and she too turned and ran toward the library, declaring that she had no idea the test was the next morning.

Before the girls knew it, a crowd of 15 other students were busting through the doors of Bizzell and frantically searching for a table to spread their notes out on for comparison. They all hurriedly began sharing their mnemonic devices and study tips, trying to cram in as much information as they could in the little time they had left.

Not long after, Dr. Najar stopped by their table and asked, "Why do you all look so panicked, what is wrong?"

"Professor, we are scrambling to prepare for your exam in the morning, none of us realized the big day was already here!" they all answered in unison.

Dr. Najar chuckled with a twinkle in his eye and replied, "I'm thrilled to see you all studying so diligently, but the exam is next Friday, not tomorrow!"

Then all the students pulled out their syllabus to find out that the nervous student had simply written the wrong day into her own planner. They all laughed at their silliness and went back to their business, resolving to study for the test in the time they had left, rather than waiting until the last minute.

Author's Note:
This story is based off "The Foolish, Timid, Rabbit," a classic "The sky is falling!" story. Basically, a rabbit is hit in the head with a coconut while sleeping and decides that the only explanation is that the world is falling apart, so he begins running with no particular destination in mind. Other animals along the way see his terror and decide that they too must run, because the earth is supposedly breaking up. It isn't until they confront the wise lion who recognizes the rabbit's mistake that the animals stop their running and move on with their days. I thought it'd be funny to tell a similar story from a student's worst nightmare - forgetting an exam. I know mine and other student's eyes have widened in horror at the realization that an exam or due date is closer than we realize, so I took this experience and exaggerated it to the likes of "The Foolish, Timid, Rabbit."

Bibliography:
"The Foolish, Timid, Rabbit" from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt.