Week 10 Story: On The Hunt

By Maria Dawson

I really like how simple these drawlings are. Picture from: Wallpaper Flare

There once was a pair of two unlikely friends one was a cheetah and the other was a lion. While the two were on the hunt the lion looked at the cheetah and said ‘Shhh I can feel a wildebeest presence nearby it is alone too”. The two get into their sneaking stance as they top the hill in front of them to get a better view of the valley.

However, the valley was dead. Nothing in sight in the Savanah except a few scattered dead trees and patches of grass. “LION WHY YOU ALWAYS LYING TO ME. I knew everyone was right about you, you are just a scam who wants everyone to think you have these “powerful being inside you” well I am done I do not need a partner ANYMORE” exclaimed the cheetah as he sped off like a light into the tall grass behind them.

Just then in the weeds 100 paces north a wildebeest appeared on the horizon. “Hmmm if only the cheetah could learn some patience then maybe we would understand each other better” thought the lion to himself. He then proceeded to walk back to camp with his head down making sure to take the long way home.

Cheetah must have had the same idea. Right up ahead he was pacing back and forth murmuring to himself “why would I say such a harsh thing to him he does not have anyone else”. Lion calls up ahead “it is okay I forgive you cheetah oh and by the way I DID see the wildebeest right when you stormed off”. “I am sorry I was so harsh on you earlier you are my best friend I cannot live without you” stated cheetah. “You are right those words did hurt but I understand you were just hungry; can we please try to communicate better in the future?” questioned the lion. “I will try my best” responded cheetah.

Filled with new energy the two palls head back to the hills again. “There, over the tree line, I see him,” said cheetah. The two go back to their stance the lion crept up to the area the creature was roaming while cheetah hung back to give chase if he ran. And in a split second the wildebeest took off with cheetah and lion on his tail lived one pounced on his feet the other on the back and then the beast was no more. “See we make a great team!” said the lion excitedly.

I really like how simple these drawlings are. Picture from: Free SVG

Authors Note: I was inspired by the story named The Ox Who Won the Forfeit because of the moral of the story. This is the main takeaway from the story is how communication can help everyone as well as valuing each other’s abilities. I am drawn to this story immediately because it reminds me of myself and how stubborn I am. In this story, the Ox does not like to be talked to in a harsh town and being told what to do. Because of his actions his owner loses a bet made. Once his owner understood why he was acting this way he treated the Ox with more respect. 

Bibliography: 

Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt The Ox Who Won the Forfeit

Week 9 Story: 12 Years

By: Maria Dawson

“WAKE.” Lord Oak spoke to his people in a harsh and short tone to warn others a human was walking through the territory. For years there has been peace between the forest and mankind. However, within the past year, the air has been blowing a different direction, more frigid than usual. This keeps my people on edge whenever we have a new visitor in the woods.

“Oh, be gentle Oak,” said his mate Pine, “they look harmless probably passing through for a drink in the lake”. Mrs. Pine and Oak have been together for centuries building up the forest and keeping it a safe place for all of us. There have been hard times of course but none in my decades nevertheless better to stay safe rather than sorry. In our village, we always keep tabs on who or what is coming near and what their intentions are.  

“Ah. I know these men and their past. I see what their intentions are. Not good” replies Oak. As the four men stop by the lake to set up a camp. “Yessir, this here is a perfect spot. Let the night rejoice and the fires howl” states one of the men wearing a yellow plaid shirt with blue jean standing broad-faced looking in towards the lake. “Boss you sure this lake here won’t stop the fires before we can get the forest clear?” responds a skinny fellow in a brown vest from behind the group.

Nightfall was fast approaching and with it brought back the same northern wind mentioned earlier. Just then the four men started pouring gasoline all over the ground and trees. “Do not panic my people we have been planning this for years trust in me” assures Oak “Fir do you remember how I taught you to contact the lake?”. I shake I hear Lord Oak speak my name “Yes Sir I am ready” I reply confidently.

The four men each light their own match and threw it on the trail they left behind. We wait anxiously to see when Oak will give the signal. Watching as the fire spread fast in towards the trees creating a great smokestack in the sky.

“NOW” yells Oak and at once the forest awakes! I take in water and put the fire out as the Sequoia twins trap in the four criminals.

“You violated out peace treaty men” Oak’s voice bellows throughout the forest “Now I sentence you to twelve years within the forest. You cannot tear down my people to create room for yours. We have come to this agreement long ago, now it is too late. You must learn respect for the trees and the lives we hold within”.  The forest fell quiet and the men knew they were stuck here for 12 long years within the trees.

This is how I picture the forest after it burns itself and grows back. Picture from: Chris Fort

Authors Note: 
For this week I decided to try something new with my writing and focus on one particular setting instead of the plot or a character. I got this idea while I was reading over some note-taking strategies. While I was reading over the stories in the Mahabharata I noticed quite a few stories taking place inside a forest. This is where I drew my inspiration for this week's story. From here I decided to make the forest its own being as if it had thoughts and feelings. I hope you enjoyed my rendition of these two stories!

Bibliography: 
The Indian Heroes: Mahabharata - The Princes of Elephant City by
Author: C. A. Kincaid year 1921 chapter 13: THE YEAR OF DISGUISE and 16: DURYODHANA'S DEATH.

Week 7 Story: Ghost on the Lake

Ghost on the Lake

By: Maria Dawson 

 

I love this picture of a lake by PXFeul this is what I picture for my story.

Nakula woke up in the wee hours of the morning, except, today felt a bit different than the rest. The air felt as if it was blowing in the opposite direction and with it brought the slight hint of.. moss..?

 

However, today is the day Nakula is traveling across the woods to travel into a new city. He packs up his horse with all of his belonging and starts the trip to his new life.

“To the North, Bessie” he states as they ride off towards new hopes and beginnings. Nakula had heard of this town from a good friend named Arjuna. Who will be meeting up with him at the foot of the woods around 20 miles away.

This is how I picture Nakula and his horse looked all packed up and ready to move. Picture from: Internet Archive Book Images

 “ARJUNA!!” yelled Nakula as he rode up on Bessie to the mouth of the woods. The two friends greeted each other with a simple wave and nod of hat. “After you” Arjuna said politely and the two friends rode carelessly into the forest.

“Man, I sure don’t remember these woods being this dark...” Nakula states. “Yeah me either I just got the chills” replied Arjuna. However, the two men continued on their path to the new city.

After the first patch of tree they reached a clearing in the middle was a lake. The two gues diced to stop and let the horses have a drink. “Hm.. I am having some weird déjà vu right now, Arjuna” says Nakula leaning over the water to look in. Just then a great wind blows the waters began to heave and foam. Within this wind he hears, “Before you take our water, that has fed our ancestors for years you must answer some questions.”

This is how I picture the foam on the water from the story: Picture by: Elena Campos Cea

“Hey, Arjuna, did you hear something?” askes Nakula? “Nope must just be your “vu” coming to haunt you!” replies Arjuna. Nakula agrees and shakes his head and continues to take a drink of water.  

SPLASH!

Arjuna whips his head around to see what the clatter was but nothing was there, not even a ripple. Curious he heads over to the lake to peak in, “NAKULA” he yells yet there is no answer. Suddenly the wind starts to appear again and with it the water begins to foam. In the distance he hears a voice say, “Before you take our water, that has fed our ancestors for years you must answer some questions”. Suddenly he realized his friend was right and jumps in the water to help find him.

Unfortunately, for these two friends, they never had the chance to see the new city and create a new life. In fact, they were never seen again. Another victim of the ghost on the lake.

Writers Note:

For this story I was inspired by two separate one that I thought would fit together quite nicely. I took the Story of the Voice in the Lake by R. K. Narayan and The Forest and its Ghosts by Donald A. Mackenzie. From the story of a voice in a lake I liked the part that stated, “Nakula finds a lake, but a voice tells him that, before drinking, he must answer some questions. Nakula ignores the voice, drinks, and dies.” I like the details given from the Forest and its Ghosts that explained hoe the waters from the lake began to heave and foam.

Bibliography: 

The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic Chapter: The voice in the lake by R. K. Narayan

Indian Myth and Legend: The Forest and its Ghosts by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).