Week 6 Storytelling: Micpandavas and Minikauravas, A love story

Here continues another night of Mary, Ally and Sarah’s life. As they were getting ready for a new bedtime story, Mary said, “Ally, which cartoon characters would you like for today’s story?”

Without taking a second, Ally said, “Mickey and Minnie. Mary, you should start a completely new love story of Mickey and Minnie.”

Sarah continued on, “Yeah, it was really cute imagining Mickey and Minnie as the main characters in the story.”

Mary said, “Alright. Sounds good. Here we go.”

Once upon a time there lived a prince named Mickey. He had four brothers, whom he loved more than his life. The brothers were known as Micpandavas. The Micpandavas' day would start with a morning walk in an apple forest. During the walk, the brothers would do stupid things such as yelling each other’s names and would hit and run. However, one day they all decided to go in the evening to enjoy the pleasant weather. As they were walking and talking, they saw five beautiful girls trying to grab apples from the tree. The first time they normally walked through the girls, but then the second time the Micpandavas kept their eyes on the girls while walking quietly and slowly.

One of the girls noticed and said to her sisters, “You saw those guys?”

The oldest sister, named, Minnie, said, “Yes, we should leave from here. Let’s go, sisters, before they come again.”

The girls quickly gathered their stuff and left. The sisters were known as the Minikauravas sisters. They also had a strong bond of love between them like Micpandavas. The Minikauravas had left by the time the Micpandavas came again. So, all five Micpandavas had a favorite Minikaurava. Therefore, they all planned to go for the walk around the same time the next day to meet those beautiful Minikauravas sisters. Since the sisters looked alike, it was really easy to tell that they were sisters. 

As they went by that same place the Minikauravas were sitting on the ground talking while enjoying each bite of apple. This time the Micpandavas were waiting to have some interaction with Minikauravas. As Mickey was badly in love with Minnie’s beauty, he went straight to her and he said, “I am Prince Mickey and they are my brothers. I am madly in love with you. I want to make you my princess. Will you marry me?”

Then, Minnie said, “One thing I hate about myself is that I smell like an apple. Yes, I know apples smells great, but not if someone smell like it all the time. Mickey, I do not deserve to be your princess. You have such a great personality and look at me. Who am I?” Then, Mickey said, “Do not worry about this. Apples have a great smell, but I can promise you that you will not smell like an apple after you marry me. I have an uncle who can magically make you smell like a rose.” While looking down Minnie said, “Yes, I will.”

On the other side, the other Micpandavas were looking aggressively at Mickey’s face for not mentioning their names with Minnie’s sisters. Finally, Mickey added, “On the day of our wedding five marriages will be held. Your four sisters will marry my four brothers.”

Mary said, “Here our story ends. They all live happily ever after. Goodnight, sisters.”

(Mickey and Minnie by source: Wikipedia)

Author's Note:  I used Mickey and Minnie as my main characters. In the original story, it was the Pandavas and Kauravas. Pandavas were the five sons of Pandu by his two wives Kunti and Madri. But none of the Pandavas acted like stepbrothers. They had a true bond of love. In addition to that, the Panadava brothers married the same girl named Draupadi. I changed this idea of marrying the same girl because marrying different girls would make the story appealing. Thus, in my story, they each married one of the Minkaurava sister. In the original story, the Kauravas were sons of King Dhritarashtra, who was Pandu’s older brother. Pandu and Dhritarashtra seemed to have good a relationship, but their sons did not continue to have the same relation like their fathers. So, the Pandavas and Kauravas were cousins in relation, but the Kauravas and Pandavas had true hatred for each other. Kauravas and Panadavas were mostly boys, except for Duhsala, who was kauravas' sister. So, I changed the story a lot, in terms of gender, characters and the plot itself. The reason I did that was to make the story different and to make it a love story. Another thing, I thought that it was unfair for all Panadava brothers to marry the same girl. So, that made me change the story around. In addition to that, I also connected the story with the Ramayana. Rama and his brothers got married the same day.

Bibliography: "Public Domain Edition of the Mahabharatha" by Public Domain Edition. Website: Image library for MLLL-4993, Epics of Ancient India

Week 6 Reading Diary, continued: Mahabharatha Part D

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read fourth part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata(part D) for this week's reading diary post. It was interesting how in the story a female was turned into male by Yaksha. I like it how Arjun is a great warrior and he always wins against whoever is on the opposite side. It was great that he killed evil-hearted Jayadartha in the battle. "All men were maddened with the thirst for blood, and the night was filled with horrors." Imagining this part of the mahabharata frightens me of how that battlefield would look like, for instance, blood, bodies and heads all lying on the ground. I found that interesting how the widows were sent to heaven with their husbands by Vyasa mantras. I enjoyed reading the story especially, the afterlife. There were some very interesting scences, in fact unique things going on.

Arjuna slays Jayadratha.

Week 6 Reading Diary: Mahabharatha part C

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read third part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata(part C) for this weeks reading diary post. I found that interesting how at Hanuman first appearance in the story, he shared the story of Rama with Bhima. Plus, the way the author introduced Hanuman in Mahabharata that he was a heavy monkey and Bhima was unable to move him. In addition to that, the battle was very interesting. That built the excitement of who is going to win, for instance, Bhima was the hero of the fifth day, but that does not declare Bhima a winner. However, Arjun was also a great warrior and he would never let himself down. I found it interesting how Arjun sings Bhagavad-Gita just before the battle beings while looking at the opposite side of the battlefield.

Hanuman.

Thoughts about Comments

I like it when the comments are in great detail because that helps me in knowing how I am writing the posts. Especially, when someone asks the question, it seems like they are engaging with the story and have interest. Me on the other side, I try to give decent comments like something which would help others or at least give them idea.

Week 5 Reading Diary, continued: Mahabharata part B

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read second part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata(part B) for this weeks reading diary post. I found it disappointing that the evil Prince Duryodhana was not capable of defeating Pandavas, so he planned to set their house on fire. In addition to that, King Dhritarashtra believed the story that his son Duryodhana gave him and agreed to his plan. Panadavas and their mother left the house before, so Duryodhana's plan did not accomplish. I liked the character of Bhima, the way he cared for his brothers and mother while they all were in a dangerous Rakshasa forest. It was shocking how Bhima married to a Rakshasa woman, but it was good for him because he was happy with her and plus, she promised to never harm them. The story of Draupadi's previous lifetime as Nalayni was interesting, how she prayed "give me a husband" five times and got five men in reward. It was interesting that Draupadi got five husbands in her next life too as Pandavas. In addition, a woman having more than one husband is not common. It was kind of harsh on Arjuna of how he won Drapuadi as a bride on Swayamwara and then had to leave, however, he married other women on his way.

Kunti and the Pandavas escape.

Week 5 Reading Diary: Mahabharata part A

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read first part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata for this weeks reading diary post.I found this epic story interesting, however, it is way different from Ramayana. One thing I noticed about this epic story was that there are a lot of issues involving babies and giving births along with sleeping with other men. As an example, Pandu was cursed by a deer that he will die while making love because Pandu shot that deer while he was making love. So, Pandu wives ended up sleeping with other men. I liked it how Madri and Kunti both wanted to die with Pandu and plus, both of them were ready to get burned with Pandu which illustrates their true love. I found Satyavati character interesting. She was born through a sperm of gandharva and then fallen in the river and swallowed by a fish. Plus, she smelled like fish, but with a magical perfume Parashara changed that fishy smell into a lovely smell. I was disappointing that Pandu and Dhritarashtra's sons relationship is not close by their hearts. There are a lot of difference between them, especially Duryodhana, who was jealous from Pandu's son named Bhima because he was good at everything.

(Pandu is cursed)

Week 4 Storytelling: Mickey got Minnie back

Here continues the third bedtime story of Mary, Ally and Sarah. This time Ally demands for a happy ending story because she did not like the previous story of Minnie being kidnapped by Pete at the end.

Mary agreed and continued the story from where she ended the story last time.

Mickey being madly in love with Minnie never stopped searching for his beautiful wife. He promised himself and his daughter, Micmin, and said "I would find Minnie and would never let her go with such an evil person, Pete, who pretended to be a good friend during our entire friendship."

Mickey had been searching for Minnie for almost a week, but found no luck. On a random day, Mickey thought about calling Pete’s brother named Lola. Mickey called and asked him about Pete, but not mentioning anything about Minnie’s kidnapping. The purpose behind this was to check if Lola knew anything or not. By that five minutes of conversation, Mickey figured that Lola knew and had information about Minnie because as Mickey mentioned Pete’s name there was a clear change in Lola. Mickey noticed the change in Lola’s voice. Plus, Lola seemed in a hurry as if he did not want to carry on the conversation. After talking, Mickey had huge doubts about Lola. He thought that sitting and thinking over the doubts would not do any good, so he decided to go and check on Lola. 

Finally, Mickey arrived at Lola’s house. That scene was intense. Lola opened the door as Mickey rang the doorbell and he was fully surprised to see Mickey. Mickey calmly said hello and they nicely shook hands. Lola held the door trying to block Mickey from entering in the house, but Mickey entered as they were talking and sat on the couch. There Mickey heard some kind of noises as if someone else was in the house talking and whispering which he thought was Minnie. However, Lola was trying to distract Mickey, so he would not overhear Minnie’s voice. 

There, Mickey asked Lola, “Whose voice was that?”

 As Lola’s face was getting red from nervousness, he said, “Oh, it is just a television.”

But Mickey was confident enough to know that it was no one else but Minnie.

Minnie was in the room right next to the living room, where Mickey was sitting. Minnie knew that Mickey was there because she could hear Mickey talking with Lola.

Lola, on the other hand, was trying to convince Mickey to go out for lunch, so he would leave as soon as possible. But Mickey wanted to take his wife with him.

Then clever Mickey started praising Lola’s house. He said, “It is a nice house. How many bedrooms?" While saying that Mickey got up and managed to take a tour of entire house as Lola was in the kitchen preparing tea for both of them.

Finally, Mickey saw Minnie sitting on the chair tied up with a rope and mouth taped. Mickey ran towards Minnie and said, “Ohhh Minnie, my love.” Mickey quickly untied her and hugged her tightly. Pete escaped when Minnie and Mickey were busy hugging. Then they lived happily ever after with their cute daughter,  Micmin. 

Ally said, “Good story, Mary. I really enjoyed it.” 

Minnie and Mickey together:Source by Wikipedia

Author's Note: I am retelling this story based on the Ramayana. It was the original love story of Rama and Sita. The main concept is same, but the story itself is very different. First, I changed the characters to Mickey and Minnie. In addition to that, Ravana is also one of the characters in the story, played as Pete, an evil character. However, Rama had three brothers, who helped and fought for him in getting Sita back from Ravana. Second, the plot was different as well. In the original story, Rama refused to accept Sita because he thought that she is not pure after spending time with Ravana. In addition to that, Hanuman went searching for Sita because he was a good friend and wanted to see Rama and Sita together. Now Ravana was depicted as a powerful guy, who was not afraid of facing Rama. Ravana faced Rama with his whole army, but strong Rama killed him at the end. Unlikely, Pete was a weak guy and never faced Mickey afterwards. Most importantly, I made the ending happy. It was something I disliked the most about my previous story. This time I managed to bring Mickey and Minnie together once again. In the Ramayana, Rama and Sita did not stay together forever because Rama was not sensible enough to believe his wife's purity.

Bibliography: "Public Domain Edition of the Ramayana" by Public Domain Edition. Website: Image library for MLLL-4993, Epics of Ancient India

Week 4 Reading Diary, continued: Sita Sings the Blues

Author: Nina Paley
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008

Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/week-1-of-1-paleys-sita-sings-blues-b.html

Here continues the second part of Rama and Sita’s online animated film version of the Ramayana, which focused on struggles that Sita encounters in her life. The film by Nina Paley, Sita Sings the Blues. I found it interesting that we have two love stories going on in the film. Along with Rama and Sita, there was another couple Dave and Nina. As Rama and Sita’s relationship was standing at the edge and same was happening in Dave and Nina's life too. Both stories were parallel to each other. Another things I find interesting was that Sita was singing the blue song again while looking at Rama’s picture and missing him after she left him. Similarly, on the other side, Nina was sad and begging Dave to take her back on the phone. This is interesting how these two stories are showing same relationship where a girl is the one who cares about the love and in staying together. Compare to original Ramayana, there was not much difference when it comes to the story itself, but rather the animated film was not much detailed  and descriptive and did not talk about each and every character which were mentioned in the original Ramayana. Overall, I enjoyed watching the film, it gave me clear view of each character that was shown in the film.

Earth taking Sita film scene

Week 4 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues

Author: Nina Paley
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008

Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/week-1-of-1-paleys-sita-sings-blues-b.html

For this reading dairy post along with variety of options, I chose to watch the film by Nina Paley, Sita Sings the Blues, it was an interesting animated epic story of Sita. It focused a lot on Sita’s character like her struggles through the life similar to the original Ramayana. But in the original Ramayana other characters were covered as well, however the animated film concentrated on Sita’s role. It was interesting how there was another love story going on about Nina and her boyfriend Dave and their cat. Then Dave had to leave for India for some work related to his job. Similar to Rama and Sita, the couple was also presented happy in the beginning spreading and having love for each other until their relation encounters distance. The basic outline of the animated film was very similar to the original Ramayana except for the fact that there was less detail and description about each moment and situation that took place in the story. The scene of Hanuman going and searching for Sita was very descriptive and showed a lot detail of Hanuman going place to place while looking for Sita in the original Ramayana. So, there were many parts I thought did not have much detail compare to the original Ramayana. One thing I noticed was that Lakshmana was not mentioned in the animated film at all compared to the original Ramayana, he was only mentioned ones when Rama ordered him to send Sita into the forest and abandon her(which was a scene from part B).

At first, Sita was afraid.

Portfolio Introduction

I am retelling the story of Rama and Sita's wedding as Mickey and Minnie's love story.
Here is the link to the bedtime story.

Marriage of Rama and Sita

Here is another story of Rama and Sita as Mickey and Minnie's sad story.
Here is a link to the sad bedtime story.

(Rama and Sita by source: Wikipedia)

Time for another story of Rama and Sita as Mickey and Minnie with a happy ending.
Here is a link to the Happy Ending Story.

Pandavas: Wikimedia

Another story of Mickey and Minnie as Micpandavas and Minikasuravas.
Here is a link to the Micpandavas and Minikasuravas story.

Storytelling for Week 3: Sad love story

Here continues the story of three sisters Mary, Ally and Sarah.

So, Mary continued, “Not all love stories have a happy ending. There is always an antagonist in the story, which we did not encounter in our last bedtime story. Let’s meet him this time, sisters.”

After a year, Mickey and Minnie were blessed with one cute little daughter named Micmin. Her name was formed by the combination of the first three letters of their names. One day while having dinner, Mickey told Minnie about his one and only best friend, Pete. Mickey described Pete as a short, handsome guy. Pete was really close to Mickey and was planning on visiting them. When he arrived, Mickey introduced Pete to Minnie and since Minnie was very beautiful, Pete kept staring at her and said to himself, “Wow, Mickey has got a beautiful wife. She has gorgeous eyes and perfect figure.” After spending a great week with Mickey and Minnie, Pete was so impressed with Minnie that he wanted to make her his own wife.

Ally interrupted, “What an evil friend!”

Yes, Pete was not a good friend, but an evil personality who wanted to get his best friend’s wife without considering that Minnie was his friend’s life. Pete wanted to confess his love to Minnie, but he could not find a right time to express it. Luckily for Pete, Mickey was out for work and Minnie was home alone. She was in the kitchen making scrambled eggs for breakfast for Pete and herself. While sitting at the breakfast table, Pete started the conversation about his personal life.

He said, “I want to marry someone just like you, Minnie.” 

Minnie just took that as a compliment and said, “Yes, you will definitely find someone even better than me.” 

Suddenly, Pete shouted “NO, I ONLY WANT YOU YOU YOU AND JUST YOU” while slamming his hands on the table. At that moment, Minnie did not know where to go or even what to do because she could no longer stay there with that crazy man. 

Then, Pete followed Minnie into the room and while holding her, he said, “Let’s marry and I can promise you I will keep you even more  happy than Mickey.” 

Minnie said, “What are you talking about? I love Mickey and cannot think of anyone else except for him.” After listening to all this Pete picked her up on his shoulder and took her away. After a couple of hours Mickey came home and looked for Minnie, but he could not find her. Then he anxiously yelled “Pete, Pete” and then he heard Micmin's cry and he ran into the bedroom. After a few minutes, Mickey tried to calm himself down and called Minnie and Pete, but they did not answer. At the end, Mickey was never able to find Minnie even though he looked for her for a very long time. 

Mary said, “Here the story ends, where Mickey stayed alone with his daughter and was never able to find Minnie."

Ally was very disappointed with Mary’s bedtime story and she said, “Mary, next time come up with a better story. This is going to be a horrible night for me.”

Then, Mary said, “Ally, it was just a story. Don’t be sad.”

Minnie and Pete by Source: Flickr

Author's Note:   For this storytelling, I used bedtime story style again because I wanted to continue on with the same concept story of three sisters: Mary, Ally and Sarah. Like in a previous bedtime story, Mickey played as Rama and Minnie as Sita. As compared to the original Ramayana, there was an antagonist named Ravana, who was played by Pete, in the retold story. I decided to make Pete Mickey's friend at first and then later reveal Pete's real and evil personality. The reason for that was to give a story little twist where an actual identity of a character is hidden, which was different from the Ramayana. My retold story continues on after a year. Mickey and Minnie had one cute little daughter. In the Ramayana, Sita and Rama had two sons. They grew up with Sita in the forest, where Sita was sent by Rama because he was not willing to accept Sita pure. Unlike the Ramayana, to show Mickey and Minnie's love and strong bond, I decided to give Mickey and Minnie a baby before being kidnapped. However, Pete kidnaps Minnie and Mickey was never able to find her even though he looked for her for a very long time. Finally, I made the ending different from the original story. In the original story, Earth takes Sita while in my storytelling Pete takes her. The entire setting was different compared to the Ramayana and my story. The entire story took place in a modern house, rather than in a forest place.

Bibliography: "Public Domain Edition of the Ramayana" by Public Domain Edition. Website: Image library for MLLL-4993, Epics of Ancient India

Week 3 Reading Diary, continued: Hanuman and Sita

Title: Ramayana-Hanuman-and-Sita

Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/PDE%20Ramayana

For these sections of the reading, the most interesting part I thought was when Rama questions Sita's purity and sends her to exile. However, Sita on the other hand never thought of anyone else except for Rama. Plus, she was willing to justify herself by burning into the fire, but Agni protects her from the fire. Sita giving birth to twin boys of Rama and they had similarity with Rama. I liked the character of Lakshama because he was always been a great support to Sita and he knew that Sita was pure, while her husband was being harsh and serious about that. However, I liked the ending of how Sita was taken by the Earth because Rama no longer deserves her nor her love, after insulting and for not trusting her purity. At the same time, building a golden image of Sita does show his love Sita, but however they did not get to live and die together after being so much in love. I found this image interesting when Earth was taking away Sita and along with that I was imagining Rama's condition when he would no longer be able to live with Sita. I am sure that Sita did not wanted to go with them, but she did not have any option after being betrayed by her husband, whom she loved the most. However, it was a sad ending, Rama and Sita did not get to live together. 

Image: Sita goes into the earth

Week 3 Reading Diary: Hanuman and Sita

Title: Ramayana-Hanuman-and-Sita

Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/PDE%20Ramayana

Then Hanuman considered that this must be Sita, for she was fair and spotless, like a moon overcast by clouds, and she wore such jewels as Rama had described to him. Hanuman shed tears of joy and thought of Rama and Lakshmana. Hanuman offered to carry her away, but in her modesty she refused to touch the body of any male being save Rama. She took from her hair a bright jewel which she gave to Hanuman as a token, and she said that Ravana had allowed her but two months to live if she refused to yield to him.For the loved and cherished Sita is to Rama ever dear,
And he sends his loving message, and his force is drawing near! Sita held that tender token from her loved and cherished lord, And once more herself she fancied to his loving arms restored.
But Hanuman was not satisfied with finding Sita; he dashed about the Ashoka grove and broke the trees and spoiled the pavilions, like the Wind himself. The rakshasis sent messages to Ravana for help, and he, hearing that a mighty monkey was destroying his servants, sent the powerful Jambumali, son of Prahasta, bow in hand, to slay Hanuman forthwith, and, indeed, he wounded him with a sharp arrow as he sat upon a temple roof, but Hanuman hurled a bolt at him and crushed him utterly.But the wily monkey gave no sign that the bonds were loosed, and the fierce rakshasas, crying to each other "Who is he? What does he want?" and "Kill him! Burn him! Eat him!" dragged him before Ravana.

In the image Sita was  scared of Hanuman when she first saw him. 

At first, Sita was scared of Hanuman