Mermaid Stories: Styles Brainstorm

Topic: My storybook will be about mermaid stories. I think I want to include The Yellow Dwarf and I want to use The Little Mermaid. I don't think I'll have any trouble finding any mermaid stories. I've seen quite a few stories about mermaids that have definitely caught my attention.

Bibliography:

1. The Yellow Dwarf from Lang's Fairytales by Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville and Baroness d'Aulnoy (no date). 
2. The Little Mermaid from Fairy Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Andersen (1872).

Possible Styles:

Mermaid as the savior: There are a lot of stories where mermaids help people in need. I think those stories are pretty cool because it shows that the mermaids are selfless. I love the story of Disney's Little Mermaid and how she saved Prince Eric from drowning. So maybe I could do something like that.

Mermaid in trouble: I love reading the classic damsel in distress stories. It would be pretty interesting to somehow write one about a mermaid. Maybe the mermaid could be saved from a shark or if she was beached?

Journey: I like that the mermaid would be on a journey to get something accomplished. Sometimes these stories are the most interesting. It would be cool to write the mermaid on a mission to find lost treasure or a missing sea animal.

Mermaid telling stories: It would be cool to write a story about a mermaid maybe telling her children a legend about other mermaids. Stories about stories are sometimes really cool. But I would have to think really hard of how I would want to do it.

(Mermaid, Source: Reiki Attunement Courses)

Week 3 Storytelling: The Beggar King

Author's Note: In the original story, a king was forced out of his luxurious palace and forced onto the streets having to act as a beggar because of a genie who tricked him. In the end, the king learned his lesson. He was given his kingdom back and was an even better ruler because of his experience. I decided to retell the story of "The Beggar King" because I don't feel like a king who acted like he did all his life would change his life and thoughts so drastically. I know some people who have gone through some pretty life-changing things who have changed for the better. I also know some people who changed for the worst or didn't even change at all. I think that the king would be ticked off and would want revenge on the genie, especially since the king was beaten by a man who he refused to serve. I think the genie forcing the king would have made the situation even worse, which is why I rewrote the story to have the king act the same after he gets back. But in his defense, I don't think I would be too happy about having to live on the streets for an entire year after being in a nice home and having plenty to eat for all my life...

(The Beggar King, Source:UnTextbook)

The Beggar King
There once was a king who thought he belonged on a high horse. His people thought the worst of him (and they weren't wrong). He was greedy and selfish. The High Priest was reading out of the Holy Book when he came across a passage that the king didn't like. The king snatched the Holy Book out of the High Priest's hands and threw it across the room. The Priest was stunned. The king shoved past the priest and stormed out of the room. He ordered his men to saddle the horses and informed them that they were going hunting.

The king owned the fastest horse in all of the lands. When the king saw a deer, his horse easily outran his men's horses. He followed the deer into the woods and saw it cross the water. There, he dismounted and waded through the water to follow the deer. When he came towards the deer, it transformed into a man.

The man spoke to the king and explained that he was the deer and that he was actually a genie. "Because you are so haughty, I am here to teach you a lesson." And with that, he transformed himself into the king's look-alike, swam across the river, and mounted the horse.

By this time, the king's men finally caught up and believed that the genie was the real king. "I lost the trail of the deer. Let us return," said the genie. The genie and the king's men rode away back to the palace.

The king was so shocked. He couldn't believe what had just happened. He wandered all over and found a wood-cutter. "You there!" cried the king. "I am the king. You shall escort me back to my palace."

The wood-cutter laughed in the king's face. "You must be mad," cackled the wood-cutter. "You're in ragged clothes. You cannot be the king. Work for me and I will give you food and clothes." The king refused and the wood-cutter beat him.

The king wandered away and reached the palace late at night. He told the guards who he was, but they didn't believe them. He went away and blended in with a group of blind beggars. He had decided to be their eyes.

After a few months, the royal heralds went by and announced that the good king would give a feast to all of the beggars and that the beggars would have a chance to speak with him. The king was overjoyed. He would be able to convince the genie to change him back.

The time came when it was the king's turn to talk to the genie. He begged for forgiveness and said that he would never act that way towards the Holy Book again. He repented his sins. The genie realized that the king had learned his lesson and transformed himself back into the genie's body. The king had regained his clothes and was now sitting on the throne.

The king was overjoyed. He then looked to the genie and swore. "How dare you?! Who do you think you are making me act as a beggar and forcing me to live on the streets while you live in my palace! Guards! Exile this man!"

As the guards were dragging the genie away, the genie sighed, "I guess you haven't learned anything at all." The king went back to his old ways and was haughtier than ever.

Bibliography: Story: "The Beggar King", Jewish Fairytales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919).

Extra Reading Diary: Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche

Cupid and Psyche

The Jar of Beauty: Psyche has to do a plethora of tasks for Venus. She must travel to the underworld to Prosperine and ask for a jar of her beauty. She went on her way and was stopped by a turret who warned her of the many dangers in the underworld. He warned her that she needs to take two coins in her mouth and two barley cakes. He also warned that she must not talk to anybody or drop the cakes otherwise she would be stuck there forever. She did as she was told and got the jar of beauty, but when she got back up she thought that she deserved a little bit of the beauty. I think it's funny that Venus had so many traps waiting for Psyche in the underworld. If Psyche wouldn't have listened to the turret, she would be stuck in the underworld due to Venus.

Sleep of the Dead: Psyche didn't listen to the turret and opened the box. There wasn't beauty in there but deathly sleep. She fell into a deep sleep. Cupid came down and wiped away the sleep and restored it to the jar. He awoke Psyche and told her to finish the task.

The Wedding Feast: Psyche is brought to heaven to drink a cup of ambrosia to make her immortal. Her wedding to Cupid will be equal. There was a big feast and when Psyche came to turn, she gave birth to a girl named Pleasure. The old woman's story ended and the robbers came back. They took everybody and made them travel and debated on the horse's death (Lucius).

The Escape: Lucius broke free of his restraints and ran, but the old woman saw and held onto his reigns. He kicked her off and rescued the girl. The girl was so happy that she prayed to the gods and thanked the horse magnificently. She was in his debt.

(Psyche and the Jar of Beauty, Source: UnTextbook)

Reading Diary B: Jewish Fairy Tales

Jewish Fairy Tales

The Sleep of One Hundred Years: I remember reading a story like this a long time ago! But I don't think it had anything to do with religion. A man named Onias is on his way to Jerusalem on his camel. He is on a long journey and when gets there he sees that the city is destroyed. He cries himself to sleep and falls into a deep sleep and doesn't wake for 100 years. When he wakes, he's so confused and realizes that he's aged and slept 100 years. Onias was brought to his great grandson and they talked. Rabbi Onias asked his grandson to take him to his place of sleep and once again he falls into a deep sleep.

The Higgledy-Piggledy Palace: This story was so good and kind of funny! The Pharaoh lusts after Abraham's wife and in return is basically cursed by a spirit that he cannot see. The spirit can injure the Pharaoh and bother him and nobody can provide Pharaoh with any answers of what is happening. He is so frustrated that he tells Abraham to take his "sister" away and Abraham tells Pharaoh that Sarah is actually his wife. He also gives Pharaoh a warning about if any of his descendants came after them that God will punish the King with plague again.

The Fairy Frog: This story was very interesting. Hanina's parents were dying and his father made him promise to mourn for seven days and then go into the market and to buy the first thing that is offered to him. So he goes to the market and ends up buying a frog. He takes the frog home and feeds it. The frog grows and grows and eats all of their food. Hanina's wife breaks down and the frog talks to her and rewards her with whatever she wishes. Same with Hanina. The frog takes the couple to the forest and rewards them for listening to the dying. The frog is the fairy son of Adam and can take any form. He turns back into a small frog and hops way. The couple return with their riches and become and wealthy and loved by all.

(The Fairy Frog, Source: The Fairy Frog)

Reading Diary A: Jewish Fairy Tale

Jewish Fairy Tales

The Beggar King: I absolutely love this story! It talks about a king who is the typical stereotypical king, who is cruel and basically undeserving of the throne, and has him trade places with a genie to teach him a lesson. I really like how the king was actually treated like a beggar so that he would know how it felt to be on the streets. I also really like how when the genie knew that the king had learned his lesson that the kind tried to refuse because he knew that he was unworthy at first and cared about the blind beggars.

The Water Babe: This story is so good! I haven't read the story of Moses since I was a little kid so I can't really remember if its the same or not. I think its funny that Pharaoh and Bilum have doubts about Moses even though he is just a baby. It just doesn't make sense to me. Like why would you have a weird feeling about a baby? But I guess that Bilum and Pharaoh do have something to worry about since Moses grows up to do great things.

From Shepherd-Boy to King: This story was a little weird. It has the boy David, who is very curious and brave, climb a 'mountain' to see a tree that had no leaves. Turns out the mountain was actually a unicorn. A lion commanded that the unicorn bow and when it did, David slid off in front of the lion. David was prepared to fight but a deer came in and saved David. It got David away from the lion and said that he had orders to save David because he was the future king.

(Baby Moses, Source: The Orthodox Life)

Myth Folklore Topics Brainstorm

Topic: Mermaid stories from around the world
Comments: I really like mermaids. The Little Mermaid is probably one of my favorite movies ever. When I was little, I also wanted to be a mermaid and would pretend to be a mermaid in the pool. Mermaids are portrayed as such beautiful, graceful creatures and I would love to read about them.
Possible Stories: I could include the Hans Christian Anderson version of The Little Mermaid or the many mermaid stories of the Shetland Islands.
Sample Story Comments: I learned that in the Shetland Island stories, the merpeople can turn into seals with the help of their treasured garb.
Bibliography: 
Sample Story: Mermaid Wife
Book Title: Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales
Author: George Douglas

Topics: Witches
Comments: I've always loved reading about the magic that the witches use in the stories. I'd love to read more about the witches and their magic.
Possible Stories: There are three stories in the Czech Folktales Unit that seem interesting.
Sample Story Comments: A witch turns herself into a white horse in order to hide from the farmhand. He takes the horse to a smith and gets the horse shoed. It shows that magic always comes with consequences.
Bibliography:
Sample Story: Three Supernatural Stories
Website: UnTextbook

Topics: Fairies
Comments: I think fairies are so cool! I've loved them ever since I saw Tinkerbell in Peter Pan. I'd love to read more about them.
Possible Stories:There are a few stories on UnTextbook about fairies that seem very interesting.
Sample Story Comments: I absolutely loved the movie and I really enjoyed the story too. I like how different they are from each other.
Bibliography:
Sample Story: Thumbelina
Book Title: The Complete Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales
Author: Hans Christian Andersen

Topics: Dogs
Comments: Dogs are one of my favorite animals so I really want to look into how dogs are portrayed in these stories.
Possible Stories: There are many stories in Aesop's Fables about dogs that seem interesting.
Sample Story Comments: A dog is being really selfish with its food and gets reprimanded by a cow.
Bibliography:
Sample Story:More Dogs
Website: UnTextbook

(Mermaids, Source: Students of the World)

Extra Reading Diary: Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche

Cupid and Psyche

The Captive Woman: I'm a little confused. Why has Lucius been turned into a donkey and how? I understand where the young woman is coming from. If I was kidnapped I'd be crying all the time too. I don't think I would consider ending my life though.. I think I would just do anything I could to get back to my family. And the old woman is very rude. Like sorry, she doesn't want to be a part of this plan and that she's scared.

Her Dream: Oh my gosh! That would be a terrible dream!! Getting kidnapped is terrible already, but when its on your wedding day, that would be even more devastating!! It is a little weird that she was marrying her cousin, but I guess it was normal back then. But then the dream that her lover was killed by the kidnappers would scare me even more. That poor girl must be scared out of her mind.

Psyche's Beauty: Psyche is the prettiest of her sisters and all the land. To me, it makes no sense that Venus would be jealous of a human girl. Venus is also supposed to be very pretty and she is a goddess. It's weird to me that she would go to any length to try and ruin Psyche. She convinces her son, Cupid, to "exact harsh punishment" so that she'll fall in love with a man who is basically a bum and worthless.

The Oracle of Apollo: Psyche's father was curious as to why his most beautiful daughter had no suitors while the other two were ready to be married. He went to Apollo and asked why. Apollo said that if she has a child with a mortal that the child will be a "serpent-like winged evil". Her parents were upset. I mean who wouldn't be? That's really bad news to hear. I don't really understand why she wouldn't have suitors though, since all admired her beauty.

(Psyche entering Cupid's Garden, Source:John William Waterhouse)

Week 2 Storytelling: The Affair of Mars and Venus

Author's Note: In the original story, Vulcan finds out that his wife, Venus, is having an affair with Mars. Vulcan is the god of metalworking and the forge. In the story, he creates a bronze net to catch Mars (the god of war) and Venus (the goddess of love) in the act. When they are eventually caught, Vulcan and all the other gods laugh about it and they say it was the best-known story known in the heavens. I decided to retell the story of Mars and Venus because if I was in that position, I would have reacted differently than Vulcan. I don't think that after finding out my spouse was cheating on me and going through all the trouble to catch them in the act, that I would be so cool with it in the end. I definitely would not have been able to laugh about it. I would have been furious and been demanding a divorce. I chose this picture because it represents the story and shows Mars and Venus in bed together.

(Mars and Venus, Source:Top of Art)

The Affair of Mars and Venus
Long ago, on Mount Olympus, Vulcan was in his shop, creating the most magnificent weapons and armor in all the world. Many of the gods entered Vulcan's shop to view the prized weapons, but none would look him in the eye. After a few days of the gods acting strangely in his shop, he called for Mercury, the messenger god.

Moments later, Mercury arrived at Vulcan's shop. Mercury was acting the same as all of the other gods. He wouldn't make eye contact with Vulcan and he would try to keep the conversation short. He was very uncomfortable in Vulcan's presence. Vulcan grew angry with this and demanded Mercury to tell him why everybody was acting so strange.

"Well... You see... There have been some rumors going around..." stammered Mercury. Vulcan just stared. "There have been whispers that Mars has been sneaking around with your wife, Venus..." Vulcan was outraged. He started throwing everything in his shop. Mercury had to hold him back before he destroyed the entire shop. "Wait! It is only a rumor! We have no proof that they have been seeing each other!"

"Proof... I'll get proof," growled Vulcan. He started rummaging through his shop and found what he needed. He cleared the space on his work bench and went to work. Mercury stayed with Vulcan to make sure that Vulcan wouldn't destroy his shop anymore. He waited in the corner and messed with some of the trinkets in the shop. Vulcan worked for four days straight. He had created the most magnificent net that Mercury had ever seen. His creation was wonderfully fashioned. It did not look like a net at all which made perfect to hang over the bed without anybody being able to recognize what it was. It was created to fall at the slightest movement.

Mercury took the net into his hands and looked at it in awe. "It's wonderful! It doesn't even look like a net!" Vulcan told Mercury how the net worked and how he would set it up. He and Mercury went to Vulcan's home and set the net above the bed and they hid in the next room. Vulcan was anxiously waiting for the 'culprits' to strike. He paced the room for what felt like hours. Mercury grew nervous watching Vulcan. He didn't know what to expect if the rumors proved to be true.

They waited for hours when they heard a scream. They ran out and saw the net covering Mars and Venus. Vulcan was furious. He started toward Mars and Mars went running. Because Vulcan could not run, he set his dogs on Mars and they chased Mars for miles. They only stopped when they heard Vulcan whistle for them. They had ran Mars out of town. Vulcan and the others could see that Mars hadn't stopped. Chuckling to himself, Mercury asked, "I wonder when he's going to stop running?" Vulcan laughed like crazy.

Eventually, Mars came back to Mount Olympus. He and the other gods now knew not to mess with Vulcan's wife. The other gods laughed like crazy whenever they saw Mars. It would be a long time before they would let it go.

Bibliography:
Story: "Mars and Venus", Ovid's Metamorphoses, translated by Tony Kline (2000).

Reading Diary B: Greek Myths: Ovid I

Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books 1-4)

Echo: I found this story to be very interesting! I think it's really cool that Bacchus was "twice-born." I've never heard of that before. I think it's really cool that two mating snakes were able to change Tiresius from a man to a woman and vice versa eight years later. This story is also sad because of Echo. She can only repeat words that have been said to her. She can't express her true feelings. It must be so hard for her. When she is able to repeat words to Narcissus that she wants him, she shows herself and he runs scared from her.

Narcissus: I think this story is so funny!! It just amazes me that somebody could fall in love with themselves and become so obsessed. But is it also sad at the same time. For awhile, he doesn't realize that his reflection is the thing that he fell in love with. It's also really sad that he is so torn up about falling in love with something that can't be touched. He is so hurt that he dies and turns into a flower.

(Narcissus, Source:Boston)

Mars and Venus: This story is a little odd. But it amazes me that almost all the gods and goddesses have affairs. It just doesn't make sense to me. I also find it weird that after Vulcan went through all the trouble to make the net that he doesn't punish Venus or Mars. They just laugh about it and "it was the best-known story in all the heavens."

Reading Diary A: Greek Myths: Ovid I

Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books 1-4)

Deucalion and Pyrrha: I'm just wondering.. But what did mankind do to upset Zeus? I know it says 'wicked deeds' but that doesn't really explain anything.. I have read a lot of different myths and I really like the creation myths. It's really interesting to read about how the people were made and what they were made of. I think it's cool how they had to loosen their clothing and throw the rocks behind them.

Io: This story was super interesting! I think it's funny how even though Zeus is married to Hera (who is supposed to be the most beautiful goddess) that he still lusts after different women and goddesses. I think it's really funny how he acts like a normal man in trying to hide the affair too. It's really sad that Io was turned into a cow just so Zeus wouldn't get caught. I really like how it explains how the peacock came to have eyes on its feathers. It is very interesting!

Phaethon and the Sun: At first, I had a little trouble keeping all of the names straight. I had to read it twice before I finally understood who the story was about. I really like how Phaethon was so determined to see if his father was actually Phoebus. He travelled so far just to speak with Phoebus to calm his doubts. I can only imagine how I would act if I was in his place and meeting my father for the first time. But I do think that it's a little odd how he asks Phoebus such a big favor in just meeting him.

Phaethon's Ride: I really like how fatherly Phoebus is being, especially for just meeting. It shows how compassionate he is and how much he actually cares for his son. I just wish Phaethon would have listened to his father's warnings. Phaethon caused so many problems just because he was ignorant and stubborn.

(Phaethon, Source: Prezi)

Castillo: This story was so interesting! It kind of makes me mad how Jupiter takes advantage of all these different women. It's really sad that Juno also punishes Castillo even though it wasn't her fault. I feel like Juno should be a little used to Jupiter having affairs. But I'm really glad that in the end, Jupiter kept Arcas from killing his mother and that he turned them both into constellations. It makes him seem like he actually cares.

D2L Profile Tech Tip

For my D2L avatar, I chose this picture because I thought my hair looked really good in it. It's really rare that I straighten my hair and have my makeup done at the same time, so I think it is a nice picture.

(Personal Photo)

UnTextbook

I am interested in reading the Alice in Wonderland unit. I always thought that the Disney movie was so cool and then the new Alice movie with Johnny Depp was amazing! The different story lines are very creative and keeps me very interested.

The Grimm (Hunt) unit is something that I would also like to read more about. My dad used to read me some stories from the Brothers Grimm books and I loved them. It's so interesting to read the stories and then watching movies that are based off of the stories. I love seeing people be creative.

The Voyages of Sindbad unit also sounds very interesting. I have seen a movie about Sinbad but I'm still not that familiar with it. It would be nice to be able to learn more about Sindbad and his journeys. The description says that the stories are similar to Odysseus and I am very excited because I enjoyed the Odyssey.

I would also like to read the Robin Hood unit. I love the Disney movie and I love what Robin Hood's character stands for. It would be really cool to all of the stories about his adventures.

(Robin Hood Statue, Source: Wikipedia)

Storybook Favorites

I enjoyed reading Demigod Daycare. I was pretty familiar with all of the stories that were told but I really like how they put it all together and had the muses tell the gods' and goddesses' children about the history. It was really cute how all of the demigods were super curious about their parents and reacted when they found out about some of the stuff. I chose this story because I was very interested in knowing what it was about. The title did a very good job of telling what the story was going to be about.

(Photo of the Nine Muses, Source: Nine Muses)

I also really liked reading The Tales of Hercules as Told By Hera. I've read the real story where Hera hates Hercules and does everything that she can to destroy him. But in this story, it is nice to know her point of view and that the other gods and goddesses are misjudging her. I grew up watching the Disney Hercules and when I read the original myth, I was really shocked that Hera wasn't actually Hercules' mother. But I found this point of view to be very interesting.

Another story that I enjoyed was Tales of Beauty and the Beast. I also grew up watching this Disney's Beauty and the Beast and I've seen other Beauty and the Beast remakes and I find them to be quite interesting. I really like that the author changed the story up and gave Beauty a different back story. I wish it would have been more informational though, but it was still very well written.

Introduction Post

My name is Heather Balliet. I am 19 years old. I am the youngest of two in my family. My older sister is married and has two wonderful boys who I absolutely adore. I have one dog named Lokie. She is a German Shepherd/Staffordshire Terrier mix. She is my baby girl!!

(Photo of Lokie, taken by me)

I am a sophomore majoring in Health and Exercise Science and minoring in Business. I want to graduate and go on to physical therapy school and eventually open up my own practice. But if that doesn't work out, I also want to open up my own scuba diving business where I can teach others to scuba dive and to take trips to exotic places to dive at. I am currently enrolled in this class, Beginning French, General Chemistry, and I am also taking Anatomy and Physiology I online.

I am currently a coxswain on the women's rowing team. As for hobbies, I love to read, watch movies, and paint (even though I'm not very good at it haha). Photography is starting to become a hobby of mine. I also love exploring, camping, and traveling. I have this new goal/bucket list where I want to travel to a new place every year.

I definitely laid in bed almost the entire break. I got caught up on American Horror Story and had a lot of movie marathons with some friends. I also reread all of the Harry Potter books (I'm definitely a Harry Potter nerd :) ). My favorite books would probably have to be The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and anything written by Nicholas Sparks. My favorite movies are The Little Mermaid and She's The Man and my favorite TV shows are Pretty Little Liars, American Horror Story, and anything Bachelor related haha.

Week 1 Storytelling: Little Miss Muffet

Little Miss Muffet

BY MOTHER GOOSE

Little Miss Muffet 

Sat on a tuffet, 

Eating her curds and whey; 

Along came a spider, 

Who sat down beside her, 

And frightened Miss Muffet away.

Little Miss Muffet, Source: Simply Daycare

There was a little girl named Miss Muffet. Everyday at half past three, she would go up to the hill behind her house to meet her mother. They had this cozy little spot under a huge oak tree where they would sit around and waste time away, day dreaming or telling each other silly stories. Today, her mother had lay down a blanket and set out some pillows for them to lean on and had a big bowl of curds and whey for them to share. In the middle of her mother's story, Miss Muffet felt something tickling her arm. She looked down and saw a spider crawling on her arm towards the bowl of food. Miss Muffet screamed, threw the bowl, and went running back to her house. Her mother hadn't seen the spider so she was upset because she thought that Miss Muffet had disliked her bowl of curds and whey. Her mother started to clean up the spilt curds and whey and gathered the pillows and blanket in her arms. She was carrying them back to the house when she had an odd feeling. She looked down and saw a big spider on top of her pile. She dropped the pillows and blankets and went screaming after her daughter.

Author's Note: I chose this nursery rhyme from The Nursery Rhyme Book, edited by Andrew Lang (1987). I rewrote this story because I thought it was a little odd that Miss Muffet was eating curds and whey all by herself, so I added in a mother to tie in the story a little bit. 

My Favorite Place

My favorite place is in Freeport, Bahamas. I went to a resort here last summer and absolutely fell in love with the place. It is so pretty and exciting there and beaches are my favorite!

(Image Information: Personal photo in Port Lucaya from June 2014.)

Hi!

Hi my name is Heather!