Public Domain Edition: Mahabharata Part A

Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie

King Shantanu and Ganga

This is a good introduction for my story. Ganga agrees to marry the king under a few conditions and he agrees. He breaks one of them and she leaves. This part of the story will be excellent for my idea this week. 

Devavrata's Vow

The king's son went to find the maiden his father had found to change the father;s mind about having his daughter marry the king. He does but in doing so he loses his rights to the throne. I like the prince so far. He seems like a good guy and I may focus my story around him. 

Dhritarashtra and Pandu

I liked this story, the problem in this part was trying to fin an heir to the throne. They did but it was not by the usual methods. The queen asked Devavrata to do it but he took a vow to not have children and he planned to keep that. She then turned to her son to produce an heir.

 Pandu and his wives

He is out hunting when he finds a few deer and slays them. However one of them was a Brahmin in disguise and he cursed Pandu for this. The curse would later kill Pandu and leave his wives to raise his sons. 

Photo Info- Devavrata takes his vow

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Feedback Focus

Reading out loud

This focusing technique worked best for me. I find it hard to read sometimes because my mind always wanders when reading. I will read a sentence that makes me think of something I have done or seen and I space out for a bit. This technique helps eliminate that from happening. Saying the words aloud really helps me focus on what I am reading. One of the downsides to this is that it takes longer to read stories this way. I would take the loss of time for this method though. It really helps me concentrate on the reading.

Copy and delete

This method worked well for me too. The process of only reading a paragraph at a time made the story much easier to focus on. Making the comments about each section was helpful as well. When I was done reading a paragraph I made notes about them. At the end of the story I had written about my favorite character and what they had been doing throughout the story. This helped me better recollect what was in the story and what I liked about each part. This can help me leave more detailed comments on stories.

Use a timer

I liked this method as well. I loved that I was only doing something for ten minutes. It was very easy to read the story in the allotted time. I actually read it twice because I read through it fast the first time because I knew I was being timed. That rushed feeling did not help me focus much but going through and reading the story for the second time really helped me focus on the details so overall this was helpful to me.

Image info- Focusing intently 

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Storytelling: Saving Pikachu

               Ash is on his journey to become a Pokémon master. He has won many battles and trained hard to become the very best like no one ever was. He is traveling with Brock and his Pokémon. His favorite Pokémon he has is Pikachu. Pikachu was the first Pokémon ash received. They have a special bond that no one can break. They are best friends and will give everything they have in battle for one another. While traveling through Viridian forest catching Pokémon and training, he is approached by Professor Oak.  Oak tells him he is there to give him a gift for working hard on his pokedex. Ash looks with wonder at the new type of pokeball that Oak had presented to him. “It is a master ball” said Oak, “it will catch any Pokémon on the first try.” Ash was amazed and placed the master ball in his bag. Thanking Oak, he continued on his journey. A few days later Ash came across a shiny Pokémon called Diglett, shiny Pokémon are Pokémon that are a different color than what they are supposed to be, knowing that these are extremely rare he considered using the new master ball he had acquired but decided against that. The Diglett saw them and started to run away, Ash gave chase but left Pikachu behind with brock because electric type moves have no effect on a ground type Pokémon like Diglett. What they did not know was that the Diglett was a trap set by Jesse.

                Jesse had sent a Team Rocket member to distract ash with the shiny Pokémon. It was a Ditto that could transform into any Pokémon. The Diglett had went quite some distance before stopping. As Ash was ready to battle and catch the Diglett, it transformed back into a Ditto. Ash recognized the Ditto at once, knowing it was Jesse’s he rushed back to find Pikachu and Brock but it was too late. While he was chasing down the Diglett, Jesse had tricked Brock by imitating the voice of Ash and crying for help. Brock ran off to find his friend leaving Pikachu behind where it was safe. Jesse captured Pikachu and flew back to Team Rocket headquarters but Pikachu let out a cry and Ash looked up and saw Pikachu being taken by Jesse. He had to collect his strongest Pokémon for the upcoming battle. He traveled to the nearest Pokémon center to retrieve them. Once he did that, they set out towards Team Rocket’s base. Knowing the location of their base he began traveling there, with Brock, immediately.

                Jesse had returned to headquarters with Pikachu and everyone was thrilled to have such a strong Pokémon. The only downside to this was that Pikachu would not listen to anyone. Pikachu was loyal to Ash and only obeyed him. Jesse tried everything to coerce Pikachu into taking her commands but nothing worked. James knew that Pikachu would never listen to her and tried to convince Jesse to give Pikachu back. He knew that Ash would come to rescue Pikachu and that nothing would stop him. This made Jesse furious and she threw him out of headquarters. He then joined Ash and Brock and told them of a secret way into the Team Rocket base. They follow him and find Jesse and Pikachu. Ash sees Pikachu and know he will win for his best friend. Jesse knows how strong he is so she prepared for this. The battle was long and well fought each used their Pokémon flawlessly in battle but it came down to Charizard and Arbok. Charizard was the strongest Pokémon Ash had, besides Pikachu, and he took the Arbok down with ease. Jesse still had one trick up her sleeve though. Jesse explained that she had the legendary Pokémon Mewtwo under her control, although she had not caught him. They were using mind control to subdue this Pokémon. Mewtwo was too powerful for Charizard alone so thinking quickly Ash commanded Charizard to rush at Mewtwo using flamethrower. This distracted Mewtwo long enough for Ash to throw his master ball unnoticed. It hit Mewtwo and captured him, rendering Jesse defenseless. After defeating Jesse he freed Pikachu and they were happily reunited. Before leaving he made sure that James was in charge so that this would not happen again. Ash, with Pikachu by his side, continued on his journey to become Pokémon master.

Photo Information: Pikachu 

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 The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould 

Author’s Notes:

My story is centered on the conflict between Rama (Ash) and Ravan (Jesse). Rama begins this story exiled from his kingdom and he Sita (Pikachu) are traveling through a forest. A deer appears and Sita wants his hide so Rama goes after it for her, leaving her in the care of Lakshmana (Brock). It was a trick though, the deer was a person in disguise to help distract Rama while Ravan captured Sita. He does and takes her to his kingdom. Rama finds out where she was taken and goes with an army (Pokemon team) to try and rescue Sita. Ravan gets angry at one of his brothers for advising him to just give Sita back to Rama. Ravan then throws Vibishan (James) from his council room and from that point Vibishan joins Rama. There is an epic battle between Rama and Ravan but in the end Rama wins the conflict and saves Sita. His exile is up at the end of this story and they return home. 

Reading Notes: Divine Archer by F. J. Gould Part 2

The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould
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In chapter 8 Ravan meets with his council and throws one of his brothers, Vibishan, out of his home because he advised that Ravan should let Sita go and not fight Rama. Turns out that was the best choice but that is not what Ravan did. So his brother joins Rama and his army. I will incorporate the brother joining Rama in my story. I think I will change how this happens though. I will make it seem like the brother who left did so secretly instead of confronting Ravan like in the original story.

Chapter 9 was about the epic battle between Rama and Ravan and their armies. This battle has a happy ending and I will not change that for my story. The hero will win and rescue the girl. He does test Sita's faithfulness to him but that ends well too. At the end of this chapter his banishment is lifted and they return home.

In chapter 10 Rama becomes ruler and banishes Sita because of rumors that she was unfaithful to him while held captive by Ravan. She has twins that he does not know about until they come into the city. The end of this is a bit sad, Sita gets taken to the underworld by her own accord and this saddens Rama. I will make the ending a bit more tragic to evoke more feeling out of this part of the story.

Photo Information: Final Battle of Rama and Ravan

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Reading Notes: Divine Archer F.J. Gould

The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould

I did not plan on using chapters 1-4 because I created a story about that already so I decided to use a different part of the Ramayana this week.

I will be using chapter 5 of this book for my story this week. Rama was just exiled and is wandering the forest. He comes along a saint who gives him many great weapons. This will be fun to work with but I have not decided what theme I will be using this week.

I will continue my story by using chapter 6. This is where Ravan captures Sita. I want the story to flow well so instead of using the whole chapter I will use some of the more interesting parts.

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Photo Information- Rama hunting for Sita

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Storytelling week 3: Obi Wan's Search for Satine

         

       Obi Wan Kenobi was traveling around his planet when one day he was approached by a clone trooper under Ahsoka Tano’s leadership and was asked to come talk to her. He obliged and they went on their way. Once they arrived at the base he was greeted warmly by his old friend Ahsoka. She then explains why she needed him, she was in a conflict with her brother Hamry. One day on their travels Ahsoka and Hamry came across a small cavern and Hamry decided to investigate. Ahsoka chose to stay outside the cave and wait for his return. About ten minutes later she hears a horrifying scream from the cave and yelled out for her brother. She received no response so she cautiously entered the cavern. As soon as she did she saw the beast that had slain her brother. The creature was five times her size with teeth and claws as long as her arms. Frightened she dashes out of the cave and seals the entrance by moving a boulder in front of the entrance, with the force, as well as creating an avalanche of rocks to cover that up, hoping to trap the beast. What she did not know was that Hamry was still alive. He then slayed the beast and escaped the cavern. Hamry believed that Ahsoka left him for dead in the cave to assume her place as Queen. She denied this but he was so angry with her that he would not listen so he banished her from the kingdom. She then asked Obi Wan if he would help defeat Hamry so she could return to her home. He agrees on the condition that she will help him find Satine once the conflict had been settled. They agree and both leave at once.

They arrive at the kingdom and the news that Ahsoka had returned traveled quickly. Hamry was enraged by this and sought to end the conflict between them. He went to the wall and commanded her to leave. She tried to explain her side of the story again but he would not hear it. He ignited his light saber and charged at Ahsoka. She dodges the initial attack then activates her light sabers as well. The battle commences and neither side was giving an inch, Hamry elegantly and swiftly attacking and Ahsoka parrying each blow but as the battle raged on Hamry was gaining the advantage. Ahsoka tried to attack and get on the offensive side of things but Hamry was just too powerful. She miscalculated her attack and was vulnerable. Hamry knew he had won but just as he started to swing his saber at her, another intervened. Obi Wan had blocked the attack at the last second. Hamry was furious and began to attack Obi Wan. Obi Wan countered every attack with ease and then began to go on the offensive. Hamry could not keep up with the swiftness of Obi Wan’s attacks and fell in battle.

After the battle Ahsoka assumes the throne and they have a grand feast for Obi Wan. They celebrate for a few days but Obi Wan grew restless and was ready to find and rescue Satine. He approached Ahsoka and asked her to fulfill her part of their agreement. She complies and sends four clone armies in each direction. The armies that traveled north, west and east found nothing but the troops that went south found out where Satine was. The southernmost army was disheartened at first because they had reached the sea and found nothing. They dared not go back emptied handed so they continued their search along the coast. Shaak Ti overhearing their concern approaches them. She said she saw General Grievous take Satine across the sea. Her brother was slain by Grievous when he tried to save Satine from his clutches. The clones report this back to Ahsoka and Obi Wan who immediately sent word for their troops to all head south. Obi Wan and Ahsoka both travel south and join the armies. They could not cross the sea at this time because the army who went north had not arrived yet. They had most of the ships because they had the furthest to travel on their previous mission. So they sent Anakin Skywalker alone to scout the area and find Satine.

When Anakin arrived he searched and searched but could not find Satine. He thought he had found her when he first arrived. He thought the Grievous’ wife was Sita but he knew, from what Obi Wan had told him, that Satine would remain loyal to Obi Wan so he knew that this could not be her. He then found her surrounded by assassin droids. He approached Satine and told her who he was and that he was here for Obi Wan. She was overjoyed that her love was on his way to rescue her. Anakin offered to save her then but she knew that they would never make it. She told him to give Obi Wan her bracelet as a sign that she was still alive. Anakin then returned back to Obi Wan with the gift and the news that Satine was still alive. By this time the extra ships had arrived and everyone boarding for the mission.

They arrive to Grievous’ kingdom and find Grievous’ droid army waiting for them. The battle commences and Obi Wan and the clones have the edge and are winning the battle. Until nightfall approaches and the droids heat vision takes full effect. They can easily see all the clone troops in the dark and start slaughtering them. Then Count Dooku throws a volley of rocks and boulders onto the battlefield gravely injuring Obi Wan and the other survivors. A dense fog covered the field when Yoda arrived. The cover disabled the droids heat vision and during that time Yoda healed all the troops including Obi Wan. Dooku sees this and in an attempt to demoralize them conjures up an image of Satine and stabs it in front of Obi Wan and the army. Before the agony swept in, Anakin told him of Grievous’ love for Satine and knew that he would not have ordered Dooku to slay her. Obi Wan rushes Dooku, killing hundreds of droids in his path, and confronts him. They begin to duel and during the fight a sniper took out Dooku. This enraged Grievous and he charged into battle. Grievous met Obi Wan and their battle commenced. Grievous using two sabers to combat Obi wan. Obi Wan was gaining the advantage on Grievous until he activated his two extra arms. Now wielding four light sabers, he was nearly unstoppable. Ahsoka saw this and threw one of her sabers to Obi Wan. The clash continued and the battle was glorious both exchanging the fastest and strongest attacks anyone had ever seen. In the end Obi Wan slashed off three of his arms and stabbed him through the heart. Winning the battle he and Anakin rush to Satine. Finding her, he embraced her in his arms promising to never let her go again. They then departed for Ahsoka’s kingdom to live out the rest of their lives.

Image info- Lightsaber

Source- Obi Wan's lightsaber

Author’s Notes:

This story focuses on a battle between two brothers, how Rama helped one of them, and his search for Sita. Rama (Obi Wan Kenobi) is summoned by Sugriva (Ahsoka Tano) to help defeat his older brother Vali (Hamry Tano). I changed the sex of the youngest brother to a female in my story. Sugriva explains how the conflict started and Rama agrees to help in exchange for help looking for Sita (Satine Kryze). They go out to fight the brother and Rama helps Sugriva defeat Vali. After the battle some time was spent celebrating but the search for Sita must begin. Sugriva sends four armies in every direction to help find Sita. They discover that she is across the sea in Ravana’s (General Grievous) territory. Hanuman (Anakin Skywalker) goes across the sea to scout the area and look for Sita. He is discovered and released. They cross the sea and the battle commences. Rama and his forces seem to be winning until night comes and the rakshasas gather their full strength also Indrajit( Count Dooku) badly injures Rama and tricks him with an illusion. The battle commence again after everyone is healed by Garuda (Yoda). Rama and Ravana start battling soon afterwards and Rama slays him and wins Sita back. 

Bibliography-  Rama and the Monkeys by Geraldine Hodgson

Reading Notes: Public Domain Ramayana Part D

Hanuman
Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita

The monkey picks up a mountain and jumps over a sea with it. Not only is he powerful enough to jump across the sea, he can do it while holding a mountain. It is going to be funny to add that much strength to my characters. 

Photo information: Hanuman holding a mountain

Source- Hanuman Photo

Indrajit

Ravana's son Indrajit tricks Rama for a short time and then Vibhishan reveals what actually happened to him. This part of the story will be a great addition to what I want to do with my story.

Battle of Rama and Ravana

The battle between these two will make a great climax to the story. The battle between, what seems to be, two of the strongest people in these stories. The battle was interesting and entertaining to read so it should be easy to do the same with my version of the story. 

Sita

Sita was rescued and her faith to Rama had to be tested. They do reunite which is why I am using the story. The hero wins the epic battle and gets the girl. I am excited to begin writing this weeks story.