Showing posts with label Week 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Week 5. Show all posts
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Thoughts About Comments
As I went through the various comments that have been left for me, I noticed that the most helpful ones were the most critical. I mean it is nice to have people praise what I have written, but I would rather have someone read it critically and help me improve. The most interesting comments have been the ones that have been personally. Whether the commenter had something personal to say in regards to my story or about themselves, those are the most interesting. I think I have done an alright job with my comments. I'm afraid to say anything negative about the writing of other people, but I need to begin helping others because I want to be helped myself. Overall, I know I can do a better job.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Storytelling for Week 5: My Wife is a Psychopath
"Hello, you must be Mr. Shantanu. My name is Dr. Smith, and my speciality is relationship counseling. How my I help you?"
Mr. Shantanu looked the doctor straight in the eye and said, "I am married to a psychopath."
Mr. Shantanu didn't plan on marrying a psychopath, but I guess no one ever does. When the new client said this, Dr. Smith didn't know whether he should believe Mr. Shantanu or not. Mr. Shantanu had all the physical signs that he was telling the truth. He wasn't fidgeting, sweating, or avoiding eye contact, but his story just seemed too strange to be real.
"Well, Doc, a couple of years ago I lived in this old log cabin. It was a beautiful place, but I had to always go out and get fire wood. One day while I was cutting firewood I saw a beautiful woman. She didn't seem like she was from this world because she was so beautiful."
"What did you do?" Dr. Smith asked.
"What another young man would do if he saw a pretty girl. I walked right up and introduced myself. She looked at me and said, 'I'm not interested in formalities such as these. What is it exactly that you want?' I replied by saying, 'I want you and nothing but you for the rest of my life.' I was so nervous about what she would say next."
"What did she say next?" The doctor questioned.
"She said, 'Fine, I will marry you, but you must promise to never question what I do.' I was completely shocked because I didn't formally propose, but, hey, she agreed to marry me. Needless to say, I was thrilled. So thrilled, in fact, that I didn't think twice about her rule."
"I don't see what the problem is in your relationship. Her rule is indeed strange, but some woman enjoy their privacy."
"I'm not done yet, Doc. I honestly forgot her promise she made me make. After the honeymoon phase of our relationship was over and life began, I remembered her promise. I couldn't think of a reason why she would say such a thing. During those first few month of marriage I hadn't seen anything that was worth questioning her about. She was normal. In fact, she was wonderful."
Dr. Smith sat intently, but he still wasn't able to see what the problem was in his client's marriage. His client continued, "She became pregnant and I was thrilled. I had always wanted children, and I knew she was going to be a wonderful mother. We endured the pregnancy together and were so happy. Then she gave birth to an absolutely stunning child."
Mr. Shantanu shed a tear of joy as he remembered this joyful time. "This was the happiest day of my life. But I had been up all night during the child birth and decided to take a nap. When I woke up I found my wife sleeping peacefully and the baby missing. I woke her and said, 'Hey, sweetheart, where is our child?' 'In the river,' she said. I was completely shocked. Before I could start questioning her further, she added, 'You promised not to question me. You must stay true to your word. Our child is dead and there shall be no more questions about it.' That's all she had to say."
The doctor was completely silent. He looked at Mr. Shantanu, but didn't have the words to say.
"I just kept wondering who was this woman I married? I mean how could she kill our own child? She seemed so lovely. I just don't understand how something like this could happen. But there is nothing I can do. My firstborn is gone."
It took a few minutes for Mr. Shantanu to compose himself before he continued. "This has happened six other times, Doc. Every time she gives birth, she gets up, takes the child to the river, drowns them and then returns with a smile on her face. But there is nothing I can do about it. I promised I wouldn't question her. Now she is pregnant with our eighth child and I don't want to see this happen again."
The doctor looked him in the eyes and gave him sincere advice. "Mr. Shantanu, this is a problem I have never faced before. I am almost speechless. Clearly we have a lot to unpack with this situation. But for starters, sir, your wife is a murderer. We need to address this issue first in the concern of your eighth child. You and I have doctor-patient confidentiality, so I can't report your wife's behavior. Mr. Shantanu, you need to begin thinking about how turning your wife into the police might be your only way to save your eighth child."
Mr. Shantanu was silent for a few moments then said, "Well, Doc, I'm not sure I can do that yet. But I'll go home and think about it and see you next week."
Author's Note:
This was a story that was briefly told in the Mahabharata. In my opinion, the story was too brief. I wanted to know more about this story, especially how King Shantanu was handling the situation, so I decided to explore the emotions of King Shantanu. Instead of calling him King I decided to call him Mister in order to place him in a more modern time frame. This story isn't a situation that we see in our modern time, but I think that adds to the suspense of the story. I also think it adds to his feeling that his wife is a psychopath. But I also wanted to stay fairly true to the original story. In the original story this "crazy woman" was a goddess named Ganga. She became incarnate as a human to help the Vasus, gods who are punished to be born as humans. She helped them by killing them as soon as they were born, but her husband was kept in the dark about all this. I didn't want to add a lot of glitz and glam, just focus on the emotion part of it. That is why I wanted to bring in a counselor. They focus on people's emotions so I thought that would be a good way to help focus my story. Overall, this story was a lot of fun to write and I really enjoyed exploring the emotions. Instead of focusing on the main story of the Mahabharata, I focused on a smaller story and tried to expand on it.
Bibliography:
The Mahabharata by R.K. Narayan Web Source: Reading Guide
Picture:
River Web source: Wikimedia Commons
Mr. Shantanu looked the doctor straight in the eye and said, "I am married to a psychopath."
Mr. Shantanu didn't plan on marrying a psychopath, but I guess no one ever does. When the new client said this, Dr. Smith didn't know whether he should believe Mr. Shantanu or not. Mr. Shantanu had all the physical signs that he was telling the truth. He wasn't fidgeting, sweating, or avoiding eye contact, but his story just seemed too strange to be real.
"Well, Doc, a couple of years ago I lived in this old log cabin. It was a beautiful place, but I had to always go out and get fire wood. One day while I was cutting firewood I saw a beautiful woman. She didn't seem like she was from this world because she was so beautiful."
"What did you do?" Dr. Smith asked.
"What another young man would do if he saw a pretty girl. I walked right up and introduced myself. She looked at me and said, 'I'm not interested in formalities such as these. What is it exactly that you want?' I replied by saying, 'I want you and nothing but you for the rest of my life.' I was so nervous about what she would say next."
"What did she say next?" The doctor questioned.
"She said, 'Fine, I will marry you, but you must promise to never question what I do.' I was completely shocked because I didn't formally propose, but, hey, she agreed to marry me. Needless to say, I was thrilled. So thrilled, in fact, that I didn't think twice about her rule."
"I don't see what the problem is in your relationship. Her rule is indeed strange, but some woman enjoy their privacy."
"I'm not done yet, Doc. I honestly forgot her promise she made me make. After the honeymoon phase of our relationship was over and life began, I remembered her promise. I couldn't think of a reason why she would say such a thing. During those first few month of marriage I hadn't seen anything that was worth questioning her about. She was normal. In fact, she was wonderful."
Dr. Smith sat intently, but he still wasn't able to see what the problem was in his client's marriage. His client continued, "She became pregnant and I was thrilled. I had always wanted children, and I knew she was going to be a wonderful mother. We endured the pregnancy together and were so happy. Then she gave birth to an absolutely stunning child."
Mr. Shantanu shed a tear of joy as he remembered this joyful time. "This was the happiest day of my life. But I had been up all night during the child birth and decided to take a nap. When I woke up I found my wife sleeping peacefully and the baby missing. I woke her and said, 'Hey, sweetheart, where is our child?' 'In the river,' she said. I was completely shocked. Before I could start questioning her further, she added, 'You promised not to question me. You must stay true to your word. Our child is dead and there shall be no more questions about it.' That's all she had to say."
"I just kept wondering who was this woman I married? I mean how could she kill our own child? She seemed so lovely. I just don't understand how something like this could happen. But there is nothing I can do. My firstborn is gone."
It took a few minutes for Mr. Shantanu to compose himself before he continued. "This has happened six other times, Doc. Every time she gives birth, she gets up, takes the child to the river, drowns them and then returns with a smile on her face. But there is nothing I can do about it. I promised I wouldn't question her. Now she is pregnant with our eighth child and I don't want to see this happen again."
The doctor looked him in the eyes and gave him sincere advice. "Mr. Shantanu, this is a problem I have never faced before. I am almost speechless. Clearly we have a lot to unpack with this situation. But for starters, sir, your wife is a murderer. We need to address this issue first in the concern of your eighth child. You and I have doctor-patient confidentiality, so I can't report your wife's behavior. Mr. Shantanu, you need to begin thinking about how turning your wife into the police might be your only way to save your eighth child."
Mr. Shantanu was silent for a few moments then said, "Well, Doc, I'm not sure I can do that yet. But I'll go home and think about it and see you next week."
Author's Note:
This was a story that was briefly told in the Mahabharata. In my opinion, the story was too brief. I wanted to know more about this story, especially how King Shantanu was handling the situation, so I decided to explore the emotions of King Shantanu. Instead of calling him King I decided to call him Mister in order to place him in a more modern time frame. This story isn't a situation that we see in our modern time, but I think that adds to the suspense of the story. I also think it adds to his feeling that his wife is a psychopath. But I also wanted to stay fairly true to the original story. In the original story this "crazy woman" was a goddess named Ganga. She became incarnate as a human to help the Vasus, gods who are punished to be born as humans. She helped them by killing them as soon as they were born, but her husband was kept in the dark about all this. I didn't want to add a lot of glitz and glam, just focus on the emotion part of it. That is why I wanted to bring in a counselor. They focus on people's emotions so I thought that would be a good way to help focus my story. Overall, this story was a lot of fun to write and I really enjoyed exploring the emotions. Instead of focusing on the main story of the Mahabharata, I focused on a smaller story and tried to expand on it.
Bibliography:
The Mahabharata by R.K. Narayan Web Source: Reading Guide
Picture:
River Web source: Wikimedia Commons
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Reading Diary B: Narayan's Mahabharata
I'm still having a hard time with this story. I'm having a hard time finding anything I enjoy in it yet. And I think that is because I am having such a hard time keeping all the characters straight. I am mostly drawn to the stories about Draupadi. I think a lot can be written about having 5 husbands. Like how Arjuna was exiled after intruding on Yudhishthira and Draupadi during the year she was married to him. I think you could write a story about this but with someone having 5 possessions. Like having 5 kittens.
So eventually then get a city and Yudhishthira is the king. They have like a hall for optical illusions and make fun of Duryohana. Which probably wasn't the smartest choice.
Yudhishthira is challenged to a game of dice. Loses everyone. Then he gambles Draupadi although she is on her time of the month. I like the story of her robe. She ends up getting three wishes. She wishes for Yudhishthira to be free, then her other four husbands to be free. She declines a third wish. At this point I would wish to be out of there.
They go back and gamble. Maybe write about gambling problems and then they are exiled again. They get an endless supply of food in a copper bowl from Surya.
Arjuna turns down the advances of Urvashi. So he is now a eunuch, but in the end it is supposed to be a blessing.
Overall, I had a hard time following this part of the book. I hope I begin to enjoy the story more.
Reference:
Mahabharata Reading Guide
So eventually then get a city and Yudhishthira is the king. They have like a hall for optical illusions and make fun of Duryohana. Which probably wasn't the smartest choice.
Yudhishthira is challenged to a game of dice. Loses everyone. Then he gambles Draupadi although she is on her time of the month. I like the story of her robe. She ends up getting three wishes. She wishes for Yudhishthira to be free, then her other four husbands to be free. She declines a third wish. At this point I would wish to be out of there.
They go back and gamble. Maybe write about gambling problems and then they are exiled again. They get an endless supply of food in a copper bowl from Surya.
Arjuna turns down the advances of Urvashi. So he is now a eunuch, but in the end it is supposed to be a blessing.
Urvashi Curses Anjurna
Overall, I had a hard time following this part of the book. I hope I begin to enjoy the story more.
Reference:
Mahabharata Reading Guide
Reading Diary A: Narayan's Mahabharata
I understand that this is the start of a new book but I am having a hard time keeping all the characters straight. So there is Dhritarashtra the blind one. Pandu the pale one. And Vindura the one without a flaw. Pandu is cursed and one of his wives has a mantra to get to sleep with the gods. She did a trial run and had a child with the Sun God named Karna, she puts him in a river.
Pandu gets Yudhishthira (Yama and Kunti), Bhima (Vayu and Kunti), Arjuna (Indra and Kunti) and Shadeva and Nakula (twins from Ashwins and Madri)
Pandu sleeps with Madri and both die.
They go to live with Dhritarashtra. They have problem with their cousins (I think there is like a hundred of them). They all get trained. Then there is the contest to show off their skills and Karna comes and challenges Arjuna. I think Karna is the first son, the one of the son god.
Pandavas exiled, their family tries to kill them, they escape through a hole in the ground.
Ok I think I understand the story from here.
I think the story of Draupadi is an interesting one. She now has to share five husbands which hasn't happened before. I wonder what her thought process was. I wonder if she was happy or upset that this was her fate. I know she used to be Nalayani and was married to a sage and he slept with her as five different men. But he left and she prayed and now that's why in this life she has five husbands. But does she know about her other life? If she doesn't then I can imagine her being upset about this whole ordeal. But I'm not 100% sure.
Reference:
Narayan's Mahabharata
Pandu gets Yudhishthira (Yama and Kunti), Bhima (Vayu and Kunti), Arjuna (Indra and Kunti) and Shadeva and Nakula (twins from Ashwins and Madri)
Pandu sleeps with Madri and both die.
They go to live with Dhritarashtra. They have problem with their cousins (I think there is like a hundred of them). They all get trained. Then there is the contest to show off their skills and Karna comes and challenges Arjuna. I think Karna is the first son, the one of the son god.
Pandavas exiled, their family tries to kill them, they escape through a hole in the ground.
Ok I think I understand the story from here.
Draupadi and her 5 husbands
I think the story of Draupadi is an interesting one. She now has to share five husbands which hasn't happened before. I wonder what her thought process was. I wonder if she was happy or upset that this was her fate. I know she used to be Nalayani and was married to a sage and he slept with her as five different men. But he left and she prayed and now that's why in this life she has five husbands. But does she know about her other life? If she doesn't then I can imagine her being upset about this whole ordeal. But I'm not 100% sure.
Reference:
Narayan's Mahabharata
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)