Week 4 Story Planning: The Rakshasa that wept

Idea for story: The story will be about the rakshasa named Ravana who has caused much destruction throughout his life. Ravana will end up killing a mother of a baby, and it hits him hard. In the eyes of this baby, he is able to see all of his past transgressions. Ravana finally realizes all of the pain and sufering that he has caused humans all over the land. little does he know that this baby was sent down from the gods who knew that deep down, Ravana had a good heart.

Possible styles for story: My plan for this story is to have a story that gives off a very dark and negative vibe. I don't plan on including much dialogue, and maybe none at all. It would be like a narrator telling the story as he/she looks upon what is happening. 

Another option I could implement is to include dialogue, in order to fully emphasize on the akr effects that I wish to portray in the story. For example, since I want the Rakshasa Ravana to experience a great deal of pain, adding some dialogue may help the reader fully comprehend how much pain he is in physically and emotionally. 

Characters:

Ravana: A very dangerous Rakshasa, and the main character of the story, who becomes very depressed after realizing everything he has done

Village people: Killed by Ravana. These people aren't important to the story, but are meant to display the amount of destruction thta Ravana causes

Mother of baby: Killed by Ravana, found cradling the baby that is sent from the gods.

Baby: sent down from the gods with magical eyes that show all of a person or being's wrongdoings. 

                                                      (Ravana before his demise. Link)

Bibliography: Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition, Link to reading

Reading Notes: Ramayana Public Domain Edition, Part D

A great pursuit of some sorts always intrigues me, and I may need to add some in my upcoming stories I will write.

Ravana's power of illusion seems like such an unfair power to have, but I like it.

Kumbhakarna's appetite is a funny aspect in the Ramayana, to me.

The inclusion of great weapons in the Ramayana increases the likelihood of other stories being able to spring out from within the Ramayana.

I'm more in favor of Rakshasas that have some sort of human aspect than I am Rakshasas that look completely strange.

A character as big as Ravana declaring revenge adds a very basic yet vital part to a story, and can make the overall story more interesting.

It almost seems as if Ravana is destined to destroy Lakshmana, but not quite.

The gods taking sides, and even helping a certain person, reminds me of my mythology class that I took where gods like Poseidon would intervene with mortal men.

Rama vs Ravana has a very David vs. Goliath feel to it.

Ravana's donkey head is something I'm not fond of. Maybe if it were something a little cooler.

I can imagine that a funeral like Ravana's would be a very large spectacle. This gives me an idea   where a character of great importance to many people could die, leading to a large funeral spectacle.

It is very easy to see Sita's love for Rama, and i think that's very cool.

A flashback, if you will, like one that Rama does where he mentions all of the characters who have been apart of their journey, would be a nice touch to end a very dramatic story.

Rama sending Sita into exile is something I never would have expected in a million years considering everything he did to rescue her previously.

                                             (Image depicting the death of Ravana, Link)

Bibliography: Public Domain Ramayana, link to the reading online.

Storytelling, week 3: Sita and Hiran

As the sun sets behind the trees, what was already a dark situation became even more grim. Rama is dying. His wife Sita sits by his side as he bleeds profusely, weeping. A vicious battle that lasted hours had occurred just moments ago. Sita knows that soon she will be all alone...that is, until the rakshasa makes his appearance again. Sita and Rama are no strangers to battles with rakshasas. However, Rama had previously always defeated them. Hiran was a different opponent. A 10 foot tall, dragon like creature with a pure gold covering, Hiran was able to defeat Rama with rapid and vicious slashes given by his fangs to Rama's mid section.

Rama is now dead. Hiran was fighting Rama for Sita. Neither Rama nor Sita knew why, but Sita knows that if Hiran would go to such great lengths to obtain her, that he will be back for her. Rama was able to give substantial damage to Hiran's arms, making it impossible for him to carry Sita away. Sita assumes that Hiran is flying to the Himmat river that many use for its natural healing powers. Unfortunately for Sita, it will be a short journey for Hiran, as he is one of the fastest flying rakshasas the world has ever seen. Hiran knows how badly he injured Rama, and that Sita will not be able to go far without him.

Sita feels hopeless. She is so distraught over Rama's death, she doesn't move. Sita stays by his body. She knows no matter how far she goes into the dense forest, it won't be far enough. No one will be able to protect her and Hiran will find her. The only question is, why does Hiran want her so bad? Why would he go to such great lengths to get her?

Sita, still weeping, hears rustling in the leaves above. Without a doubt, she knows it is Hiran to come and take her away. Hiran, completely healed from the magical Himmat river, reveals himself to Sita. Hiran grabs Sita away from Rama's dead body with his massive gold plated arms. Sita refuses to fight, as she knows there's no point. Rama is dead and she doesn't care what happens to her now.

Sita thinks that it seems as if they've been flying forever. Then finally, Hiran and Sita arrive at a very massive cave. Hiran sets Sita near the entrance and stares at her.

"I've been looking for somebody like you for a long time." Hiran said.

Sita, still in a bit of shock asked, "Why?"

Hiran began to tell a story about his past life. He was once a normal human, like Sita. Hiran was turned into this monster after drinking a mysterious potion that he was told would make him irresistible to women. He was fooled by a local merchant. The effects of the potion slowly appeared over a period of a few years until he was a full blown rakshasa. All Hiran wanted was a woman to make him feel like a man again.

"I will never be your woman!" Sita cried.

"You have no choice.You will live with me forever, and if you don't, you will end up like your husband." Hiran declared.

                                                           (Picture of Sita. Link)

Author's Note: What most intrigues me about Indian stories are the Rakshasa and Rakshasi becasue demon type creatures are very cool to me. I decided to do a story involving a Rakshasa named Hiran and a female character named Sita.

Bibliography: Link to Public Domain Ramayana online 

Reading Notes: Ramayana Online edition, Part C

A monkey god is a very funny concept to me, even if it's not meant to be. I like to add comedy like this to my stories.

The concept of various quarrels having a long history is something thta I will think about a lot.

It's cool when actions of characters (like Rama's seemingly dishonorable killing of Vali) can spark great controversy amongst scholars.

The "people" of the monkey kingdom having different looks between them is an interesting idea.

Rama's sitting and waiting for the rainy season to end must be  agonizing for him, making it therefore agonizing for the reader who imagines himself or herself in Rama's position.

Rama seemingly has gained much respect and power from several people, even though he was exiled.

Rama's exiling still haunts him even though it seems as if it happened forever ago.

I love the inclusion of animals in these stories and how they are actually very critical in the tellings.

Rakshasis and raskashas always seem to be in the worst place and the worst time for the main characters. This idea is something I could use.

Sita must be a grand prize considering all of those who wish to be with her throughout the Ramayana.

I see many storytelling aspects regarding "heroes" and "villains" in the Ramayana that could have potentially influenced many stories throughout the world.

It always seems as if in the end, Rama will get his way.

The betraying by Vibhishana is an awesome part of the story that I will definitely implement in some way into my story.

                                        (Here are a few artistic representations of Sita. Link)

Bibliography: Public Domain Ramayana, link to the reading online.

Feedback Thoughts-Week 2

• Silence the Critical Voices in Your Head

• Overcoming the Fear of Feedback
• Be a Mirror: Give Readers Feedback That Fosters a Growth Mindset
• Key Characteristics of Better Learning Feedback

Feedback, whether giving or receiving, has always been something that I have never been great at. Reading these articles has given me ideas on how I can get better. As far as receiving feedback goes, I feel this is the most important. I think the idea from the first article I read are key to receiving feedback. Having positive voices in your own head can increase the ability to work and receive feedback. One must also be able to receive feedback from somebody because different perspectives offer different ideas that you may haven't thought of by yourself. 

                                             (It's important to give feedback that is beneficial. Link)

Giving feedback has been hard for me ever since elementary school. The reason for this is because I never wanted to be too critical of somebody when I felt my work wasn't great itself. I have grown and learned that what's important is to help others and not specifically worry about your own work while examining others'. The last article I read got the gears going in my head but clearly laying out the key characteristics needed. Giving user friendly feedback is what especially stuck out to me, as I know that feedback must be substantial and not generic.

Week 2 Story: Burlish wants his Sandals back

Never come between a man and his sandals. These are the words that Rama assumed were told to every young child growing up, as his father told him, his father's father told his father, and so on.

But apparently not.

"Sita! Sita!" Rama screams for his wife. 

"What's wrong, Rama?" Sita asks."Did a jealous enemy try to kill you again?"

"No, Sita, worse. My sandals have been stolen. How am I supposed to walk around with bare feet? You know I have thin skinned feet!"

Sita, not believing Rama, begins searching for the sandals. On the forest floor, where Sita generally finds Rama's sandals every other time they've been 'stolen', she finds a note. The note reads: "You will never see these sandals again. They are mine." Sita immediately rushes the note over to Rama, who is still frantically looking for his sandals, hoping maybe he just misplaced them.

"I found a note!" Sita tells Rama.

Rama snatches the piece of paper out of Sita's hands. Rama reads the note with a stone look on his face. He recognizes something. This isn't just anybody's handwriting, this is the writing of the most notorious rakshasa on the planet...Burlish. A ten foot tall reptilian humanoid being who lives in the Ganges river, Burlish is feared by all of those who know of his existence.

Rama has dealt with Burlish before. Long before Rama met his wife Sita, he was a lonely man. Walking from village to village, scavenging. One day as he was getting a drink of water, he saw a pair of sandals next to the water. Rama saw nobody around, so he assumed they had been forgotten. On the bottom of the sandals was written "victim #425: He fought hard." He thought this was weird, but he took the sandals anyway. Rama puts them on and quickly realizes they are the most comfortable sandals he has ever worn. Suddenly, Rama hears a loud voice come from a figure in the water.

"Where are my sandals?!" 

Burlish spotted Rama on the edge of the river, wearing the sandals. He had heard stories about him, but he didn't think he really existed. Rama began to run. He had a head start due to Burlish being in the water. Rama buries himself in bushes and dirt under a tree. Burlish runs past him, not noticing him. Rama makes the conclusion that Burlish keeps souvenirs of the people he has defeated. Rama continues his journey in his comfortable sandals. 

 

Rama thought that would be the last time he ever had to deal with Burlish. He was wrong. He wanted those sandals back. They were the best pair he ever owned.

 

"Oh, well." Sita said. "You will have other sandals."

 

"No." Rama said. "I need those sandals. Burlish doesn't deserve them anyway. He had to defeat a hopeless person to get these!"

 

Sita sighs.

 

Rama sets off to the Ganges river. He knew Burlish would be there with the sandals. He would reach the river by the next morning.

            (Rama's special sandals. Link)

Bibliography: Public Domain Ramayana, link to the reading online.

Author's note: One thing that stood out to me was the sandals in the Ramayana that were used to represent Rama. Based on that, I decided to make a story that involved Rama and sandals.

Reading Notes: Ramayana Online Public Domain Edition Part B

I think it's a nice touch to a story to keep an important character like Bharata out of the loop" so to say.

Also, Bharata's absence leave's the reader with a "Oh my, what is he going to think when he gets back?"

It must be hard for Bharata to go through the funeral process knowing that Rama is somewhere in the wilderness thanks to a jealous wife.

Having something such a sandals to represent a character of Rama's importance is something I could add in my story.  

A battle against an evil force such as a demon is something that could benefit my story greatly, as it adds a dash of drama.

The turning point regarding the rakshasa that sets the story for the rest of the Ramayana could be a concept that I use in my story.

Humanoid figures add a decent touch to any story.

It seems as if Rama is basically unstoppable against any demon or negative force. I do not want to add a sense like this to my story.

I like when behind the scenes things happen (things the main characters don't know about, but we the readers do.)

I'm surprised that Sita was distracted by a Golden Deer.

The imitation of voice is something that I think adds a very nice touch to the Ramayana that I didn't think would happen.

I'm glad that Sita refuses to sleep with the rakshasa.

I can just imagine a visual of Rama's frustration and sadness. I liek whe na story puts this into my head.

It is always cool when a main character from any story encounters somebidy who has been waiting for them for a long time, leaving the main character bewildered.

                                       (Another interesting Ramayana pic I found. Link)


Bibliography: Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition, Link to Reading