Week 4: Famous Last Words

This week I think some of my best writing came in the form of the introduction to the storybook. I love writing about things that I get to choose to write about (a rarity in college). When I find something interesting, and I think most people would agree with me, it is easier to write about it. If I am interested in a topic, I will learn more about something. This is because if I’m interested in something, I will pay more attention to it. If I pay more attention to it, I will remember more about it. When I remember more about it, I will provide a more depth analysis or more creativity within the topic because of my interest in it. It’s a simple thought, but I thought I’d expand on it. We love to write what we want to write about.

The best thing that I’ve read comes in the form of a book called The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. He is the pastor of the church I attended last summer in Washington, DC. As the past of National Community Church, Mark Batterson has experienced a lot of things, especially in relationship to prayer. If you’re a religious person or looking to grow more in your faith, I would really suggest this book. It really changed my prayer life that changed my life in general. The book is bold, adventurous, and quite interesting. Also, it’s pretty cool to read a book written by someone you’ve seen in person or by someone you’ve heard speak.

I’m looking forward to writing more in this class over the next few weeks. I thoroughly enjoyed Mythology & Folklore’s storybook, and I’m looking forward to the creation of another one. I hope that this one is as fun to make as the last!

Image Information: The Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson

Source: The Circle Maker

Here's a link to purchase the book: The Circle Maker

Week 4 Storytelling: Standing on Shoulders

Bill Zion, the orphan turned millionaire, was a kind man. He was thoughtless of his own happiness, protective, and possessed a certain inherent royalty. He was born to parents who loved drugs more than their own accidental son. They mostly kept him for welfare until the state finally took him away from them.

Bill started his company when he was 18. He didn’t go to college, but he was exceptionally gifted. His company was called “Zion Global” and it was a hedge-fund management firm. He built it from nothing, and he was incredibly loved at the company.

The only thing Bill might have been better at than building a company was raising children. His wife Holly wasn’t homely, but she wasn’t a model. Still, Bill loved her with his entire being, and he found her to be the most attractive woman in the world. They had two children together, and Bill raised them to be good, kind men – men who cared about the world, who cared about people, and who were genuinely concerned with the wellbeing of those around them. Bill was proud, but he was also growing old.

One day, he thought to himself, “Why should I die first? Should I not be able to see my son run my very own company, instead of looking down at him from heaven?”

Thus, he called together the board of Zion Global, and said to them, “I have grown quite old, and in my great age, I have one last desire. I wish to see my eldest son Conner become the CEO of Zion Global.” Anticipating mixed reviews, Bill was surprised at the eruption of cheering the assembly dived into. They were ecstatic. One man said, “Conner is the best!” Another shouted, “Do it in the morning!”

To be quite honest, Bill was a little upset at the reaction his request received. He had hoped to fight for his son’s position and to provide for him an opportunity. It seemed as though his son’s attractive personality had provided the opportunity for himself, and Bill felt as though he were almost unnecessary in the entire process.

He snapped in anger, “Be quiet! While I am still in charge, you wish for another boss?”

The room quieted, but one of the older board members stood up and addressed Bill. “Bill,” he started, “You are one of the best men I know. Even more, you are the best father I know. You care more for our happiness than anyone else’s, and you protect us and provide for us. But now, it is your time to rest without burdens. You have raised up a son who is more loved and who is even better than you. Isn’t that the desire of all fathers?”

Bill went home, sad and thankful, and pondered over the words of his favorite president. Ronald Reagan once said, “Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we've ever known.” The words comforted him.

Image Information: Board Meeting, by LeClair Ryan

Source: Emerge

Author's Note: This story is an adaptation of William Buck's retelling of The Ramayana. There is a part in his retelling when he tells the story of Dasaratha presenting the lesser kings with a request: to make his son Rama the new king while he was still alive. They accepted the idea with great joy, and Dasaratha became angry. 

Week 4: Reading Diary B

Dasaratha calls together a counsel of lesser kings in order to ask them to make Rama king, for he thought, "Why die first? Let me see him on my throne from here on Earth, not looking down from heaven." (p. 60)

The Counsel approves with immense happiness. They are ecstatic. I think that their eagerness to place Rama on the throne really hurt Dasaratha's feelings, but they respond saying that "No one ever born can govern Kosala better than Rama..." (p.61)

Kaikeyi uses the two promises owed to her by Dasharatha. She demands that A) Bharata is made king and B) Rama is sent into the forest in exile for fourteen years.

When Rama prepares to leave, the kingdom of Kosala prepares to follow him into the forest. Rama and Sita give away their possessions before they leave for the 14 years. Rama, in all of his kindness asks his father not to be angry at Kaikeyi.

Guha receives Rama and Sita in the forest. He sheds light on the selfishness of Kaikeyi. He tells how Kaikeyi had attemped to use her powers to get Dasharatha to teach her the language of animals, even though Dasharatha was forbidden to share his knowledge at the cost of his very own life.

This section ends by Dasaratha’s death when hearing of Rama’s departure.

Week 4: Reading Diary A

Valmiki: the poet who couldn't find friendship, so he sat in contemplation for thousands of years in an anthill, until Narada assigned him to help save Rama's wife Sita. 

Valmiki is charged by Brahma to tell the story of The Ramayana. Valmiki saves Sita. She has twins - Kusa and Lava - and they resemble Rama "as the Moon's reflection resembles the Moon himself." (p. 9)

Ravana challenges Indra and defeats the gods. 

Ravana gains immense powers, and prowls the earth looking for victims. All peoples surrended to Ravana except for the brace Haihaya people.

On page 47, Vishwamitra is reintroduced. He charges Rama with helping stop Ravana. Rama and Sita are married.

Pages 1-59 signify the boyhood of Rama. This section ends with “Here ends the book of the boyhood of Rama. his youth is past. The Ayodhya book begins.”