IE Chris (FA20)

Three Sisters Bhishma was out for a stroll in the woods one quiet evening. He was collecting some nuts, as his stomach got a little rumbly and he wanted a midnight snack. Suddenly, he hears a rustle in the bushes. He prepares his dagger and sees a figure walk out.  Bhishma squinted his eyes and realized that it was the court messenger. He lowered his dagger and spoke, "What are you doing here at this hour? I didn't think that anybody could follow me." "No offense, sire, but you were literally dropping shells behind you. I think even a squirrel could have tracked you in your sleep," the messenger replied. "But that's not why I'm here," he continued, "I have some terrible news. Your father, Shantanu, has passed." This news did not come as a surprise to Bhishma. He father was not in good health. However, this was a tragedy for more than one reason. Not only did he have to contend with his father's passing, but Bhishma now had to worr

  Week #9 Story: Devavrata's Oath It was a dark and eerie night out. There is a young Devavrata out in the forest, as distraught as ever. He is so preoccupied and so anxious that the hairs on the back of his neck are standing up. He has just pledged his solemn vow to never marry or have children.  He walks back into town with a heavy heart. There, he finds his father Shantanu and tells him of the terrible oath that he just swore.  "My son!" cried Shantanu. "How could you do this? This was not what I wanted from you at all!" Devavrata was taken aback at that comment, "but I did this for you, Father! You should be happy! I just gave up my life for you!" Anger melted his ice-cold tears into drops of fire.   Shantanu sensed his son's anger, and took a step back. "Look, I appreciate the concern, and I know that your mother, Ganga, and I have not been together for a long time. I know that that cannot be easy on you, my child. But I will be fine if I

[Author's Note: if you have not read my previous story from Week #5, Rama Goes to Therapy, should you definitely read that first before reading this story. Link available  here ]   Sita Goes to Therapy While the celebration of Rama's coronation as the King of Ayodha was a happy event for most, it would seem that not everybody in attendance was eating delicious food or imbibing delicious drinks. Sita sauntered in the corner, looking as upset as a dog that had been left out in the rain overnight. She glared at Rama and watched him as he casually chatted with the party guests. 'How could he be so frickin' happy?' she wondered.  "Maybe there's nothing wrong and he's just tired from the war? No, that can't be right. I could count the amount of words that he'd said to me since the raid on Lanka with my own two hands," she muttered. She continued to pace, her sad saunter turning into angry shuffling. "I have done NOTHING but be loyal to him a

  Story Lab - Week 6 Empoword I really enjoyed the comparison of writing to music composition. I don't know if I've mentioned this, but in addition to my primary instrument (tuba), I'm in my fourth year of taking composition lessons. I completely agree with the blurb there: Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique  is a well-known example of a "wordless opera" (Berlioz's words).  I also like the differentiation between flat/round and static/dynamic characters. This is really helpful because I've been doing some independent research as to what makes a good character/cast good. "It may seem counterintuitive, but we can often say more by digging deep into a few ideas or events, instead of trying to relate every idea or event" Freytag's Pyramid: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution (denouement) (Different Perspective - Carlos ZGZ -  image credit) While I agree that restrictions can breed creativity, sometimes it's m

Rama Goes to Therapy: On the vahana  ride back to Ayodha, it was a tense environment. Rama and Lakshmana, with the help of the ape king Sugriva and Hanuman, had just rescued Sita. Upon rescuing her, she was thrilled to be reunited with her love but Rama had turned cold, for he doubted her fidelity and believed that she had slept with Ravana during her capture. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana sat there in an awkward silence the likes of which had never been experienced by any of them before. Finally, in an attempt to cut the tension, Lakshmana spoke: "So, Sita? How are you holding up?" She sighed, "I'm okay. Though that was certainly not fun to be detained for so long. Thank you for rescuing me." She nudged Rama gently, who was holding the reins on the vahana . "Of course I would rescue you, Sita. You are my wife." Rama replied, though it seemed that his thoughts were diverted elsewhere.  They land in Ayodha and Rama is welcomed back with a true celebration b

Storytelling Week 3: Vishnu's Choice Indra and the Council of the Gods finally had to convene. They met and conversed for a long time, drinking coffee until the night sky overwhelmed them like a flood on the plain. They had finally agreed on the course of action. The next morning, they woke up and set out on their journey. They were headed to the heaven of Brahma. Just beyond the pearly entrance, Indra was able to make out the figure that was Brahma.  "It is good to see you again, my friends. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Brahma's deep voice echoed throughout the air.  "It is good to see you as well, old friend. We need to speak to Vishnu. It's about Ravana." Indra replied. "Very well. Let us make haste then." replied Brahma. He began to escort them to the Ocean of Milk, where the palace of Vishnu resided.  The gods slowly trekked inside the palace. It was as opulent as ever, and crown jewels adorned the long stretches of hallwa

Beffajez and the Mountain of Gold Once upon a time, there was a huge mountain giant named Beffajez. Well, half-mountain giant. Beffajez was also half dragon. But he was not descended from the cool, take-to-the-skies and swoop in to save heroes kind of dragon. He was descended from the greedy dragons who said and hoarded their treasure without circulating it back into the economy.  Background aside, Beffajez was known all throughout the local village as a terrible monster whose demonic gaze could make a man pass out on sight. Furthermore, he was known for raiding the town, stealing bags of gold, and taking them back to his lair. This left the local village, Cradda, stuggling to get by. Many villagers were lucky if they knew where next week's meals were coming from. However, one day, Beffajez noticed something: he was profoundly alone. To fix this, Beffajez started taking a housewife everytime he ransacked the village for gold. The first woman he took, a simple and sweet woman by the