Tech Tip: Quotemakers, Behappy.me

(Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, web source: Behappy.me)

I picked this quote because I feel like it is a powerful statement about living up to potential and the "correct" path we all want to take. I fear missing out on opportunities that I'll never get again, and fear that the decisions I make today may be ones I regret later in life.

Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm Unit, Librivox

Link to reading here.

The Frog Prince:
I think something exciting here would be the prince's entire backstory. Why was he enchanted in the first place? What did he do to the fairy that made her transform him into a frog? My vision here is that the prince is kind of rude and pretentious at the beginning, which ends in him being a frog. I also see him being a frog for a very long time before he meets the princess in our story.

Rapunzel:
This is very similar to the classic tale; a child is taken from a family and locked away in a tower for many years only to be discovered by a man wishing to marry her. What's interesting is the last part about the prince falling from the tower and basically gouging his eyes out. I'm interested to see what I could potentially do with the Disney adaptation of this story, Tangled. Instead of the prince finding her tower, a crook finds her. Rapunzel in this movie is also not as pathetic as she seems in this classic tale. She defends herself against the crook when she first meets him and holds her own as they travel through the surrounding forest to get to her parents.

(The Prince Beckons to Rapunzel's Tower, web source: Wikimedia)

The Travelling Musicians:
I hadn't ever heard this story before, so I'm glad I chose this unit. I think this is an interesting story that could be retold using humans instead of animals. What if the animals were actually teenagers that wanted to start their own band and they each ran away from home to do so? And then they come to a situation where they really need their parents (something to put here instead of the animals coming up to a robber's house), and then they learn their lesson and go home? Could be an interesting concept.

Growth Mindset: Create Your Own

This is a quote that reminds me to always be grateful for my schooling and for the opportunity to learn. While the endless assignments and papers and readings threaten to kill my drive, I remember that learning is the one thing that you can never do enough of. The mind can only gain from education; it will never tire from it. Plus, Leonard Da Vinci is one of the most incredible minds the world has seen, so I have no problem taking his word for it.

(Learning Quote, web source: Canva)

Learning Challenge: Attention Graphic

(Attention Quote, web source: Canva)

I picked this quote because I think this is something I find myself thinking a lot. While, of course, there are different levels of inherent intelligence levels, I think continued attention and work can bring anyone to a higher level than they current reside. I like to believe I could learn anything I ever wanted if I just paid attention and focused on whatever I'm wanting to learn. 

Tech Tip: Quotemakers, Canva

(My Favorite Quote, web souce: Canva)

Reading Notes: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Part B

Link to reading here.

I've been reading around in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to find out how to end my Story Book. I've kind of switched events around from the original story, so coming to the conclusion is seeming to be a bit challenging.

I read the last half of this story to see how I could adapt the original ending to fit my Story Book. There's a really big event leading up to the original conclusion of Alice's story, so that may be challenging to fit in one last story. There's an entire trial happening, with many different sections of a trial. The evidence presentation by Alice, the King and Queen interacting with the Dormouse. I'm going to have to take a lot of artistic liberties on this one.

Alice's story ends with the Red Queen once again calling for Alice's head to be chopped off. There is a lot of action leading up to the end of Wonderland and the cards are flying around her; it's mania. Then, all of the sudden, she wakes up in her sister's lap. Her sister says she's been having a wicked dream. This is an interesting point to go from, how do I make an appropriate ending for this? While still keeping the dreamlike ending that brings her back to the real world.

The layout of my Story Book also makes it very challenging to end. The premise I've been working on is Alice is posting all of her adventures on social media as she goes along. How am I supposed to say that all of this was a dream when she's been posting the whole time? Are all of the posts just a dream? Or should Alice be trapped in Wonderland forever?

(Alice in a Flurry of Cards, web source: Wikimedia)

Storytelling: The Princess Above the Pea

The princess sat, perturbed, looking from her nook out the window.

The royal announcement had not yet made its way to her castle. Why hadn't it come? Nearly all of the princesses of neighboring kingdoms had received their copy, but not yet Princess Cat. Cat knew that an announcement from the prince would guarantee his presence at her home shortly after.

Cat had met the prince many years before. She doubted very much that he would remember her if anyone asked. But she had never forgot. They were children, then. Her family was traveling through the countryside to visit an ailing family member on her mum's side. They had stopped to eat a meal when the prince came barging out from the side of building. He had come tearing out from seemingly nowhere. His appearance struck the princess then and that had stuck with her for her entire life. She often thought of his raven hair and startling blue eyes. He was dressed impeccably, although everything about his outfit seemed disheveled, no doubt from the roughhousing.

That was the only time the princess had ever seen the prince in person. After that instance, she often saw his picture in announcements or fliers. Her infatuation with him had never been stifled. The word that was spreading across the country said that this prince, her prince, was seeking a wife. He was traveling to the various kingdoms to meet the princesses, in hopes that one would be his life's companion. There was one problem: he hadn't been to visit Cat. She had no idea why that was. Nonetheless, her heart was broken.

In the coming weeks, the prince would complete his tour of the country and return to his home. He would return without a wife. His quest had not been successful and Cat would be lying if she said she wasn't a little bit pleased. However, after he had returned home, the prince would not been seen in public for a long while. He refused to leave his chambers, undoubtedly disappointed in the failure of his mission.

Cat heard about his state from afar, and found that she must take matters into her own hands. If the prince wouldn't come to visit her, she would come to him. She stole away at night, and made her trek to the prince's castle. Her travel was largely uneventful, until she was nearly there and the sky opened up. It rained down quite hard upon the princess and she was forced to seek shelter under trees. In the process, spare branches snagged at her dress and caused it to rip and tear.

"Oh, but I'm so close," the princess thought to herself.

She decided to complete her journey and arrived quite quickly. She was greeted at the castle gates by a couple of guard. She announced herself and was escorted into one of the larger ballrooms in the castle. It was the middle of the night, so there was no one in the hall which gave it a rather ethereal sense. Suddenly, she heard a woman's footsteps approach, light but clacking loudly as her heels hit the marble floor. The queen rounded the entryway and stood still, waiting to be noticed by the princess. The princess, awaiting the arrival of the cause of the footsteps, turned to her immediately.

"Come child," the queen said as she beckoned to the princess. "We've arranged a room for you upstairs. We will make arrangements for you to meet the prince in the morning."

The princess was confused. Had they known she was coming? How did they know who she was? Certainly they knew she was of royalty, or else why would they have prepared a bed?

"Your parents sent a message ahead of you. We've known of your imminent arrival for hours. Come now, it's late."

Cat followed quickly and was led into the most incredible room. There was a bed in the middle of the room with many mattresses stacked upon it. Grateful for a warm bed, she climbed up immediately. However, once she got in the middle of the mattress, she couldn't help but find it to be the most uncomfortable bed she'd ever entered. No matter how she tossed or turned, she could not find a comfortable position. She constantly felt as though something was prodding her, even through all of the mattresses. She was in fits throughout the night and didn't catch a wink of sleep.

Early the next morning, the queen returned to awake her to find that the princess was laying with her eyes wide open in the bed.

"Did you sleep well, dear?"

"Well...yes er Your Highness."

The queen could see on her face that the princess was lying. She was pleased. Perhaps she had finally located a match for her son.

She led the princess back into the hall where they had met the night before. However, now, there were many people milling about. Most importantly, the prince was sitting atop a throne, clearly waiting for something. As soon as the prince locked eyes on the princess, led by his mother, he gasped. Could it be her? The princess had a similar reaction. She could not believe that after all this time she was reunited with her prince.

The prince leapt to his feet and nearly ran toward them.

"Hello! Hello, hello, good morning, my princess."

"Good morning, My Lord."

"Do you remember me!?" the prince almost exclaimed.

Cat was taken aback. Remember him? How in the world could he know who she was?

"I remember, you were sitting with your family and I was playing with a lot of my pals. We nearly tore right into you lot. I had no idea you were a princess. I have been searching for a wife, you see, but none could compare to you as I remembered from so long ago. This is amazing! This is splendid! Oh, we'll be married at once!"

The princess could not believe her ears. He had remembered her for all these years, just as she had remembered him! They had held out for this long for each other, and neither of them knew it of the other!

Within the week, the couple was married and they lived happily for the rest of their days.

(The Princess Discovers the Pea, web source: Wikimedia)

Author's Note: I used the story of the Princess and the Pea to tell the princess' story. After reading the original story, I was left with so many questions. Like, why did the princess seek out the prince? And why hadn't the prince come to visit that particular princess? I thought I would answer my own questions through retelling the story. In the original story, the prince goes around the meet princesses to find a wife. He doesn't exactly find one so he returns home, unsuccessful. The princess (Cat, as I've named her) goes to meet the prince at his home. She arrives sopping wet from rain and with her dress torn. The queen allows her to stay for the night, but has placed a pea under the mattress. She believes if the princess is bothered by the pea, then she will have been proven to be the correct match for her son. The princess doesn't sleep at all through the night and has developed bruises in the morning from the measly pea. The queen approves and the prince and princess are married.

Bibliography: The Princess and the Pea, by Hans Christian Andersen. Link to reading here.

Reading Notes: Hans Christian Andersen, Part B

The Little Mermaid, by Hans Christian Andersen. Link to reading here.

This whole section is the story of the Little Mermaid.

I think this when compared to the Disney version of the Little Mermaid epitomizes this class. We read stories and learn how to retell them in different ways. It seems to me that that's exactly what Disney did here and what they do for many of their movies that are adapted from older tales.

I think this story was only half maintained in the newer version that everyone knows. Ariel is the meek person described in this original fairy tale, but the way her story ends up could not be more different. And then, of course, the original fairy tale does not have the exciting sidekicks in Flounder and Sebastian that she has in the movie.

I think retelling this story with a darker ending would take it a step even further away from the pleasant Disney version. Something more heartbreaking, like the prince does actually realize his love for her but it's too late and she slips from his fingers. Or, somehow, she tries to revisit the witch or her family after she's already been changed into a human but she doesn't realize that humans can't breathe underwater or something. So she would drown before reaching her family's kingdom.

Or, taking the general outline of the story, girl escapes her family to pursue boy, and transposing it into an entirely new situation to spice it up a bit. I haven't done that kind of situation for a story in a while. Or, and I do this quite a lot, using the price's perspective to write the story. I think especially in this case, his story would be very much different than how we hear it from Ariel's point of view.

(The Little Mermaid's sisters, web source: Wikimedia)

Reading Notes: Andersen Fairy Tales Unit Part A

Andersen Fairy Tales, by Hans Christian Andersen. Link to reading here.

I knew I wanted to choose this collection of stories because my grandparents once traveled to Europe to Hans Christian Andersen's birthplace and brought back a beautiful set of books filled with his fairy tales. I used to read these books all the time and I was so glad to read them again.

I love the story of the Princess and the Pea. It's a classic story that a lot could be done with. For instance, why was the princess trapped out in the rain? The prince had apparently just traveled across the entire country looking for a princess. Why had he missed out on this specific princess? I think an interesting story here could be the princess' back story. What made her trek across the country through a large storm to seek out this prince? Had she heard about his quest to find a princess? What made her want to be that princess? Also, why in the world did the queen, once this princess had found them, decide to put a pea in her bed? Why the pea? I think it would also be cool to make up a significance to the pea, as opposed to a stone or pebble. Also, how grueling was that evening with something jabbing into your body the entire time? I think this will be the story on which I will write my Storytelling post. There isn't a lot of meat to the story itself, which lends itself nicely to being expanded upon in a big way.

I also appreciate the class "Emperor's New Suit" story. A leader is so conceited and at the same time insecure about his position that he lies about wearing a "suit" that literally does not exist. He would rather walk around his town naked than admit to possibility that he's not well "suit"ed (excuse the pun) to his office.

(Hans Christian Andersen, web source: Wikimedia)

Wikipedia Trails: Tweedledum and Tweedledee to Charlie Parker

Tweedledum and Tweedledee:
These are characters from Through the Looking Glass, another adventure of Alice from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. They are twins that are quite peculiar, often agreeing to fight but never following through. Their names come from John Byrom, and his epigram.

Epigram:

Epigrams are a literary device that are often sort of poetic. They are often satirical, but not always a poetic device. They've been used for a very long time and often by very famous writers, like Oscar Wilde, William Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson.

Tweedledee and Tweedledum originally come from an epigram from John Byrom, which led me from one Wikipedia page to the next.

Graffiti:
Epigrams were made into graffiti, especially one of the the most famous pieces of graffiti from Pompeii.

Graffiti is something that is drawn or etched onto a wall, often in public view. In modern times, they are often spray painted on walls in public in bright colors. Often times, in the instances of Banksy, they can make a social statement.

Charlie Parker:
Shortly after Charlie Parker died, his name often was featured in pieces of graffiti. They would say, "Bird Lives," to immortalize him.

Charlie Parker was a jazz legend, and an extremely talented saxophone player. He was a leader in the rise of bebop and influential in the overall jazz movement. He was nicknamed "Yardbird" or "Bird," which explains the existence of graffiti saying "Bird Lives."

(Charlie Parker, web source: Wikimedia)

Learning Challenge: Pomodoro Technique

For this challenge, I tried the Pomodoro Technique. I used it to start to clean my room (something that has been desperately needed for a couple of months now). I set my timer and started work. I believe in this technique as a concept, but right off the bat I feel as though it doesn't work for me. I usually do work well under time restraints, but for some reason, I couldn't get my mind to focus on the matter at hand. Even with time ticking away. I guess I either find that the time stresses me or just doesn't drive me forward at all. I think, though, maybe if I continued to use it, it would be better. I would develop the correct reaction to the time ticking away and actually be motivated by it.

(Pomodoro Timer, web source: Flickr)

Growth Mindset: Embracing Uncertainty

(Growth Mindset Meme, web source: GrowthMindsetMemes)

I chose this meme because I think it's something that I need to work on. I am often anxious to accept things that aren't undeniable fact. I don't like to stand on ground that isn't firm, which would mean that "embracing uncertainty" is challenging.

I think this is something that a lot of college students struggle with, especially with regard to future plans. We study and struggle for four years and then are expected to graduate and enter the "real world." We often have ideas for how we want our lives to work out, but are largely uncertain about how specifically they will. I think this meme addresses that well!

Tech Tip: Blog Profile

For this Tech Tip, I uploaded my profile picture and some location information to my Blogger profile. I used one of my Facebook profile pictures and just added that I live in Norman, OK! I haven't thought a whole lot about my "online identity," but I suppose that'll be something I that think about as I get closer to graduation and looking to apply for grad schools/jobs.

I think there's a way to construct an online identity to convey what you want to convey on your own social media and maintaining a sense of decorum. You can make your profile personal enough without making it something that a job would not be opposed to.

Reading Notes: Through the Looking Glass, Tweedledee and Tweedledum

Through the Looking Glass, by Lewis Carroll. Link to reading here.

This is a good story that exhibits Alice's rudeness and overall confusion.

I think especially the point where they continue to try to convince her that she isn't real, but in fact, an aspect of the Red King's imagination. This is the peak of Alice's troubles with Wonderland. She, being the rude little girl that she is, traipses around this other world trying to figure out where she is. She's lost basically the entire time, running into characters that frustrate her even more than she could have ever expected.

These twins are the epitome of Wonderland: characters that lack "normal" manners, frustrate her and waste a lot of her time. The reciting of an ENTIRE poem could be something that could possibly be a string of tweets? Perhaps that idea is a little lofty, but I need something that Alice would be able to respond to / interrupt the twins.

I think the original story that Alice thinks of regarding the Tweedles and its resurface at the end would also be an interesting thing to convey with social media. Possibly a Facebook status with the original little poem she thinks of and then a way for the twins to bring up the actual event. Ooh, it could be the Tweedles arguing in the comment section of her status until the rattle comes up.

The way I have my Storytelling site set up kind of follows the other Alice story: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.. Of course, I don't think it matters what storyline my site follows because who could tell the difference? But, I would have to think of a way to segue from the stories I've told to the story of Alice meeting the Tweedles. Definitely not impossible, but will definitely take some creativity on my part.

(Tweedledee and Tweedledum, web source: Wikimedia)

Storytelling: King Arthur

Tor was unnerved.

Tor was someone who always seemed to be unnerved, even when he was a small child. He never seemed to take anybody at their word. He always seemed uncomfortable among all of his family members, including the enormous amount of siblings he had. He wasn't like them and he never tried to be. All 13 of his brothers liked to be in the fields working, but Tor always dreamed of something greater and more honorable.

This was what was unnerving Tor. His brothers and father had been harping on him for days now. The crops weren't doing so well and they were afraid that they wouldn't have enough to go around this season. Usually, they sort of let Tor do what he wanted. He was usually holed up in his room, or taking long walks around the property, thinking.

Tor knew that he wasn't going to be able to go on much longer, but didn't see anyway that he could leave the house because he didn't know where he would go. But, his birthday was coming up and he had been dreaming of something that he thought would benefit everyone.

He was going to ask his dad to take him to King Arthur's court and ask for him to be knighted. He was asking tonight, on the eve of his birthday, at dinner.

"Tor, what are you thinking about?" his dad asked.

"Yeah." Tor answered. His brothers chuckled, a few of them elbowing each other. Tor flushed scarlet and his eyes fell to his lap.

"Son, your birthday is tomorrow and you haven't told us what you'd like to do for your birthday," his dad said.

Tor mumbled something indecipherable.

"Lift your head, son."

Tor's eyes flitted toward his father, without raising his head.

"I thought we could go into town tomorrow," Tor said.

His dad looked apprehensive. "Well, I'm not sure about that.."

"Yeah, I get it," Tor said curtly.

His dad sighed. This is something that often bothered him. Tor didn't ever ask for anything. It was his birthday, and he always tried to go the extra mile for this boy.

"Alright, let's go into town. Your brothers can take up my work for the day."

A few of the other boys audibly groaned, but Aries ignored them and Tor smirked toward his lap.

---

Early the next morning, Aries woke Tor up. 

"C'mon, let's get a move on before your brothers get up."

Tor's eyes flew open and he sped to get ready. He met his father at the front of the house and they set off together towards the town. Aries thought Tor simply wanted to see the town, to get out of a rut, for his birthday. But Tor had other plans.

"What d'you want to see first once we get there?" Aries asked his son.

"Well.." Tor replied, with his eyes falling towards the road.

"What is it?" asked Aries.

"Dad.. I want to go to the castle."

"Ha, well of course we can do that."

"There's more."

"Okay, what's next on your list?"

"I want to speak to King Arthur." Tor knew that this wouldn't go over entirely well with his father, but he knew what he wanted and he was so close to getting it.

"Well, son, King Arthur doesn't exactly take time to visit with people like us."

"I know, but I have a request for him. I want something that only he can grant."

Aries was really confused at this point. What was this boy talking about? He had never asked for anything in his entire life, and now he's asking for something from the KING?

"Tor.. I don't know about this. What could you possibly want from King Arthur?"

"I want him to make me a knight of his Round Table."

Aries stopped. "WHAT!? Now, if that's why you've dragged me away from an entire day's work, I am very disappointed in you."

Tor didn't say anything, but kept walking. He knew what he wanted. Aries couldn't believe what he was hearing. 

They were coming up on the castle, and Aries decided to throw caution to the wind. What could it hurt? The worst that the King could say is no.

They entered the castle and made their way to the Throne Room. King Arthur was seated with other members of his Round Table, talking animatedly. A squire announced Aries and Tor's presence in the room to the King. Aries could see his eyes scan across the room until they came upon him and the boy standing next to him.

"What business do you have here, sir?" King Arthur bellowed.

Aries approached the throne and knelt, with his head facing the ground.

"Your Highness, I am Aries, this is Tor. We are from just outside of town and have come here to celebrate Tor's birthday. Please sir, we don't have much and my boy does not ask for anything. And only you can grant him this birthday request, Your Highness."

"Yes, and what might that be?" asked King Arthur, losing patience.

"My King, my son would like to be knighted and welcomed as a member of your Round Table."

The room grew silent; all chatter from the other knights and squires in the room halted.

King Arthur rose from his throne, but neither Aries nor Tor could see the look on his face.

"Stand up, boy."

Tor stood, keeping his eyes downward.

"Look at me."

Tor nervously looked straight ahead into the face of the king. King Arthur stared straight back, with an unbending gaze. Then he backed up, and gave Tor a few once overs. He sat back on his throne, looking deep in thought.

"Alright."

"Sir?"

"Your boy will return here tomorrow for his knighting ceremony, after which you will say goodbye and he will join me and my knights."

Aries looked incredulous. But, so as not to waste the king's precious time, he grabbed one of Tor's shoulders and turned him about, quickly moving towards the door. Tor stopped just short of the grand entrance, looked back to see the king following his every move, and gave the grand room a half-smile.

He couldn't wait to be back tomorrow.

(Knights of the Round Table, web source: Wikimedia)

Author's Note:

I used the story of King Arthur for this storytelling post. The part of the story that includes Tor is very brief, only mentioning that his father entered King Arthur's throne room with Tor and asked the king to make him a knight. King Arthur agreed on the spot and made him a knight right then and there. I simply expanded on the day that Aries decided to do that, and gave Tor a little more character. I did a little research on Sir Tor, and it seems that Aries was not his true father. King Pellinore was. This fact is often thought of as why Tor never fit in with his family with Aries and his 13 brothers. He was the son of a king, and he sought greatness. 

Reading Notes: Faerie Queen: Britomart, Part B

The Faerie Queen, by Edmund Spenser. Link to reading here.

I thought that the opening story with the introduction of all of the emotions was really awesome. I always find the personification of abstract or inanimate things really interesting. This could be an interesting way to depart from the original story entirely and use the emotions as my characters. This reminds me of the movie, Inside Out. It takes place in a brain and the characters are emotions that control the lives of humans everywhere. I think that would be a little far to reach from this original story, but the similarities of their physical appearances as they represent the emotion they are is cool to link!

The story in which Britomart wins the tournament against all of the other knights could potentially be an interesting story line, as well. There is a cloud of mystery around her and she just continuously defeats all of these brave and well-fought knights. The fact that her spear is enchanted must obviously help matters a bit (it's the reason she keeps winning) so maybe there is something there to take from to expand on her story a bit, or modernize it a little bit. There's also this sense of Artegall (her unrequited love) being jealous / angry at his loss of the prize. He seeks to take vengeance on Britomart, which could also transform into another story there.

I think the reaction to seeing Britomart's true form was interesting. Why did the male knights act in such a way? Was it because they were fighting a woman? Or was it her beauty that gave them pause?

I'm happy to see Britomart's happy ending, as I think it was long overdue.

(The Faerie Queen, web source: Wikimedia)

Reading Notes: Faerie Queen: Britomart Unit, Part A

Link to reading here.

I think this is a really fascinating story, with a LOT going on in each individual installment.

The character of Britomart is truly fascinating, with a lot of complexities that would be really interesting to take apart. At the same time, however, she seems almost superficial with her love of the knight after only seeing him in a mirror. This is how tales are meant to go, however, so I'll allow for that.

I think a very obvious connection to be made here is between Britomart and Mulan. Each put aside the societal expectation of them as women, and decide to do something greater. Both of them choose to leave home under a disguise and pursue journeys that would more often be associated with men. Mulan seems to have somewhat grander purposes for her journey. Her quest was to defend her family's honor and protect her father. I somewhat feel like Britomart's is a little more realistic (remembering that both of them are wildly unrealistic), because it shows a young woman leaving her parents' home on a whim in order to find the man of her dreams.

I think I could take her story in a different direction from the seeming frivolous journey she is on. Instead of pursuing a man, I think I would attempt to very loosely use Mulan's sense of honor to beef up Britomart's story a little bit. I don't want to pull directly from Mulan and copy her story exactly, but making up something that gives Britomart back a little bit of character and expand on her life could make it a more complete and wholesome story.

(Britomart, web source: Wikimedia)

Wikipedia Trail: From King Arthur to the Curse of Tippecanoe

King Arthur:
King Arthur, as I read about in his tales for this week, was a legendary king that led the Knights of the Round Table. His story is a story about the average boy who is destined by some greater power to become the ultimate ruler. His most famous aspect is the story of the sword in the stone, which only he was able to remove, therefore making him king.

(King Arthur, web source: Wikimedia)

Cath Palug:
This is a mythical cat monster that King Arthur supposedly fights in one adaptation of his legend. It appears in many different King Arthur stories originating from across the world. It is said to be this enormous monster that kills warriors; legend says it killed nine score.

Curse:
This was a more general page than the previous two. A curse is something that has been used in many different kinds of cultures throughout history and around the world. The general definition is a wish for a wrongdoing to happen to someone else. Someone can put a curse on someone else, with the hope that danger or misfortune will befall them. Some legends of King Arthur and his fight agains the Cath Palug say that this monster was under a curse, which made his monstrous form. His fighting with Arthur eventually released him from the curse.

The Curse of Tippecanoe:
This is a curse on American Presidents. This curse says that presidents that are elected on a year ending in a "0" will be assassinated. It originated from President Harrison and his shady tactics against Tecumseh and other Native Americans. It is said that Tecumseh's brother, a prophet, placed a curse on presidents to come and it lasted all the way until President Reagan survived an assassination attempt.

Tech Tip: Reverse Image Search

(Aphrodite Riding a Swan, web source: Wikimedia)

Story Planning: King Arthur

King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table, by Andrew Lang. Link to reading here.

Character sketches:

Tor: Tor has a bit of the "step-child" syndrome. He doesn't feel as though he fits in his family, and with 13 brothers, it can be hard to. Tor has always felt that he doesn't truly belong in his family, but his parents promise him he is indeed their child. He doesn't have the same characteristics as the rest of his brothers do. He doesn't even really look like them, while the rest of them are each others' spitting image and their father's. He also didn't have the same dreams and goals as his brothers. They were aspiring to work with their hands and perform hard labor their entire lives. Tor wants to have honor; he wants to achieve something important. It isn't until later that he finds out from Merlin, the magician, that he comes from a somewhat royal family. His father was King Pellinore. Tor thought that he couldn't have received better news.

King Pellinore: King Pellinore was a somewhat awful person. He was entitled, and he always had been. He had gotten what he wanted when he wanted for as long as he could remember. And why shouldn't he? He was royalty, after all. He also thought of himself as quite the ladies' man. He thought women were falling at his feet. He definitely thought this way when he forced himself on Tor's mother. He viewed life as a giant party; he took nothing seriously. He had made a bet that he could catch up to the elusive Questing Beast, which is what he was attempting to do when he met King Arthur. He couldn't really stand Arthur. He thought he was too nice and it rubbed him the wrong way.

Aries: He was Tor's adoptive father. He raised Tor the best he could, considering the enormous amount of children he had. He also tried his hardest to make Tor feel welcome in their family, yet always had the sense that he always felt a degree of separation. Aries and Tor's mother didn't want to tell him that he was not Aries' son. But, the older they got, the more distinctive the differences between Tor and the other sons became. They didn't know what to do to assuage this, until Tor asks to be taken to King Arthur's court to request to become a knight. With a heavy but contented heart, Aries complies.

(Coat of Tor, web source: Wikimedia)

Reading Notes: King Arthur, Part A

King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table, by Andrew Lang. Link to reading here.

I am somewhat tempted by the loose similarities between the beginning of King Arthur's story and Cinderella. Both of them were raised by someone other than their parents and later become royalty. Of course, Arthur's comes from his true right to the throne and Cinderella's comes from her marriage to a Prince, but the relationship is interesting and might be worth exploring all the same.

I like the story of Tor, the boy who desired to be a knight. He bids his father to bring him before King Arthur to ask to be knighted. I think telling Tor's back story could be an interesting way to go with this Storytelling post. I would describe all of this other family members, and their role within the family (his father says in the story that all of Tor's brothers work in the field, yet he can't make Tor do anything but practice fighting). Arthur is such a benevolent king that he makes Tor a knight almost immediately. My first thought is to change this ending, but I think that wouldn't do King Arthur any justice.

Arthur's immediate love for Guenevere is another interesting story to be told. In the story, it dedicates barely a sentence to the idea that Arthur sees Guenevere for the first time and is immediately taken by her. I think basing an entire Storytelling post on the time Arthur first met or saw Guenevere all the way up until their marriage would be nice to write.

Telling the story of Merlin's death by the hands of that dreadful maiden in a completely different setting. I am imagining a family vacation and, instead of a woman and a man (who is infatuated with the woman), it would be a brother and sister combination. They are on a trip together and one quickly gets annoyed with the other and does something that she will regret.

(King Arthur, web source: Wikimedia)