Storytelling for Week 7- The Statue of Sita

I have seen many things in my life. I have been to many kingdoms and been to many distant lands. I have been in secret meetings, war plans, and been the confidant to many kings. I have seen many people come and go. I am the Statute of Sita and this is my story.

Many moons ago I once stood proudly next to Rama, the greatest king to ever live. I followed him everywhere. I was his ever constant companion. I never left his side. After losing his wife I stayed with him until his passing. After Rama had passed on, the ruler displayed me next to his throne so that everyone might remember Rama. Sadly though more and more people began to forget who Rama was.

I became a statue that no one knew or appreciated. I was left there in the dark until the raiders came. These people had defeated the current ruler and his armies. I was about to be destroyed when the leader came in and saw me. He said I was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on. He took me away from the palace and placed me in his own. I was put on display for all his subjects to see. People came from miles around to see me. People left offerings at my feet hoping that I would communicate to their gods about their problems. It was strange being so far away from Rama’s palace. I missed all the familiar sights, but this new palace was beautiful in it’s own way. There were fountains everywhere, gardens, and trees as far as I could see. The king would come in at all hours of the day and talk with me. He told me of his fears, his dreams, and his desires. He wanted to unite the region under his rule. Sadly his dream did not come to reality. He was assassinated before he could make it happen.

After his death began the process of changing hands of many different kings. I have been around the world more times than I can count. I have had people admire me, and I have had people hate me. I am now in the British History Museum, where I am finally happy. I am around the images of Rama and his great adventures. I am admired daily by hundreds of people who come to visit. I am the Statue of Sita and this is my story.

Author’s Note- I decided to follow the story prompt this week and write about the Statue of Sita. I thought this would be a great story to tell. I can just imagine the things that statue would have seen changing hands of all those kings. Since the book doesn’t give any information about what happened to the statue I decided I would make up my own history for it.

Bibliography- Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.

Rama and Sita. Source

Reading Diary B: Week 7- The End

Pgs. 374-432

• I find it interesting that Rama takes Sita to every major spot from their journey, even the ones that she was there for.
• I like that they destroyed the bridge that led to Lanka. I know that the sea was happy to have the bridge gone.
• If Hanuman hadn’t gone to the city to announce that Rama would be returning tomorrow I think that Bharata would have killed himself for letting Rama down.
• Also it was nice to see Bharata so welcoming to all the other rulers and the other people to their city.
• It was great to see that because of Rama the world was in a much better place. Everyone was kind and everyone lived to a great age. There was no trouble with crops or food.
• I am sad that Rama had to send Sita away. I could tell that it really devastated him to send her away.
• The story of why Rama had to send Sita away was crazy. I am so surprised that a human had the ability to curse a god, I would have thought that humans wouldn’t have that kind of power.
• I still am surprised that it took Rama so long to figure out that Lava and Kusa were his sons.

Lava and Kusa. Source

Reading Diary A: Week 7- The Final Battle Begins

Pgs. 325-373

• Ravana is clearly a mess. He seems that he will do just about anything no matter the cost to defeat Rama.
• The description of Shiva is very detailed. It even describes his eyes as being like honey.
• It is sad that the demons are killing all the animals around Lanka. The bear king is quite a formidable opponent. He destories any demons that get in his grasp. I found it funny that the demons thought they were outnumbered because of the bear king.
• All the gods have come out to watch the final battle between Rama and Ravana. I am surprised that Ravana has the power to call the Wind.
• Rama seems very confident that he will have the ability needed to defeat Ravana. I  would be much more nervous about fighting someone so strong.
• Just when Rama was in need of a chariot, one arrives to help him defeat Ravana. Not just any chariot either it is the chariot of Indra.
• I laughed the chariot was going to tell Rama that he wasn’t wearing any fancy rings.
• I think Matali didn’t believe that Rama was going to be able to defeat Rama until Rama hit Ravana with a arrow in the shoulder as they flew past each other.

Rama and Ravana battling. Source

Storytelling for Week 6: Hanuman the cat

Being in cat form was quite an experience. Objects that were once small when I was human size now seem suddenly massive. As I passed a by the wall to the city, I was shocked to see how massive it was. It seemed to stretch from all the way to the heavens.

As I continued to wander around the city I began to smell things that I didn’t think were possible. The first thing I noticed was the smell of demons. I had began to smell this distinct odor long before I made it into the city, but I had no clue as to what the smell could be. I finally discovered that it was a demon when I rounded the corner of a house and there was a demon standing at a door. The smell almost made me throw up hairballs. The best smell I could find in the city was the smell of mice. Since I became a cat there were certain parts of my mind that thought like a cat. It was a small part, but once I smelled the mice that part of my mind became dominant. I struggled to rein this part of my mind back under my control. I was able to do it, but the cat part of my mind fought quite hard. This is the downside to morphing into other animals. When I morph a part of that animal’s mind is there the whole time I am that animal. If that animal mind is able to take dominance for too long, I will become that animal forever.

The best part about this whole experience of being a cat was the sense of wonder I felt when I was in Lanka. Even though Lanka is infested with demons, it is still a gorgeous city. I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful city if I tried. The house are all made out of a glorious stone that reflects the sun’s brilliant light. The gardens are filled with the most beautiful flowers you have ever seen! At night when all the lights are on in the houses it seems as though the moon and stars are revolving around Lanka. In all my years on this earth I have never seen a more beautiful city then this one.

I wonder if I was in original form would I still think that all of these things? I would hope so, but maybe sometimes you need a different perspective to appreciate the beauty around you.

The beautiful city of Lanka. Source

Author’s Note- I decided I wanted to tell what Hanuman saw when he was a cat. Since the architect of heaven designed the city original I thought that the city had to be amazing. I thought since Hanuman didn’t have to worry too much about the demons trying to kill him, he could appreciate the beauty of the city.

Biblography-Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.

Reading Diary A: Week 6- Hanuman in Lanka

Pgs. 219-270

• I liked that Hanuman is telling the story of Rama to everyone present.
• I loved that since Hanuman is telling the story of Rama it stops Jatayu’s older brother from taking and eating the listeners of the Hanuman’s story.
• I really liked that Sampati saved his younger brother from experiencing the intense heat that made his wings useless!
• It is weird to think that the city of Lanka is actually a goddess. I can’t believe Hanuman defeated Lanka so easily, and that she let him pass with no repercussions for his actions.
• I like that Hanuman has utter faith that Sita wouldn’t betray Rama when he is searching for her.
• Hanuman still thinks that Sita is beautiful even though she has been suffering at the hands of Ravana. Even in the face of Ravana Sita is still defiant. I am amazed that she can put up such a resistance to him since she has been fasting since she was taken.
• It is interesting that Indrajit takes the time to worship Shiva. I would have thought that he wouldn’t worship the gods. Also it is funny that he cast the mantra against Hanuman and it worked, but the other demons tied him up with other chains so the effect of the mantra didn’t work.

Hanuman setting Lanka on fire. Source

Comment Wall

Hello! This is Shane's comment wall. At the load please type your message. When you are finished with your message you may press submit, or keep editing. Thank you for your time! Hope you have a fantastic day!

Storytelling Week 5- Bharata and Shatrughna

“Brother, we need to make it obvious to the people that I am just a interim ruler. That I have no desire whatsoever to take the throne from Rama. I know that people who weren’t present will think that I will try and steal the throne. I will do all in my power to make sure the people know that I am but a servant of Rama till he has fulfilled our father’s command,” said Bharata.

“You are correct Bharata. There will be people who believe you want the power of the crown. All you can do is be the kind of man that Rama knows you to be. There will be many struggles in the time before Rama can return. We will meet these challenges head on. We will make Rama proud. No one will question our devotion to seeing Rama on the throne, where he should be. We shall place his shoes on the throne as soon as we arrive home. They will stay on the throne until Rama removes them himself. We will also bow to the throne as if Rama was there when we enter,” said Shatrughna.

“Yes, we will make the unbelievers see that we are servants of Rama. We need to also make sure that everyone in the kingdom knows that just because Rama isn’t here, our kingdom is still not to be taken lightly. We will defeat any threats. We must be prepared for any outside threats. I worry that other kingdoms will seek to undermine our authority, and they will try to conquer us. I hope that the kingdom will be strong enough to endure these challenges,” said Bharata.

“Brother, you worry too much. We will be fine. You don’t have faith in our people. Yes there will be some that think you want power, but that is a very insignificant portion. Everyone else knows that you are here to serve Rama. All the outsiders that think we are weaker because we have a interim ruler are in for a sad realization. We will crush any opposition that comes against us,” said Shatrughna.

“You are right brother. We will cross those bridges when the time comes. There is one thing that we must do above all else, we must have the kingdom in better shape from when Rama left. This shall be our number one priority,” said Bharata.

Author’s Note- I decided to make up a dialogue that Bharata and Shatrughna may have had when they were coming back home from visiting Rama in his banishment. I thought it was important to show that Bharata wanted nothing more than to try and honor Rama. I think that Bharata wants to make Rama proud.

Bibliography- Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.

Family Photo. Source