Week 15, Story The Turtle Who Won the Forfeit

 The Ox Who Won the Forfeit, Ellen C. Babbitt

The Turtle Who Won the Forfeit

Once upon a time there was a very fast turtle. He was so fast he could beat some humans in a race.

Every year a town had a turtle racing festival. The owner took his turtle, Tom, to this tournament. The master Sam, was ecstatic. Sam knew he could make a fortune betting on Tom. He had never seen a turtle move so fasted in all his life.

On the day of the race Sam bet all of his money that Tom would win. Sam was so worked up and nervous that he had just bet so much money that he started taking it out on Tom. Sam had never been mean to Tom before but on the day of the race he was unbearable. He said all kinds of nasty things to Tom. He told him that he was not that great of a turtle, and that if he did not win the race he would not love him anymore. Tom started to get upset and his feeling were hurt. Right before the race started Sam started hitting Tom right on the Shell with a stick. This was the last straw for Tom. Whenever the gunshot went of that marked the beginning of the race Tom refused to move. He held his ground and let all the slower turtles win. Sam was upset now, he had no money and really hurt his best friend Tom.

Sam apologized to Tom and asked Tom to forgive him. Tom accepted Sam's apology and told him he would race again the next day as long as he never treated Tom in that mean way again. Sam agreed.

The next day Sam bet twice what he had the day before. Everyone thought he was crazy because he had just lost so much money on the same turtle the day before. When the race started Tom immediately blew all the other turtles out of the water. Sam won all his money back and more, and Tom was the talk of the town for the next 10 years. They both remained friends for the rest of their days.

Summary. 

This story is based on "The Ox who won the Forfeit" Tom is the parallel to the Ox, and Sam is the parallel to the owner.

Turtle

Week 14 Story, Telephone

 The Foolish Timid Rabbit Ellen C. Babbitt

One day walking down the hallway of John Adams Middle School. Stacy heard a kid say "I'm having a party tonight." But what Herbert Walker actually said was "I'm gonna have the farts tonight." See that day the cafeteria special at John Adams was enchiladas and refried beans. All of Herbert's friends bet him one dollar that he could not finish 5 plates of beans. Boy did he prove them wrong. But in the act of protecting his honor he had upset his stomach. 

When Stacy heard that Herbert was having a party she went straight to Shayna to find out why she hadn't been invited. Shayna and Herbert had been "talking" for almost two months now. Which in middle school terms mean they said hi to each other in the hallway and texted "good morning" and "goodnight". Shayna was upset when she found out about the party because she had not been invited either. She really thought they would last forever. 

So Shayna marched up to Matt, Herbert's best friend and asked about the party. Matt was shocked he hadn't been invited either. This went on all day. One student would tell another about the party only to find out neither had been invited. When Herbert got to science lab Matt wouldn't talk to him at all while they were dissecting an earthworm. When Herbert passed Shayna in the hallway and said the obligatory "Hi" Shayna just kept walking and pretended she didn't see him. 

Before Herbert knew it, no one in the school would talk to him. Herbert The only thing Herbert could think of that might be happening is that his farts smelt too bad and were upsetting people. Finally at the end of the day before an assembly. Herbert asked the nicest boy in their grade, Robert, why no one was speaking to him. Robert then explained to Herbert that everyone was upset because they were not invited to him.

Robert walked straight to the gym floor and grabbed a microphone.

"I'm not having a party tonight I'm just really gassy". He announced. 

Everyone looked really confused but they all started talking to him again.

This story is based on "The Foolish Timid Rabbit." Where the rabbit mistakes a coconut for the world breaking up and gets everyone worked up until a lion sets them straight. This story a girl mistakes words and gets worked up until Herbert sets them straight.

Refried Beans

Week 13, Story, Cutie Patootie and Paris Hilton

 The Elephant Girly Face , Ellen C. Babbit

Cutie Patootie and Paris Hilton

In a city far far away lived the sweetest kitty-cat there ever was. She lived in a mansion in Beverly Hills. The cat’s name was Cutie Patootie. Her owner, Paris Hilton named her that because of her sweet demeanor and white fluffy fur. Cutie Patootie was beloved by all of Paris’s friends and the celebrities who met her. Cutie Patootie never miss-behaved and people would seek her out at parties because she was such a joy to be around.

One day Cutie Patootie was napping and she awoke to heat two-men dressed in black talking. “Yes, we are going to steel all of the Hilton’s jewels… we will be so wealthy we cans start our own hotel chain hahhahahah” 

“What do we do if we run into a security guard?” Asked the other

“Kill them and be as viscous as possible, there is no room for mercy in the crime business.”

 

Cutie Patootie heard them talking and thought she should also become viscous like the crooks.

So, the next day whenever her caretaker came to get her, she mauled them in the face until they were unrecognizable. Paris was concerned but thought it was just a fluke accident, so she still had her party that night. When the guests came looking for Cutie, she growled at them and reared her teeth. Lindsey Lohan thought Cutie would be nice to her because she had known Cutie for so long, but when Lindsey picked Cutie up, she scratched her right on the money maker.

The next day Paris was distraught so she called in a Psychic to see if they could find out what was wrong with Cutie Patootie. The psychic asked if Cutie had been exposed to any evil people that could have left her chakras unbalanced. Paris remembered the thieves who attempted to rob her and mentioned them.

“Yes, the psychic says, you should have people speak kind things around Cutie Patootie the next time she is sleeping, that should do the trick”

The next day Paris had Harry Styles come over while Cutie was sleeping and he sang, “Kill with Kindness” and Cutie was never mean again.

Synopsis:

Cutie Patootie is girly face and Paris is the King.

Cutie Patootie

Week 12 Story, The Hunger Games

 The Banyan Deer , Ellen C. Babbitt

The Hunger Games

It was reaping day. The day everyone dreaded all year long. I had been entered an extra 30 times this year so my family could have more food. This was also the first time my little sister prim had ever been entered into the drawing. This was the first time she was old enough to be entered, only 12 years old.

The Hunger Games was the Capitol's way of punishing us for rebelling 74 years ago. Now each of the 12 districts had to have a boy and girl enter the Hunger Games where they would fight to the death. There could only be one winner. My family and I live in district 12, one of the poorest districts. We had not had a winner come from our district in nearly 30 years.

I got my sister and I ready for the reaping. I did her hair in too pigtail braids and she wore a white dress. My dark hair was in one single braid that wrapped around my head, and I wore a light blue dress. My mother always thought the blue brought out my eyes.

The crowd of people walking to the town square was silent. Every single person afraid of a loved one's name being called or even their own. We had to stand in our own age groups so Prim and I were separated as soon as we got their.

A woman from The Capital stepped onto the stage. Her whole outfit probably cost more than many people made in a year in District 12. She had huge blonde hair, a pink velvet suit, and blue eyeliner. She cleared her throat into the microphone. 

"Hello District 12" she said in her high pitched voice

The crowd was silent. No one amused by what was about to happen.

"Okay well lets get this rolling." She went on as she reached her dainty manicured hand into a giant bowl filled with a bunch of names. My name at least 30 times.

"Primrose Everdeen."

My whole body went numb as the crowd distanced themselves around my little sister. Her name was only entered one time how could it be her. As the guards went to grab her something over came me.

"I VOLUNTEER!" "I volunteer as a tribute." I yelled desperately.

This story is based of the Hunger Games and the Banyan Deer. Katniss is the equivalent to the King deer who chose to sacrifice himself for the mother deer. Primrose is the equivalent to the mother.

Katniss Everdeen

Week 11 Story, The Hippo and the Bird

 

    A hippo waded in the water at a waterhole in the African wilderness. The hippos name was George he was a young teenager insanely bored with life in his ecosystem. He would sit and watch the birds. Overtime George became jealous of the birds, and the way they flitted and floated above the trees. George wanted to feel weightless and fly above the tree line, but he was bound by his weight to the ground and bound by his family to this specific watering hole.

    Eventually George's jealously got the best of him and he wanted to punish the birds for their freedom. He began to devise a plan to catch a bird and kill him. 

George called to the Bird "Hey tommy come here." 

Tommy flew to George and circled around his head.

George started "Tommy have you ever wanted to now what its like to swim under the water?"

"Well no I've never really thought about it. This watering hole seems so small compared to the giant sky."

George immediately became irritated and defensive. "Well its actually really cool its full of all kinds of fish and other animals you've never met before."

Tommy's face showed that he was trying to process that there was this whole underwater world he wasn't familiar with.

"Yeah  actually George I would like that!" exclaimed Tommy.

"Perfect" George said with a smirk. "All you have to do is hop inside my mouth and I'll take you for a spin."

George opened his mouth wide revealing a mouth full of very big teeth. It made Tommy kind of nervous just looking at them but he went ahead and sat on George's tongue. To George's surprise he started to feel regret. He had never had a true friend at the watering hole. All the other animals were scared of his massive jaws. So he was careful when he took Tommy underwater to not crush him. When he came back up Tommy stayed sitting on his tongue. They carried on their strange friendship for many years.

This story is based on Ellen C Babbit's, "The Monkey and the Crocodile" Jakata Tales: The Monkey and the Crocodile. I went for a happier ending because I am a romcom regular. The Hippo in this story is the parallel for the crocodile and the bird is a parallel for the monkey. Instead of the bird outsmarting the hippo like what happens in the regular story he trusts him. I think this a great life lesson to because sometimes when we open up and allow ourselves to be vulnerable like Tommy was we can make great friends. Added Inspiration was the codependent relationship hippos and birds have in real life.

Hippo With Bird

Week 7 Story, sexy shoulders

     Ally sat in her first hour class. She spent an hour last night putting her outfit together. It was perfect. It gave off just the vibes she was going for, extremely studious but still cute. She was wearing an gray t-shirt with an owl on it, pink corduroy shorts, grey sparkly tights and brown booties. She had confidence she would definitely be the most stylish girl in the 7th grade. She was looking forward to first hour, reading, and feeling like her best self.  She was about to walk into the classroom when the school counselor Ms. Vandaveer stopped her. She grabbed her by the arm, looked her up and down and said "your shorts are too short." Ally started to panic. She knew her shorts didn't fit the school rules but thats why she added the tights, they even made everything more boho. She could feel her cheeks starting to flush and knew hot tears would follow quickly. Ally was a rule follower and did not deal well with negative confrontation from authority figures. 

    Before she knew it she was sitting is Ms. Vandaveer's office completely petrified. Ms. Vandeveer began her condescending lecture. "You're outfit is very cute and I can see you put effort in but the tights are just not appropriate and they don't bring your outfit up to code." She sighed and continued. "We have these rules in place because if we didn't it would just be too hard for the boys to focus."

    Ally looked down at her chicken legs, and pre-pubescent 13 year old body and was so confused. Ms. Vandaveer made her sit outside the office. So to add to her shame she got pitying looks from her class mates and the occasional "What are you doing here?" from her peers as she waited on her mom to bring her a pair of pants. This day was starting off quite differently than she imagined and frankly she didn't want to be at school anymore.

I based this story off of Narayan's Mahabharata part C, by Laura Gibbs. This is inspired by the part of the story where Draupadi is raped and instead of being helped she is exiled for the crime committed against her. I believe a lot of victim blaming still exists in current culture and this exile is dramatic but not far fetched. Many times when a woman speaks out about sexual assault she is blamed, called a liar and told she was "asking for it". 

                                                                    sexy shoulder

Week 6 story, The Bachelorette

 Zara was waiting at the top the in a floor length red dress. Her husband was on his way. She just didn't know which guy he was. She signed up for this reality show on a whim and now she was the star. She was about to meet twelve different men and she was bound to fall in love with one of them. Her nerves were high.

    The limo pulled up. Out stepped a tall man with wide shoulders, dark hair and hazel eyes. He was breathtaking told an adorable joke and walked inside, he was perfect.

    Next stepped out a pale blonde with icy blue eyes. He was of a tall, slender build and had an adorable shy disposition. Also perfect.

    John was next he had darker brown skin and smile that could light up the entire world. He had a voice that made every nerve of Zaras body awake. He could be it.

    Zara was so confused as she continued to meet all of the other men. She felt as if most any of them could be the one. She had always felt like she would know immediately when she met the man she would spend the rest of her life with but it was exactly the opposite. She thought about 5 different men would be amazing husbands.

Zara thought things would clear up as she went on dates with the men but they didn't. She continued to fall in love with five of them. When hometowns came around she couldn't send one of them home. And decided to keep them all. 

It came time for proposals and she said yes to all five. She started to panic would they all 5 agree to being married to her! The next day she called them all over to her house and explained how she felt. They had a short discussion and decide they all wanted to marry her still. 

                                                                        the bachelorette

This story is based on Draupadi who had five husbands, what a queen. It comes from part A of 

Narayan's Mahabharata by Laura Gibbs.Narayan's Mahabharata

Week 3 Story, Student Nepotism

 Student Nepotism

EDITED STORY

The year was 2000. I was in high school. There were the class jocks, who thought they ruled the school but would be soon be forgotten. The cheerleaders and the dance team were too obvious they put all of their value in their looks and social capitol. We had the geeks, academic team, and film nerds but they were never under the impression they were more important they were.

    I on the other hand wanted real power, true power. Student council president. While the other students were busy going to parties and having fun at pep rallies I was running them. Everyone else had to have their mom call or have a Dr's appointment to get out of class, I all I had to do was tell the teacher I had something to do for student council and I was free immediately. 

    I had been planning this run since my 7th grade year. My minions Anna and Matt had been running surveys for months and I was 100% regarded as the most capable for the job. After this my path would be very straight forward. Just as my father was Student Council President I would attend Yale and eventually Harvard Law. My life was completely set and it was exactly how I wanted it. Today was the day I had been waiting for, election day. At 2:55 on this Tuesday in September I would be immortalized forever in my title at Grover Cleveland High School and my policies would secure my reputation.

    I was sitting in Ms. Davenports 7th hour English class with my leg shaking vigorously as I awaited the announcement over the intercom.

Static broke through. I heard Mr. Brown clear his throat. 

"Good Afternoon students, I have the much anticipated election results in front of me."

He rambled on with all the minor positions that I could care less about.

Finally he croaked "And the Student Council President is John Brown." 

I gasped. How could it not be me. I had done everything right only to be discounted by the Principal's  own son?

Author's Note and Bibliography

I based this story off of Ramayana when he was wrongfully exiled and had the title of King taken away from him. The story is told from the point of view of the character based on Rama.

Ramayana Part B, Laura Gibbs

Student Council

Week 5 Story, Alley Cats

Alley Cats

 In the depths of a dark alley behind a pizza joint in Brooklyn lived two cats. Kitty the cat was a ferocious feline with a fluffy orange coat who would never be fit for living in captivity. Tabby was a cat who was mostly gray with dark stripes and a nasty temper. Together they ruled the dumpster behind the pizzeria. Every once in a while humans and some other rodents would make there way to the back alley.

On a particularly regular Tuesday a couple of mice were scurrying towards the dumpster. Tabby jumped right down in front of them. 

"This is our alley" Tabby exclaimed "Unless you want to be the appetizer for our next meal I suggest you leave. "

The Rats chuckled and started prancing towards a hole in the dumpster. They believed they Tabby was much too slow to catch them. Tabby could not understand what was so funny. He thought he made a very threatening predator. He then decided his best choice was to stand by his word and go after the rats. He started chasing them and was about to lock his jaws around the second rats when he jaws were pierced by the metal instead.

Kitty continued to live in the alley and one day some children stumbled upon her. They had greased stained cheeks from the pizza they consumed and the siblings had fire red hair to match Kitty's own fur.

"A kitty!" cried the girl "I have been asking my mother for a my very own kitty for ages." 

The children made their way over to Kitty and she let out a loud "Prrrrrr."

The children reached out their hands to pet her and where met by a hard bite.

"Ouch!" the girl screeched and she ran back into the pizza joint to find her mother.

That will be the last time those rascals mess with me thought Kitty. 

Author's Note and Bibliography

I modeled my story after "Two Turtle Jatakas" by Ellen Babbitt link. Both stories future an animal that is either saved or meets their death because of their mouth.

cat