Week 6, Storytelling: How Stars Became So Bright

How Stars Became So Bright

(Source: Google)

            Being a star is one of the greatest jobs you could receive from God.  I mean really think about it, you have the chance every night to watch over the whole world, and make light out of the darkness in the sky.  But stars have not always been bright; they once were very dim with almost no light. 

Long ago when the stars were dim there lived one bright star named Joy, Joy lived in a community of stars that barely made enough light, that they could hardly see each other.  Joy was tired of all the darkness and wanted it lighter.  Joy thought to herself that if she could get her community to be extremely bright that the brightness would spread through out the whole world.  Joy started talking to all the other stars trying to convince them to be brighter, and that being brighter would make them happier.  All of the other stars disagreed with her; they asked her how could we be happier if all we do is come out at night and watch all of the sad crimes that happen during and throughout the night.  Joy finally understood why the other stars were choosing to be so dark, because all they were paying attention to was the sadness of the dark.  Crime after crime, and death after death would happen every night as the stars would watch and after each sad situation a star would lose more light, even Joy started to pay attention to the sadness and started to lose her light. 

Eventually, Joy couldn't handle watching the sadness over the night and started to explain to the other stars that not only sad things happen in the dark.  She told them that there were plenty of happy things to watch, and she was going to prove it to them.  None of the other stars believed her, but they were willing to see what she had to show.

Joy had a whole plan of events to show the other stars and patiently waited until it started to get dark to round up her community.  Finally the first sign of darkness was showing and she first showed them a wedding.  She explained that this wedding had been in the makes for 10 months, and that the couple was madly in love.  After the wedding Joy showed the other stars a dance party that was going on, she told them to look how happy all of those people were to be dancing in the night.  Next she showed the stars a baby being born, and explained that new life creates new beginnings, which are always happy.  After each happy situation Joy shared with them she could see that the other stars lights were getting brighter and brighter.  By the end of the night each star had seen enough happiness that they were as bight as Joy, and thanked her for showing them the light. 

Authors Note:  “How Stars became so Bright” Is based off the stories from West African Folktales.  Most of these stories have expiations on why certain things happen; for example, “How the Tortoise Got its Shell”, and this is where I got the idea to make a story up on how the stars became so bright. 

Bibliography: This story was based of off West AfricanFolktales, collected from African Students at a teacher-training center in Accra, written in the early years of the 20^th Century. 

Week 6, Reading Diary: West African Folktales

Week 6 reading diary from, West African Folktales: ReadingB.

The Moon and the Stars

-It’s nice to see that even if Anansi is mostly evil, his son has a good heart.  This plan to save all the people from the dragon was genius, and I liked how they ended up in the heavens. 

How the Tortoise Got Its Shell

-I find it funny that Klo got drunk before he came back to the town.  I also find it interesting twist that Klo was “speedy traveler” when we all know turtles can be very slow. 

The Hunter and the Tortoise
-The tortoise was right to not feel bad that the hunter was beheaded.  She told him I will only sing for you, and he did not listen to that, karma was after him. 

The Leopard and the Ram

-This story really wasn’t that interesting to me. The only cool part of the story is that the Ram and Leopard were able to get along and live with each other, it was nice to see that they were willing to live on the same land instead of fighting for it.

King Chameleon and the Animals

-I like how all the animals are friends, and since they couldn't decide on a king they had to have a great race.  Since the Chameleon basically cheated; no one wanted to be ruled by him, therefor he was left alone.

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Elephant and Wren

-Something we should all learn and know about birds is that they always have an advantage because they can walk, but also fly.

The Ungrateful Man

-The poor hunter was only trying to help anyone and everyone, and for a while he was receiving good karma for all his help.  After he was blamed and sent to prison he was still willing to be helpful to the king, shows good characteristics of a man.

Why Tigers Never Attack Man Unless They are Provoked

-I love how the man and tiger were friends, and even after the tiger got shot he was still civil with man, but insured him that he would attack if provoked.

How Mushrooms First Grew

-Interesting story on how all the debts were passed down. Does this show us that debts never go away?

Farmer Mybrow and the Fairies

-The poor wife forgot to keep her promise and had ruined all of the hard work of Yams. Forgetfulness is such a human quality that I feel bad for the wife, as I’m sure she didn't mean to.   

Week 6, Reading Diary: West African Folktales

Week 6 reading diary is from West African Folktales, Reading A.

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How We Got the Name “Spider Tales”
-It’s surprising to me that this spider was able to trick bees, snake, and a tiger.  I wonder how big this spider is?

How Wisdom Became the Property of the Human Race
-Father Anansi should have known that trying to hide all of his wisdom would back fire on him.  I mean how did he expect to be wise when he put all of his wisdom in the pot. 

Anansi and Nothing

-What a relatable ending, often we find ourselves upset for no reason.  If we can just remember to step back and appreciate what we have then we wouldn’t feel the need to kill someone just for our own fame.

Thunder and Anansi

-The first mistake was his act of selfishness, but then again he feared being starved since it had already happen to him once, that he acted selfishly so that he could always have food. 

Why the Lizard Moves His Head Up and Down

-There was no trust at all in this story, Lizard betrayed Anansi, and then Snansi seek revenge and got what he wanted in the first place.  The lizard should have known to not cross Anansi, because he will always strive to get what he wants. 

Tit For Tat

-Anansi is so cruel that he even tricks his son, to bad for him his son was able to win over him and gain all the food still leaving Anasi poor. 

Why White Ants Always Harm Man’s Property
-No one should ever trust the spider, and people are starting to realize this.  Because Spider tried to lie about the antelope, it angered the white ants and they vowed to never help anyone again.

The Squirrel and the Spider
-I feel sad for the squirrel that worked hard on those crops to stay rich and healthy.  The cunning spider of course came in and ruined everything, but still didn't’ end up with crops.

Why We See Ants Carrying Bundles As Big As Themselves
-The spider was being selfish again and thought that he would be rewarded, but instead he was punished, but because Spider is so tricky he was able to get pf his punishment and put it on someone else.

Why Spiders Are Always Found in Corners of Ceilings
-Anansi being ashamed to be caught in his act of greediness, hid in the dark corner of the ceiling so that no one could see him.  

The Grinding-Stone That Ground Flour By Itself

-This story shows spiders true persona of hoe evil he really is. 

Week 5 Reading Diary: Jataka Tales

This weeks reading diary are shot stories come from the Jataka Tales Reading B (Babbitt).  These are ancient stories from India, the “birth tales” of the Buddha. 

The Golden Goose

-Great lesson being greedy, It was kind of the goose to give something up for their confront, do not overuse someone’s kind jester.

The Stupid Monkey

 I feel sad that the gardener only wanted to have fun for once with her friends; he would have never asked if he didn't think the monkeys were able. 

The Cunning Wolf

First thought of this story is silly,  I don't think I have ever heard of someone acting to be dead to catch a wolf. 

The Woodpecker and the Lion

This story had a really interesting twist at the end, I really enjoyed it, and didn't expect it.

The Otters and the Wolf

I like how the wolf didn’t eat the otters, which would have made me really sad.  I think it could have been interesting if the wolf asked the otters to get him a fish for some sort of favor. 

How the Monkey Saved His Troop

I can’t believe that the king  was going to shoot those monkey’s..

The Hawks and Their Friends

What a great story about friendship, but not only that but to be kind to everyone, for you never know how it could effect your life. 

The Foolhardy Wolf

This story reminded me that things happen a certain because that's just how life is.  Wolf’s never kill elephants and he should have just accepted it.

The Stolen Plow

It’s always nice to be reminded that lying is never good, and no one appreciates it.

The Lion in Bad Company

Interesting turn around making the lion need the help instead of the wolf , there at the end.

The Wise Goat and the Wolf

I always like it when the trickster gets defeated in the end! Karma is real!

Beauty and Brownie

I kind of find it funny that Beauty was the smart one and not Brownie, just because society doesn’t sometimes put beauty and brains together.

The Elephant and the Dog

What a precious story about two different types of animals that have unconditional love for each other despite their differences.

(The Elephant and the Dog)