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Buddha 

Photo Taken by Navneet Shanu

 

Ancient Indian Technology Storybook

Storylab: Stories and Friends

 

Storytelling

(image source: towards data science)

The Danger of a Single Story

I've seen this TedTalk before, but I watched it again because it had been a few years, but it's also just an incredible speech. 

I watched this when I was 21 for an assignment in my Comp II class. After I had watched it, I realized the same thing Adichie had — all of my favorite authors were American or British white men. 

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it occurred to me that I had a very narrow world view, and after that discovery I purposefully started reading books by authors of different cultures and races. I discovered so many amazing books that way. 

A few of my favorites:

Maya Angelou And Still I Rise - a book of poetry. Absolutely fantastic.

Marlon James Black Leopard, Red Wolf - this book is based off of African myth and history. If you don't like grit and violence, definitely avoid. 

Salman Rushdie The Satanic Verses - This book got Rushdie a fatwa placed upon him by Iran. Great read.

I think this speech is important for many reasons,  but especially for Americans to address their biases against other countries. I think as Americans, we tend to believe the world revolves around the USA — and it does. But that doesn't mean every country is the USA. There are so many amazing cultures in the world, and it's rather ignorant for us to believe that every country outside of North America and Europe are living is squalor. 

Adichie discusses this when she talks about her college roommate asking how she spoke English so well, and what her tribal music was. I think a lot of this way of thinking has to do with how these countries are presented by the media or in movies. 

I remember my friend from Mexico showing me her home city of Guadalajara on Google Maps, and I was so surprised there was an IHop. My understanding of Mexico was that it was incredibly dangerous 3rd world country run by drug cartels. This is true in some parts, but many places in Mexico are vibrant and beautiful, and not sepia toned like portrayed in movies.

 

I share that shame and surprise Adichie mentions she felt when she visited Guadalajara.

At 4:48 Adichie says:

"What struck me was this: She had felt sorry for me even before she saw me. Her default position toward me, as an African, was a kind of patronizing, well-meaning pity. My roommate had a single story of Africa: a single story of catastrophe. In this single story, there was no possibility of Africans being similar to her in any way, no possibility of feelings more complex than pity, no possibility of a connection as human equals."

This sums up my feelings rather well. Africa is the biggest continent on Earth, and the entirety of it is not child soldiers and epidemic. There are many countries, with many people who have different cultures other than what is shown on CNN. 

Imaginary Friends and Real World Consequences: Parasocial Relationships

I had never seen this TedTalk before, and I thought it was so interesting. It didn't have to call me out like that. I looked up Jennifer Barnes' book and definitely recognize them! We have some at the library I work at.

I think the idea of parasocial relationships is interesting. Many people my age and younger deal with this regarding internet personalities and celebrity culture. Some of my friends and I discuss YouTubers like they're part of our friend group.

Barnes discusses this by bringing up Taylor Swift's Twitter, and how her followers may feel like they know her simply by what she posts online. This one-sided relationship is kind of scary. While millions of people know her, and feel like she's their friend... she doesn't know any of them. 

There are many news stories regarding this relationship with celebrities. Many celebrities are stalked by followers who take the one-sided relationship to the next level. 

There's instances of K-Pop and J-Pop stars not being allowed to date or have intimate relationships because it would destroy the illusion for their fans. A Japanese singer was actually stabbed by a man who was upset by her "rejections." 

There was even a man in Florida who murdered his entire family so he could keep paying a Cam-Girl who lived in Bulgaria.

I went on a tangent here — but I find this subject so interesting, and dangerous. I think, more than ever, younger people are becoming more isolated. It's easier to create a relationship with someone who has no idea that you exist, rather than having to put in the effort to create real life bonds. I dunno, I'm not an expert.

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part D

 

Hanuman finds Sita in the Ashoka grove, and delivers her Rama's ring.

 

 Hanuman Part 2:

Hanuman finds Sita in the Ashoka Grove, guarded by Ravana's demon warriors. Hanuman gives Sita Rama's ring, and she gives her ring to Hanuman.

Hanuman destroys Ashoka Vana, and is captured by Indrajit — the son of Ravana.

Hanuman is taken to Ravana, and tells him Rama is coming to save Sita. Ravana laughs at Hanuman claims. Vibhishana begs Ravana not to kill Hanuman. Instead, Ravana orders Hanuman's tail to be lit on fire.

 

Hanuman sets fire to Lanka

 

 Ravana's sercants wrap Hanuman's tail in cloth, but every time they try to add more, he grows his tail.

Hanuman's grows his tail longer so they have to add more cloth. This happens many times, and eventually Ravana gets angry and orders his servants to light his tail on fire, but when it's lit he shrinks his tail and is able to get out of the wrappings.

Hanuman jumps over the roofs and sets the city on fire. He returns to India.

Hanuman gets word to Rama where Sita is, and the Battle of Lanka begins. 

During the battle, Lakshama is injured and Hanuman sets out to find an herb to heal him. He heads to a mountain and finds many herbs. He didn't want to take the wrong herb, so he grew to the size of a mountain and took the entire mountain back with him. 

Bibliography:  

Title: The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic
Author: Kamban / R. K. Narayan
Year: 1972

https://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/week-2-of-2-narayans-ramayana-reading.html

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part C

 

Hanuman tearing up his chest to show Sita-Rama in his heart

(source: wiki)

 

Hanuman

Son of the wind God Vayu, and devotee of Rama

God of Wisdom, Strength, Courage, Devotion and Self-Discipline

As a child, he pranked a meditating sage who cursed him into forgetting his powers. 

Meets Rama and Lakshmana in the monkey kingdom of Kishkinda. Rama gives Hanuman his ring to give Sita, and he heads out in search for her.

The search group head south, and come to the ocean. In the distance is the island of Lanka. None of the group can jump far enough to make it to the island, but the bear Jambavan remembers Hanuman used to be able to do such great things, and lifts his curse.

 

The giant leap of Hanuman to Lanka

Hanuman grows into the size of a mountain, and makes the jump across the water. He finds on the island the city of Ravana and his demon followers. 

 

Etymology:

The meaning or origin of the word "Hanuman" is unclear. In the Hindu pantheon, deities typically have many synonymous names, each based on some noble characteristic, attribute, or reminder of a mythical deed achieved by that deity.[18]:31–32 One interpretation of "Hanuman" is "one having a disfigured jaw". This version is supported by a Puranic legend wherein infant Hanuman mistakes the Sun for a fruit, heroically attempts to reach it, and is wounded in the jaw for his attempt

Bibliography:  

Title: The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic
Author: Kamban / R. K. Narayan
Year: 1972

https://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/week-2-of-2-narayans-ramayana-reading.html

Feedback Strategies

(image source: matterapp)

 

I chose Be a Mirror: Give Readers Feedback That Fosters a Growth Mindset and How to Give Bad Feedback Without Being a Jerk for this post. These two articles give great tips about giving feedback.

I have never been good at giving feedback, because I don't know what to say. I know if an essay is good or bad, but beyond that I'm at a loss. How do I tell the person their writing is awful without outright saying it's awful? How do I say it's good without just saying "this is good."?

Be a Mirror explains rather well how to do this — "be specific, focus on what the reader is doing (not on what is missing), focus on the process, and take yourself out of the feedback."

This is such simple advice, and I'm not sure why I never thought to do this. I think I just worry too much about hurting someone's feelings. 

The jerk article really narrows down how to give feedback without being a jerk — "explain why you're giving feedback, take yourself off a pedestal, ask if the person wants feedback, and have a transparent dialogue."

I think this advice tends to lean more toward in person/work feedback, but the advice is sound. Instead of trying to beat around the bush, be direct with your feedback and explain your reasons for the feedback.

I think I need to practice giving feedback, and being more confident in the feedback I give. I know that I'm not just being mean, and if I word it in a way that makes my meaning abundantly clear, then it benefits everyone involved.

Topic Research: Ancient Indian Techonology

 

Ashwathama uses Narayanastra

(Image source: Narayanastra)

 I'm choosing to do Ancient Indian Tech for my project. There is a lot of speculation and myth associated with the stories I'm choosing, so I'm going to have to make it clear that it is fictitious (as a lot of my ideas came from the infamous Ancient Aliens).

 

Vimana Spaceship:

 A mythical flying palace. The Vimana has been associated with aliens. I would like to relay the story from the Ramayana, and include the speculation surrounding the Vimana spaceship in conspiracy circles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypHNy2-JC-Q

 

Nuclear Energy:

This subject is also highly speculative, but there are a lot of urban legends involving it. I want to explore the cities and myths involved, and discuss the possibility of nuclear power in ancient India.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngGHwmpNPdg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgTti6-iZ0c

https://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/06/reading-guide-sanghi-krishna-key.html

https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4541

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harappa

http://veda.wikidot.com/ancient-city-found-in-india-irradiated-from-atomic-blast (This source is 100% false, but I'm including it for the speculation.)

Astra: Ancient Indian Weapons:  

The weapons associated with the Gods are very powerful, and many speculate that these weapons were akin to modern day weapons. There are stories of Vishnu wielding powerful heat-seeking missiles,  and atomic bombs dropped on ancient cities. I want to tell the myths and stories involving these legends, and then speculate about the weapons having technology like we have in the modern world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra_(weapon)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narayanastra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmastra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2_f3YXGGuA

https://www.jstor.org/stable/24663434?seq=1

https://www.ancient-hebrew.org/ancientman/1054.html 

https://www.mysteryofindia.com/2014/08/myth-of-ancient-nuclear-war.html

 

Other Sources:

https://scienceblog.com/20159/science-and-technology-in-ancient-india/

Week 3 Story: Adventure Time: Junkin' Apples

Jake and Finn's Tree Fort. Copyright Cartoon Network (image source: wallpaperflare.com)

Far away, in the land of Ooo sat a mighty tree, inside of which housed the many wares and spoils of our heroes: Finn the Human and Jake the Dog. 

It was a day like any other — that is, if your days consisted of bonking evil wizards on the nose, and partying with rapping bears. 

Jake, perched in front of the stove, was experimenting with a concoction of ice cream and cheeseburgers that was sure to somehow be delicious. Suddenly, there was a hurried knocking at the door.

"FIINNNN," hollered Jake, "there's someone at the doooorrrr! FIIINNN,"

The knocking continued, and exasperated, Jake threw down his wooden spoon, stripped off his apron, and marched to the ladder that led to the front door. 

Approaching the door, the hurried knocking became louder. Annoyed, Jake yelled "yeah, yeah, I'm here, wha dyu want?" and yanking it open, he found Tree Trunks standing there with a worried expression on her face.

"Oohh Jake, thank goodness! I need Finn's help," and waddling past Jake, Tree Trunks began to holler for Finn.

"Finn! Oh Finn!" cried Tree Trunks, "Oh where is that boy?"

Conveniently, Finn walked through the door at the opportune moment, covered in monster junk and dragging a bag of stuff he jacked off them.

"Hey Tree Trunks, what's up?"

"Oh Finn, Ice Cream has stolen all my apples and now I can't make my famous apple pie!"

"Don't worry Tree Trunks, we'll get your apples back and slap down Ice Kind heckin' good," and grabbing his sword, Finn ran off in the direction of the Ice Kingdom, with Jake following close behind.

--------------------------

Arriving at Ice King's Palace, Finn kicks in the door.

"ICE KING! GIVE BACK TREE TRUNKS APPLES OR I'LL BEAT THE TAR OUTTA YA," screamed Finn.

Ice King, seeing who his guests are clapped his hands in excitement and said "Ah Finn and Jake, my friends! Welcome to m —" but before he could finish his greeting, Finn had scaled the room, jumped over an ice table and smacked Ice King right in the eye.

"WAAAHH," wailed the Ice King, "why did you hit me? You've ruined the tea party!" 

Looking around, Finn and Jake noticed penguins gathered around a table of ice. Adorning the table were various cakes and pies and delicious candies and apples.

Enraged, Ice King flew into the air and began shooting ice in every direction.

"DUDE," screamed Jake, who inflated large enough to fill the room. Dodging the ice shrapnel, Jake slammed Ice King into the ground with a giant paw, and held him there.

"You're nuts man, why'd you jack these apples?" asked Jake

"I just wanted to party with my pals," Ice King whimpered, "didn't you get my invites? I decorated them myself."

"We didn't get nuthin'," said Jake

"Gunter, you naughty boy. What did you do with the invites?"

Gunter stared at Ice King with empty, black eyes and gakked "wamp."

(490 words)

happy chaotic penguins

Author Notes: I wasn't really sure how I could adapt the Ramayana story. I was just going to rewrite it, but I thought that was kinda lame. I came up with like a fight scene based off of Tataka and Rama's fight, but this was going to be a Dragon Ball Z styled one. Thing was, I haven't watched Dragon Ball since I was a child, so I couldn't come up with how to write it. So I settled on Adventure Time. I've watched a lot of Adventure Time. I think I did OK, I kinda cringe at writing dialogue. I think I had a rough time writing this, because it took me back to my fanfic days. Oh Lord.

Bibliography: 
Title: The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic
Author: Kamban / R. K. Narayan
Year: 1972

https://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/narayan-ramayana-kamban.html

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part B

Rama fighting Ravana. Image from book Ramayana: Divine Loophole by Sanjay Patel.

Characters:

Rama/Vishnu - Human incarnation of Vishnu; Titular hero of the Ramayana

King Dashartha - Father of Rama

Lakshmana - Brother to Rama

Vishvamitra - Asks for Rama's help fighting the Demons who harass him

Sita/Lakshmi - Rama's wife; Incarnation of Lakshmi

Ravana - King of Lanka; Adversary of Rama

Demons:

Thataka - Demon who was once a human

Maricha - Son of Thataka

Subahu - Son of Thataka

Etymology:

Rama - incarnation of Vishnu, from Sanskrit Ramah, literally "lovely," from stem of ramate "stands still, rests, is pleased."

Vishnu - name of a principal Hindu deity, 1630s, from Sanskrit Vishnu, probably from root vish- and meaning "all-pervader" or "worker."

Bibliography: 
Title: The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic
Author: Kamban / R. K. Narayan
Year: 1972

https://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/narayan-ramayana-kamban.html

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part A

 

 Sarayu River at Bageshwar, Uttarakhand

Setting:

Ayodhya - Birthplace of Lord Rama; Setting of Ramayana; Located in the Kingdom of Kosala; Some believe it to be the origin of the legendary city Ayodhya;

Sarayu - River that runs through the city of Ayodhya

Kosala Kingdom - Ancient Indian kingdom;

 

Etymology:

Ayodhya - "The word "Ayodhya" is a regularly formed derivation of the Sanskrit verb yudh, "to fight, to wage war". Yodhya is the future passive participle, meaning "to be fought"; the initial a is the negative prefix; the whole, therefore, means "not to be fought" or, more idiomatically in English, "invincible"."

Sarayu - "Sanskrit root sar "to flow"; as a masculine stem, saráyu- means "air, wind", i.e. "that which is streaming"."

Geography:

Ayodhya - "Ayodhya has a humid subtropical climate, typical of central India. Summers are long, dry and hot, lasting from late March to mid-June, with average daily temperatures near 32 °C (90 °F). They are followed by the monsoon season which lasts till October, with annual precipitation of approximately 1,067 mm (42.0 in) and average temperatures around 28 °C (82 °F). Winter starts in early November and lasts till the end of January, followed by a short spring in February and early March. Average temperatures are mild, near 16 °C (61 °F), but nights can be colder."

 

Kosala -  "The Kosala region had three major cities, Ayodhya, Saket and Shravasti, and a number of minor towns as Setavya, Ukattha, Dandakappa, Nalakapana and Pankadha. According to the Puranas and the Ramayana epic, Ayodhya was the capital of Kosala during the reign of Ikshvaku and his descendants.^[32] Shravasti is recorded as the capital of Kosala during the Mahajanapada period (6th–5th centuries BCE),^[33] but post-Maurya (2nd–1st centuries BCE) kings issued their coins from Ayodhya"

Sarayu River Range

 

Bibliography: 
Title: The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic
Author: Kamban / R. K. Narayan
Year: 1972

https://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/narayan-ramayana-kamban.html

 

Week 2 Review

 I made it through week 2! I meant to work further ahead, but some personal things happened and I was set back. But that's ok! I have more chances to work ahead.

This week had so many interesting posts and graphics. The graphic from the stream I especially liked was this one:

(image source: @Papyrus_Stories)

An inscription of an owl from Ancient Egypt — so cool! I love love love Ancient Egypt. My Dad and I used to hang out and watch documentaries about the Pharisees and whatnot, so I get taken back to those times when I see things associated with it.

 I also enjoyed watching this video: Great Goddesses

 I really like crash course's videos — they got me through astronomy. This video was really cool. I love that they mention the triple goddesses. I've seen the triple goddesses in so many cultures, and I find it incredibly interesting when cultures have these sort of cognates within their myths or culture. The Great Flood myth comes to mind.

 Overall a really cool video, and I'm probably going to binge the rest of the Goddesses videos they have.

Feedback Thoughts

 

(image source: uxdesign.com)

 

 The two articles I chose were "How to Tame Your Inner Critic: A Simple Habit to Rewire Your Brain" and "Make Good Art: Neil Gaiman’s Advice on the Creative Life, Adapted by Design Legend Chip Kidd." 

I really liked these articles — especially the "Tame the Inner Critic" one. I have the tendency to be very self critical. I don't necessarily have a hard time taking feedback, and often welcome it. My issue is more that I am very self-damning when I make even the smallest of mistakes. It's something I've been working on, and I think this article offers great advice on circumventing those kinds of negative thoughts.

Regarding that, I think Neil Gaiman offers great advice in welcoming mistakes. His speech is fantastic (he's just fantastic in general), and I especially like his statement, "Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life."

I find that I will put off doing something, or just not do it because I'm afraid I will mess it up. I have perfectionist tendencies that I need to let go of, because I have stopped doing things I loved if they don't turn out to be 1000%, irrevocably perfect. If I'm not great at something right away, I give it up which is a shame because I don't believe people are naturally talented (unless you're Mozart).   Jake the Dog gives excellent advice regarding this.

I respond well to feedback from others, but I need to learn to respond well to my own feedback. It's a learning process to make mistakes, and I would do well to learn to make them.

 

 

 

 

 (image source: giphy.com)

Topic Brainstorm

 

 Buddha head overtaken by the roots of a banyan tree. Bangkok, Thailand. 

(image source: The head in the roots | © edusma7256 / Pixabay)

 

Indian Astrology:

I didn't initially know this was a thing until Laura told me about it. Like in the mythology course, I would want to research Hindu Astrology, the myths behind it, and create stories that interject these concepts into them. In my short research of this, I found that Hindu astrology also uses palm reading, so I may try to incorporate that into the stories somehow. Following the astrology idea, I though maybe there are Indian constellations — and there are! I'm interested in astronomy, and I know about the Western constellations, but I would be interested in learning the myths behind Indian constellations. I would research Indian astronomy, and the techniques they used to map the stars. I would learn about the constellations myths, and tie the stories into the astrology aspect.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology

https://www.tifr.res.in/~archaeo/papers/Astronomy%20and%20Sanskrit%20literature/Astronomical%20Myths%20in%20India.pdf 

https://www.debsheppard.com/what-are-the-stars-saying-a-vedic-astrology-reading-for-us/

http://www.hindustanlink.com/palmistry/lines-sun.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_astronomy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nakshatras

https://theskylive.com/sky/constellations/indus-constellation

 

Ancient Indian Technology: 

I saw a video on YouTube discussing this, and thought it was incredibly interesting. There are many cultures that have ancient technology, yet again I don't know much about India or their history of ancient technology. I'm interested in learning and researching the history of science and technology in India. I'm not sure how I could create stories out of this idea — although I don't suppose the stories have to be fictional. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_science_and_technology_in_the_Indian_subcontinent

https://www.thebetterindia.com/63119/ancient-india-science-technology/

 

Sunken Cities:

Again, I saw a video on YouTube and thought it was fascinating. The ocean has swallowed many cities all over the world, but I'm interested in Indian cities. What is their history? Do they have any good stories or myths related to them? Are they real or legendary? I would research the cities, and tell the story if the have one, or I would create one of my own. Or if there aren't many that I can find, perhaps I'll include abandoned or lost cities along with sunken ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok1243NBRmY&list=PLrWYQjLLbXcie5DuhgxacocxvQp_5pNIX&index=58

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_archaeology_in_the_Gulf_of_Cambay

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/9500-year-old-city-found-underwater-off-india-gautam-sen/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarka

 

 Sacred Trees and Places:

There are many sacred places in India, and I'm interested in their history. I'm interested in learning about these places - specifically trees that are holy grounds for prayer and meditation. I want to know their history, and the stories associated with them. Are there groves of trees? Do people make pilgrimages to these sacred places? Are they lost, or do they still exist?

https://www.talesbytrees.com/a-brief-guide-to-the-sacred-trees-of-india/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdD-5CMOn0Y&list=PLrWYQjLLbXcie5DuhgxacocxvQp_5pNIX&index=71

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_grove

Week 2 Story: Goblin City

 

Illustration to Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market by Winifred Knights

 

 

 

 Two kingdoms sat divided between a mountains range. One, a bright and illustrious realm, was home to the fae. The country was ruled by a queen who loved her people fiercely, and would do anything to protect them.

 

The second kingdom, to put it lightly, was the dominion of the goblins. Anarchy reigned in the stead of principality. There was no such structure as government, and the only rules were that there were none at all. 

The goblins were a vile sort. They spent their time fighting amongst one another, and sucking on the bones of the unlucky soul who happen to cross their path.

You see, a goblin will eat anything — be it man, woman, or child. However, a goblins favorite meal is that of the fae. Due to the fae's habit of flying, they have the most tender of meat from never having to walk around.

The Queen Fae knew this, and had sadly lost many a fairy to goblin gluttony. Her sole purpose had become to snuff out the goblins for the sake of her people. This is why, when she witnessed a human vessel crash upon the rocky shore, she devised a way in which to end the goblins once and for all.

Down to the shore she sent her flying horse, and upon his back he brought her the captain. 

 

The captain was a keen fellow, and had equal acclaim among his crew as the Fairy Queen did amongst hers. He knew he wasn't spared out of the kindness of the Queen's heart. His crew had been lead away by the monstrous goblins, and he had shamefully been whisked away before he could join them. 

The guilt the captain felt was his reason for accepting the Fairy Queens offer, for he truly believed a captain should be the last to leave his ship, and if he cannot save his crew then he should not save himself.

The Queen Fae, aware of this tradition, presented the captain with the chance to save his crew but only if he destroyed the Goblin City.

The captain, ever discerning, accepted the offer with the addition of a brand new vessel. 

The Queen Fae, pretending to be hardballed, accepted the offer and explained the plan.

"First, you must make your way through the mountain tunnels into the Goblin City. When there, you'll plant bombs around the burg which shall be ignited by my magic. The goblin smog will catch flame and combust, creating an inferno that no goblin can escape."

The plan seemed simple enough, so the captain filled his knapsack with the bombs, and set off through the tunnels.

He could smell the Goblin City before he saw it. It reeked of rotting corpses, and perhaps eggs. With the easy part over the captain began to creep around the city, planting the bombs in any good spot they wouldn't be seen, and hoping he wouldn't be caught.

Weaving his way throughout the city, he came upon a stone hut. Inside, he found his crew — though not all of them were there. Peering into the hut, the captain saw a goblin sat at a wooden table. The goblin was preoccupied with his meal, and crunching and munching he sang:

"The meats of men, the meats of fae

We eats them up all nights and days,

And when there's no more meats to eats,

We eats each others hands and feets!"

 

Thinking quickly, the captain slipped inside the hut, and struck the goblin until he fell to the floor.

After freeing his remaining members, the captain instructed his crew to make for the shore. 

 

Running as though the devil himself nipped at their heels, the captain and crew sprinted through the streets, dodging hands that grabbed at them, never stopping for the shrill shrieking of the goblins protests.

Coming upon the shore, the captain sighted a beautiful oak ship he rightly assumed was his. Setting out to sea, the captain and crew felt the thunder of the bombs, and turned to see a city engulfed in flames.

Author's Note: I had fun writing this story. I wanted to explore more of the fairy that was briefly mentioned in the original, so I expanded upon her character. Originally I wanted her to be more of a General type, fighting a war with the goblins, but I didn't have the time to go in depth with that story. Maybe later!

Bibliography: The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India by W. H. D. Rouse.