Showing posts with label Week 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Week 4. Show all posts

Friday, February 12, 2016

Week 4 Storytelling : The Father, the Butler, and the two Sons

It was a rainy mournful day in New York City. The father of the wealthiest family in the city had passed away. His twin sons, Anthony and Logan, both 22, stood above his coffin at the funeral to say their last goodbyes. After their father was put to rest, the two sons walked away in distraught. Their butler, Henry, who served as a second father their whole life, walked with them to the family limo. 

"Well good thing Father left us an enormous trust fund to live off of for the rest of our lives so we don't have to worry about money," said Logan.

"Yes true, but I know your father wanted both of you to learn how to work at a real job and make your own wealth for your future families. The trust fund is a backup and should be a reward when you both had made your own way in life," explained Henry.

"Well each of our trust funds are left in our name, meaning we own the entire thing. I would like mine transferred to my bank account first thing tomorrow morning Henry," demanded Logan.
Trust Fund

"Yes, of course. Anthony, how about you?" asked Henry.

"Keep it in the trust fund account. I have a job interview tomorrow. I want to only use it if I have to," said Anthony.

The next day, Anthony dressed in his best suit and set out to JP Morgan Chase for his interview while Logan planned luxurious and extravagant parties every weekend for the next few months. Logan also purchased a private jet, 4 new sport cars, a private yacht,  and an abundance of designer clothes from 
Europe. 
JP Morgan Chas, New York (By Ben Sutherland)

Anthony was hired on and started his new 8 to 5 job. Henry was very pleased and helped Anthony complete projects, invest his money, start a new savings account, and live completely on his own.

Meanwhile, Logan continued to wallow in his trust fund. Continued to live at the family mansion, drink expensive champagne all day, and never lifting a finger to do anything product.

A few months went by and Anthony got promoted to CEO of JP Morgan Chase. His return on his investments were through the roof, and his savings account was so large that he would be able to solely live off of it for the rest of his life.  Anthony moved out of the family mansion and moved into his own mansion, one even bigger and luxurious than the family one. 

One morning, Henry went out to the outdoor private pool, to deliver a letter and some news to Logan.

"What's this?" interrogated Logan, holding the letter in his hand.

"It is a letter of eviction. You have spent all of your father's money he left behind and your trust own trust fund. You have 24 hours to move out. As for all of your things, they are being sold in order to pay off all the debt you owe," said Henry.

"WHAT! You cannot do that! That isn't possible! 

"Oh yes it is," laughed Henry.

"You can't leave me. Where do you think you are going to live and who do you think you're going to work for now?" yelled Logan.

"Oh that has already been arranged. I am serving as Anthony's butler and living in his brand new and very plentiful guest house. You won't be needing me anymore, goodbye Logan," said Henry as we walked away.

Logan was forced to move out and live on the streets due to his ack of his money and responsibly. 
Meanwhile, Anthony and Henry lived in his mansion together. Since Anthony worked for himself and made its own fortune, without touching his trust fund, Henry gave Anthony his father's secret account, which was worth way more than his trust fund. 

Needless to say, Anthony lived happily and comfortably for the rest of his life as a humble man.

Anthony's Mansion (by Jason Frye)


Author's Note : 
I wrote this story after the The King, the Hermit, and the two Princes by Maude Barrows Dutton. The original story is about a King who passes away and his friend, the Hermit, is left in charge of his treasure and is only allowed to give it to the son who goes through hardship, works, and becomes a noble man. The first son automatically assumes the role of king, while the other goes to the Hermit for advice and direction. The second son learns how to be a noble man and his rewarded the treasure. The other, blows all of the money and sends the kingdom into poverty and chaos. There is a reflection of a new king, and the noble bother wins. Anthony and Logan represent the two sons and Henry represents the Henry, the father's friend. Logan is the prince who blows all the money and doesn't work while Anthony makes a living for his own and moves up in life, being rewarded the ultimate treasure, his trust fund AND his father's secret account. I placed this story in New York City since it seems very prestigious and noble, just like a kingdom. Also, JP Morgan Chase is also a very prestigious company, perfectly suited for Anthony to work in.



Source : The King, the Hermit, and the two Princes.  (The Tortoise and the Geese and Other Fables of Bidpai by Maude Barrows Dutton,  with illustrations by E. Boyd Smith, 1908.)

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Reading Diary Week 4 Continued : Fables of Bidpai


Fables of Bidpai Continued.


The Fox, the Hare, and the Wolf

How interesting that this story did a complete 180 at the end! I thought for sure the Fox was going to be devoured by the Wolf, but needless to say the Fox was definitely sly and had an escape plan in his back pocket. When the Wolf was described as "mouth-watering" I couldn't help myself but feel hungry for some chocolate while reading this! Poor Hare, but karma always wins!


Two Tortoise Stories
"Dashed to pieces" definitely painted a picture in my head of that poor Tortoise falling out of the sky and crashing onto the ground. At least the Geese were nice enough to attempt to take him with them!

Bugs in general are NOT my favorite at all. I am actually terrified of insects so it serves the tortoise right to shake off his "friend" who was trying to sting him. Love the animal relationships in these stories and this 2nd part of the story describes the Tortoise being in charge of the Scorpion and "shaking him off his shell" when the scorpion disobyed him. 

Love the connection and set up with the concept of "2 stories in 1".
Tortoise and the Geese (E.Boyd Smith, 1908)


The Lean Cat and the Fat Cat
I loved the line "With a purr of satisfaction", describing the happiness and response that the Lean Cat had. Instead of using said or another simply dialogue conversational response, the dialogue was written for the animal, describing how a cat would literally respond.

Three Fish
So basically the fish who was not very smart was caught and served for dinner. Again this story had characters in groups of 3's, with each character having their own personalities and identities. 

The Lion and the Hare
Interesting to see another Hare acting as a trickster, just like the Hare in the first story of this unit did. The Lion is a perfect fit for a king since the animal symbolizes power, strength, bravery, and a royal figure. Loving all the animals in the unit!

Story Source : The Tortoise and the Geese and Other Fables of Bidpai by Maude Barrows Dutton, with illustrations by E. Boyd Smith, 1908

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Reading Diary Week 4 : Fables of Bidpai

For this week, I chose to read Indian themed stories from the Bidpai Unit .




Nightingale

I felt so bad for the Nightingale when she was caught in the cage. It was so sad when she asked the Rustic how bad his sin would be if he let her heart and her die in the cage. There was such a strange plot twist at the end. Gold? That's the last thing I would have expected the Nightingale to reward the Rustic with!



Poor Man, Rich Man, Young Man
Wow karma really does exist in these stories and rightfully so! The Rich Man definitely deserved to get his house burned down buy the sticks he barley paid the Poor Man for! Hah! Be careful what you say!

The King, the Hermit, and the Two Princes 
Gold Coin of King Kanishka
I love the continuing theme of characters coming in 3's. Each character's individual is told and they all come together to make up the complete package. My favorite was when the King told the Hermit,  "They both have a portion of their own, and when they have spent that, let them first taste of want and poverty. Then do you bring forth the treasure and give it into their hands. It may be that after they have once known a little hardship, they will live more wisely." Loved the message and the way it was portrayed. 


The Ass, the Lion, and the Fox
I liked how the Fox is the trickster in this story. The fox as an animal is percieved and described as sly and stealthy. The Fox in this story definitely carry's out those typical stereotypes. And for the Ass, well being overworked and seen as dumb is true and definitely breaks my heart!



Story Source : The Tortoise and the Geese and Other Fables of Bidpai by Maude Barrows Dutton, with illustrations by E. Boyd Smith, 1908