Week 4 Storytelling: Jataka Tales

In early July, Harriet moved to Fredericksburg, TX to start a new life. She had been living in Dallas for the majority of her life and needed a change. She was in an abuse relationship with this guy named Russell and she finally got away. Starting a new life in a new town seemed like the best route for her and she saw hope in the distance. 

Fredericksburg, TX (wikipedia)

Harriet moved into this quaint, yellow house just a few blocks off from town. She settled in and after a few weeks of being by herself she thought she'd probably like to get to know the town. After walking along the streets she stopped into a convenient store to buy some necessities. The convenient storeowner, Jan, struck up a conversation with Harriet and thus started a new friendship. Jan was an older lady who still had all the energy in the world for new friends. 

Jan recommended to Harriet that she introduce herself to her neighbors and hit the town that night to meet some of the other locals. Harriet did just that and met both of her neighbors when she went home. To the right lived a man and his wife of 20 years who had a dog named Chip and a cat named Rex. On the other side was a widow who had a son off at college. It was nice for Harriet to have people that she could come to if she needed anything. 

That night, Harriet went out to the local bar in town and met a few of the locals. They were all nice and welcoming but it would still take a while for her to warm up to them. On the way out she ran into the police officer that was stationed on the corner for the night. They struck up a conversation since he knew she wasn't from around there and by the end he ensured her that if she ever needed help he would gladly assist. 

Weeks went on and the relationships she had formed with these few locals grew deeper and deeper. She opened up about her past and as to why she had moved away. She felt safe there in Fredericksburg and saw a future there.

One day when working the convenient store, Jan saw a man walk through the door and came straight up to her counter. He had a picture of Harriet and asked if she had seen her before. Jan, knowing Harriet's past figured this was the abuse ex-boyfriend and steered him in the wrong direction saying she had never seen her before. When Russell left discouraged, Jan called Harriet and warned her. For other locals in the community that did not know of her past, Russell was led directions to where Harriet lived. Harriet had already been able to let her neighbors know of the situation and was happy to hear that they would help keep her safe. 

Harriet sat in her neighbor's house petting Chip when she saw Russell walk up to her house next door. She sat and watched him become frustrated and upset. He started shouting and becoming very distressed. He broke down the front door in full rage and she saw him searching through the house. At this point in time she called her friend that was a police officer and waited until he arrived. The police officer showed up moments later and caught Russell in Harriet's house. Since Russell was trespassing on private property he was taken away. 

Harriet's House (flickr)

Harriet learned that day that friends were very important to have and she knew that she was safe with their help. In the end, Russell stayed in jail after many accusations against him were presented. Harriet was now safe and continued to live her life in Fredericksburg with her newfound loyal friends.

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

Author's Note: This story is based on the Jataka Tale of The Hawks and Their Friends. In this tale, hunters are wanting to eat the hawk's babies and the hawk gets help from his friends the Kingfisher, the Turtle, and the Lion. I made Jan the Kingfisher, her neighbors the Turtle, and the police officer the Lion. They all help her stay safe from danger just like the animals helped the hawks in their time of need.

Bibliography: The Hawks and Their Friends. More Jataka Tales. By Ellen Babbitt. 1922