Week 4 Growth Mindset: Sharing With Others

This week I was talking about this class to some of my friends. After describing the class and talking about what I do for the class, they were very intrigued. I got out my computer and let them read my blog posts and some of the other really great ones I have read. After that I let them look at the online UnTextbook and they enjoyed browsing through a bunch of the units. We talked about a few fables and fairy tales that we all enjoy and talked about where they might have originated from. It was a great way to include my friends into what I am learning in class. I shared with them my class and they shared their favorite stories with me! Who knows, they might even take this class next semester!

Friends Wikimedia

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.

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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

Week 4 Reading Diary continued: Jataka Tales

I chose to read the Jataka Tales Unit and I enjoyed it quite a lot! Story source: Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt, illustrated by Ellsworth Young (1912). I love hearing all these famous tales that have influence on stories today

The Golden Goose - In this story there was a goose who wanted to help out this mother in need. He was being very generous and the mother was grateful. The mother, however, became very greedy and wanted all of his feathers. Taking too much advantage on a nice gesture will only leave someone into poverty and loneliness yet again. 

The Stupid Monkeys - The gardner should have taken responsibility for his job and not placed it into the monkeys hands The monkeys were only trying to help, but didn't have enough information and guidance to perform the job well. We must take the time to educate others. 

The Cunning Wolf - This story shows how important it is to pay attention to your surroundings or someone might outsmart you. The wolf was able to get away by thinking ahead and noticing that something wasn't right. 

The Woodpecker and the Lion - The woodpecker did a nice thing for the lion and was upset that the lion never said thank you. When asking the lion about it later, the lion said that keeping his mouth open was the thank you itself. Sometimes the thank yous in life are silent and only noticeable if we take the time to pay attention. 

The Otters and the Wolf - The wolf helped the otters in their dispute but took advantage of them for it. The otters were so busy with fighting that they let the wolf leave with the best part of the fish. 

How the Monkey Saved His Troop - When the king and his troops were taking all of the monkey troop's mangos, the monkeys were upset. When the king ordered for them to be shot, the monkey king strained his own body and saved his entire troop. The king noticed the monkey king's courageousness and decided that they will leave the monkeys in peace. 

The Hawks and Their Friends - It is nice to have friends who will look after you in your time of need. Having good friends is even better because they will put themselves in harms way to help you out. The kingfisher, the turtle, and the lion all cared for the hawks and kept them safe in a time of danger. 

The Foolhardy Wolf - The wolf learned from the lion and wanted to be like the lion. When the wolf of tired being the sidekick, he let his ego take control which led to his death. 

The Stolen Plow - These two men were taking advantage of each other and lying to each other. When the truth finally came out, everything was right again. It is a story of a small revenge. 

The Lion in Bad Company - This story is about peer pressure and having a bad influence in a person's life. The Wolf was a bad influence on the young lion, and after so many bad decisions, it was too late. The lion died alone while the wolf left him in his misery. 

The Wise Goat and the Wolf - A person who is fooled by tricks easily will find herself in trouble, but a person who is wise and takes caution will end up okay. This goat outsmarted the wolves twice to where the wolves gave up and never tried again. 

Beauty and the Brownie - Beauty was smart and listened to her father's instructions very carefully. This is why her herd came back with no one hurt. Brownie, however, did not pay attention to her father and lost many. Bad things can happen when we don't pay attention and do what is best for our families. 

The Elephant and the Dog - This is a story of true friendship and how hard life is when that friend is gone. When someone knows us so well and is taken away, we fall into depression. 

The Elephant and the Dog 

Week 4 Reading Diary: Jataka Tales

I chose to read the Jataka Tales Unit and I enjoyed it quite a lot! Story source: Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt, illustrated by Ellsworth Young (1912). I love hearing all these famous tales that have influence on stories today.

The Monkey and the Crocodile - The crocodile is not the brightest and tried to trick the monkey into getting into the water with him. The monkey outwits the crocodile by saying that his heart was left back in the tree. The crocodile again tried to trick the monkey into falling into a trap, but the monkey was smart yet again and jumped over the crocodile to get back to safety. After this the crocodile finally decided to leave the monkey alone. I thought this story was pretty comical and shows the innocence of the young crocodile.

How the Turtle Saved His Own Life - I think it is comical how these people could be so afraid of a turtle. By using his wits, he persuaded the men to throw him into the lake where he is most save in order to "kill him". He is one smart turtle.

The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking - After being told not to talk during the flight and promising the geese, the turtle still talked. This broken promise of his is what led to his death. This shows that there are consequences for broken promises.

The Ox Who Won the Forfeit - When the man was mean and beating his ox the ox did not respond well and was hurt by his owner's actions. Better outcomes happen when people are kind to each other and live life full of peace and love.

The Quarrel of the Quails - When people work together the outcome is great! But when we start only looking after ourselves we can find ourselves in trouble. This story reminded me of the scene in Finding Nemo when the fish swam down in the next to escape.

The Foolish, Timid Rabbit - This is the same as the story about how the sky is falling. One person overreacts to something or is dramatic about an event it can affect all other people as well. This also shows how gullible everyone can be when new information comes about.

The Banyan Deer - This story shows the courage of the King of the Banyan Deer and how being courageous can save yourself and others. This can be seen in many movies like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and even in real life like the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe.

The Princes and the Water-Sprite - This story shows that being wise can save many lives. He is kind hearted and cares deeply for his brothers, which in fact bring them back from the water-sprite.

The King's White Elephant - Helping others is very important and leads to great things in life. In this story the elephant became friends with the carpenters and later led his son to be helpful as well. Because of how nice the elephant was he was able to live out the rest of the days with his nice king that looked after him. Being helpful and caring for others can lead to great things.

The Ox Who Envied the Pig - Lavishing oneself with all the selfish things in life does not last long and will lead to an early death. The people who live life normally and give thanks for what they have will live a longer life full of content.

The Crab and the Crane - The crane was very clever in the beginning by tricking the fish into hopping into his mouth. But in the end after getting away with so much, the liar finally found his match and his punishment for lying for so long and hurting so many.

The Girl Monkey and the String of Pearls - The monkey had something great and would've been able to keep it if she wasn't jealous in having everyone talk her down. She wanted to show that she was better than everyone else and ended up having her gift be taken away because of it.

The Three Fishes - Everyone should think before they act, because if not we can get into a lot of trouble that we never want to be in.

The Tricky Wolf and the Rats - Liars can always be caught if we are brave enough and smart enough to question them. We must be courageous in order to save our lives and not let the liars bring us down.

The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking