Mythology and Folklore

Flint visits the rabbit There was a flint that everyone was scared of because they did not want to be shot so no one went around him. One day a rabbit decided to go meet him. The rabbit invited the flint to come the the rabbit's house. The flint went with the rabbit and after they ate, the flint fell asleep. When the flint was asleep, the rabbit drove a stake through it splitting it into many pieces, sending them flying everywhere. The rabbit dove in its hole to get away from the falling pieces but when it stuck it's head out to see if the coast was clear, a final piece fell and cut the rabbit's lip. Bibliography:  Myths of the Cherokee  by James Mooney (1900). Image Information:  Wikipedia , Rabbit

There once was a little boy and girl who were curious about everything. They wanted to know why the sky was blue and the grass was green. One day, they looked up at the great mountain that they lived below and had to know how it got there. They ran to the tribe’s storyteller and begged him to tell them how the mountain came to be. The storyteller happened to be free for a little bit so he sat down beside them and began the story about another little boy and girl that lived in there tribe long ago. The little boy and girl lived in the valley between hills but there were no mountains around. There was a watering hole by their village and there was a perfect sized pool they loved to lounge in. In this valley all animals came together to drink and socialize. This was before animals had become enemies and so everyone was peaceful. On an especially hot day, the little boy and girl went to their pool of water and swam and played. They stayed in much longer than usual b...

Great Plains: Why the Possum Plays Dead There was a possum and rabbit who both wanted wives. The rabbit had an idea to get a wife in another village. The two set off but the rabbit was faster so when he arrived, he told the chief that everyone in the village was to be married at once. By the time the possum arrived, there was no one left to marry. The rabbit said he was sorry and he would bring the same message to the next village. The rabbit and possum set off but the rabbit was much faster still. When the rabbit arrived he told the chief there had been peace for too long so the chief started a war. When the possum arrived, he had no weapons and everyone began to beat him so he pretended to be dead. This worked and so ever since, when the possum comes across people, he pretends to die.  Bibliography:  Myths and Legends of the Great Plains  by Katharine Berry Judson (1913). Image Information:  Wikipedia , Opossum

The Little Boy and Girl in the Clouds Children waiting to hear story. Little girl asks about mountains. Story teller tells of how the world used to be. Then all the animals and humans lived in peace.  They all came to the valley to drink from the water.  There was a little boy and girl who had a pool seemingly made for them. During one hot summer day they stayed in the pool longer than usual and when they got out they were chilled.  They ran up to the top of a rock to lay out and get warm.  They fell asleep. While asleep the rock formation grew. Their mother and father became worried when they couldnt find them. The animals helped them search until they realized they were on the huge rock mountain.  All the animals tried to climb up to get them but no one had any luck. Finally a measuring worm wanted to try.  Everyone thought it was silly but there was no harm in trying.  It took the measuring worm a month but slowly he got to the to...

( Source ) I found this video surprisingly interesting. I clicked on it on a whim and really enjoyed it. I remember watching Chicken Run, which is clay stop motion film, when I was a kid until I ruined the film. Now I find stop motion somewhat creepy but Vena's approach to teaching children was sweet. Also, it is always hopeful to see people succeed at things they were not formally trained in or planned on doing. I am in the life planning part of college, ie I graduate in December, and I am terrified so seeing people who happened into doing things they love is something that really soothes my soul at the moment.  It is homecoming this week so I hope everyone finds a way to participate. It is my favorite time of year on campus because they plant the mums and the trees are turning so I recommend taking a walk around and seeing how beautiful campus is. I think we all probably take for granted sometimes how cool OU's campus is and how lucky we are to go here. 

            This story has been updated and added to my  portfolio (Crescent Moon,  Wikimedia Commons )               There once was a little boy named Timmy. His favorite holiday was Halloween and each year his mother made him the best costume. He was the envy of all other children on the street as he passed by on his quest for candy. One year he was a Harry Potter including hand sewn robes and a replica want, the next he decided he wanted to more unique and went with a gargoyle, which meant hours of grey makeup and shading. He was unaware of how much effort these costumes took so each year he pushed his mom for something more elaborate.              This year as Halloween approached he figured out exactly what he should be, an astronaut, which had to have a realistic suit and head peace, not just some store bought plastic. His mother set off to work in earl...

(The moon,  Wikimedia Commons ) The man on the moon. There was a blacksmith who was unhappy with his life and how hot he always was. He went to see the wise man who could help him. The blacksmith decided he wanted to be a stone on the side of the mountain where it was always cool. Unfortunately one day a stone cutter came and picked him and began to cut him. He called the wise man and said he did not want to be a stone anymore. The wise man suggested being a stonecutter himself. The former blacksmith was turned into a stone cutter. Stonecutting is hard work though and the former blacksmith soon became weary walking and seeking suitable stones. He went back to the wiseman and asked to be the sun. The wiseman made him the sun. This was hotter than being the blacksmith so the former blacksmith, stone, and stonecutter called to the wiseman and asked to become the moon. He was granted this wish but soon learned the moon was hotter than being the sun because the sun forever shone on...

I watch crash course videos just for fun sometimes so I have been wanting to watch these all semester. I started with the first 3 introduction videos and I just love the way they explain things. I especially enjoyed the heroes episode. I think that in modern times we have a very limited idea of heroes and this video expanded those. When I think of a hero I usually think of Chris Evans or Chris Hemsworth (really just any of the Chrises) fighting to save the universe. This new definition of hero that is more about someone being called to a journey is really interesting. The last story about the girls who are faced with hunger, pain, and fear is also something I loved. It is not often that stories revolve around sisters who are facing trials and I was glad they included that. These videos were super informative and I cannot wait to watch the next set next week. Image information: Wonder Woman,  Max Pixel Bibliography:  Crash Course Overview of Mythology

I am a little behind and so I am not happy with my progress. I had 4 midterms this week though and after I take the last one tomorrow, this weekend is dedicated to catching up. I enjoy the reading assignments most because I like learning about the different stories people had. I have not used any of the extra credit really but I am going to start this week to make up extra points.  Looking forward, I need to start doing more work during the weekend ahead of time because I just do not have the time I think I will during the week. I need to stay on top of my work. I am pretty proud of the work I have done though including my website and project.  Image Information:  Flickr , Sign

1. I feel like I have not gotten a lot of feedback this semester but I think the more specific the more helpful it is. When things are general it is harder to know what area to work on. 2. Because this semester has been so crazy, I have not been participating in feedback and commenting like I should. 3. I am happy with my intro post and people's introductions. Arlo also seems to be a big hit. 4. Looking forward, I need to get on top of feedback and comments going in and out. I feel like that is probably the most unused part of the class. 5. Cheezburger I chose this graphic because the hardest part of this class for me is putting myself out there to make mistakes and be criticized. I am definitely a perfectionist and it has been really hard as a student to overcome that. I have often not turned in an assignment because I would rather get a 0 than turn something half done in and feel like the prof is judging me for not doing it right. This happens in this class sometime...

I like the reading and writing assignments, although sometimes it is difficult to think of a story and make it long enough. I have a hard time adding lots of details and imagery. I am happy with my blog and project website. I know they are kind of basic but I think they are more user friendly and streamlined that way. I definitely need to add more to my project but I am glad to be doing the portfolio. I think it allows for more freedom. My biggest accomplishment is just keeping my motivation at all this semester. It has been a tough semester and this class is the one who seems to lose out the most. My favorite reading so far has probably been the different tales. I really like the short and sweet stories that leave a message. I do feel like the notes help me form a storyline and I use the same reading strategies but I feel like they work for me.  I chose this image because I really enjoyed writing the story connected and also it is a puppy and kitten.  Looking for...

This story has been added to my  portfolio Once there was a couple that had great fortune. They were never excessively rich, but they always had what they needed. The couple spread this good fortune with others in their lives. One way they did this was by taking in wayward animals they came across. Soon the couple had a small zoo in their home from cats and dogs to pigs and birds. The couple enjoyed their diverse family they had pieced together and loved spreading their luck to others. One day, though, they came to their home and realized it had been broken into. Their house has been ransacked, but thankfully their animals were okay. Unfortunately, many things had been stolen including a family heirloom of a gold ring. The ring was not worth anything but they valued it greatly as it had been passed down for generations. The couple was distraught but tried to put their lives together. Soon they noticed things were different. Little by little their fortune turne...

Why Dogs and Cats are Enemies Notes (Mad dog and cat,  Wikimedia Commons ) A couple had good fortune but did not know why. They had a gold ring and sold it but it turned out to be the reason of their good fortune. The dog came to the cat to devise a plan to get the ring back. He had the cat catch a mouse and threaten it into gnawing a hole in the box that held the ring and retrieving the ring for them. The new owner of the ring lived across a river though so the dog had to swim across the water with the cat and mouse on his back. When they got to the house the cat let the mouse go and it got the ring. They came back across the river and the cat ran along house tops and fences back to the house with the ring. The dog could not take these shortcuts though and arrived at the house later. When it got there, the cat had taken credit for retrieving the lucky gold ring solely and was praised while the dog was scolded. From then on the dog and cat were enemies and the dog would chas...