Week 11 Extra Reading Diary: Ramayana Part 1

Ramayana

Valmiki tells us the story of The Birth of Rama. The story contains many details and really allows you to visualize the setting. As we have learned before, Dasaratha was unable to have children, so a sacrifice had to be performed. This was the Horse Sacrifice. Rama was born to Kausalya. Bharata was born to Kaikeyi. Lakshmana and Satrughna were born to Sumitra.

Next is the story of Vishwamitra, Rama's Teacher. One night, Rama saw the full moon and wanted it for his toy. No one could soothe him. Dasaratha's chief counsellor gave Rama a mirror that reflected the moon. This comforted Rama. I found this story very humorous. The boys education began at the age of five. Rama did the best. When the boys were sixteen, Vishvamitra talked Dasaratha into letting him take Rama and Lakshmana with him. Vishvamitra taught them a lot.

The story of Rama and Sita is a love story. They fell in love at first sight, and Rama broke the bow of Shiva to be able to marry her. They fell deeply and love and were married. Rama was chosen to succeed Dasaratha as king.

The story of Kaikeyi's Plot tells the story of how Bharata became king instead of Rama. Manthara was the slave of Kaikeyi. She hated Rama. She went to Kaikeyi and talked her into using her wishes to put Rama in exile and make Bharata king. King Dasaratha did as Kaikeyi wished, but he was filled with grief.

Dasaratha and Kaikeyi

The story of Rama's Exile talks about Dasaratha telling Rama about the exile, and Rama leaving with Sita and Lakshmana. 

The Death of Dasaratha occurs while Rama is in exile. He was so full of grief that it killed him.

The last story in this half of the unit was Rama and Bharata. Bharata finds out the news of his father, and that he will be king. Bharata goes to Rama, and tries to convince him to come back. Rama said he won't come back until after his exile is over.

Week 11 Reading Diary B: Twenty-Two Goblins Part 2

Twenty-Two Goblins

I enjoyed reading The Snake's Poison. The king's answer at the end was what I thought it should be.
I found the story of The Girl and the Thief very humorous.
I did not like the story of The General's Wife very much. It makes it seem like women are viewed as property, not people.
I am enjoying trying to figure out the answers to the riddles in these stories. I was wrong in the story of The Four Brothers.
I liked the story of The Old Hermit. I answered the riddle correctly for this one!
The story of Father and Son, Mother and Daughter was The Great Puzzle. It was confusing.

Mother and Daughter

Week 11 Reading Diary A: Twenty-Two Goblins Part 1

Twenty-Two Goblins

In these stories, a goblin is telling stories to a king. At the end there is a riddle that he must answer.

The story of The Three Lovers was interesting, and the answer to the riddle was one that I didn't expect.
The story of The Brave Man, the Wise Man, and the Clever Man was good, but I don't think it would be good for the storytelling post.
I liked the story of Food, Women, Cotton. It had an answer to the riddle that I did not expect.
The Three Delicate Wives story really got my attention. It was kind of strange.

I really like the aspect of the king having to answer the riddles at the ends of the stories.

The king with one of his wives