Reading Notes: Shedlock. Eastern Stories and Legends Part C

I decided for my extra credit reading option I would continue reading the tales that I already have been. The one that caught my eye in part C was " The Man Who Told A Lie." In the story four divine beings come to the earth with these unique and precious flowers. The four beings told them that the flowers go to the person who is honest, kind, loyal, and much more. There was a Priest in the crowd who knew he did not fit any of these qualities but wanted the flowers. He decided he was going to fake it and get it from them. One by one he got the flowers from everyone. Once the divine human beings left the earth, the man immediately started to feel sharp pain in his hand. He confessed his lies and told them to take it off, in which they finally did. For my story I was thinking I would make it about a relationship. For example, I would a girl who wants to impress her boss to move up in the company. The boss will have a certain standard of who he likes to promote. This includes things like is always on time, puts in extra work, and is married. To him this is what he sees as a successful person. The girl then pretends to be married and makes up a huge lie until it gets out of control. In the end the boss will see that she is not married and that she lied to him to get the promotion that the will fire her, and she will lose the guy.

A Fake Marriage

(Source: MaxPixel)

Bibliography:

Shedlock. Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock. Reading Part C.

Reading Notes: Shedlock. Eastern Stories and Legends Part B

The story I liked the best in this section was "The Mallard That Asked For Too Much." This story was quite fascinating, and it really speaks volumes of what greed can do. In the story the husband died and came back as a golden bird. In order to still help his family, he decided one by one he will give his feathers to his family. Then the mother got greedy and told the girls that they should pluck all the feathers at once, cause who is to say that he will come back. The daughters refused to do this, but the mother did it anyways. When she plucked the feathers they were no longer gold. The bird flew away and never came back. This story kind of reminds me of the movie Tangled. Using someone else talents for your own selfish reasons. I think that in my story I will have the same plot. I could have someone rich "fund"someone for a certain period of time. However, when that person becomes too greedy, than that person will stop funding them and they will learn what greed can truly do to a person.

The Golden Bird

(Source: PublicDomainPictures)

Bibliography:

Shedlock. Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock. Reading part B.

Reading Notes: Shedlock. Eastern Stories and Legends Part A

There were four animals and the Hare was the wisest of them. He taught the other animals virtues lessons. He told them that on their holy day they will sacrifice their own food for a beggar. When each animal gathered the food, they did not see a beggar so they kept the food for later. Finally, when it came turn for the Hare, he thought that no beggar would ever want to eat grass, so I will sacrifice my flesh.When the Gods heard this, he came down as a Brahmin to test the Hare's words. It turned out that the Hare was willing to sacrifice himself and passed the test. I wanted to base my story on a human form of this. What could be tested is friendship, and see if they keep their promise. It could be over like a boy, or something a little more dramatic. I was thinking I would have a group of friends instead of just one or two. Each friend could have a special skill. Then those skills could be put to the test by like a supervisor or something.

The Hare that Sacrifices

(Source: MaxPixel)

Bibliography: 

Shedlock. Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock. Reading Part A.

Reading Notes: Wilson. The Five Tall Sons of Pandu Part B

I chose to focus on a different aspect of this story. I chose to focus on how Bishma would not fight  Shikhandin, because he was born a woman and transformed into a man. This actually shows a lot about Bishma's personality. First that Bishma refuses to hit a woman, but also that Bishma is not willing to accept the new identity of Shikhandin. I think for my story I could actually talk about someone who is Transgender and the struggles they go through of not being accepted as there new gender. I could incorporate someone who would be Bishma who does not accept the transgender person, but in the end learns to understand the LGBTQ community and starts to understand things. I am excited for this story because it will be a good lesson to learn for others. I would also try to incorporate the bed of arrows some how, because I love that scene in the actual story.

Bishma and the Bed of Arrows

(Source: iereadingguides)

Bibliography:

 Wilson. The Five Tall Sons of Pandu. Reading Guide Part B.

Reading Notes: Wilson. The Five Tall Sons of Pandu Part A

I really enjoyed reading about the Pandava Brothers. There story is one of my favorites to focus on. While reading through the reading guide, I was thinking of a different way to tell this story. I did not want to write about the Pandava brothers again, but instead tell it in a different way. Maybe change the plot? I decided I wanted to focus on one aspect of the story. I chose to stick with the Exile and End of Exile part of the story. I have noticed a trend in these stories. Someone always gets exiled for one reason or another. I was thinking for my story I would have five brothers maybe get kicked out of the house at a young age. This would be related to exile. I also like that the end of their exile ends happy. They are ready to reclaim their kingdom, instead of being in exile the whole time. I am thinking that maybe later in the story claiming their kingdom could be either becoming completely independent from everyone and becoming successful. Or, it could be going back home to their parents and being reunited. I am leaning on the independent one more, but this could switch. I also want to add an antagonist in this, and I am thinking that I would make the antagonist either just like the forces of the earth, or have the brothers parents play a big role in the antagonist. I am excited to see where this story goes.

The Pandava Brothers

(Source: OU Blog)

Bibliography:

Wilson. The Five Tall Sons of Pandu. Reading Guide Part A.

Reading Notes: Jataka Tales Part B

The story I chose to focus on The Prince and the Water Sprite. This story actually reminded me about the very first story I wrote about. It was about a queen who wanted her youngest son to rule the kingdom. So all the sons went to the forest and got fooled by the water-sprite. I think the story idea I have for this would be a jealous wife/step-mother trying to brainwash her husband into thinking that her kids are not suited for their family and should move out of the house. Her kids should move into the house. Then the husbands kids will find a clever way to show their dad how evil the step-mother is.

The other story I read was The King's White Elephant. I enjoyed reading this story. There were no sad or super upsetting twists and turns in it. The story was basically about these carpenters helping out an elephant, and in return the elephant helps out the carpenters. I think for my story I want to do something like a kid is hungry, so this food chain owner gives the kid free food. Later on in life the kid becomes a doctor and helps out the food chain owner. I think this would make it a full circle.

The Kids Playing With the Elephant

(Source: Main Lesson)

Bibliography: Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt. Reading Part B

Reading Notes: Jataka Tales Part A

For this week, I am focusing on Children stories once again. One of the stories I read "The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking" was actually quite disturbing for a children's story. Basically the turtle died because he could not keep his mouth shut. I think for my story I would change just a little to where it would be about two siblings and one who could not keep their mouth shut about anything. So he always got in trouble, I am not sure if I want to have a happy ending in my story or a similar one as the ending of the Turtle story.

The other story I read for this week is "The Foolish, Timid Rabbit." This story was about a Rabbit who thought the earth was breaking up because a coconut fell to the ground. He then gathered a herd of animals who also ran with him. Finally it was the wise king of the beasts the lion who got to the bottom of it and found out that the earth was not breaking it was just a coconut falling. I found this story quite amusing. I think for my story I want to keep the plot about just following someone blindly, but I want to write in human form. For example, it might just be about the popular kids and everyone just following them blindly not questioning their actions.

The Rabbit and the Lion

(Source:Main Lesson)

Bibliography: Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt. Reading Part A

Reading Notes: More Jataka Tales Part B

The first story I chose to read is called "Beauty and Brownie." It was actually pretty depressing. The two deer had to lead their herd to safety and one did while the other did not. By the end of the story Beauty's herd came back all in one piece, while Brownie had only a few deer left in his herd. From this story what I got was listening skills. Brownie did not listen well to his father therefore faced severe consequences. I can write a story in which there are two competitors on a team. One does listen to his coach while the other does not. In the end, it is the one who does listen that takes the win.

The next story I chose to read is called "The Elephant and the Dog." This story was a lot better than the last, in the sense of that it had a happy ending. The Elephant and the Dog became best friends, but once the dog was taken away the Elephant did not want to eat or do anything without his friend. Finally the dog came back and they were inseparable. For this story I was thinking of having two people grow up together as best friends but never confess their love for one another. Finally, one would leave for college, and the other would be depressed. Then one day when the other came back they would finally confess their love, and be inseparable. I think a cute romantic story would fit the plot line of this really well.

The Elephant and His Friend The Dog 

(Source: Main Lesson)

Bibliography: More Jakta Tales By Ellen C. Babbitt. Reading Part B.

Reading Notes: More Jataka Tales Part A

From these tales I chose to read "The Three Fishes." This was such a cute story. Each fish had their own name, and the Very-Thoughtful fish is the one who found a clever way to let the fishermen let his brothers go. Then they went back and lived happily every after. I like stories with happy endings. I think for my story instead of fish I will use humans. It would be three brothers, each with their own personality. They would get in some sort of trouble and the wise brother would get them out.

The Fishermen and the Three Fish

(Source: MainLesson)

The other story I chose to focus on is called "The Cunning Wolf." The man tried to play a trick on the Wolf by pretending he was dead, but the Wolf was too smart for his tricks and caught on. In the end, it was the Wolf who outsmarted the man. For my story idea I am thinking of doing the same thing but again in human form. Someone could play a trick on a child thinking the child is dumb and naive but in the end the child will end up playing the trick on the person. It would be very interesting to see how this story plays out.

Bibliography: More Jataka Tales by  Ellen C. Babitt. Reading Part A

Reading Notes: The Giant Crab and Other Tales From Old India Part B

From Part B I chose to read "A Bold Begger," This story was interesting because the King was not upset at the end and let the man go free. For my story idea I was thinking of having a beggar play a similar trick on someone but in the end the people would realize how selfish they are being with their money. I liked the wittiness of the beggar, and want to add something of the same sort to my story.

The other tale that I read was called "The King's Lesson." This was a good tale because it gave me some ideas for mine. For example, in this perfect little place they lived in the King did not get conceited after hearing everyone praise him. However, in my story I was thinking of doing something different. I would have two kings who are so-called perfect. However, when they disguise themselves and run into each other, that is when the real selves come out. Each king would be nasty and brutal to one another and would not allow the other to pass. When others would find the kings being so brutal to one another they would see that they were wrong about their king. This is when the kings would learn their lesson and see that it is important to be civil in all cases not just ones where they want to be seen.

The King's Lesson

(Source: Gutenberg)

Bibliography: The Giant Crab and Other Tales From Old India by W. H. D. Rouse Reading Part B. 

Reading Notes:The Giant Crabs and Other Tales From Old India Part A

I chose to focus on children literature because it is a lot of fun to read. I especially enjoyed reading these interesting tales. However, I am not sure if all of these tales really are for children. One of the stories I read was called the "The Hypocritical Cat." This story was interesting because this so called righteous cat deceived the rats into worshiping him, and then he slowly started to eat them. In the end the chief rat caught on and therefore with the help of his fellow rats they ate the cat. An idea I got from this story was writing a story about karma. The fact that deceiving people can never get you anywhere good. I could write about a king who deceived his people but then they ended up rebelling.

Another tale that I read was called "The Wise Parrot and the Foolish Parrot." This story gave me an idea to do a story over two siblings. One would be wise and one would be foolish. The mother would favorite the foolish one until one day when the wise one gets the foolish one out of trouble. The tables would turn and the mother would realize that she had it all wrong. I thought of this because the wise parrot did not talk much until time came for him to speak up.

Th Wise Parrot and the Foolish Parrot

(Source: Gutenberg)

The last tale I focused on was called "The Dishonest Friend." I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. The moral of the story is honesty is the best policy. For this I was thinking of making it very modern. I would one friend who is going away for the weekend and needs someone to watch her dog. The friend who is watching the dog would be careless and would let the dog run off. Then that same friend would need someone to hold on to his mother's diamond ring while he goes on a trip. Then the friend with the lost dog would play a trick and say he lost the diamond ring. In the end the mischievous friend would realize that honesty is the best police.

Bibliography: The Giant Cram and Other Tales from Old India by W.H.D. Rouse Reading Part A

Reading Notes: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu Part B

So…Karna is the actual first born child of Kunti, which makes him Arjuna's brother. However, the hate is so deep between them that Karna is still determined to kill Arjuna. The fight continues until finally Arjuna kills Karna. Duryodhana is determined to continue the war, but fails undoubtedly. He then flees to the lake and hides form the Pandavas brothers. When they finally find, him he swears to kill all of them. News gets to them that the sons of the Pandavas are all dead. When they see this Duryodhana dies as well.

In the end Kunti tells Arjuna and the other brothers that Arjuna has killed his own brother. They mourn together over the fallen ones. This part does not make sense to me because I thought Arjuna and Karna were both aware that they were brothers. I think in my story I would switch it up a little. I would have two men go to war against each other. They would plan their whole life hating each other. However, in the midst of their war an angel would come down and announce that both of them are actually brothers and have been brainwashed from the kingdom each grew up in. Then the brother would team together to fight against their kingdoms and come out strong.

Another story idea I have is having one of the Pandavas brothers faced with a terrible situation. In the war, they would have to choose between killing their brother or their own child. I think this is one of the hardest choices to make. This would really take a toll on the person regardless of which way they chose. What would the other person think that survived? Would the guilt stay forever? Would the regret choosing one way over the other? I could really play around with this idea.

Arjuna and Karna 

(Source: Hathitrust)

Bibliography: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu by Richard Wilson. Reading Guide Part B.

Reading Notes: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu Part A

In the version I chose to read was pretty straight forward. It focused on the Pandavas brothers, which is what my favorite part is in the Mahabharata. What was quite interesting is in the original version Draupadi is shared amongst all the Pandavas brothers. However, in this version Arjuna wins Draupadi but is forced to give her to his eldest brother Yudhisthira, because his mom said so. Imagine having to give your significant other to your sibling just because they are older!

I feel that in this version the Pandavas brothers go into disguise more often than the original version. I think for the story this week I might want to do something that has to do with going into disguise. I might be able to write a story about a girl who falls in love with a boy. However, when the boy's twin brother sees how beautiful the girl is, he sends him off so he can disguise himself as the brother and get the girl. A story such as this can be interesting because, who knows if she can tell between the brothers? What happens when the brother returns? Will she be willing to marry both of them or will she fall for one over the other? I feel like I can go many ways this story.

I can also choose to focus on the jealousy that Duryodhana has for his cousins. He challenges them to a dice game and Yudhisthira loses everything and is the reason they go into exile. My story could be that Duryodhana is jealous of his cousin cause his dad loves them more. So he keeps trying to prove to his dad that he is more worthy of them. His dad does not recognize his efforts and continues to praise the Pandavas. Finally, a day will come where Duryodhana will have to come to the Pandavas rescue and will win over his dad once again.

Draupadi Swayamvara

(Source: Hathitrust)

Bibliography: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu by Richard Wilson. Reading Guide Part A.

Reading Notes: The Mahabharata Part D

In this part what surprised me is the fact that Duryodhana is hiding from the Pandavas brothers because he does not want to ask for mercy but instead continue the war. He hides in the lake until he is found. He is then confronted to come out of the water and fight. He said that he would only if he fights them one by one. This was quite hilarious to me. He did not want to ask for mercy yet he would not give up. Then he went into hiding. He seems like he is all talk but no show.

Something else that caught my eye was Bhishma fell in the battle but had the power to choose his moment of death. He stayed alive to tell the survivors how to rule what was left. This is a really small detail in all of part D, but is such an intriguing one. I feel like I can make a whole story just out of this. Having the power to control the moment in which you would die is absolutely insane. Would I ever want that power? Something to think about, considering there is always something that people want to do before they die. For this idea, I would have a girl who is given the power to choose the moment she wants to die. When she is first given this power she would go through the things she wants to accomplish before she dies. She would decide that she would die after she has made a great impact on someones life, because that way she will leave the world strong instead of with a downfall. However, she will end up falling in love along the way. Will she stick to her decision? Will it change because of her relationship status?

Bhishma on the Bed of Arrows

(Source: Wikimedia)

Bibliography:

The Mahabharata, link to Reading Guide Part D. 

Reading Notes: The Mahabharata Part C

I do believe the Mahabharata is harder to wrap my head around than the Ramayana. For this reason I have chose to focus in on the aspects of it that I enjoy reading.

What caught my eye is in the chapter is when Duryodhana encountered the Gandharvas's. Duryodhana was captured and taken as a prisoner. When news got to the Pandavas brothers they went and fought the Gandharvas's until they released the prisoners which included Duryodhana. Duryodhana was embarrassed and soon after wanted to end his life. I just thought this was a very dramatic scene. Duryodhana was taking a parade to go see the Pandavas in misery, and it turned out that they helped him greatly. I feel like I can write a story based of this. For my idea I would have it involve two families. In one family there would be a proud mother who is constantly bragging on her children. I would have this mother be the aunt to the kids in the other family. This aunt would constantly hate on these kids and think that they are nothing compared to her little angels. Until one day the aunt gets in horrible car crash and gets paralyzed. Then, instead of her own kids it would be her nieces and nephews that would help her. She would soon realize how at fault she is and feel so guilty that she would just want to commit suicide. That is just one idea.

Just as in the Ramayana, Jayadratha abducted Draupadi into his chariot when she was unguarded in the forest. Then what caught me off guard is that Jayadratha is already married to someone! Like where is his wife?? For this story idea I was thinking of basing it off of a movie called "Along Came Polly". This movie is about a guy catching his wife cheating on him on their honeymoon. I was thinking to reverse the roles. Meaning, I would have a guy go on a honeymoon with his new bride. However, while he is there he starts to fall in love with another woman. He is aware that this woman is also married but does not care. He makes the woman fall in love with him, and runs away with her. The woman's husband soon comes and find them and beats the man up. The man is left beaten and alone, and has nothing better than to run back to his wife.

The Mahabharata has a lot of room to come up with ideas which is what I really like about it. I am not sure if I will stick with either one of these idea but this is what I think I am going to do for now.

Jayadratha

(Source: Wikimedia)

Bibliography:

The Mahabharata, link to Reading Guide Part C

Reading Notes: The Mahabharata Part B

Arjuna is exiled for 12 years.. again this looks like a pattern of when Rama was exiled! During the time of his exile he marries two women. This is so interesting to me. Do these women ever have the desire to marry more men? If they do, are they able to act upon it?

So the game of dice is real intense. Yudhishthira not only loses everything that he owns but he gambles his brothers and himself away too! To add the cherry on top he gambles Draupadi away as well. Yet, she brings up a good point. How is she able to be gambled away when Yudhishthira has already gambled himself? Hm. I do not think it is possible because he does not eve have control of his own life how can he give the life of another?

Duryodhana orders Draupadi to undress. This makes me so sad because the poor woman is already on her period too. She must feel awful and this is just so degrading. However, when she calls upon the gods to help. they help her. Draupadi has the kindest heart. She wishes her husbands free but does not think of herself. I wonder if the men where in this situation what they would have done?

Arjuna, surprisingly declines the advances from Urvashi. He is then cursed but is told that this curse will be a blessing later on. When he is reunited with the Pandavas after five years, they are excited to see all the weapons he has acquired. I think with the weapons they will go to war or do something worse in part C. 

I feel that this story is kind of all over the place. I want to pin point one aspect about it and write about that since there is so much going on. Maybe I will focus on Draupadi and the Pandava brothers because I am so intrigued by it. I might keep the story of the Bachelorette, or change it up. I definitely want to include a part of 3 wishes in my story.

Draupadi and Pandavas Brothers

(Source: Wikipedia)

Bibliography:

The Mahabharata, link to Reading Guide Part B

Reading Notes: The Mahabharata Part A

As soon as I started reading, there is a part where Shantanu the king falls in love with this woman, and she tells him that she will agree to marry him as long as he never questions her actions, I knew something was up. I mean no one says that unless they know that their actions are odd or wrong in some way. Then it turns out that she is not even real human she is the river of Ganga. Now I did not see this coming so that is is pretty interesting.

So, Amba and Bhishma now have a quarrel because Amba is not able to marry whom she want because that king does not want her cause she was in another man's home. I feel as if this is a reoccurring event in the the epics of India. A man does not want a woman who has been in the arms or home of another man. Even if she did not do anything. So is the man able to do whatever but he still gets to choose his woman? Hm.

Something that really caught my eye was Pandu shot a deer that was having sex, so then he got cursed that he should also die while making love. This is the worst possible curse a human could get! This is absolutely awful.

The Pandava brothers have to share whatever they have acquired, so when one of them finds a wife all five brothers have to share her. This reminds me of a Bollywood show that I once saw about a man who had two wives. Every day and night he had to choose what wife to give attention to. One was quiet and one was evil and jealous. As the show goes on, after a long time he finally divorces the quiet one because the evil one as brainwashed him so much. I can only imagine how it would be like to have five husbands.

For my story idea, I think I would like to base it off the show the Bachelorette. I would have one woman Draupadi have 30 men wanting her, but in the end she ends up with five of them, who also happen to be brothers. I think modernizing it would add a little twist to it.

Draupadi Swayamwara

(Source: Wikimedia)

Bibliography:

The Mahabharata, link to Reading Guide Part A

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues Part B

The second part of this film did catch me off guard a little. A laundry man beats his wife because he believes she is having an affair. He curses Rama's name and when Rama gets word of this he is furious. He wants his people to respect him and he is now embarrassed about Sita. He has his brother take Sita to the forest and abandon her. She has twins and they sing songs of Rama. Rama hears them and once again wants Sita to prove her loyalty to him

I am very annoyed with Rama. Sita did not ask to get abducted in the first place and she stayed loyal. She also was pregnant with her boys and it makes him heartless for still abandoning her in the forest. This makes me understand why Sita was singing the blues.

I think I want to continue on with my last idea from part A. When Rama comes back he would suspect Sita had an affair with his brother Ravana. She would deny and he would ask her to prove it. She would get the help of the gods to prove it cause she does not want a divorce. She then finds out she is pregnant but not with Rama's baby. At this point she does not know what to do. I want to incorporate mother nature into this somehow since Sita went back into her womb. I am not sure if I want Rama to find out that the boys her not his or not. I am excited to write this next story. I might modernize it or just keep it how it is.

Sita is Pregnant with Rama's Baby 

(Source: Flickr)

Bibliography:

Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley: link to reading guide for Film Part B

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues Part A

This film was actually quite interesting. At first I was confused because it is like there are two different movies playing in one film. One is about Dave and Nina which I am assuming is like the Americanized versions of Rama and Sita, so I thought that was pretty interesting.

The film plays pretty closely to original version. It added its twist by Sita singing her blue throughout the film. There is the same plot line however, but it is nice to see it all play out instead of just reading it. The few things that caught my eyes were when Ravana's sister Sita was telling him about Sita she kept describing her like a Lotus Flower. I could not help but just laugh. Just as the original Sita rejects Ravana's advances towards her. Rama sends Sita away because he is unsure what happened between Ravana and Sita. Sita once again proves to him that she is pure by jumping in fire.

When watching the film and hearing a detailed version of this I was thinking about the movie Brothers. It is about about this man who has a wife and kids but he is in the military and goes overseas. While being overseas he is abducted by the enemy and they torture him and fellow platoon. His team is unable to find him and assumes he has died. Back at home they tell his family that he is dead. The man's brother starts to spend a lot of time with the wife. Now, there are two different versions. In one, the wife just kisses the man's brother and that is it, she does not go any further. In the other she acutally particiaptes in intercorse wtih him. What ends up happening is that the man is found and then sent back home. When he gets home he suspects that his wife and brother had an affair and goes crazy.

An idea I have is to base Rama and Sita off of Brothers. For instance I would make Ravana the brother of Rama. When Rama is sent into exile, new would travel back to Sita that he is dead. So I would have Sita have an affair with Ravana because she believes that Rama is dead. When Rama returns Sita would deny it, but.... Well I will write about this story and try to add some plot twists to them. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Sita Singing the Blues

(Source: Reading Guide)

Bibliography:

Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley link to reading guide for film Part A

Reading Notes: The Ramayana Part D

Part D was honestly my favorite reading of the Ramayana. I think it was the most detailed and had several surprises which made it more interesting. For example, I was wondering where Mandodari, the wife of Ravana was when he was capturing Sita. Also in this part Sita was very depressed, desperate, and frustrated. She wanted to commit suicide because she did not want to be with Ravana. Another thing that really stood out to me was that Ravana tried to trick Sita into moving on, by showing her a fake decapitated head of Rama. However, Sita was smarter than that and did not buy into his lies. She believed that her love was still alive. I think the most shocking but at the same time not so shocking thing was when Rama tested Sita to make sure she was pure. Sita stepped in fire to prove to him that she was pure. However, I do like the happy ending of Rama returning with Sita after several years of exile, to Ayodhya.

This part was very dramatic which made me immediately think of Romeo and Juliet. The part where Sita wanted to commit suicide is when the idea first came to my head. Also, what was not so shocking about Rama testing Sita about her purity is the culture. What I mean by this, is that In Pakistani culture I know purity is very important. For a man to be with a wife who is completely pure means so much. Most men do not want women who are impure because they want to be each other’s first and only. However, the passion that Sita had for Rama is the same passion Juliet had for Rama.

I do want to incorporate parts of Narayan's Ramayana and Romeo and Juliet to make an epic story.

Sita's Test By Fire

(Source: Wikipedia)

Bibliography:

Narayan's Ramayana, link to Reading Guide D.