Topic Research

Camelot ER

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

All of my sources below can be used to find the stories of King Arthur, Guinevere, and the knights of the round table. I wanted to have options in regards to how I can find the most dramatic medical stories as possible for my project. Sometimes the same story can have different versions of how someone's injury or even death occurred, or one may go into greater detail than the other.  

Source One: Historical Tales, Vol. 14 - King Arthur, by Charles Morris
Source Two: King Arthur and His Knights by Maude Radford Warren
Source Three: The Junior Classics — Volume 4: Heroes and Heroines of Chivalry by William Patten

Feedback Strategies

Mistakes are Mine from the Feedback Padlet

The two posts I read were Be a Mirror by Gravity Goldberg and How to Give Bad Feedback Without Being a Jerk by Adam Grant. Grant pointed out four main ideas that included explaining yourself, getting a better attitude, asking if people want feedback, and being transparent. I think that all of these things are important when giving feedback because your goal is to help, not hurt fellow writers. It is easy to critique others without thinking about how people are going to actually take it. Some people have thicker skin than others, but you never really know how someone is going to react to your feedback. Therefore, you might as well give efficient feedback that will be helpful overall. Goldberg pointed out five similar yet different ideas that can help in giving feedback that include being specific, focusing on the reader and process, making sure it can transfer, and finally to not be too personal. These tips are so important because we have to think of helping out other writers in a way that others will understand, not just us personally. I know that I have gotten much better at giving feedback as I have progressed in college, but I look forward to using some of these tips to help out my fellow peers. I also look forward to working on my ability to take feedback and constructive criticism without taking things so negatively. Anytime I received feedback in the past I would immediately be upset. I never saw the feedback as being something that could help me because I let my emotions get in the way. However, I feel that I have grown and I am able to take the comments that are given to me in order to better my future self. Now, I can only get better!

Week 3 Story: The Quarrel of the Sun and Moon

Inspired by The Quarrel of the Cat and Dog from Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919).

Sun and Moon from the Nuremberg Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel (1440-1514)

When God created the Sun and the Moon, they were destined to be the best of friends. The Sun would warm the Moon, and the Moon would cool the Sun. The two lived harmoniously in the cosmos and nothing would ever tear the two apart. That is, until God created the Earth. There was less space for the two to roam so closely together. The Sun felt squished and the Moon grew to be claustrophobic. 

The Moon moaned and groaned about not being able to go on much longer in these conditions. He thought it would be best if they split apart in the Milky Way Galaxy. But the Sun thought he warmed the Moon, that the Moon would need his help. The Moon thought that he was cold and hard enough to take care of himself, and so he convinced the Sun to depart. The Moon decided he would go to provide shade for the Earth, and the Sun was to wander off throughout the galaxy. The two took an oath to never inhabit the same space again, as it would just be too difficult. The Sun somberly drifted away while the Moon shifted closer and closer to the Earth. 

When the Moon approached the Earth, he told him that he would provide shade to cool down his land and waters. The Earth welcomed the Moon gleefully. The Moon stayed near the Earth, shifting from land to sea and back again. The Sun, on the other hand, had a more difficult time finding a host. He finally came across Saturn who felt sorry for the Sun. Saturn allowed the Sun to stay near if he agreed to supply energy to Saturns rings. The Sun did exactly that, until the rings began to form around the Sun as well. The energy was too much for the Sun, and he nearly exploded into nothing. The Sun had to leave Saturn and his rings.

Soon the Sun came across Neptune. As he got closer, Neptune warned him to stay far far away. He told the Sun that the rays would melt his ice caps and boil his water. Neptune launched ice at the Sun until they were millions of miles apart. 

The Sun began to get desperate. He soon came across the tiny planet of Pluto. Pluto was happy to have the large Sun near him, as the Sun would provide protection from the larger planets. However, instead of just protecting Pluto, the Sun made Pluto look even smaller to in comparison. Soon, Pluto wasn't considered a planet anymore because when compared to the Sun, Pluto was too small to be a real planet. The Sun had only done more damage to the poor dwarf planet. 

The Sun felt awful and avoided any other planets at all costs. Until one day he stumbled upon a planet that had roots in its dirt. The Sun's rays helped the roots grow and the planet became lush with grass and trees. The Sun then saw the Moon on the other side of the planet and realized that this must be Earth. He wanted to leave for the sake of the Moon, but the Earth wanted the Suns warmth for the land and sea. He told the Sun and Moon that they could both orbit him. The Moon refused to share the Earth, and began to chase the Sun. To this day they are constantly chasing each other around the Earth. 

Author's Note: I wanted to make a story that reflected the opposite nature of the cat and the dog. The sun and moon seemed to be a great choice because the Earth needs both, just like Adam wanted both the cat and dog. Although my story isn't anywhere near scientific, I really enjoyed telling a story of why something happens the way it does today. 

Reading Notes: Jewish Fairy Tales-Part B

Jewish Fairy Tales from Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919).

My Dog Jessie Sleeping for (Almost) One Hundred Years

The Sleep of One Hundred Years: Post destruction of the First Temple of Judaism, Rabbi Onias traveled there to bring supplies to the people who he thought needed it more than himself. After seeing the city that was once a wonder, he fell to the ground and slept. Seeds began to blow by him and the fruits in his basket started to bud trees, and so he was blocked with shade for one hundred years. He woke up confused by his surroundings, long beard and camel bones beneath him. He saw that Jerusalem was again beautiful and habited. In the city he found his grandson who told him that Jerusalem was saved. The Rabbi was now at peace, and fell asleep again without waking up.

King for Three Days: This story of the Crusades focuses on a soldier named Godfrey. Thinking he was doing the work of God, Godfrey (among others) killed many Jews. For some odd reason he wanted a blessing or sort of thank you from a Rabbi. Of course, the Rabbi was not going to do so, but Godfrey (despite wanting to) didn't hurt the Rabbi. Instead he told Godfrey that he would be King of the land... but only for three days. Godfrey wasn't happy with this of course, and wanted to prove the Rabbi wrong, proving him to be a "false prophet." The prophecy came true just as the Rabbi had said.

The Higgeledy-Piggledy Palace: Due to Sarah's beauty, her husband Abraham concealed her away in a box so no one would steal her away. When going past guards, he was too willing to pay any price that the guards became suspicious. They decided they had to open the box. Of course she was taken to the King who wanted her for himself. To avoid trouble, the couple had to lie and say that they were siblings. After changing into beautiful garments, the king wanted her as queen. As he tried to approach her, a force would stop him. He couldn't even lay down to sleep without his body being flung to the ground. It was like the entire palace was cursed, just as he was with leprosy. He went to Abraham and begged him to leave after curing him. Abraham did so, but not without telling him the truth, while giving him warning. If the King's family ever bothered his, then they too would see the fate of the King.

The Rabbi's Bogey-Man: Rabbi Lion couldn't find someone to serve him because people of his city were afraid of him. They thought that demons and witches worked for him. So, he decided to make his own woman servant. Sadly, she was burned down to nothing but the name of God on parchment when she was trying to play with children around a fire she had built too large. The Rabbi was taken to the King to be punished for this. The King had the Rabbi make another servant, and a man was made. The Rabbi and his monster were let go, but as time passed the monster grew less and less obedient. Eventually, the monster attempted to break into the synagogue to destroy the Torah scrolls in order to create an army of his own kind to destroy Jews. The Rabbi stole the name of God from the monsters mouth, and what was left was a pile of broken wood and glue.

The Fairy Frog: Hanina, the son of a wealthy/intelligent man one day found his parents at their death beds. They told him to mourn and then go to the market to buy the first thing offered to him no matter the price, as it would bring him luck. He did as he was told and spent nearly all of his money on a small casket that contained a frog. He and his wife fed the frog so well that they basically starved themselves, and the frog grew to be huge. The frog granted the couple all they had wanted, even all the information needed for Hanina to be a great sage. Then the frog took the couple to the forest where many creatures brought them an abundance of gifts. When the couple asked who the frog was, he said the fairy son of Adam before turning into a regular sized frog again and hopping away. Hanina and his wife would continue life as wealthy, intelligent, and charitable people.

Reading Notes: Jewish Fairy Tales-Part A

Jewish Fairy Tales from Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919).

Just Your Average Cat and Dog Story by Paul Anderson

The Giant of the Flood: The story give background of Noah's Ark, including unicorns and giants. Noah made a deal with the giant so that he may live, as Noah wanted the unicorn to be included on the Ark. However, the giant was to be a servant of Noah. A sort of side story was told of wine and why it makes people act silly. Eventually, the Og became giant yet again and had to be slain by Moses. So in the end, he did parish from breaking the deal he had made with Noah.

The Beggar King: When hearing that the Holy Book talks of material riches not being important, he wants the pages ripped out before going hunting. The deer he tries to hunt turned out to be a genie who wants to teach him a lesson. The king was stripped of his regular clothing and was looking rough, and therefore when he went back to the palace, the guards turned him away. Eventually the only job he could find was the guide of blind men. When the day came that it was feast day for beggars, the king returned only to be recognized by the genie. He had learned his lesson and returned as a kind and giving king.

The Quarrel of the Cat and Dog: Although the two were once inseparable, winter proved the cat's real sly nature. In fact, the cat declared the serpent as the smartest creature. The cat went to the house of Adam to catch mice and was fat/happy. The dog faired not as well and was nearly killed. Then after being told to leave by monkeys, he tried to protect sheep and failed. He finally made his way to Adam, who loved him more than the cat. The cat never stopped being mean to the dog.

The Water-Babe: Moses was found by the daughter of Pharaoh. The child won the heart of the family, but not Bilam. They put the baby to the test in court The princess wished to have the baby grab the coals in order to pass the test. In the midst, he burned his tongue and gained a lisp. The princess wanted to take the staff from the magician, but she was unable to read. However, the staff would one day be the staff of Moses when he married the daughter of the magician.

From Shepherd-Boy to King: David as a child was wandering outside when he head someone speak. As he head music, he began to climb a mountain that he thought was the source. Eventually he just sat down and watched the ground move below like a tail. Then he was lifted from the ground as it was thought to be a monster or unicorn. He waited to be lowered down again when a lion came and challenged him. A deer came to allow the boy to ride away as he knew that David was one day to be king.

The Magic Palace: Ibrahim and his family came into trouble of hunger and lack of clothing. His wife begged him to get work for food, but he couldn't in rags. She went to get a cloak from neighbors and cheered him on. He found a man who was willing to help as a builder to be sold. And so he brought money home to his wife and kids. Ibrahim dreamed of great things and the next morning he sprang to action. It was Elijah who had come and build a wonderful building for the jeweler. He was the benefactor of mankind. Ibrahim came to see the masterpiece and the people of the city received silver and gold.