Feedback Focus

Feedback Focus

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      1. The King, the Falcon, and the Drinking-Cup

I enjoyed reading this story out loud. Usually this is the way I tend to read stories when I am by myself. I read the story of The King, the Falcon, and the Drinking-Cup. From reading this story out loud I didn’t think I would would have missed any details from the story even if I read it in my head, but just repeating some of the vocabulary that is outdated, was easier to grasp when read out loud.

The King, the Falcon, and the Drinking- Cup myth. Photo credits: Enkivillage

2. What Makes the Lightning

All kinds of men gathered and competed in sword contests. Since the animals came to enjoy the humans dance so much they decided to have one for their own. The U Pyrthat which was a thunder giant was used to call everyone to the festival. Each animal had a unique instrument and taste they played. There was so much laughter from the festival. This is how the mole came to have small eyes, because he laughed to hard when watching the owl dance. Since everyone applauded the merriment, his ego was boosted and this is how he because to have a high view of himself. The thunder giant wanted to use his sword, but the merriment didn’t want to share. Since everyone yelled he gave him the sword to use. He beat his drum so loud, and swung the sword so fast that he blinded everyone and they left instantly. This is said to be the cause of thunder and lighting. This is also why merriments make mounds, because the one from the story was making one so he could reach the thunder giant and get his sword back.

I like the part of the technique of where you jot down something for each paragraph. This way you don’t forget any details, and by the end you have a whole list of notes. I feel that from the stories read, this technique has been the most effective.

3.

Midterm Madness

This technique kept me focus, but I also felt like I needed to read fast. I am guessing since I think I am a slow reader, I thought I wouldn’t finish in the 10 minutes scheduled to read, but instead I finished with about 4 minutes to spare. I feel like using this technique however is beneficial since it keeps you focused, and gives you a time limit. That way you have to finish in the time given. It was harder for me to pick up techniques of writing sine I was so focused on reading within time frame. I feel this way I could miss some details.

I would rank the techniques in order as I performed them. Reading any story or essay outloud has always helped me understand the meaning, story line, or message of the text better. I was shocked by the way the third technique actually put me at a disadvantage. I would recommend the technique of being able to retail the story with the minimal amount of detail. I feel this technique is best when trying to figure out the main idea, or moral of the story. All in all, the three techniques were not to bad, and the stories were interesting as well. My favorite story was the first one.

Story 2: Dasagriva the greedy.

Dasagriva the greedy.

It was three months into first grade, and Kubera had made what he believed to be his best friend for centuries, Dasagriva. They always did everything together; played in the sand box at recess together, recite the alphabet together, and share all of their cool things together. One day, there was a contest for who could draw the best dragon. The boys were super excited because dragons were their favorite “animal”. They both entered the contest. The prize was a box of 64 “metalized” (metallic version of regular colors) crayons. Kubera came in first, and Dasagriva was happy for him. Kubera told Dasagriva that anytime he wanted, he could use the crayons and did not need to ask for permission. Dasagriva was excited, and used the crayons all the time. Eventually, everyone asked Dasagriva if the crayons were his, he hated to say no. Dasagriva knew that he could borrow the crayons all the time, but he wanted them for himself. After telling Kubera how he felt, Kubera told him they could trade off every other week on who can get the crayons. Dasagriva was overjoyed, but started to believe the crayons were his. Each week he had the crayons, he began lending them to other children for favors in return. Kubera was disappointed in him. Kubera hated the fact that people had to give something in return just to borrow a crayon. Kubera told Dasagriva that he shouldn’t make others work for the crayons, he should just share them just as he was doing with Dasagriva. Dasagriva became angry, he didn’t think he was doing anything wrong. He believed it was a fair trade. Time passed and Dasagriva didn’t listen to Kubera, so Kubera decided to take his crayons back. Dasagriva was not willing to give them up. They both began to fight, and the teacher put both kids in timeout. After sitting out for 30 minutes Kubera felt more hurt than angry by Dasagriva. He couldn’t believe that Dasagriva wanted to choose crayons over his best friend. After they were done with timeout, Kubera made an offering to Dasagriva; he said he would give Dasagriva the crayons to keep but they wouldn’t be friends anymore. Dasagriva without thinking took the crayons from Kubera’s hands. Kubera began to cry. A boy named Rama approached him and asked what was wrong. Kubera explained to him that Dasagriva picked to have crayons over being friends with him. Rama felt bad for him, and told him that if Dasagriva could not see how much he hurt Kubera, Rama would make him see it. Rama came up with a plan to become friends with Dasagriva, and do to him what he did to Kubera. Kubera told him his plan would never work since Dasagriva was stingy with the crayons. Rama explained to Kubera that it would be easy to trick someone who was as careless as Dasagriva. As time progressed, Dasagriva grew fond of Rama, and didn’t mind giving him the crayons to borrow every now and then. Rama knew it was not that he would have to “borrow” the crayons and return them to Kubera. Without hesitation Dasagriva gave the crayons to Rama. Rama brought them to Kubera, and his face lit up. He was so thankful of Rama and the justice he brought to Dasagriva. Dasagriva was angry that he now had no crayons, and no friends.

 

Rama killing Dasagriva. Photo Credits: Ramayana

Author’s Notes:

I took a different approach to the story of Kubera and the land of Lanka that was given to him by his grandfather. I decided to change the land into the crayons in this story. Dasagriva instead of being his brother, was actually his best friend. In the story there was a great battle between Dasagriva and Kubera, which ended with Kubera loosing his home. After many years, Rama battled the reincarnation of Dasagriva (Ravana) for Lanka. Rama won the battle and returned the land to Kubera. Since this story is based in an elementary school setting, I didn’t want make the two actually fight. I decided to have Rama trick Dasagriva into thinking he was his friend, and then take the crayons and give them back to Kubera.  

Bibliography:

Nimmy Chacko. Kubera The Lord of Wealth. Link to Reading Notes

Reading Notes: Kubera The Lord of Wealth Part B

Reading Notes: Kubera The Lord of Wealth

This story reminds me of being in elementary school, having my crayons stolen and them being passed around person to person never to return back to me. Kubera was given the land of Lanka as his kingdom, but his brother Dasagriva wanted the land that their grandfather Brahma had given Kubera. I could make the land of Lanka a box of special sparkly crayons that come with a sharpener  (pushpak viman). 

Pushpak Viman. The chariot that was gifted to Kubera by Brahma. Photo Credits: Bhaktisangrah

Kubera can be the child who was the one who originally had the crayons and did not mind sharing them with the rest of the class. There can also be a character to represent Dasagriva, but instead of being Kubera’s brother it could be his best friend.  Just as best friends are supposed to have each others backs, Dasagriva was hesitant at first to go and conquer Lanka. I am still unsure of how I can make it to where Dasagriva can be convinced to take his best friends crayons. He could get pure pressed from others, in a way to resemble how Dasagriva was convinced by his grandfather that if Diti and Aditi gave rise to a bloodline that destroyed each other, he could go for the battle. I feel that in a way Kubera gave up his land when he knew his brother would not want to share it with him. Kubera then can give Dasagriva his crayons but keep an eye on them to see what Dasagriva does with them. Eventually Dasagriva can start to make other children owe him favors for letting them borrow his now special crayons. Kubera will then take matters into his own hands and ask for the crayons back. On this note them two can fight. Parallel to the story Dasagriva can end up with the crayons, but another character can jump in and do to him what he did to his ex-bestfriend Kubera.

Bibliography:

Nimmy Chacko. Kubera The Lord of Wealth. Link to Reading Guide