Q is for Queen vs. Memory

We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is Finding Resilience & Strength through Traditional Tales.

Queen –

From Malaysian Indians

Malaysia is many animals, but the wolf is not what is most dangerous. Doesn’t even make the list. You really need to watch out for snakes such as the mangrove pit viper or king cobra or reticulated python. Need another snake? There is the equatorial spitting cobra.

We do have hunters who capture Amina in wolf form. They did not seem too concerned (and not just because of their weapons). They even kept Amina in a cage almost like a living trophy. Would they have done the same if it was a saltwater crocodile or black leopard? Hmmm.

50-word-or-less summary:

Sultan loved Amina. Stalled marriage by asking for dresses. Wazir (who she really loved) gave pelt to transform into wolf. Needed song. Sultan thought she was gone. Forgot words to return to human. Stuck! Then remembered. Attended dances. Wolf-Human-Wolf. Wazir figured out problem. Released Amina as wolf. Wazir married Amina.

Finding the Story: 

Book “Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales” – here

Animals in Malaysia – here

Wikipedia India-Malaysia Relations – here

Finding Resilience & Strength:

Amina loved someone else. Yet, love is two-sided and that was not enough. There was time needed. Meanwhile, the sultan was interested in Amina. It’s a little hard to deny the sultan and thus her delays. That takes strength to even go against a sultan.

Amina memory, though, went up and down. When she forgot the song, she stayed in wolf form. When she remembered, she could attend the dance and see who she really loved.

Time can have things work out in the end. Be patient for long enough and the strength and the resilience can still bring about the ending that was wished for since the beginning.

Here’s an article from Think Positive called “Resilience vs. Perseverance: What’s the Difference?” to explore mental health strategies.

Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See quick list of programs here.

As for our past A to Z Challenges…

While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has been resilient and strong during these past years and looks forward to the next hybrid summit & festival on May 8-11, 2023. We would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival

Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; Ashton Family Foundation