Story Crossroads

R is for Robbers vs. Hermit

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.

Robbers –

Inspired by Brother Grimm tale

Several stories collected by the Brothers Grimm involve robbers. Besides the one below typically called “The Three Green Twigs,” another famous one if of “The Robber Bridegroom.” While the first story has redemption, this latter one…does not. Much darker.

Want it darker? Well, then you will need to read “Fitcher’s Bird” or “The Juniper Tree.” Then you are talking about the stealing of life rather than the typical take and swipe of a robber.

Aren’t you glad that this story below is the redemptive one?

50-word-or-less summary:

Hermit building chapel. Raven gave food to Hermit. Noticed man led to gallows and showed no pity. Raven gave no food. God offended. Commanded to carry log. Teach people compassion. Forgiven when log sprouts leaves. Came to home of robbers. Dangerous! Hermit told story. Robbers touched. Hermit died. Log sprouted.

Finding the Story:

Book “A Piece of the Wind And Other Stories to Tell” – here

“The Three Green Twigs” from Brothers Grimm – here

Another of “The Three Green Twigs” from Brothers Grimm – here

Finding Resilience & Strength:

The Hermit was doing much good…but still had judgement towards the man led to the gallows without knowing the full story. The Hermit could have still fed himself without the Raven giving food every day, but knowing he no longer got that food was a hint that something needed to change.

The Hermit could have been offended that God was offended. Instead, he took on the challenge to get the log to sprout leaves. He walked and taught and walked and taught. Then, he came upon a home of robbers. Surely, these men could have been taken the gallows themselves. Yet, these were the ones that listened and were moved the most. All was complete. The Hermit gained the strength and resilience that God always wanted for him. And he wasn’t the only one who benefited.

Here are lesson plans for teachers (as the Hermit was teaching a lot) from the American Psychological Association called “Building Student Resilience” to explore mental health strategies. These lessons were inspired during distance-learning of students though can still help today.

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…

Go to A to Z Archive

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

Explore Summit & 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

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…

Go to A to Z Archive

Explore Summit & Festival

P is for Phya In vs. Gourd

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.

Phya In –

From Laos

Laos is in between Thailand and Vietnam. There are at least 7.4 million people that live here. Thick forests are everywhere and the terrain is rocky. Those trees get plenty of rain from May to October every year. Some people say there are three seasons: rainy, cool, and hot. Knowing this, it can be easy to imagine a gourd (or vine) growing so big to block out the sun. Right? Of course!

50-word-or-less summary:

Earth dark because giant gourd blocked out sun. The Great God, Phya In, ordered all gods to make holes in gourd. Hard! Heated iron bar. People of darker complexion came. Axe. People of lighter complexion came. People came from same gourd. More holes. Then animals. More holes. Jewels. Honor all.

Finding the Story:

Book “Lao Folktales” – here

The Giant Vine – another version (vine versus gourd) – here

Religion in Laos – here