Week 14 Story

Lying Man

Once upon a time there was a golden circlet that the gods made to give powers to humans that deserved it. The gods said if you didn’t lie, didn’t steal, and didn’t kill you were worthy of this circlet to wear upon your head.

There was a proud man that felt himself above all others. His self-righteousness had no bounds and he thought himself the only person to truly be worthy of these circlets. The man decided to approach the gods and to tell them of his greatness and that he was most worthy of the circlet. When he got to the gods alter, he was asked to step forward and say his name. The man stepped forward and said, “My name is Donald Trump and I am worthy of these circlets.” “I have a yuge respect for others, so I never lie, steal or kill.” Trump explained. The gods then bestowed the first circlet upon his head.

Then Trump saw the next circlet on the alter. The gods then said, “To be worthy of the second circlet the person must be humble, must not lose his head at the height of fame, and must earn his wealth honestly.” Trump thought to himself, smiled, and said, “I of course meet all of these qualifications. I am the humblest person, I never lose my head even though I am the most famous person, and all my wealth has been earned honestly.” The gods then placed the second circlet upon his head.

The third circlet seemed to shine the brightest and Trump so wanted it. “What do I have to be to get the last circlet?” asked Trump. The gods said, “You must be kind hearted, respecting of others, and most of all must value others above yourself.” Trump said, “I have all of these of course. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t. Place the last circlet upon my head.” Then the gods placed the last circlet upon his head.

Trump felt a burning in his head he never felt before. He cried out to the gods, “Please take this pain away I meet all the qualifications….” “You have lied before us and shall live in pain for the rest of your days. Also, all your hair shall fall out and you shall forever stand out.” From that day on Trump had to wear a toupee and was orange.

Author’s Note: The original story is about a man that thought himself greater than he was. The gods had wreaths they would bestow upon men’s heads if they were worthy and met the qualifications. So, the man lied and said he had the qualifications that the gods were asking for. In the end he suffered greatly for his lies. When reading this I thought of Donald Trump so decided to go with a satire story about it. I also included why he looks the way he does. I changed up a bit of the qualifications but kept much of the story the same. I also changed the consequences to orange skin and balding.

Bibliography: The Man Who Told a Lie by Marie L. Shedlock

 

Medieval Circlet 3 by Madonna of Veveri

Reading Notes: Week 14 Part B

Lying Man

There once existed a wreath made of flowers that what was given by the gods. When asked what it was for the gods said that it bestowed powers to the one that didn’t have the character flaws they listed. One that didn’t steal, didn’t tell a lie, and the one who didn’t lose his head at the height of fame. There was a false teacher that believed he had all of these. He believed himself to be more than he was for in actuality he violated all of these. He went to the gods and asked them to give him one of these wreaths. They then listed another list that included earning wealth honestly, and he who takes from the cup of pleasure sparingly. And the he asked then for the third wreath that could only be bestowed to he who scorned choice food, never turneth from purpose, and he who keeps faith unchanged. He then asked for the fourth wreath and got even more restrictions that he said he was exempt for. Then when he had the fourth wreath the man felt pain in his head as if thorns were sticking into it. He cried out and cried for mercy and was denied for he spoke falsely. 

Bibliography: The Man Who Told a Lie by Marie L. Shedlock

 

Crown of Thorns by Steve Sullivan

Reading Notes: Week 14 Part A

Thoughtful Son

 

The Buddha was born in animal form in the form of a parrot. He grew up to be a mighty bird under his father the king. There came a time when the king could no longer be in charge and gave it to his son. The Buddha told his father to rest, and that he would take care of the flock from then on. He would lead the flock to their feeding ground and once they had gotten their fill, he would take beak fulls back to his parents so that they could eat. He refused to have them work. He believed their time was done working. The man watching over the rice fields was afraid the birds would eat all of the rice so he went and told the Brahmin of the parrot king. The Brahmin loved him before he even saw him. They set a trap for the parrot. Once inside the king decided not to move so that his people could get food, for if he cried out they would fly away hungry. He told the Brahmin that he did not store up the rice but gave it to his ancient parents and to the kids in need. After hearing this the Brahmin told him to eat his fill. When he got back to his home he told his parents to follow him to a land of plenty. 

Bibliography: Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie L. Shedlock

 

Puerto Rican Parrot by Tom Mackenzie