Story: The Fighting Politicians and the People

Once there were two politicians running against each other for a competitive position. They had spent months, if not years, working on proposals and ways in which to better the land they lived in and the people were fighting to represent. One of the men’s plans mainly involved helping those in business. He had many proposals focused on bettering the work force and the lives of those who had typical careers in offices. He focused on minimum wage and bettering the lives of those who work hard every day to provide for their families. The other politician wanted to focus his platform on children. He wanted to better schools and daycares. He wanted to better education and make sure that children were living healthy and safe lives at home. Both candidates had great plans in store, but they were not concerned with compromising and changing their plans to involve that of the other candidate.

As time went on, both candidates used all of their resources and clout in order to gain popularity and support. It was hard for many people to decide which man to support since both had good platforms: having a good work life is important because that is where you spend the majority of the day, but children deserve the best lives they can get. It was frustrating for the people because they believed that a compromise could be made where both platforms could be promoted.

The candidates were very stubborn. They liked to bicker and fight and did not like to listen to the people. They maintained focus on the things they were passionate about and did not budge when it came to negotiation. In the end, the man who wanted to support the work force won the election. The people decided that if the work force was better then they could have more opportunities and abilities to help their children gain the best education and home life that they could.

At first, things were working out. Peoples careers were really taking off and there were more job opportunities with better pay. It did not take long for things to go south. Schools were not getting the resources that they needed and there were not enough teachers to staff all of the schools. The people had tried to help, but they could only do so much. Many students were not getting into colleges or even graduating from high school because the school facilities were struggling to function. These children’s educations and futures had been metaphorically crushed.

The people learned a very important lesson after this election. They realized that it is important to have compromise and that no one person has to win entirely. When the big men upstairs decide that things have to only be one way, sometimes this can lead to disaster. When the big important people decide to fight, someone is going to win and someone is going to lose; it is important to not let the loss crush the smaller people down below.

Authors Note: the original story is The Fighting Bulls and the Frog, which is one of Winter's Aesops Fables. It is about two bulls on top of a hill butting heads, physically. They are fighting to see who is the most powerful. One bull throws the other over the mountain. When the falling bull comes down the hill, he crushes the small helpless frogs below at the bottom of the hill. I decided to try to make it a little more relatable, especially since we are in an election year. My story does not reflect any personal views I share, but I think it is interesting to think that so many people are very closed minded these days and that when this happens, someone is going to get hurt. Open-mindedness is important and can help to keep everyone safe and their views heard and protected.

Cartoon of two politicians Pixabay

Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables (Winter), Part B

The Fighting Bulls and the Frog, by Milo Winter: This story made for a very interesting read. I feel like majority of Aesop's Fables are about overcoming hardships or tough times and this one was more about getting crushed and beaten down. I think it would be fun to retell it where other frogs, or other animals, come to help save the helpless old frog from getting trampled. It also could be told in a real world setting with people fighting for power. Those who win will not only cause harm to their opponent, but they will also be causing harm to others that surround them.

The Quack Toad, by Milo Winter: I think this story is very interesting and can have many different interpretations. The message that was provided was "those who would mend others, should first mend themselves." I think this is semi true because one should have experience and knowledge before giving others a lot of advice. I also believe that it is important to help others whenever we have a chance even if we may not have every capability. There is a famous saying that goes along the lines of having to love yourself before you love others and I think that can relate to this story. It is important to be confident and knowledgable in your true abilities and life before you can go around and try to fix other peoples.

The Fighting Bulls and the Frog, Aesop

Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables (Winter), Part A

The Wolf and the Kid, by Milo Winter: In this story there is a goat who thinks that he is old and grown up because his horns are growing. I think this could make a good story retelling by using an example of another animal or person who thinks they are responsible just because they are getting older. He ignored his mother's calling and decided to do what he wanted instead of what he was told. I feel like almost every single teenager goes through this as well so doing a retelling in this way would be very relatable.

The Farmer and the Stork, by Milo Winter: I think this was my favorite story this week because of the message it sends which is that you are judged by the people you are with. It is easy to keep yourself in check, but when those around you starting acting up, you will also be judged. What your friends do can reflect positively or negatively on you as well. I think that this is an important lesson, especially for those who are in high school and college because this is a time when having a respectable reputation and good moral friends is very important.

The stork and the farmer. Aesop

Reading Notes: Indian Fairy Tales (Reading B)

Here are my favorite two readings from Reading B:

How Sun, Moon, and Wind Went Out to Dinner, by Joseph Jacobs: I think this was one of my favorites because of how it was written. It was easy to understand and the message was very clear. Sometimes when it is more difficult to interpret the meaning or there are multiple meanings I become confused as to what the author's intentions were with the story. Here, it is clear that those who help and think of others will be rewarded. This behavior should not be done altruistically, but because they genuinely want to help one another.

Sun, Moon, and Wind dining together. 

The Gold-Giving Snake, by Joseph Jacobs: This story was a little more interesting and complex. As I was reading I was sure I knew how it would end and what the meaning was, but then at the end the father still blamed the son, which was surprising to me. One message I got from this story was that greed is a dangerous thing and it will lead to destruction. I also thought it was interesting that the snake said the boys action's were forgivable because he was just a naive child, but that the man's actions were crossing the line and caused him to be banished. Usually snakes are a symbol for evil and deception in stories so I thought it was interesting that in this case the snake was the one teaching the lesson to the man.