Week 15 Story

The Deer

There once was a family of deer who lived deep in the forest. They were a large family and had lived in this forest for a long time. They started to notice farmers moving into their forest. The deer saw the farmers as invaders. The farmers were taking up land that the deer would forage in and started to destroy the forest.
The family of deer tried to avoid the farmers as much as possible. However, a time came when they were running out of food. The youngest deer in the family told his parents that it is time for him to venture out and support their family. The parents were older now and could not provide as much as they used to be able to. They agreed to let the youngest deer leave. The parents were worried because the youngest deer was unique. He didn't have the traditional coloring that all the other members of the family had. The youngest had a white coat with ash spots. All his family were traditional in coloring, they had a light brown coat with white spots. Regardless of the worry the parents had, they let the youngest deer go.

The foragers had little success finding food for the rest of the group. The young deer decided to go further and look around the farmer's field. He found so much food! More than they have seen in months. So the young one got the rest of the foragers and they ate what they could. Then they took food back to the rest of the family.

Silhouette of a deer

What they didn't know is that the farmer saw the deer take his food. He also saw the young white deer and wanted to capture it. He decided to lay out a trap and wait until they came again.
The young deer was so excited to have a successful forage that he couldn't wait to go again. The parents were grateful to have their son provide for them.
The next day came, the foragers went out again to the farm. To the farmer's plan the young deer got caught in the trap. The others ran away in fear, leaving the young one behind. The farmer came to the beautiful white deer and was in awe of his unique color.
The farmer asked, "Why are you stealing my food?"
The deer was shaking with fear, but got the courage to speak, "You stole our foraging grounds. I am just here to provide for my family. Please let me go back to my family."
The farmer felt for the deer. He too was providing for his family. He decided to make a deal with the deer. "You can come here and eat from the far fields so that you and your family will not have to fear being hungry."
And so, the family of deer and the farmer coexisted for a long time. The deer didn't have to worry about food and the farmer got to watch the beautiful deer come to the farm to eat. They lived a happy life.


Author's Note- I took inspiration from The Young Parrot, which is a Jataka Tale. The original story was about a beautiful parrot who provided for his parents. The parrot got caught by the person who he was taking food from. The person let the parrot go as long as he came back to take food from the person. They struck this deal because the person wanted to see the beauty of the parrot. I switched the parrot to a deer. However, I kept a similar theme, "Help your parent's in their old age."

The young parrot
Twenty Jātaka tales, retold by Noor Inayat

Reading notes week 15: The Forest Fire

The Forest Fire

Twenty Jātaka tales, retold by Noor Inayat

There was a family of quails
The mother and father fed the babies
First 6 ate well
The 7th didn't eat well.
The 7th didn't develop strong wings
A fire started in the forrest
The family all flew away and left the 7th
the 7th stood up to the fire and it died.

Quail family 

Reading Notes Week 15: Young Parrrot

Thr young parrot young parrot

Twenty Jātaka tales, retold by Noor Inayat

There once was a parrot more beautiful than any others
When he was old enough, he'd go get rice for his family
The farmer of the field wanted to see the bird
He decided to trap the bird and was successful
He let the bird go because he was helping his parents.

A parrot

Tech Tip: Canvas Mobile App

Canvas

I have had the app on my phone for about 3 years. It has been an okay experience. My brother is going to be a student at OUin the fall so i decided to save the video for him so that he can learn how to navigate the app when he gets to OU. I personally use it on my iPhone. I also use canvas on my desktop for all my major work. I often revert to my desktop because I just prefer the bigger screen. 

Canvas Logo

In the dry hot desert there lived a great elephant. He lived in an oasis that was the only place of refuge for all life in the fiery heat of the desert. He was lovable and kind. No one ever had anything bad to say about this grand elephant. He was always happy and jolly. He was often seen singing and swaying to his own tunes. The other animals were always mesmerized by his grandness.

One day the grand elephant was singing through the oasis and snacking on fallen fruit. Then he heard, with his mighty ears, a cry. "This can't be the cry of an animal here. It sounds like the cry of a human." The great elephant took off running in the direction of the cries. The other animals have never seen the elephant run with such ferocity. The elephant could tell form the cries that these people needed his help.

After running for awhile the elephant came across the people producing the cries. It was a group of men who looked tired and weary. "Why are you in the middle of this desert?" exclaimed the elephant. The leader of the group gathered as much strength as he could to explain, "We have been exiled by our king for practicing our faith that was different than his."

An image of a grand elephant 

The great elephant was overwhelmed with sadness and heartbreak. For the first time in his life the elephant's eyes welled with tears. The group of people were composed of men, women, and children. There were babies and elders. They all could not make it another day without water or food. The elephant felt for these people. He came up with a plan. "There is a hill in the distance, about 100 yards from where you are. Take the strongest people in this group and go to that hill. There is a body of an elephant there that you can eat and nearby there is a stream with water. Go there and re-energize yourself. Then carry the rest of your people to the food and water. After you feel strong enough to travel again head east and you will see a small town where you can seek refuge." The people had no options so they listened to the elephant.

The elephant took off in an opposite direction so that the group would not see him. Then he turned around and went towards the hill that he told the people about. He ran up the hill with great speed. When he reached the top the elephant jumped off the hill. He fell to his death. The elephant sacrificed himself so that the group could live.

The group came to the hill and saw that it was their kind great elephant who was at the bottom of the hill. The group could not come to eat this elephant. However, one individual said that the sacrifice of the elephant can not be in vain. The group followed the direction of the great elephant. They gained some strength and headed east. They went to the town and got settled. These people never stopped telling the story of the great elephant and his ultimate sacrifice.


Author's Note-
I liked retelling children's stories. So I retold the Great Elephant and just added more detail. I kept most of the original story. The elephant was known for being happy and lived in an oasis. He was a hermit. He did make a sacrifice for the group.
I just added more detail to the story.


The Great Elephant


Twenty Jātaka tales, retold by Noor Inayat

Reading notes Twenty Jataka Tales

The Great Elephant


Twenty Jātaka tales, retold by Noor Inayat


Hermit elephant
Lots of imagery
lives in the desert
hear the voices of unhappy men
The elephant followed the voices
found a group of men at deaths door
for the first time in his happy life his eyes filled with tears
The elephant asked who they were
the men were banished by their king
there was 100 but perished on the way.
men begged for food and water
the elephant told them to go toeards a hill where they will find an elephant to eat and water nearby.
the elephant ran off with great speed.
the elephant went to the hill and jumped to his end
the men arrived to see it was their friend the elephant who was dead before them.

Beautiful elephant

The Guilty Dogs: Twenty Jataka Tales Reading A

Twenty Jataka Tales

king and chariot
6 white horses
chariot destroyed by palace dogs
The king was angry
"kill them all" even in the city

palace dog

Twenty Jātaka tales, retold by Noor Inayat

Week 13 Story- The Cranes

The Cranes

There once was a young boy named Joe. He was good at school and well behaved. Joe did not have very many friends. He did not mind not having friends. He kept to himself most of the time. His favorite past time was to explore.
Joe lived in the Himalayas with his family. Often he would go hiking or visit the nearby lakes. He enjoyed feeling high above the town he lived in. The crisp glacier lakes were too cold to swim in, but Joe would just enjoy the view.
One day Joe decided to go for a hike. He decided to go to the nearby mountain so he could get home before dinner. He reached the top of the peak and watched over the town.  Joe thought to himself, "It's nice to avoid the people sometimes... but... I wish I had a friend to share this with."
Just as he thought he wanted a friend two cranes flew next to him. This was strange because cranes do not live in the Himalayas. Before Joe could question it, the cranes asked him if he wanted to go explore a new cave they found. "Where is it and how would we get there?" Joe asked. The cranes said, "The cave is in a nearby mountain that is near a neighboring town. We would have to fly there." Joe laughed at the idea of him flying, "How could I fly? I don't have wings."
The cranes got an idea! They flew down the mountain and got a stick and brought it back to where Joe was. "We will each hold one end of the stick in our mouth and you have to hold onto the stick with your hands. Then we will all take flight an explore the new cave." said one of the cranes. Joe agreed even though it seemed a little dangerous.
They took flight! They flew high above the town. They landed at the new mountain. They hiked to the new cave. It wasn't very far. When they reached the cave Joe was excited. They explored all day until they had to go back home.
So the cranes took him back home. Joe was so happy to have these two cranes as his new friends. They made this a weekly tradition. The cranes would come and pick him up and they would go on an adventure.

Bibliography-Twenty Jātaka tales, retold by Noor Inayat,

Authors Note- I took inspiration from Twenty Jātaka Tales- The Tortoise and the Geese. In the original story the geese take the tortoise away to stay with them. The tortoise couldn't hold on to the stick that the geese carried in their beaks. It fell into a kings court. The story ended with the king being taught a lesson "Bad things happen to those who don't bite their tongue. 
I strayed from this story a lot. I just wanted to incorporated birds helping something that can't fly.

The tortoise being carried through the air.

Reading Notes 20 Jataka Tales- The Tortoise and the Geese

Geese and tortoise friends
"Come with us, friend tortoise," said one day two wild geese to a kind old tortoise who lived i a pond in the Himalayas.
    -sentence structure is weird.

The tortoise would go but he said he had no wings.

Birds suggested he hold on to a stick that 2 birds will hold in their beaks.

They flew over Benares and the kids started to make fun of him.

Tortoise got angry and shouted at them. This caused him to open his mouth.

The tortoise fell into a castle

"this fate comes to those who can't hold their tongue"

Lesson

The tortoise being carried through the air.

Week 12 Story - The Terrible Crane

The Terrible Crane

There once was a forest thick and green. It was filled with happy animals. They were all so carefree. They had shelter and plenty of food to feast every night. The predators and prey did not have much conflict. Except for the occasional "sorry I ate your neighbor." The animals did not really have an issue with that. They all understood the circle of life. They all lived in harmony.

Spring was on it's way. The animals were all ready for the new season and all the new life. They waited... and waited... and waited. The rain and new life never came. The animals were scared. The home they knew was not the same. It was starting to change the way the animals were behaving. The once safe oasis now did not feel so safe anymore.

The trees were bare and withered. The birds and monkeys didn't know where to sleep. The lakes, rivers, and ponds all dried up. The fish and aquatic life were all suffering. There was no grass for the animals to graze on. Their paradise had become their own personal hell.

As the animals became desperate. They started to be aggressive and hostile towards each other. They were no longer as peaceful and kind. The fish were bumping into each other as they swam because the water level dropped so low!

One night a hungry crane came to the shallow pond. He told the fish about a pond filled with water deep in the forest and offered to transport them, "hey fish! There is a pond I found deep in the forest. It is filled with water. I will take you there."

A fish adviser asked him how they can trust him, "how can we trust a predator to take us there safely?"

"Send one of your trusted fish to go look with me now. I will bring him back and he can tell you about the oasis."

So they send a representative with the crane. The crane carried the fish in his mouth all the way to a new pond that was filled with water. They turned around and came back to the old pond. The representative convinced all the other fish to transfer over!

The crane took the first fish in his mouth and took it deep into the forest. Away from the oasis. AND ATE HIM! The crane did this every day until the the pond had no more fish.

Authors note: I took inspiration from The Crab and the Crane. In the original the crane eats all the fish then goes for the crab. The crab then cuts his head off. The story focuses on karma. I also wanted to tell the story as a kids story.

Ellen C. Babbitt  The Crab and the Crane

So the Crane put the big Fish on his back and started for the deep woods.

Reading Notes :The Crab and the Crane

The Crab and the Crane

Ellen C. Babbitt

Enviorment -dry, no rain

All animals suffered
--fish suffered most

Crane - main character

Crane wants to help fish??
-why
-seems like a scam

Fish  call a bluff

Crane takes a trusted fish to see the oasis

All the fish wanted to go after hearing about the pond

The crane tool the fish...
One by one
but he didn't take them to the pond...
Took them into the forest and ate them one by one.

Ate all the fish

The crane saw a crab in the pond and wanted to take him to the pond... ie eat him

The crab realized what was happening and cut off the crane's head

So the Crane put the big Fish on his back and started for the deep woods.

Reading Notes : The Measure of Rice

The Measure of Rice

Jataka Talesby  Ellen C. Babbitt

Dishonest king- Man named Valuer in his court

- his conscious? 

jk- sets the price

he is honest

king did not like this

He saw a peasant and asked him to be the valuer.

Drove the original away

Peasant started setting prices

500 horses for some rice

People were unhappy 

Original Valuer told him to go before the king and this court

The new valuer put a price on the kingdom

Was made fun of for not knowing the kingdom is priceless 

He ran away from the laughing crowd.

Story Week 11: Prince Benjamin Makes His Own Pool

Balarama cutting the river 

Prince Benjamin Makes His Own Pool

There lived a prince named Benjamin in a distant kingdom. He had spent most of his life preparing for his role as king. He was known for taking what he wanted. It was not uncommon for Benjamin to take food from the kitchen or take toys from children he would play with when he was younger. He was never told "no" because he was the prince. Everyone feared saying anything to the prince. So as time when on, the prince got older. He got wiser. However, he still had the mentality of taking what he wanted.

 As the time came closer and closer to his coronation, Benjamin decided to take a short vacation. Just to have some time to himself. He decided to go visit a small town near the Yamuna river. 

The prince decided to take a walk through a nearby forest to enjoy some fresh air. While he was walking he noticed a strong fragrance. As he is walking towards the Kadamba tree, he noticed the scent getting stronger. On closer inspection of the tree, he saw that the tree was hollowed out and inside there was a bowl of liquid. The fragrant scent was tempting to the prince. So the prince took the liquid. To his surprise it was wine. He had never had wine that good. He drank it all. 

The prince, warm and giddy from the wine, began to dance and sing. The prince was enjoying his time away from all responsibility and just let loose. 

Afterwards, the prince wanted to swim. He called to the Yamuna river to come to him. The river would not listen. The prince only wanted to swim in the spot he was. He called to the river again, "Yamuna river! Come to me. I wish to swim." Again, the river did not listen.

Angered and outraged, the prince took his plowshare and went to the river. He said, "I am telling you one last time that I want to swim. Go to where I was standing before." 

Benjamin became even more enraged. He went to a nearby tool shed and grabbed a plowshare. He swung the plowshare into the river and dug a channel back to where he wanted to swim. He did not stop until he was back at the exact spot he called to the river the first time. 

The human form of the river is pleading with Balarama.

The river was in agony. She felt her currents get weaker and the life in her began to fade. The river took  human form and followed Benjamin. The woman was young and her face looked miserable. She had tears streaming down from her bright eyes. She cried to the prince and begged him to restore the river, "Please prince... I beg of you to return the river." The prince felt nothing and continued digging. The woman prayed and begged to the prince.

Once the prince was able to reach the original spot he swam, all the while ignoring the woman who was still begging and praying to him. After his swim the prince closed the channel and went on his way, ignoring the woman. Slowly the river gained its currents again. The water level got higher. The woman got stronger. She went back to the river and disappeared. 

Author's note: I took a specific encounter from Adventures of Balarama and Pradyumna and retold it. Balarama is the brother of Krishna! His name means strong- Rama. He is also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra, Haladhara and Halayudha. I'll be referencing him as Balarama. He has strong associations with farming and agriculture. That is why he used a plowshare to cut the river. Also, he used it in the original story. 
I retold the part where Balarama gets drunk on wine and carved a channel to make a pool. He did that because while drunk he asked a river to come to him and create a pool where he was so that he could swim there. The river did not listen to him. This made him mad. He did the same thing in the original story. I wanted to create a back story that would explain why he would cut a channel to bathe in a specific spot. I tried to make him look stubborn and hot-headed. 

Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories by C. A. Kincaid (1920)

Reading Notes: Adventures of Balarama and Pradyumna.

Adventures of Balarama and Pradyumna.

Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories by C. A. Kincaid (1920)




Balarama cutting a new channel


Return to home... journey

Kadamba tree- fragrant
- bowl of liquid in the tree

Wine was in the bowl
-From the godess Sura- wine goddess

Balarama drank all of the wine
-began to dance and sing

Balarama called to the Yamuna river.
River did not obey him
So he cut into it to and made another channel. The river took the form of a woman and then prayed for him to stop. He did not until he found the spot he called for her the first time. 
Then he took a bath. THEN he closed the channel. 

I want to elaborate on this part of the story.

I want to tell the story of the river and the pain she was caused. What she looked like as a human. The interaction between the 2 of them. 

Reading Notes Week 11: Shri Krishna of Dwarka

Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories by C. A. Kincaid (1920)

CHAPTER 2. THE CHILDHOOD OF KRISHNA. 

Krishna, circa 1750

Prince Vasudeva and Devaki was freed by Kansa

- Why even keep them in chains if he knew the prophecy 

Killed all the male children

streets flowed with blood and the air was filled with the wailings of mothers, who mourned for their children. 

-imagery 

Such was the charm of her voice and the sweetness of her face that neither man nor woman could refuse her. 

-Siren

-poisoned breast milk

Krishna would not let go Putana’s breast until he had sucked out her life blood as well, and she had fallen dying on the floor of Nanda’s hut.

Review Week 10

 Review 

India Video. Here's a video about the connection between the Ramayana and the festival of Diwali: Rama and Sita Defeat Ravana.

I was excited to learn more about Diwali and to see the linkage to the Ramayana. I've always wanted to celebrate Diwali in India and just experience the festival. My roommate is the president of ISA (Indian Student Association). This organization has hosted Diwlai events on campus. I always attend and it's what's holding me off until I can go to India and celebrate

Diwali is still celebrated in honor of Sita and Rama returning back to Ayodhya. I wasn't sure why it was celebrated. I just thought it was a festival of light. It's nice to be able to connect Diwali to it's deeper meaning. 

Here is the image that I found that I liked the most. I like it because it is something I needed to hear. Personally I struggle with being empathetic sometimes and it takes a toll on my relationships. I've recently had a conversation that I promised to work on being empathetic and be more open minded so that I can understand the other person. This was a good way to remind myself of that. 

"Empathy". Source: Flickr

Week 10 Story: Shri Krishna of Dwarka- Retold

Shri Krishna of Dwarka- Retold

Hundred's of years ago, the Earth was crawling with monsters and demons. The world was filled with evil and darkness. All the people of Earth were living in fear and dread everyday. The Earth could not take it any longer. The Earth was in pain seeing how awful the world has become. The Earth decided to try something drastic. 

The Earth took the form of a cow, because this animal was to be a sacred symbol of life. Once the Earth took the form of the cow it went to visit Brahma Deva. It thought with the help of Brahama Deva, there could be peace in the world once again. 

Brahma Deva heard the Earth. Brahma Deva felt the pain in the Earth's voice. So Brahma Deva took the god Shiva and then went to visit Lord Vishbu. They asked for Lord Vishnu to be born again to help Earth.

After hearing the story of the Earth, Vishnu pulled out two of his hairs. One was black and the other was white. To represent the darkness the world is in and the light that is to come. These hairs will take human form. 
"The white one will be born as Balarama. This is the incarnation of my serpent Shesha" said Vishnu. 
"The black hair will be born as Krishna. Krishna will slay Kansa and all the demons who aid him."


Some time later...
A sage comes to Kansa, the demon, while he is at a wedding. The sage tells him that “today Kansa in his folly honours her whose eighth child will slay him.” 
Kansa asks " The eighth child of who?"
"The eighth child of Vasudeva and Devaki" the sage responded. 
So Kansa throws Vasudeva and Devaki into prison and slays all of their six prior children. 
In prison Vasudeva and Devaki conceived  their seventh child... Balarama. Before Balarama wa born, Lord Vishnu caused it to be drawn from her womb and placed in the womb of Rohini. Rohini is the other wife of Vasudeva. 
In time the eighth child came... Krishna. He had he had four bejeweled arms and on his brow a diadem.
This is the story of Krishna's birth.

Vasudeva carrying the newborn Krishna (Source)

Bibliography- Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories by C. A. Kincaid (1920)
Authors Note: I wanted to tell the story of Krishna's birth. He is the figure I am most familiar with. I never knew his origin story. So I chose to retell the story in my own words.

Reading Notes:Krishna. Chapter 13, Part B

Shri Krishna of Dwarka

Chapter 13
The passing of Krishna

Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories by C. A. Kincaid (1920)

Krishna returns to Indraprastha.
Prince Samba goes to Pindaraka with some nobles.
They come across some sages (Vishvamitra)

Samba tries to trick the sages by dressing up as a girl. The sages know that they are trying to fool them.

"The child that she will bear will be a club which will destroy all the Yadava race."
he found in the folds of his skirt an iron club."


They went back to Dwarka and told King Ugrasena. They ground the club to powder but left the handle. (Why?). Then threw the powder and handle into the sea. Iron dust sunk to the bottom and was washed ashore. Grew into rushes. The handle was swallowed by a fish as it sank. A fisherman caught that fish. Cut it open to find the handle. Sold it thinking nothing of it. Jara, hunter, made it into an arrow. 

Dwarka was terror struck. There were earthquakes and demons, and storms. To calm the fears of his people, Krishna told them all to take pilgrimage. "The women, the children, and the old men should go to Shankhodhar. The men should go with me to Prabhasa. It is sacred to the goddess Saraswati. There let us bathe and worship her. In Prabhasa, too, live holy brahmins. We shall give them gifts of cows, of treasure, of land, of elephants, and of chariots, and they will pacify the gods who are angry with us."

Reading Notes: Krishna. Chapter 1. Part A

Shri Krishna of Dwarka

the birth of Krishna and his escape from Mathura.
incarnation of Vishnu's own power

100's of years ago, many demons came to exist to harass man

Earth took form of a cow and visited Brahma Deva to get rid of the demons.
Brahma Deva took the god Shiva and visited Lord Vishnu. (Why did Deva take Shiva?). Asked Vishnu to be born again to help earth.

Vishnu, after hearing the story, pulled out 2 of his hairs. One black and one white. The hairs will take human form. White- will be born as Balarama and shall be the incarnation of my serpent Shesha. Black- will be born as Krishna a will slay Kansa and the demons who aid him.

“Today Kansa in his folly honours her whose eighth child will slay him.” 
Comes during wedding procession 

Sage Narada came and told Prince Kansa that he will be slayn

Prince Kansa then killed all 6 children and threw Vasudeva and Devaki into prison. 

Vasudeva and Devaki got news that they will have a 7th child. White hair
But before Devaki’s seventh child was born, the Lord Vishnu caused it to be drawn from her womb and placed in the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva’s other wife who was in hiding in Gokula for fear of King Kansa. Rohini gave birth to a son and called him Balarama. But the dungeon guards told King Kansa that Devaki had miscarried. 

In due time, the eighth child came. The black hair. 
he had four bejewelled arms and on his brow a diadem

split water

took in his place Yashoda’s baby girl and carried her back with him to Mathura.


“Fool, did you hope to slay me? Your real enemy Krishna is born and is now in safety.”

Vasudeva carrying the newborn Krishna (Source)

Bibliography- Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories by C. A. Kincaid (1920)

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Week 9 Story- Power of Love

Savitri (Retold)

In a land far far away, there was a king named Advi and his queen named Sara. They lived a happy and loving life. Their kingdom prospered, they had a loving life, and couldn't be more happy for their success. Their only grief... they did not have and heir. They had a daughter, the princess of their kingdom, but she could never be the heir. The princess Rifa was loved by all. She was smart, kind, humble, and the perfect heir. Except she was a woman. 

The princess was given the best education. She was taught by the world renowned educators. She was trained in politics and was guided by the king himself. As if training her to be the heir. Rifa had become a wise and respected princess.

One day the princess took her ladies out to explore a nearby village. The village is near a river that is said to have magical properties. It will listen to those who come and grant them what they pray for. However, those are just rumors. The young ladies just went for fun. The river is now a popular tourist attraction.

The ladies arrive to the river and they enjoy the scenes and explore the river. They enjoy the scenery and fauna. Rifa wandered from the group. She strolled by the river enjoying her free time. Then she saw a man in the river. He was swimming with his friends. She quickly looked away. But what she saw was the most beautiful man. She was taken by his beauty. The man noticed her as well. He got dressed and met her across the river. The man was a disowned prince from another country. The princess hid her true identity as to not scare him away. They spent time together. The ladies watched from afar and they could see what was happening was dangerous. It was easy to see that the two had fallen for each other. 

The princess tells the king about her love for a poor commoner. The king does not approve. He uses all his resources to convince her that she should not marry him. He reveals the fate of the commoner to Rifa. The prophecy said the commoner is to die in a year. She said "if he is to die in a year than be it. I will much rather have a year of happiness with him than a life forgetting him". Her love for the commoner surpassed all objection and the king allowed the wedding. 

After the wedding the princess left to live with her husbands family. They lived a happy life filled with love. Rifa always held a heavy weight with her, knowing that her husband would be taken from her.

As the time approached she knew. Her husband fell ill. He was sick for a week. He wasn't getting better. One night her husband passed away as Rifa sat by his side. Later that night the god of death came to their room. "I have come to take your husband" said the god of death. 

The princess begged for the god of death to give back her husband. He would not listen. So Rifa said her final goodbyes and the god of death took her husband away. 

After a little bit Rifa got up and followed the god of death. He noticed and asked her to stop, "I can't take your husband to the afterlife if you keep following me". 

"I have no purpose here without him" replied Rifa.

This went on for a long time.  The god of death was taken by her love for her husband and have him back to her.

They went back to the kingdom and ruled together for many decades. 

Authors Note: I started with the story of Savitri. She was persistent and got what she worked for. That what I tried to do with Rifa. Savitri lost her husband after a year and pleaded with the god of death to give him back to her. That is the story I tried to retell.

Bibliogrophy: Sunity Devee, Nine Ideal Indian Women: Savitri, Damayanti, Sati, and Uttara

Savitri pleading with the god of death