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Wolf Brother: Creative Writing

Wolf Brother Creative Writing

      A cub was born, as his mother lay down on the grass. His mother licked him clean. He did not know where he was but did not care. He smuggled closer his mother’s warm body and knew she was his mother naturally. After resting, he tried to move on his own. However, he could barely stand up until his father lifted him up by biting on his neck softly. He walked around and saw everything as gray. He gradually smelled more wolves with the scent of his parents. Three fade shadows came closer to him slowly as the new cub was some kind of freak. His mother licked him a few more times, comforting him. The three shadows appeared bigger as they came closer. They smelled like trees and mud, fresh and clean. They had just come back from the pond nearby. The cub realized they were his older brothers. They seemed to recognize their petite, new-born brother. His mother whimpered quietly. Though the cub did not understand her, he knew she has to be complaining about how dirty his three brothers are. Two of them lowered their heads as an apology as the other one rolled onto his back and licked his paw. The one on the ground made a squeaking sound, “ughf”, sweet enough to make his mother pity him. His father bit him on his back leg with a little strength enough to give him a warning and pushed the young wolf onto his feet with his gigantic maw. The father then licked the mother under her right ear as a comfort.

      The cub grew fast in his first few weeks. At the same time, he proudly became the naughtiest of his brothers. His brothers adored him but his mother becomes annoyed and upset while his father howled in his face. The cub does not care, because he knew it was his nature. The cub gained a lot of knowledge as well. He could finally communicate with his family by whimpering, growling, barking, squeaking and most importantly, howling. He also kind of learned to climb trees. He first climbs to the lowest branch of the tree and jumps from the branch to another branch of another tree and back and forth. At the end, he would get extremely high that his angry father would no longer see him. He knew not all of the wolves can climb trees, and he was very glorious of the fact that all his family could not.

      One morning, when the sun was not yet out, the cub ran away to the river to drink some refreshing water. The water tasted sweet and cool. He played in the water alone until the luminous sun light stroke through the forest. The cub returned to his family. He saw his brothers were not yet fully awake, so he barked in their ears until they growled back madly. He found it fun torturing his brothers. His mother suddenly became so frustrated by the cub’s naughty bark every morning and whimpers in a deep voice. He knew that was the noise she makes whenever she is enraged. That was like telling him to shut up and go away. He had no choice but to back off and leave her alone. He tried to find his father and found him up the hill, staring upon the mountain. He suddenly howled loudly. He howled until the cub’s mother and brothers joined him. The cub knew there was trouble, so he howled together with the pack as a response to them as he heard and understood. There may be human but may be something worse. He froze staring into the deeper, higher parts of the forest and saw gigantic waves of water coming down from the mountain and pushing his father towards himself. He did not know what to do until there was two seconds before the water was going strike him too. He jumped onto a thick tree and hopped higher every time a new wave came. The water calmed and the waves disappeared. He immediately remembered to look back at his brothers and parents when he thought he was perfectly safe on the tree. They floated on the peaceful water which was just as fierce as the sea monsters in the ocean. They were silent and did not move. The cub did not understand, so he jumped into the water and swam towards them. He bit his brothers’ tails and they did not answer. Nor did his parents. He was lonely and wanted them to play. He sensed fear but did not understand where it came from. He started howling naturally. Then he stopped himself right away as he knew wolves only howl when the other wolves had died.

A few days later, the water had finally seemed to have retreated to the lower land and his pack still did not move once. He thought the joke was not funny if it was any joke. He did not understand why his family was neglecting him anymore. He whispered in his mother’s ears to wake her up and find food for him as an exchange for his promise to never do anything she did not want him to. Nothing. He strongly did not like being ignored. Plus, he was weak and starving. His belly was full of flood water, but he knew water would never keep him full or energetic. He lay on the ground for two more days without moving because he was tired and weak. He did not even bother moving when a rabbit appeared right in front of him. He hoped he would not die. Then he sensed hope.

      The smell of wolf woke him up from his journey to the Death Land. The smell was not strong and noticeable but to the cub, it was obvious. The smell came closer. As it got closer, the cub smelled more things about this creature. It smelled like wolf but also like deer and bear. He was confused but did not want to be afraid at the creature his life depends on. It got closer and appeared to him… 

The Lightning Thief: Essay

Betrayal and Suspicion

American actress, singer and author, Nicole Richie has said, “It's hard to tell who has your back, from who has it long enough just to stab you in it.” In our daily lives, not a lot of people we meet are trustworthy. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is full of betrayal and suspicions. Luke betrays Percy, because he wants to use his wisdom and power to finally make someone proud of him and causes suspicions among the gods who do not trust each other already.

Luke betrays Percy by acting like Percy’s friend but stealing the Lightning Bolt and trying to kill Percy. Luke takes care of Percy one his first day and makes conversations with Percy (100-101). Luke even teaches Percy to fight with swords (108-111) Percy seems helplessly weak and useless with all the other weapons (107). Other than how he acts in front of Percy, he actually steals the Lightning Bolt (365) and tries to kill Percy with a scorpion (364). Luke betrays Percy by creating an untrue friendship but actually stealing Zeus’s Lightning Bolt and trying to kill Percy.

The reason Luke betrays Percy is that Luke wants to use his wisdom and power to make himself proud and special. “Kronos [gets him] to steal the master bolt [through his dreams]” (366). He does this for Kronos because he is finally asked to do something incredible that no one could do and thinks he could finally become useful. He is smart and sneaky and he wants to show it to the others.

Luke causes suspicions among the three gods ---- Zeus, Poseidon and Hades ---- who already suspect others. Zeus thinks Poseidon convinces his son, Percy to steal his Lightning Bolt (135). Hades thinks son of Poseidon, Percy steals the Lightning Bolt (and his helm) (313-314). Poseidon does not admit and agrees to start a serious war if it is not found (136-137). Luke causes the gods to suspect the other gods, so they could start a major war.

Luke betrays Percy, because he wanted to use and show off his wisdom and power which creates serious suspicions among the gods. The Lightning Thief reveals a truth that a person can be betrayed very simply by someone who is considered a friend or companion. There is a saying, “[Good friends should] share the fortune and bear the hardship together.” Therefore, in the future, do not trust another too easily before going through both joyful moments and rough days together with them. 

Ender's Game: Essay

How did Ender Change throughout the Book

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card is a book about an intelligent and hard-working boy named Ender, going through difficult trainings to become a successful commander who defeated the Buggers. Students get isolated at school in this generation for many reasons. However, at the same time, other students make many friends easily at school. Ender in Ender’s Game is isolated, popular and famed, but at the same time, he becomes far away from his old friends, but at the end, he makes many real and reliable friends.

Ender is isolated when he first gets to Battle School. Graff, who Ender considers friend, isolates Ender by calling him the best of the boys all, and making all other boys jealous of him (P31). Graff isolated Ender meaningfully because Graff wanted Ender to have no friends to rely on, so he would be forever independent. “Ender wanted to go home” because he feels lonely and fearful because “no one sat by him in the mess hall” during dinner time (P41).

Ender becomes beloved and because he is one of the best students in Battle School and trains the younger students during extra practice time. Ender first befriends with Alai, Bernard and Shen (P59-61). As he was promoted into higher level of army, more students attend his extra practice (P139). “He liked teaching the boys (who) followed him loyally and “even the teachers were respectful” (P139). He was admired and esteemed. However, “he had so much respect he wanted to scream” (P139), because “with his old friends there was no laughter, no remembering. Just work. Just intelligence and excitement about the game, but nothing beyond that.” (P139) Ender’s old friends are considering him as their teacher, not their friend. He is frustrated because he thinks he was abandoned from his old friends. Later in the book, Ender becomes a commander of his old friends for the ‘stimulation game’, but is constrained to be merciless and harsh with them (P284-285). He is pressured and thinks he betrayed his friends.

      After Ender and his army win the war against the Buggers, his old friends cheer him up when he is enraged with Mazer and Graff for making him kill things he never wanted to hurt (P301-304). He is allowed to have companions because the war is over. Ender and the rest of them are joyful and delighted that they can all be together again. 

The Red Badge of Courage: Essay

Henry is a Coward – Disagree

­      In the Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane, the protagonist, Henry fled from his first fight and felt guilty. He then returned to his regiment after being hit in the head by a soldier. At the end of the book, Henry fought with courage and strength and won the battle with his friend, Wilson. I do not agree that Henry is a coward, because he enlisted to join the army, defeated his own will of running away, and encouraged his regiment to stay strong when they were about to retreat.

Henry is not a coward because he enlisted to join the army. He was a young man and had the courage and determination to join the army, even though his mother kept on telling him how dangerous it is (p8, 9). He knew joining the army and fight a battle is dangerous, but he didn’t care and wanted to help save his country. He is not coward because he determined to enlist even though he knew it may cost his life.

      Henry is not a coward because he defeated his own will of running away on his first battle. He was always so concerned that he would flee before the battle (p13-48). However, Henry stayed and fought with the other veterans, instead of running away as he expected. He felt like “he became not a man, but a member” (p51) and “had a mad feeling against his rifle, which could only be used against one life at a time” (p53). He was no longer afraid and fought hard and willingly.

      Henry is not a coward because he encouraged his regiment to keep fight even though the lieutenant already told them to retreat or they would get killed. Henry didn’t care but kept going forward. He is a real hero because he convinced the regiment to not give up, and eventually, they won that battle. He didn’t get his honor of “best fight in his regiment” by lying (like before), but by his true effort he put into the battle.

      I disagree that Henry is a coward because he determined to enlist even though he knew it’s dangerous, defeated his own fear of running away, and fought till the very end of his last battle for the purpose of helping his country. 

Stones: Essay

How Garnet Changed throughout the Book

Throughout the book, Stones by William Bell, the protagonist changed throughout the story. People all change gradually in our lives for many kinds of reasons. Garnet from Stones used to hate school for eleven years, but in the last year of high school, he started to put effort into it, because he wanted to make his mother happy by graduating high school properly.

      In the beginning of Stones, Garnet was always described a school-hater. He was labeled to be “auditory differently enabled” (p4), “attention deficit disorder” (p5) and “non-compliant” (6). He disobeyed the teacher (p5, 7) or ignores the teacher (p3). In high school didn’t “turn out to be anything [exciting]” to Garnet (p8). The “older students treated him with contempt” and he “sailed across an endless sea of homework” (p9). At the end, he just wanted high school to end and waited to leave (p10). “[Garnet’s] love life went pretty much downhill” (p12) after seeing his first crush scream in pain. Garnet did not enjoy school at all.

      However, later in the book when Garnet was in Grade 12, he started putting in effort into school. “[Garnet] decided to go to school regularly, get [his] credits, finish the year properly, and graduate” (p206). Garnet tried his best to catch up in school and shocked all of his teachers (p215). He also got an A+ for an English essay on an argument about “What is Knowledge?” based on a book (p215~220). He really started to put effort into his school assignments.

      The reason that Garnet tried to catch up in school and graduate high school was that he wanted his mother to be happy. He really missed his mother who was in East Timor journalizing the war. He then wanted to make his mom happy when she comes back (p206).

In conclusion, Garnet hated school for almost all his life, but at the end of the book, because he wanted to make his mother happy, he started to work hard in school. 

Smoke and Mirrors: Essay

How Simon Changes throughout the story

      Simon changed several times throughout the book. His personality changed and his attitude toward his parents and life changed.

      He changed from weird to normal then to weird again. He was a very strange boy in the beginning of the book (p1~98). Then he started taking pills and became normal to convince his parents to stay together (p99~125). Later he stopped taking pills and became weird again (126~218). His personality changed from weird to normal to weird.

      Simon’s attitude toward his parents changed. He first was heartbroken all these years. They argue about how not normal Simon is at night and make Simon cry to sleep (p33). They even wanted to live separately (p89~91) and Simon was definitely faithless and upset. He “felt numb” and “couldn’t westle any words out of [his] mouth” (p90). He was so sad he had no idea what to reply to their decision of splitting up. Later in the book, he was mad when his father finally moved out. He snapped in front of his mom, saying, “Have either of you thought about joining the space program?”(p163) He was angry at their selfish decisions. At the end, he was closer to his parents after they split up. His mom would “leave [Simon] notes on the table about what [he] should eat for breakfast and what [they] would have for dinner.” (p207) Simon and his father spent more time together (215~218). Simon’s attitude toward his parents changed several time in this book.

      Simon’s attitude toward life changed. At the beginning of the book, he didn’t seem to like his life. He gets terrible grades (p12~13), do nasty experiments (p13~14), plays dangerous sport (p22~24). He does stupid things in his life and he made his life seem worthless. However, after knowing Andrea’s story, he tried to convince her to stay with his own stories and came up with good reasons to live (p201~202). He even said, “I can’t let you do this. I want you to stay.” (p204) He made life seem important and valuable and convinced her to wake up.

      Simon changed throughout the story several time. His personality and attitude toward his parents and life changed. 

Crabbe: Essay

How Crabbe Changes throughout the Book

      Franklin Crabbe changed many times throughout the book Crabbe. His body was physically stronger, outdoor skills improved and had a better personality.

      Crabbe grew physically stronger. At the beginning of the book, Crabbe thinks he’s “skinny, gangly and not strong” and is “not good at lifting things” (p36). On the way to the camp, he was so weak that he had to “drag the packs out of the boat” and couldn’t even “get the damn [canoe] up” (p46). However, after five months living in the wilderness, Crabbe could “[flip] the canoe onto [his] shoulders, just like [the actors] do in the movies” (p95). “[He] was strong” compared to before (p95).

Crabbe’s survival skills improved. When he first came to the wilderness, he knew nothing ----- he left candies in his tents and spilled fish oil all over in his sleeping bag etc. (p51). However, after living with Mary for months, he learned how to make a fire, smoke meat, cook meals, catch animals and paddle a canoe ----- he learned how to survive in the wilderness!

      Crabbe had a better personality throughout/after the journey compared to before the time before the journey. For example, he risked his own life and rescued Mary from the hunters’ shelter (p111-113). However, at the beginning after Crabbe fell off the waterfall, when Mary said Crabbe would have done it for her too, he believed he would not have saved her if she really fell. Another example, Crabbe used to get everything he wanted before running away. He was smart and had money, alcohol etc. However, when he got back to his home, he started to earn money by doing hard labors, (p167) even though he still could get anything he wanted.

      Crabbe changed throughout the story. He was stronger and had better survival skills. Also, he had a nicer personality. 

The Secret Garden: Essay

Servants in India Comparing to Servants in England

       Throughout the book, The Secret Garden, I found some differences between the servants in India and in England.

The servants in India obeyed their masters on everything. “They always obeyed her and gave her her own way in everything” (Burnett 2). They were scared of their masters. They were afraid that Mrs. Lennox would get angry if she heard Mary cry (2). The servants all “looked frightened” because they were afraid that their masters would be punish them. They didn’t care for their masters. The servants just took off after the plague spread and ditched Mary in the house (5-7). They always tried to avoid their masters as much as possible and were not willing to serve them. The Indian servants were treated differently than in England. They don’t get respect at all. They get beaten up and kicked if they do something not according to the will of their masters (3). They were called “pigs” by their young master which is “the worst insult of all” to a native (3).

The servants in England were different from the servants in India. They tell their masters opinion when masters weren’t making sense. Martha told Mary that “it’s time [Mary] should learn [to dress herself]” when she realized Mary, a big girl couldn’t dress herself (31). She didn’t just dress Mary as told (like in India) but told Mary to learn to dress. Servants in English were not afraid of their masters but friends with them. Mary became friends with Martha really quickly, because Martha was open and talkative. Martha talked about her life (36), Dickon (39), the gardens (39), Mrs. Craven (39-40) with Mary. The servants were willing to serve but not avoiding them. Mary asked Martha if Martha could “sit down on the hearth-rug before the fire” (56). Martha willingly agreed and they chatted. The servants cared for their masters. Martha was being very sweet to Mary and got her a jump rope in case she gets bored (87-90). She was thoughtful and caring. She seemed to love her master from her heart. Servants in England were different from the servants in India. Therefore, they were treated differently – with respect. The servants in England changed Mary’s personality and Mary treated them differently than before. She respected them and were more like friends with them.

The servants in England and India were different in many ways. I think the English servants were better because they had a better relationship with their masters. 

Hold Fast: Essay

How Michael Changed throughout the Book

      Hold Fast is a very interesting book. The author of this book is Kevin Major. Author shows that Michael has changed many times throughout the book.

      In the beginning of the book, Michael was weak because of the lost of his parents, but later, he acts strong to encourage his brother, Brent. Michael was showed weak as he bawled two times, at the funeral (p9), and in front of Aunt Flo (p17). However, after a conversation with Brent (p18~21), he realizes he is Brent’s only person to rely on. Therefore, Michael decides to stay strong to set an example for Brent and talk Brent out of their shadow of lost of their parents (p23, p30).

      Michael didn’t like Curtis at first because he thinks they didn’t come along well, but later on, they become good friends. When Michael first arrives at Curtis’ house, Michael thought Curtis is “shy or mad” (p53). Later on in the book, Michael is no longer a stranger to Curtis, because Curtis realizes Michael is good in Science and Math (p55) and is not dumb. Further throughout the book, Michael and Curtis even run away together which proves that they’ve relied on each other.

      Michael didn’t “find it hard to make friends”, because he thought “it’s just a matter of starting a conversation and everybody would be friendly” (p68), but now in his school in St. Albert, he realizes it’s totally different. In St. Albert, when he tries to talk to the people (who are rude), they think he’s a fool, and make fun of him (p68). Then he meets “this fellow who seemed to be a bit more civilized” (p69), and learns that not everyone is friendly or can be friends with.

      Michael never hung out with any girl, but now, he finds himself starting to fall in love with a girl named Brenda. In Marten, Michael was always a guy who “sticks in the corner” or “goes outside for a smoke” and never had “the nerve to ask a girl, even when they’re all dying to be asked” (p88). However, in St. Albert, he has “the first girl [he] ever really had the hots on” (p86~87), and has the courage to hang out and talk about nearly anything with her alone (p95~98).

      Michael felt angry for his family living with Ted at first, and later on, he found out how Ted was really like, and is very angry with Ted himself. Michael was angry that Ted yells at Marie until she cries and at his wife for trying to calm him down (p61~62). Michael also heard from Curtis that Ted once “beat [Curtis] with a leather belt when [he] was small till it left black and blue marks” (p79). Michael thinks Ted is a cruel and bossy old man that just wants every family member to do as he tells. There were three times he was mad with Ted himself, no longer sympathetic for his family. After when Ted didn’t allow Michael to go to Simon Bay for the weekends (p91~94), when Ted yelled at him for coming home late (p99~101), and lastly when Ted pinned him against the wall after he refused to apologize to Kenton’s family (p124~129), he hated Ted even more.

Michael learns to not run away from the truth. After Michael’s parents died in the beginning of the book, he told himself to run away (p10) because he didn’t want to face the fact that his parents were dead. However, at the end at his Grandpa’s funeral, he just “sat up in the front seat of the church” and “never moved once from [his] spot” (p194). That proves Michael was no longer afraid of the truth even though he knew clearly that the cause of his Grandpa’s death was because of him.

      As a conclusion, Michael changed many times from evil to righteous or from righteous to evil many times throughout the book. We should learn to be like him on the positive sides, to always be changing to adopt our environment and fit into the people around us. 

Christmas Break

      Christmas break is officially starting today. Well, I was supposed to go to school for carol service this morning, but I didn’t go. I decided to skip it. Not a lot of people are going anyways.

      I don’t really know what my goals are for this three-week holiday break. I’m just gonna finish my school homework, read some books and do some exercises.

      I got some Christmas presents from my friends. They’re pretty awesome. I got two boxes of chocolate from Winnie and Hetty, a small wooden box from Yasmin, a small coin wallet from Lillian and a thermo water bottle from Sian. Also I got my presents for them and their presents for me at Claire’s. So I think Claire’s probably got a whole lot of money during Christmas.

      I was so excited for Christmas break a while ago. I hoped and hoped for it to come and now, here it is. No schools for three weeks. However, I am kind of afraid now. I sit in front of my laptop, writing blogs, watching movies, while I eat junk food piled up like mountains. I eat a lot of snacks. I’m pretty sure I’m going to get really fat after these three weeks. I eat like an elephant and it ain’t funny. >:(

      I got my mom a box of shampoo and lotion and stuff from The Body Shop secretly and it costs me forty bucks. It was around seven hours of tutorial for my sister (six bucks every hour). Oh well, I just hope she likes it. (And it smells super nice. Coconut flavor is awesome!) Also, my mom got a mug and a Japanese coin wallet for my grandpa and grandma ‘under my name’. I did not get my sister anything because, ugh, I did not have any idea of what to get her, I guess. (Is this excuse good enough?)

     

      It’s Christmas today. My mom got me nothing because she’s going to get me snowboarding equipments tomorrow on Boxing Day, because I am learning snowboarding this winter! My mom loved the stuff I got her at The Body Shop. I was actually worried that she would not like it, because it smells too teeny or it’s useless. I really appreciate the support she gives. My grandparents totally ignored the presents I gave them (which my mom bought) because my mom got them awesome big gifts. Well, I don’t really care. My mom got a super big and clear diamond ring from my dad (a month ago) even though he’s not in Canada right now. It’s really big, sexy and shiny. Bahaha. My sister got some singing toys and Barbies. She’s very satisfied, even though I got her nothing. So far, I haven’t gotten one thing yet. But it’s ok, because I know I’ll get a whole lot tomorrow on Boxing Day!

     

      Today’s Boxing Day and there were so many people at the mall. My mom got me a pair of Ivivva yoga pants and a whole bunch of snowboarding equipment. It took a long time to get everything but I was happy.

      While passing by The Body Shop, I saw the item I got for my mom is now on half price! It’s only twenty bucks now! I was so angry and frustrated. I should have gotten her this today on Boxing Day! Jeez. No more presents for anyone on Christmas next year, but on Boxing Day. :/

      This year passed so fast. Time runs by like a speedy sport car. Looking back at 2012 makes me proud that I survived another year. Haha. I hope I can get better and grow taller next year. Also may the Lord fill me and grow in me more day by day. Amen. 

Dear Journal (Discovery of New Island)

Dear Journal,

      This was our first day on this island. After making sure we’re in the Eastern Brazil (on the map), we roamed deeper into the forest and found some living being.

At first glance, they had dark skin. The adults wore big leaves which covered parts of their body. The younger kids were just naked. They looked just like the primitives in the books. We hid behind the thick trees quietly, watching them. Some of them might have noticed something over here at where we’re at but didn’t seem to worry. The people were calmly sitting outside their tents ----- at least that’s what they looked like ----- and hanging out. Most of them were seniors, women and children. I only saw a few men who were short and weak. Don’t they have men here? I wondered. Well, if that’s so, it isn’t good.

      We made gestures with each other and a few of us went closer silently. I was breathing hard and wished they wouldn’t hurt us. We walked toward them and some of the kids saw us. They poked their mothers several times and pointed at us. I felt like we were a group of invaders. The mothers stood up immediately and stood in front of their kids. A small man blew the horn that he grabbed that hung on a tree. It wasn’t very loud but I was on my nerves. One of us suddenly yelled at them to calm down but they didn’t seem to understand. They ran around. Suddenly, a group of big people appeared behind the trees. They were on their feet running and all of them were strong and tall. There were several teenagers who were not as strong or tall. However, they were holding body pieces of a creature. I assumed that they went hunting and the younger ones were helping the adults out while learning. In a few seconds, they surrounded us and pointed their weapons at us. A man came up to us and yelled something at us that I didn’t understand. I immediately knew he was the leader. He is strong and big. He wore an animal skin on his neck like a scarf. None of us talked but just looked at him. I didn’t know what to do, so I dropped my backpack and the rest of my people followed. Then the hunter group backed off and the leader started to talk. I didn’t understand so I stood up stupidly and pointed at myself then the others. “Canadian,” I said. The leader stared at us and pointed at himself and his people, “Bah-Lye-Geon,” he said. I believe they were the Balygeon then. I smiled a little and reached out to grab our bags. Then he suddenly yelled and pointed his spear at me. His people suddenly followed and pointed us with their weapons too. The women hid behind the men and the children hid behind the women. They peeked to look at us silently above the men’s shoulders. We put our hands up naturally and walked backwards as they came closer and closer. I realized they might be trying to get rid of us from their campus. They stopped walking when we’re ten metres far from them.

      We had no choice but turned and ran back to our ship. Gladly they didn’t follow because we have no chance of winning them in running. We finally arrived at our ship as the night fell. The team decided to try again tomorrow.

Dear Journal,

      This was our second day. I was really tired but excited.

      We grabbed our camera and headed to their campus. Their leader was sitting with a woman. They were chatting in their own language. They saw us and he took up and walked toward us. We put our hands up and put our bags down slowly. Then I smiled at him. I wanted to show that we’re nice people. He just stood and watched. Suddenly he smiled too and laughed out loud. He yelled something in his own language to his people and laughed again. I don't think he thinks we’re dangerous. He backed off and walked back to the woman there and started chatting casually again. We looked around and decided to check out the stuff they got. They lived in several big tents. The tents were made of woods standing diagonally on left and right and forming a tip on the top. They are long and narrow. However, they were no higher than 1.5 meters. There were four to five big beds inside which were made of dry branches and big leaves. They lay the bigger branches closer to the ground and smaller branches closer to their bodies. Then they had left some big rainforest leaves on the branches to cover up the branches. I assume several families share a tent and one family shares a bed.

There were decorations carved on the trees around their campus. They all had different patterns and shapes. Some of them, I supposed, are trees, and some others were themselves hunting animals. They also drew things on rocks with paint, which I think, were made from powder of specials rocks. I was impressive by their special drawn patterns and carved shapes.

We did not cause any trouble for them that morning, so I believe them accept us as ‘friends’.

In the afternoon, we had lunch by ourselves while the tribe made soup with insects and leaves. It actually smelled pretty good. While they were eating, two of the kids came up to my friend and took a piece of canned meat from him. We laughed quietly as the kids showed no appreciation. They ate happily and their moms smiled at us.

At night, they had a party. We were invited to enjoy the party while sitting by the leader and his woman. They had a variety of food. There was ‘insect salad’, ‘legs (of wild animals)’, ‘random veggie’ etc. Some of them are delicious, but some are disgusting. The women danced for the men who sat and ate meat. The women had graceful moves and danced softly. Some of the younger teenagers were making music while hitting the thick stump. They even invited my female friends to dance. They danced hip-hop and had fun. We, the men, were watching and laughing. Then the women sang and some men sang as well. Sorry to say this, but they were definitely out of tone. Well, we can’t judge them because they’re not as smart as us, the modern human. However, their tone didn't seem to matter, because the others looked like they enjoyed it. At the end, when the moon was bright, we all danced by the fire. Some of the women took our hands and danced with us. Some of the strong boys invited our ladies. My partner and I tried to chat. However, it didn't work out so well. She had no idea what I was talking. Neither did I understand her. ;) Anyway, that night passed fast. Some of us fell asleep in the middle of the party and I soon fell asleep too.

Dear Journal,

      This is the third day. I still remembered exactly what happened yesterday. That was probably the best experience I ever had in my whole life. I woke up this morning in a wooden house. After waking up fully, I realized I was in a tent. It looked so much more beautiful from the inside than from the outside. No one is in bed other than my crews.

      I went outside and saw the ladies on my team were playing mud and sand with the little kids while their moms watched peacefully. We waved at the leader and I think he was inviting us to go hunting with them. I called the girls but the leader immediately shook his head hard. I remembered no women were allowed hunting so I explained it to them. So we had to leave the girls with the moms and kids.

     

      I took a spear which is similar to the one the leader’s got and was ready to get some animals down. I followed quietly and so was my team. Also, some of the people from the tribe came with us. The rest of the hunters were going somewhere else I believe. We traveled to somewhere that was not dense with foliage and saw an okapi. It was eating fungi which grew on a tree. I looked at the leader who kneeled beside me and he made a gesture of silence. I looked at the others. They were quiet and calm. Suddenly, a young man threw his hatchet toward the okapi and missed! The okapi found itself in danger and ran. The leader whispered something loud and a middle aged man shot the okapi four times in its leg, stomach and head. The leader ran and we all followed. We saw the okapi slowed down and fell, blood streaming down. I was sort of sad but the team was excited. They ran to it and one of them made sure it’s dead. After the okapi was cut into a few smaller pieces, the team carried the bloody body parts on their shoulders. The leader walked to that young man who did not look bothered and rewarded him a pat on the shoulder. I was impressed because it seemed like he was proud that the young man tried. He later walked to the middle aged man and talked happily.

      After a few rounds of successful hunts, when we were about to head back, we saw another tribe wearing the mostly same thing as this tribe I’m with. They greeted and talked. They spoke the same language and were nice with each other. This reminded me of the Mongolians. The Mongolians had different tribes and each tribe lived separately. Then I wondered if they’re like the Mongolians, do they have a king too?! That scared me a little but I let it go. The tribe introduced us and they were so passionate that it made me feel shy.

      We went back with food. Some women were so excited that they took the meat immediately to clean the meat. Time passed fast and it was dark already. We ate fondue in a huge pot with the meat and leaves. Everyone just grabbed whatever they wanted from the pot by scooping using branches. They were hungry, I could tell. I ate a lot too. I no longer cared about germs or anything, because, honestly, it was delicious. We went back to our ship to rest even though they invited us to sleep with them. We didn't want to disturb them too much so we determined to go back to our own place. Tomorrow is the last day we’ll be here. I was kind of sad when I think about it.

Dear Journal,

The tribe took us into a deep cave that morning and I learned their religion. We sat in the cave silently in front of a stone table as they did. They weren’t doing anything but sitting there. I thought they might be praying but I wasn’t sure. Then a granny came out from the deeper cave. She was wearing animal skin and jewelry made from rocks and leaves. The tribe saw and kneeled down like she was a goddess. The leader was talking politely to her with his head down. He introduced us and she ignored. Then the leader hurried the men to sacrifice an okapi for her and she stood beside us. She used her branch to touch our heads and mumbled. The tribe bowed again to show appreciation for her blessing and left. I couldn’t believe this tribe is worshipping an old woman who is simply just one of them as a goddess. I see that this woman is smarter than them and used her intelligence to get food (sacrifices). However, I didn’t want to destroy part of their culture so I kept it to myself.

      Back at their camp, we were ready to leave. The women and kids only spent yesterday together with my female teammates, but they’re already sobbing dramatically. Even the leader almost cried. He took my hand and patted me on the shoulders. I see that even though they’re tough people, they’re really emotional. They have nature of hunters but are thoughtful and caring.

      We headed to our ship and they were waving goodbyes. I felt so loved and warm with the memories. We left with a lot of photos and information. We will surely come back to visit them again someday with bigger mission. 

Theseus and the Minotaur

My name is Theseus. I am the prince of Athens. My father, King Aegeus is the King of Athens, sends seven girls and seven boys every seven years for the Minotaur of Crete to avoid battles with King of Crete, the powerful and selfish King Minos, as a deal. Minotaur is a monster, son of a human, son of a bull. I was enraged at the deal and how my father is so afraid to stand up to King Minos. So I, instead, stood up as a sacrifice to kill the Minotaur because my father could not persuade me to not to leave him. He was depressed and upset but I did not care. I desperately wanted the sacrificing deal to end.

      I got to Crete with the others and saw the princess of Crete, Ariadne. Princess Ariadne is beautiful. Her eyes shine with excitement but her emotions on her face are peaceful. She sat in her chair decorated with diamonds and gold but her beauty was undefeatable comparing to the jewelries. She is attractive as the sun in the wide, blue sky. The flowers smile and bloom when they see her. She is calm as the full moon at night. The poets sigh in bliss when they write about her. I was amazed by her beauty and forgot to kneel before her. As she stood up and came to me, I woke up from my day dream and knelt before her. However, our gaze still locked.

      “You are the prince of Athens.” She sounded shocked.

      I smiled and said, “Yes, I am.” Suddenly, remembering the mission I am on and the reason I came here, I put my smile away, and continued, “Theseus.”

      “Why are you here?”

Her move was so graceful I forgot how to talk. I shook my head and looked at the ground, “To kill the Minotaur.” Speaking of this, my heart began beating fast again. I will not fall in love with the princess of the evil and perverted King of Crete, I thought.

She smiled and laughed, covering her mouth. Then walked away.

The next day, the seven girls and boys were gathered in front of the gate of the labyrinth where the Minotaur was trapped.

King Minos asked, “Who would like to go first?”

I did not hesitate and answered, “of course, I will. I am the prince of Athens. I will go first.”

King Minos laughed dramatically and replied, “I admire your bravery and determination, but you will be chewed into pieces in a while.”

I suddenly caught Princess Ariadne looking at me, desperation showing apparently through her gaze. She came to me close and whispered while stuffing something into my shirt, “Tie this to the gate when you are inside. Come back for me. Bring me with you when you are back.” She gave me one last smile and walked away.

      I hardened my heart and told myself I would not be fooled by her outer beauty that simply covers up her evil nature like her father.

      I went into the labyrinth and took out the fluffy object Ariadne put in my shirt. I realized it is a ball of string. I tied it to the gate according what she told me and began my journey to the centre of the labyrinth. I was cautious and nervous.

      After thirty minutes, I felt something furry. I alerted and knew it was the Minotaur. It moaned at me. It was loud and raucous. It was dark but I hopped its back successfully. I grabbed onto its long fur and tried to climb up to its head. I finally caught his horn while it jumped up and down, trying to shake me off. It stopped jumping. I thought it was tired. So I used my bare hand to wipe away the sweat on my forehead. Suddenly, I felt it jumped almost to the ceiling. I had to let go of the horn. My life flashed in front of my eyes. Suddenly, I caught the other horn. Phew… That was close. After a while sitting on the Minotaur’s head, being shaken, I was almost out of energy. However, fortunately, the Minotaur seemed tired as well. While it was slowing down, I got held of the other horn and pulled. The Minotaur moaned loudly. I used all my energy. I tried twisting its head by its horns. Crack… Crack. Crack, crack, crack. The Minotaur moaned louder. Hearing its crying, I felt sad for it. Being locked in this prison for forever. Unable to die. No light. No hope. No food. I felt my hot tears rolling down my cheeks. The Minotaur’s crying was less and less clear. I suddenly realized Ariadne was right. I did the right thing, to kill the Minotaur, to end its misery. Gradually, I gained more power by pitying him, wanting to end his tragic life for him. “Shhh, shh. It’s ok,” I whispered. Feeling the Minotaur relaxing, I continued calming it, “Good boy.  It’s ok. Go to sleep.” Giving it one last twist, crack. It stopped moving and fell to the ground softly. I knew now. Even though it looked like a crazy bull, it had a human heart. It was King Minos that totally destroyed its human nature by locking him in this dark place, giving him no care or love. I bawled out loud beside this dead creature, releasing all my pity for it and anger for the King.

      I found the thread and went out of the labyrinth. I pretended to be proud and powerful, covering the extreme depression in the inside. I saw Princess Ariadne running towards me, yelling into my face happily and hugging me. I did not even care about what she said. Her father is a demon. The real demon. She must is evil, too. Like father, like daughter, right? I pretended to be joyful to see her again. However, I knew I have no love for her anymore, because I knew, even though she is so appealing, it is all fake and empty. She took me to my boat, and told me she was going to come to Athens with me, like I promised. No, I cannot take her to Athens. She is a devil, I thought. So I told her to get some bread for me. She went away quickly, didn’t know I suckered her. I cut the rope that connects my boat to the deck and left alone.

      I had so much to think about that I forgot to change the black flag on my boat to white ones as my father commended me. I suddenly remembered what he said, “If you success, change the flag of your boat to white.” However, I was already so close to Athens. I looked up at Athens and saw a person falling off the edge. No, please no. I thought. I knew who it was. After pedaling so hard toward the place where he landed, I saw it. The body floating. I swam to it and saw his face. Father. Don’t die. I’m right here. I thought. Trying to bring him back to life is impossible now. It’s too late. For the second time, I bawled.