Extra Reading: Milo Winter's Aesop Fables

I chose to read Aesops Fables by Milo Winter this week for my extra reading. I just read Brer Rabbit so I felt this sort of connected with animals having moral stories:

• I think the first story really speaks to what people face on a normal day-to-day basis. People get distracted from what they want to do because other people have other plans. It is best to stick with what you are doing and do it 100%.
• Even though it was one of the shortest stories, I really liked the story about the little boy and the filberts (I had to look that one up). The moral to me is that sometimes only you can help yourself. Spending time on someone who won’t help themselves are be smart about it only wastes your time. This corresponds to the donkey falling over the edge because he will not listen.
• I thought the gnat story was great because it shows that sometimes you aren’t as important as you think you are. Stay humble. I think I may try and tie this into my story this week.
• All of these stories are so short but they represent such deep moral teachings. I may try and write a bunch of smaller stories that remind the reader of certain lessons.
• I really like the story about the boar and the fox because it is really important to always be prepared. I could write a story where two people are preparing for a race and one is preparing while the other isn’t. The one who is prepared and ready wins while the other one cannot even finish the race.
• I feel the Lion is always getting made fun of. I think this is because everyone is out to get him since he is King.
• I related to the Dog and His Master’s Dinner because my dog always wants my food! Sometimes temptation is one of the hardest things to overcome. It is crucial to have a good group of friends who really look out for your best interest.

The Aesop for Children. Written by Milo Winter. 1919.

Aesop's Fables

Learning Challenge: Happiness

I really think that this is a great idea! Knowing me I will not keep up with a singular jar for an entire year but I think this could really help me stay happy. I will try and remember something from everyday that allows me to continually stay happy. Sometimes, like anyone else, I find myself being moody. I know no one likes moody people, therefore, if I try and think of happy memories all the time I will always be fun to be around.

H.E.A.R.T. Blog

Growth Mindset

I thought this really caught my attention because I am senior now and will no longer be attending school (except for my MBA hopefully). Although I will no longer be taking exams, I will continuously learn new information and I hope that I will never stop learning. 

Plus I thought the cat was cute! If I get a cat I want an orange one similar to this cat.

Growth Mindset Blog

Wikipedia Trail: From Brer Rabbit to Abraham Lincoln

I started my Wikipedia Trail on Brer Rabbit since I ended up reading this story this week. Brer Rabbit is considered a trickster hero who has foes of Brer Fox and Brer Wolf. My favorite story I read was of Tar-Baby where he is almost tricked into getting stuck onto a Tar-Baby by Brer Fox. He was created by Joel Chandler Harris so I went to his page next. Harris was a journalist and fiction writer during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. One of the most influential pieces to him writing these stories was Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This book was written in 1852 and focused on the typical stereotypes African Americans faced in pre-Civil War America. Next, I chose AbrahamLincoln because I find him to be one of my favorite presidents. He was born in Kentucky in 1809 and passed in 1865 as the 16^th president.

Wikipedia: Young Abraham Lincoln

Tech Tip: Weather Gadget

Hey everyone I decided to do my Tech Tip on displaying Norman weather on my sidebar. I feel it will be useful to have in order to check the weather if I am working on this course! Go here if you want to include your own:


Weather Sidebar Tech Tip

Rain

Reading Notes Part B: Brer Rabbit

Below is a continuation of my reading notes for Brer Rabbit:

Terrapin

• This entire story is based off of deception between the animals. I wonder if the Fox will actually be tricked so bad that he dies. Also, I really liked the accents in this story specifically.
• The fisherman story shows just how clever the Brer Rabbit is. I would love to write the story in reverse though where the Fox actually wins.
• The rabbit really put the Bear into an awful situation. This was the first story that I felt the Rabbit was the bad guy because the Bear was getting into a ton of trouble by the Fox. I find the personality differences between all of the animals to really display how great of a conflict they are in these short stories. At the same time, it is very laid back which I like.
• I like how the turtle displayed his intelligence by getting everyone to believe he was actually the strongest. I think it would be a great story to tell where someone finds out and the turtle has to actually show his strength (which isn’t a lot).
• I really liked the biblical influences in the last two stories. I really enjoyed all of the Proverbs in the last story just like in yesterday’s readings.

Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings. Written by Joel Chandler Harris. 1881.

Reading Notes Part A: Brer Rabbit

This week I chose to read Brer Rabbit: Below are my reading notes:

• I find it difficult to read due to the accents. It definitely seems like this story would be better if it was told orally versus reading it.
• I like how the main characters are animals. This reminds me of when I was reading Aesop’s Fables.
• I liked the story of the Tar-Baby. It is a good story of deception and how getting angry doesn’t usually work out.
• I like the argument between the coon and the possum. I think that sometimes it is important to stand and fight while other times it is better to play dead and survive. Both takes extreme levels of bravery.
• I like how the rabbit tricked the fox into throwing him into the briar patch. I think I may try and write a story where the ‘helpless’ character actually tricks another character.
• The fox is always getting outwitted. I will include a character that is always losing because other animals are smarter than him.
• All the animals are trying to trick Brer rabbit but he is too smart. I did like the introduction of all the Proverbs. It allowed for a few morals to be explained by the rabbit.

Brer Wolf and Brer Fox

• I think the turtle and the fox story was my favorite because it really showed how the animals all took advantage of the fox’s ignorance. He thought he was hurting the turtle but he was only taking him home.

Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings. Written by Joel Chandler Harris. 1881