There once was a fisherman who would go out every morning at dawn to go fishing. In the beautiful land of Kerala men would get far and yet no where at all. Morning was the best time to grab fish from their homes and families so they could then be sent to the market at noon and then to the home of human families to be eaten for dinner. This was the life, day in day out.
The sun would shine like seven fiery demons sent from the depths of hell at midday. That is why the fisherman had to get up early at the break of the day. In the earliest moments of the day he saw both heaven and earth meet. He saw the clouds smile as they mingled with the youthful streams of daylight. Only during the morning were the clouds greedy. They would try to cover the sun as much as they could, only letting just a little light seep through their masses.
'Let this be,' thought the fisherman. He was okay with this because he knew that the clouds knew that most of those on earth were not even up at all. When the beings of earth were up all they craved was the sun. They could not survive without the sun and they cried when could not see the sun. So the clouds, although they wished to have the sun for themselves, would make way for the people to see the sun during the later hours of the day. Nevertheless, they would cry some days for the sun as well. During those days the clouds would run to the sun and cover him up because he too is the only thing that can comfort them like how he comforts the animals on the earth.
The fish were quite chipper that day. They were jumping out of the water and flipping their tales exquisitely. The fisherman wondered why. Then he saw them. They were the graceful horses of the sea. Dolphins. They too were having fun, jumping up and down, across the surface of the ocean. Maybe they too wanted to see the sun in the sky that morning. The fisherman then realized that the fish probably were not very happy at all. Instead they might have been very reluctant to see the water beasts. The fisherman also pondered about his own feelings about seeing the dolphins. On one hand, they were beautiful beings that wild and rare. They were the symbol of freedom, with the liberty to swim across the entire world. One the other hand they were eating his fish. How could they do such a thing. This was his fishing spot, he was here before them. However, he supposed that they beat him to it this morning.
'You dolphins,' he called out to them. 'You think you are so clever? You're just lucky that here in Kerala, I do not know many that eat your kind.' There were some people who did eat dolphins, but the fisherman thought that for him that was too weird. Dolphins were not like other fish, who were dumb and boring. They were mammals, each with a unique personalities, like humans. If were were to eat them, then we would only be a few steps from eating each other, thought the fisherman.
So the fisherman caught a batch of fish, although not as plentiful as his usual batch. And he sailed back to dock to go to the market.
The market was also filled with thieving animals. Some men would only give such a low rate on the fish, even though they ate it like pigs, even though they loved fish more than their wives. Kerala was big on fish. Even Hindus, like the fisherman, ate fish. One could not be true Kerala man if he did not like fish curry. Their wives would got to the market to buy the spices for fish curry, not just for the month, but for the year. Men would report their wives to the police if they did not have fish curry ready for him by the time he got home for the day. The fisherman lived in a strange state.
The fisherman went to his usual place and bargained with a fair Christian Malayalee. The man was always saying that he would give a higher rate if the fisherman converted to Christianity. But everyday the fisherman said that we must hold fast to the faith of our parents for they are the closest thing we have to God, since they took care of us children during the prime of their lives and they sacrificed everything for us even though we could give nothing in return. Every day the Christian man would agree and say God hears all prayers, whether they were addressed to him or not, and that he would pray for a safe journey everyday for the fisherman. The fisherman would then return the favor and say that he would pray for the man as well. They were friends after all.
With that the fisherman would walk around the town looking at what he could buy for his son. He only had a son. His mother died when he was young. Perhaps he should buy his son a ball to play or a notebook to study. Then he saw it. A shirt with a sun, the ocean, and a dolphin jumping out of it. God never made coincidences without little thought. Everything was a sign. And only if we're close to God could we read these signs. So the man bought the shirt and waited for his son to come back from school to show him.
His son returned, and like usual they both told each other about their days. His son told him about how they were learning English and how it was so strange. Nothing like Malayalam. The fisherman said that to a English speaking boy, Malayalam was probably just as strange. His son, still young, was shocked at the concept. 'I've never thought about that, Appa,' the boy said. The fisherman then told the boy his story. The little boy was impressed as his father told him about the dolphins. This only made the present the father had for the son even more delightful.
'I will wear this everyday, Appa," said the boy.
'You cannot my boy, it will get dirty. Plus, you must wear your uniform to school,' said the Father.
'But, Appa, it reminds me of you. I want to wear it always to always have you with me,' said the boy.
' My son,' said the father. 'If ever you wish to think of me, just look at the clouds. You are my sun and I only have you for myself during a few moments of the day. I keep you away greedily away from the world, during those moments because you are my light. But I cannot keep you always with me because I know that you have many places to go and other people and animals to help. Your light will also be needed elsewhere as well. Because you give light to this world.'
The boy cried and hugged his father. Together they then prepared dinner and prayed. Then the fisherman put his son to sleep and prepared for the next day. Then he too went to bed.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Even a Chicken can overcome great challenges
Enjoy. A silly story that I came up with last night randomly.
There
once was a chicken who applied to AAUM (All Animals University of
Michigan). Times were rough and chickens could no longer get into top
notch schools like Harvard or Yale. No matter how smart they were and
their parents could only afford schools like AAUM. Yet, the chicken
was scared for some reason that if the chicken went to AAUM, he would
not go far. He already knew that he could not fly and that dangerous
animals lurked the campus of AAUM. Some were like lichen, clicky and
attached, others were like foxes, sly and sneaky.
Nevertheless, the chicken went to AAUM. How bad could it be? thought the chicken. So he went and it was awesome. He saw foxes, wolves, and lions too. However, there were also great kind animals like horses, elephants, and giraffes. There were even unique animals like sea horses, sphinxes, and even lemurs. He had never seen a lemur before.
Days went by and the chicken found himself to be friends with a unique group of animals. A black stallion, a lovable ox, a devilish rabbit, a gentle cheetah, and a beautiful peacock. Yes, he was friends with a peacock. Together they ate lunch and dinner although they had to mind the cheetah because he did prefer to eat fish now and then, but only fish. And everything was going really well.
He learned many great things from his professors. They taught him that he could still fly even though he had no wings for flying. They gave him books and papers to read, that showed him that it was truly a miracle that he was alive at all. They also challenged him to write papers that questioned whether if it was truly the chicken before the egg or the egg before chicken.
One day at AAUM, in the dining hall, a tiger came up and bumped into him. Sorry- was what he was suppose to say, but he did not. How rude, said the ox, making sure that everyone in the entire room could hear him. Some animals, added the peacock. The tiger, although not the brightest, figure out that they were talking about him.
You have a problem? he responded. Clearly, said the stallion. The tiger rolled his eyes and resumed talking to his friends. Hey! Aren’t you going to apologize? demanded Chicken. The tiger turned around and said, I don’t apologize to your kind. Wow, you’re more of a chicken than I am, said the chicken.
Now the tiger was irritated. You want to go? He said. You, me at dawn on at the basketball court Friday. I can eat you with my parents when they come to pick me up and if you chicken out, I’ll personally hunt you down. With that, the tiger called him loser and pushed him down. Then Tiger and his friends got up laughing and started to exit the dining hall.
Fine! called the rabbit after him. It’s on! Chicken gulped.
Never in chicken’s life had he ever been in a fight, especially with an animal like a tiger. Maybe I should go apologize, said chicken. No, said the peacock. He was in the wrong. But how can I fight him? said Chicken. Peck his eyes out, said the rabbit. Chicken was still nervous. Why don’t I just tell the authorities? Like who? questioned Cheetah. Our RA? They all began to laugh. Their RA was a penguin. He was good at making programs that dealt with cookies and waddling. By the time he waddles his way down to report the problem, began the stallion, Tiger would have rushed over here at killed you. By time he waddles his way back to you with the CD, only your bones would remain. This was true. They realized that authorities might not help in this situation, especially since tiger was friends with some sneaky and equally scary people such as a snake, a grizzly bear, a crocodile, and a vulture. They could easily twist the truth and get away with it.
What was a chicken to do? A few days went by and Chicken still had no plan. The fight was two days away. Then he realized he should ask his most trusted professor, a wise monkey who knew the ways of the world because he thought about them through physics and philosophy. He told his professor everything from the encounter to the waddling penguin. His professor sat there and listened. Finally, he said, the fight is on Friday at dawn and if one does not show up one forfeits? Yes, said Chicken. And you’re a boy chicken, right? said Dr. Monkey. Yes! I crow every morning like all boy chickens, said Chicken. Then, that would make you really a rooster, right? A rooster that wakes up all of AAUM? asked the professor intentionally. Yes. Rooster, chicken, what difference does it make? said Chicken. You already have the answer, said Dr. Monkey. It was then clear to Chicken what he had to do.
He then told all his friends his plan. They all set their alarms for Friday morning and shared with the campus about the fight, except the authorities, of course. People were eager to see the fight, because something like this doesn’t usually happen at AAUM. They’ve only heard about these things at other schools, but not at AAUM. Word spread like wildfire and quite a few animals set their alarm clocks as well to get up early to see the fight, without even realizing that they were playing along with the plan.
The day of the fight came. Chicken and his friends all got up early and went down to the basketball court. Soon great masses of animals showed up. They all eagerly waited to see the fight begin. They wanted to see how this chicken would fair against a tiger. Speaking of tiger, he was nowhere to be found. They waited for a half an hour, and soon that turned into forty five minutes, finally an hour went by when tiger showed up. And due to the fact that animals at AAUM never truly saw a fight before, many animals stayed; they also stayed because many animals were very excited to see the great animal gathering of AAUM that came out to the fight.
Tiger and his friends came out, sluggishly to the basketball court. However, by now, no one was excited to see them. Most of the animals were irritated. I came out for this? cawed a crow. Waste of my sleep. You piece of crap, can’t you stick to a time that you yourself set up? shouted a warthog in the distance.
How was I suppose to know when to wake up? The stupid chicken did not crow this morning, said Tiger.
The great wolf, who laid nearby, surrounded by his pack, then angrily growl, What fool relies on his enemy to help him get ready for battle?
By doing so you have forfeited the battle under your own terms, said an elephant who chimed in. Then many others made sounds of agreement. The tiger looked around. His friends were no longer at his side, while agitated faces, devious smirks, and quick snickers flashed in front of his eyes. He could not take on all of them, so he began to turn back to go to his dorm.
Where do you think you’re going? said Black Stallion, Chicken’s friend. You owe our friend an apology for the other day! said Cheetah. They all then heard some mutter come from the tiger’s mouth. What was that? said Ox. Sorry! exclaimed Tiger. I’m sorry for bumping into you. And? said peacock. And pushing and being rude to you as well, added Tiger. Chicken smiled. That’s all it took, man. It’s okay.
Clearly defeated the tiger retired from the basketball court. The wolves, a noble pack, soon whistle Tiger’s friends away too for being unfaithful.
Chicken, on the other hand, received a great cheer from the crowd and even got to ride on top of an elephant, all until his penguin RA waddled his way to the basketball court and demanded to know what was going on. Every animal then disperse so quickly that the poor penguin did not get a single animal’s name or a single detail about the entire story.
Nevertheless, the chicken went to AAUM. How bad could it be? thought the chicken. So he went and it was awesome. He saw foxes, wolves, and lions too. However, there were also great kind animals like horses, elephants, and giraffes. There were even unique animals like sea horses, sphinxes, and even lemurs. He had never seen a lemur before.
Days went by and the chicken found himself to be friends with a unique group of animals. A black stallion, a lovable ox, a devilish rabbit, a gentle cheetah, and a beautiful peacock. Yes, he was friends with a peacock. Together they ate lunch and dinner although they had to mind the cheetah because he did prefer to eat fish now and then, but only fish. And everything was going really well.
He learned many great things from his professors. They taught him that he could still fly even though he had no wings for flying. They gave him books and papers to read, that showed him that it was truly a miracle that he was alive at all. They also challenged him to write papers that questioned whether if it was truly the chicken before the egg or the egg before chicken.
One day at AAUM, in the dining hall, a tiger came up and bumped into him. Sorry- was what he was suppose to say, but he did not. How rude, said the ox, making sure that everyone in the entire room could hear him. Some animals, added the peacock. The tiger, although not the brightest, figure out that they were talking about him.
You have a problem? he responded. Clearly, said the stallion. The tiger rolled his eyes and resumed talking to his friends. Hey! Aren’t you going to apologize? demanded Chicken. The tiger turned around and said, I don’t apologize to your kind. Wow, you’re more of a chicken than I am, said the chicken.
Now the tiger was irritated. You want to go? He said. You, me at dawn on at the basketball court Friday. I can eat you with my parents when they come to pick me up and if you chicken out, I’ll personally hunt you down. With that, the tiger called him loser and pushed him down. Then Tiger and his friends got up laughing and started to exit the dining hall.
Fine! called the rabbit after him. It’s on! Chicken gulped.
Never in chicken’s life had he ever been in a fight, especially with an animal like a tiger. Maybe I should go apologize, said chicken. No, said the peacock. He was in the wrong. But how can I fight him? said Chicken. Peck his eyes out, said the rabbit. Chicken was still nervous. Why don’t I just tell the authorities? Like who? questioned Cheetah. Our RA? They all began to laugh. Their RA was a penguin. He was good at making programs that dealt with cookies and waddling. By the time he waddles his way down to report the problem, began the stallion, Tiger would have rushed over here at killed you. By time he waddles his way back to you with the CD, only your bones would remain. This was true. They realized that authorities might not help in this situation, especially since tiger was friends with some sneaky and equally scary people such as a snake, a grizzly bear, a crocodile, and a vulture. They could easily twist the truth and get away with it.
What was a chicken to do? A few days went by and Chicken still had no plan. The fight was two days away. Then he realized he should ask his most trusted professor, a wise monkey who knew the ways of the world because he thought about them through physics and philosophy. He told his professor everything from the encounter to the waddling penguin. His professor sat there and listened. Finally, he said, the fight is on Friday at dawn and if one does not show up one forfeits? Yes, said Chicken. And you’re a boy chicken, right? said Dr. Monkey. Yes! I crow every morning like all boy chickens, said Chicken. Then, that would make you really a rooster, right? A rooster that wakes up all of AAUM? asked the professor intentionally. Yes. Rooster, chicken, what difference does it make? said Chicken. You already have the answer, said Dr. Monkey. It was then clear to Chicken what he had to do.
He then told all his friends his plan. They all set their alarms for Friday morning and shared with the campus about the fight, except the authorities, of course. People were eager to see the fight, because something like this doesn’t usually happen at AAUM. They’ve only heard about these things at other schools, but not at AAUM. Word spread like wildfire and quite a few animals set their alarm clocks as well to get up early to see the fight, without even realizing that they were playing along with the plan.
The day of the fight came. Chicken and his friends all got up early and went down to the basketball court. Soon great masses of animals showed up. They all eagerly waited to see the fight begin. They wanted to see how this chicken would fair against a tiger. Speaking of tiger, he was nowhere to be found. They waited for a half an hour, and soon that turned into forty five minutes, finally an hour went by when tiger showed up. And due to the fact that animals at AAUM never truly saw a fight before, many animals stayed; they also stayed because many animals were very excited to see the great animal gathering of AAUM that came out to the fight.
Tiger and his friends came out, sluggishly to the basketball court. However, by now, no one was excited to see them. Most of the animals were irritated. I came out for this? cawed a crow. Waste of my sleep. You piece of crap, can’t you stick to a time that you yourself set up? shouted a warthog in the distance.
How was I suppose to know when to wake up? The stupid chicken did not crow this morning, said Tiger.
The great wolf, who laid nearby, surrounded by his pack, then angrily growl, What fool relies on his enemy to help him get ready for battle?
By doing so you have forfeited the battle under your own terms, said an elephant who chimed in. Then many others made sounds of agreement. The tiger looked around. His friends were no longer at his side, while agitated faces, devious smirks, and quick snickers flashed in front of his eyes. He could not take on all of them, so he began to turn back to go to his dorm.
Where do you think you’re going? said Black Stallion, Chicken’s friend. You owe our friend an apology for the other day! said Cheetah. They all then heard some mutter come from the tiger’s mouth. What was that? said Ox. Sorry! exclaimed Tiger. I’m sorry for bumping into you. And? said peacock. And pushing and being rude to you as well, added Tiger. Chicken smiled. That’s all it took, man. It’s okay.
Clearly defeated the tiger retired from the basketball court. The wolves, a noble pack, soon whistle Tiger’s friends away too for being unfaithful.
Chicken, on the other hand, received a great cheer from the crowd and even got to ride on top of an elephant, all until his penguin RA waddled his way to the basketball court and demanded to know what was going on. Every animal then disperse so quickly that the poor penguin did not get a single animal’s name or a single detail about the entire story.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Nightmare
Nightmare's story is basically the opposite about everything that makes a hero. Many people know the story of the typical superhero: boy loses parents by some act of injustice, they never find the criminals behind the act, boy grows up seeking justice, possibly gains super powers-unless he was left with a mass amount of money, in that case he just some how uses it to buy cool gadgets, and well from there he just starts fighting crime to protect the innocent and enact justice in the city.
Nightmare's story does not follow any of that. From the name alone you might have guessed that Nightmare is not actually a hero. He is actually a super villain. He wasn't at first. Nightmare's story starts like any average high school boy, but this young man soon found himself getting bored with the everyday. That's when mischief took over, but no without a price.
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