Reading Notes: The Old Woman and Her Pig (A)

 

Pigs

Picture by Thanos Georgiou

Source: Flickr

“The Old Woman and Her Pig” was an interesting story I have never read before, or heard about. My favorite part was the end where everything falls into place with all the things the old lady asked the animals she encountered to do with a riddle like paragraph, and gets home that night. I thought this was so different. I liked how everything that happened previous to the end of the story was built up for that ending. I think this is a unique writing technique I could use in my own version of this story.

Something I would like to change is the relationship between the pig and the lady. I want their to be a friendship between the two in my own story. I think this would create a happier vibe. I want to keep the rest of the animals because they were all interesting characters in the original story. I also would like for my main character to encounter bigger obstacles on the journey.

I found this story to be an opportunity to think of better strategies to better my writing. I’m looking forward to writing something of my own with the help of this interesting little story. I thought the repetitive theme was also something fun to read. I could picture this story being told to kids, and them catching on what the words would be next.

One thing I think my readers would really appreciate is the attachment to the pig I want to portray after the old lady buys the pig because let’s face it—pigs can be adorable little animals. I’m excited to see what I can do with the theme, writing technique, and characters as I write my own version! Wish me luck! 

Bibliography: Joseph Jacob's English Fairy Tales: The Old Woman and Her Pig

Week 5 Story: The Three Little Pigs

Three Little Pigs

Picture by Diane Michaud Lowry

Source: Flickr

Once upon time there lived three little pigs! One was a pinkish white, the other a very pink, and the last was a pretty dark brown. They lived in a really nice barn with the chickens, horses, and even spiders! The barn started to fall apart as time with by, and the the three little pigs had no place to stay once the barn was all gone, so they decided to go on their own adventure to find a new house! The three little piggies were now adult pigs ready to find their new homes.

The first pig was in search of a house made from straws, so he went to find some straw when a nice old man in the woods gave him his pile of straw, and said, “Don’t forget to say no, no by the hair of my chiny chin chin once you are inside your house.”

The little pig walked back the to the other pigs confused. The second  pig wanted a house made from furze, so he came across the same old man, and the man said,  “Don’t forget to say no, no by the hair of my chiny chin chin once you are inside your house.”

Finally, the last pig wanted a house made from bricks. He too went on a search to find some bricks when he came upon the same old man in the woods, and once again the kind old man said, “Don’t forget to say no, no by the hair of my chiny chin chin once you are inside your house.”

As the three little pigs were building their house they were all wondering why the man told all of them the same thing.  Perhaps it was a little riddle he told everyone they thought. Little did they know, this rhyme was going to save them from a big bad wolf. 

Bibliography:  Joseph Jacob's English Fairy Tales: The Story of the Three Little Pigs

Author's Note:  

  This was one of my all time favorite tales to hear and read as a kid. The original story was about an old sow that had these little pigs, and told them to go seek their fortune when she was unable to keep them anymore. The three little pigs went to go build their new homes after that. The man in the story gave them straw. The second man in the story gave one of the pigs furze, and finally the third man in the story gave the last pig bricks. Each time the house was built by the pigs a wolf would knock down the new homes except for the one made from bricks. I changed the story to have one nice man telling the pigs a riddle that will come in handy when the wolf tries to knock down their homes. The riddle is supposed to be magic to save the pigs, but the pigs have no idea about that until they are wanted by a bad wolf.

Reading Notes: Fairy Ointment (B)

Magic Wand; Flickr

I thought this story was interesting, and a little weird. I just never pictured ointment to be part of a fairy-tale like story, but I guess that’s what makes this story unique and different. One thing I definitely want to change is the ointment part. I know that is the main part of the story, but I want to change it to a magic bubble! I want what the ointment does to the baby and the nurse to be something a bubble does when it hits the eyes of the baby and the nurse.

I think this will be more fun than an ointment doing the magic. I thought the nurse was also an interesting character. I would like to add in her internal thoughts into my own story because I found myself wondering more about her personality and her intentions while I was reading the original story. My favorite part was when she tries to see what the ointment does for herself. This reminded me of the popular phrase “curiosity killed the cat.” I feel this was the moral of the story. I would like to include this phrase into my story.

I did find this story to be not something I liked as much, but it did show how different fairy-tales can be. I can’t imagine how many more tales I have not readin my childhood after reading this. This story makes me want to read more fairy-tale like stories! 

Bibliography:  Joseph Jacob's English Fairy Tales: Fairy Ointment

Reading Notes: The Three Little Pigs (A)

 

Wolf and Piggy; Wikipedia

Wow, this is one of my favorite classic stories! This tale definitely took me back to my childhood. My favorite part as a kid was actually the wolf he was so mean. I wanted him to stop being so mean to the piggies. I guess this is my chance to finally have the ending be what I wanted as a little kid. I’m super excited!

I feel the majority of people are familiar with the story of the three Little Pigs. That being said, I want the familiarity to still stay, but change up the ending and possibly the three piggies! I had no idea this was such an old classic tale. I also did not know it was an English fairy tale—learned something new today! I feel this will be so much fun to rewrite because theirs history behind it, and I see myself telling my own kids in the future the same tale. I might even be able to tell them my own version!

I want to include a family in my story for my main characters. I think this will make the story a little bit more interesting and complex. I also want to include more dialogue between the characters. One thing I want to keep the same are the phrases “no, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin” and “The I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house in.” I think these are classic phrases that have to be included! I’m super excited to go back to my childhood as I write this story, and share it with you all. Wish me luck! 

Bibliography:  Joseph Jacob's English Fairy Tales: The Story of the Three Little Pigs

Growth Mindset: Beyond School

 

Gifts

Picture by: Kelvin Kay

Source: Wikipedia 

I think the Growth Mindset idea can be applied to many things in life beyond school. That being said, I think I have the strongest growth mindset when it comes to my relationships in life. I'm a daughter, sister, friend, girlfriend, mentor, etc. I feel all the roles I play in my life are very important to me. Growth mindset in this area of my life is strong because I am constantly working on ways where I can improve to be a better daughter, girlfriend, sister, etc. Sometimes when I can't make it to a family dinner, or go home for the weekend, there is a part of me that makes me want to make up for not being present. Some specific ways that I try and be a better daughter is by going home more, helping my mom in the kitchen when I am there. I try and be a better sister by helping her with scholarships. I try and be a better girlfriend is by communicating more, and giving my attention to just my boyfriend when we talk. Another huge part of me is that I show love with gifts. I love writing letters, sending meaningful presents, and creating things that have meaning behind them. 

I think my strong growth mindset in this area of my life can be useful in school by thinking of different ways I can improve being a better student. I think I could make a list of easy, efficient ways to improve when I do my school work, and what the next is to accomplish my main goal. My main goals as a student include making good grades, connecting with my professors, and being a future dentist.

Famous Last Words: A Good Week

Fort Worth, Texas

Picture by Matt Pasant

Source: Flickr

Hi Everyone! Wow, we’re already in week 12 of the semester. Considering I’m a senior, that is a good but scary thought! I’m reflecting on my week last week, and I have to say I had a pretty calm week. It was not test week for me, and I didn’t have that much homework—this is rare. Overall, school has been going well! I’m in Introduction to Logic this semester, and a lot of people made me feel concerned about being in this class because it’s such a different course to take. I’ve never had any previous knowledge before taking this class, and I’m very science brained. That being said, I’m surprised at how fast I am catching on with the area of study in this course. It is very different, and almost like basic programming. It’s starting to get a lot more challenging, but I’m ready to tackle a challenge. I feel a lot better about this course as the weeks are going on. I finally got my portfolio up and running, and I’m FINALLY catching up. I’m looking forward to building my portfolio.

Aside from school, I went to visit my boyfriend’s family this weekend, and saw my parents! He lives in Forth Worth, Texas, and this was my first time visiting. It was a very relaxed weekend, and I had tons of fun! My family came to Norman, and we went out to eat together. I think family time is very important, and this weekend I had time for that. This week is going to be a little different, but I’m ready for what’s to come as I start preparing for finals. The class that I’m the most worried about is my Organic Chemistry Lab. I’m going to start preparing this week because there’s a lot to know and practice. Wish me luck!