Week 5: The Diary of Tara

Image information: Dear Diary. Source: Flickr


Dear Diary,

There has been so much that has occurred. I am now with Vali instead of Sugriva. On a night when Vali chased an enemy into the moonlight, Sugriva was left to stand watch. However, Sugriva claims he thought that Vali had been killed... from Vali's side of the story, the hole of the cavern had been filled up with a mountain top, making it difficult for Vali to get out. Once he did, though, Vali returned to the kingdom and took me from my husband and made me his own. I'm not sure how I feel about this.. this entire situation just doesn't seem right.

xo Tara

Dear Diary,

I am very suspicious of Sugriva.. I have a bad feeling in my stomach about he and Rama becoming allies. If this is true, there could be terrible fate ahead. I don't know what to do! Vali is so stubborn that I feel like if I tried to warn him, he wouldn't listen. BUT SUGRIVA IS MY KING'S BROTHER! Why must he betray his loyalty?

xo Tara

Dear Diary,

SO MUCH has happened today! I tried so hard to keep Vali away from starting war with Sugriva. I tried several times to tell my king about my knowledge of Sugriva and Rama becoming allies and that he should not go try to find him, for there could be terrible fate, but he would not listen to me... instead, Vali has stormed off to find Sugriva and fight him until the death! I don't know what to do! I can't help from thinking the absolute worst possible scenario! What if I lose Vali?! I can't live without him! I'm praying, praying, praying that Vali stays safe and defeats Sugriva.

xo Tara

Dear Diary,

MY KING! MY KING VALI... he has been slain by the hands of Rama!! Upon Sugriva and Vali beginning to fight, Rama came out from hiding behind trees and shot my Vali with an arrow shot from his bow! My king's own brother has betrayed him! What shall I do?! I am widowed! I am alone! What ever will I do without my King Vali by my side?!

a brokenhearted Tara


Authors note: 
I thought that telling the story of Vali's death through the eyes of Tara would be interesting because of how invested and dramatic that she is throughout the story.
Bibliography: PDE Ramayama. Sugriva's Story  Sugriva and Vali  & Vali's Death 

Week 2 Story

** This story is now published on my portfolio site that be accessed here** 

The Very Clever Hare

Image from Terrierman's Daily Dose

Deep in the southern plains of Oklahoma there lived a coyote 

As the winter months came and warm weather disappeared, the coyote’s hunting wasn’t as successful. He hadn’t eaten yet that day and his stomach continually reminded him. 

"I need a plan" thought the coyote. The first animal I see, I will tell them that I had just barely gotten away from a bobcat and will convince them that I am trying to help save their life. 

Days went by and the coyote had yet to see anything he could kill and eat

“I have got to get food. I can feel myself losing strength”

The coyote continued to travel through the plains searching 

Suddenly, in a field that had yet to had its life taken by the changing temperatures, the coyote spotted a jack rabbit eating. He remembered that his father had once told him about jack rabbits, but could not recall exactly what. It didn’t matter to the coyote, though. He was determined to eat him. 

As the coyote grew closer, he began to heavily breathe 

The rabbit, now aware of the coyote, stuck his head up and began to run when the coyote yelled, “Wait! I’m trying to save your life!”

Alarmed, the rabbit turned.

Huffing, the coyote managed to get out “Bobcat. Back there. Come with me”

The rabbit immediately clung to the coyote when they began to run

After it felt like forever, the coyote finally stopped running. 

Not familiar with his surroundings, the rabbit asked the coyote, “Where have you taken me?”

The coyote, licking his lips and drool dripping out of his mouth, the coyote replied, “Oh, you silly little jack rabbit. You’ve fallen for my trick! There was no bobcat! It is winter and I am hungry. And you’re going to be my meal”

The rabbit, however, knew something that the coyote did not- a predator foot trap steaked onto the nearest tree. 

Without hesitation, the jack rabbit began to sprint. As he approached the tree, he headed straight for the trap. 

Right before he himself was about to step on it, he quickly jumped high into the air, causing the coyote to run straight into it.

“HA!” the jack rabbit cried. “You should never underestimate the skill of jack rabbit such as I!”

Chuckling, the rabbit left the coyote in the trap, for he was to become someone else’s meal for that night. 

Authors Note: 

My original idea for this story came from reading The Cunning Crane and the Crab. 

Story source: The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India by W. H. D. Rouse. Internet archive.