The Not so Fairy Frog

If it is a fairy, where are its wings? 

SCENE: the kitchen: a table surrounded by three chairs is upstage left, there is a stove with a pot on it downstage right. Hanina and Ella stand center, Hanina is holding a basket

ELLA (confused)

But… I’m just a little confused, Hanina. Where did you say it (pause) came from?

HANINA

(not looking up from the basket) The market place! An old man sold him to me.

*Ella looks to the audience, unsteady expression on her face*

ELLA

And you… you paid for it?

HANINA

Yes, a thousand gold pieces.

ELLA

A THOUSAN…

HANINA (cuts her off)

Ella, enough. Back to cooking. I am famished and I’m sure (motions to basket) he is too

Ella walks downstage right and pretends to cook while Hanina goes on about the frog

HANINA

You were not there, I am telling Ella, this frog is going to bring us amazing virtues.

ELLA (turns to look at her husband, stirring)

And how is the amphibian supposed to do that?

HANINA

(clearly upset) you will just have to see won’t you! You were not there; you have no idea what you are talking about. This man was old, clearly wise beyond either of our years. He said that this is not an ordinary frog, it has special gifts and will bring us…

ELLA

…Amazing virtues?

HANINA

Yes!

ELLA

You already said that.

Hanina slams self down into one of the kitchen chairs. Ella comes over with the pot and two bowls stacked on top of one another. She spoons some of what is in the pot into one of the bowls and sets it down in front of Hanina. She then spoons some into the other bowl and puts it in front of one of the seats. Hanina moves it to the other seat. Confused, Ella moves around to the other chair and tries to sit. As she pulls the chair out, Hanina sets the basket containing the frog in the chair.

HANINA

Well don’t be silly, Ella. You’re allowed to eat with us!

Ella glares at him, and then walks across the room to get another bowl before coming back to sit down. As she is doing this, Hanina starts talking.

HANINA

I wonder what amazing things he was speaking of when he said that.

ELLA

He? Scoots closer to the table

HANINA

The old man of course!

ELLA

Oh, yes, of course.

Silence

HANINA

I one time read this story about a fairy frog who brought a man and his wife all of these herbs that could cure diseases and things as a thank you for their graciousness. Maybe ours…

While Hanina talks, Ella is looking into the basket, back up at her husband, and then back down at the basket. She looks concerned.

ELLA

Excuse me…

HANINA

Do not interrupt me! Anyway…

ELLA

Closes her eyes as if about to say something terrible The frog is dead, Hanina

Silence

HANINA

Excuse me what?

ELLA

The man sold you a dead frog

Ella holds the basket up and Hanina peers in.

HANINA

Oh. Looks up at his wife. Well...that's disturbing. Get rid of it, would you?

Scene.

AUTHORS NOTE: This story was inspired by the old Jewish fairy tale "The Fairy Frog" which was written in the early 1900s

BIBLIOGRAPHY: The Fairy Frog by Gertrude Landa, 1919 

Reading Notes: Phaethon and the Sun

Classical, Week 3 reading notes

Main Characters:

Phaethon: has divine father, Apollo

lo: raped by Zeus, mother of Epaptius 

Mulciber: god Vulcan

Brief Synopsis: 

Lo returns to earth as a human but is now worshiped by many and viewed as a goddess for giving birth to the son of Zeus. Meanwhile, Phaethon is unsure of himself and has his mother convince him to go meet his father, Apollo, and see the sun for himself. 

Apollo, god of the Sun

Quotes that could lead to another story: 

"By that brightness marked out by glittering rays that sees us and hears us, I swear to you, my son, that you are the child of the sun" -the quote that leads Phaethon to eventually go to the Palace of the Sun

Thoughts/Interesting Points:

-the name "Phaethon" becomes part of the English language as a term that refers to a type of carriage, which I find interesting since Apollo rides around on a carriage 

-was it the intention of Zeus for lo to be adored by many because he was not allowed to adore her in the manner he wished?

Bibliography: Classical, Ovid's Metamorphosis: Phaethon and the Sun

Reading Notes for Tuesday: lo

lo, raped by Zeus and impregnated with his son

Main Characters: 

Jupiter: Zeus

lo: woman whom Zeus lusts over 

Juno (Hera): wife of Zeus, queen of the gods

Argus: son of Arestor

Brief Synopsis: 

Zeus lusts over a mortal named lo, and eventually rapes her. In trying to hide this deed from his wife, murder and transformation occurs. Eventually, Zeus is forgiven for his actions and lo is returned to human form.

Quotes that could lead to story: 

"You are overthrown, the light of your many eyes is extinguished and one dark sleeps under so many eyelids" -the murder of Arugs

Important Details

-lo's name is never capitalized; I assume this is because she is mortal and all others in the story are not, so she is seen as a lesser in comparison

-this story, in particular, is a challenge to understand but is important to read in order to comprehend "Phaethon and the Sun" in its entirety

Bibliography: Classical, Ovid's Metamorphosis: lo

Reading Notes for Monday: Deucalion and Pyrrha

Classical: Ovid's Metamorphoses: Deucalion and Pyrrha

Main characters:

Jupiter, the planet of Zeus

Jupiter: Zeus
Neptune: Poseidon
Pyrrha: wife of Deucalion
Phocis: land located between Aonia and Oeta, home of Mount Parnassus where the boat of Deucalion landed during the flood
Themis: goddess of Oracles

Brief Synopsis:
The entire story revolves around Zeus deciding he was not satisfied with his waters and deciding to flood the earth. He takes pity on Deucalion and Pyrrha and spares their lives

The Boat of Deucalion and Pyrrha

Things I found Interesting:
-this story is much like Noah's Ark, only much darker and Zeus is not as loving as God
-Why does Zeus show mercy for them of all people?

Quotes that could lead to another story:
"leave the temple and with veiled heads and loosened clothes throw behind you the bones of your great mother" -Themis to Deucalion and Pyrrha

"So the toughness of our race, our abilities to endure hard labour, and the proof we give the source from which we are sprung" -end of the story, found interesting

Biography: Classical, Ovid's Metamorphoses: Deucalion and Pyrrha

Growth Mindset

Though I have never heard of this type of growth plan before, I have heard of other ones that stick with focusing on your strengths. For me, empathy is a strength I need to focus on. While I can improve in other fields, it is important to me that I don't lose sight of how this one has helped me become the person I am today. I work a lot of jobs that involve meeting and talking to various people in both different economic classes and different stages of their lives, so empathy is key.
This semester, I am trying to balance out everything I need to do, start a blog, and learn more about myself as a person and a student all in one.

Leaves, colorful and unique 

Starting the Semester: Tips and Tricks

So far, this class has already taught me to be organized and work ahead, work ahead, work ahead! I am going to attempt to finish almost all weekly assignments the Sunday before they are due as to not stress myself out throughout the week.

As for other various tips, I would have to say get a planner, and write down everything you possibly could forget. Nothing is worse than showing up to class and not having something done that is due that day.