This unit, From/To, in our Humanities class Stories, we learned about how the stories we see today appeared from fables that used to exist. In this Action Project, we wrote our own versions of fables with classic lessons. I think the hardest part of this action project was to keep it from being stereotypical. These lessons have been done so many times it was difficult to keep it new.
Ever since Dyna was young, she had been made fun of for her size. Even for a mouse, she was tiny. Her mother used to force her to eat more to look larger, her siblings laughed when she couldn’t reach the top shelf, her uncle made her help him build the shed behind their tree so she could build muscle. But her worst tormentor was the huge bear who ruled the forest, Athos. His steps could be felt from miles away, his voice boomed through the thick pines and his claws seemed to stretch for meters. Every time he saw Dyna, he would laugh at her size and flick one of his powerful wrists to shoot her into the bushes. After years of this bullying by Athos, she was determined to let him know that she was much more powerful than he thought.
While on a short walk to the pond, she noticed something shimmering behind a group of plants. She went to discover, and she found a short sword with a dazzling gold pommel. Dyna went to pick it up, excited of the new opportunity to defend herself, but as she grasped the handle, she felt her muscles burn and stretch, and she could only lift it about two inches off the ground. Although discouraged by the sheer mass of the sword, she felt excited to try and learn how to use it.
Over the next week, she just practiced holding it and lifting it. Though it was difficult, she could feel the muscles in her arms starting to grow and it got easier as the week dragged on. The first time she attempted to swing it, she felt the sword’s inertia pull her over onto the hard ground. She grumbled and tried again, this time setting her feet wide to balance, and her sword successfully bit into the soft wood of the stump she was practicing on.
Ever since Dyna was young, she had been made fun of for her size. Even for a mouse, she was tiny. Her mother used to force her to eat more to look larger, her siblings laughed when she couldn’t reach the top shelf, her uncle made her help him build the shed behind their tree so she could build muscle. But her worst tormentor was the huge bear who ruled the forest, Athos. His steps could be felt from miles away, his voice boomed through the thick pines and his claws seemed to stretch for meters. Every time he saw Dyna, he would laugh at her size and flick one of his powerful wrists to shoot her into the bushes. After years of this bullying by Athos, she was determined to let him know that she was much more powerful than he thought.
While on a short walk to the pond, she noticed something shimmering behind a group of plants. She went to discover, and she found a short sword with a dazzling gold pommel. Dyna went to pick it up, excited of the new opportunity to defend herself, but as she grasped the handle, she felt her muscles burn and stretch, and she could only lift it about two inches off the ground. Although discouraged by the sheer mass of the sword, she felt excited to try and learn how to use it.
Over the next week, she just practiced holding it and lifting it. Though it was difficult, she could feel the muscles in her arms starting to grow and it got easier as the week dragged on. The first time she attempted to swing it, she felt the sword’s inertia pull her over onto the hard ground. She grumbled and tried again, this time setting her feet wide to balance, and her sword successfully bit into the soft wood of the stump she was practicing on.
For all of the next year, she spent all of her free time at that stump, and soon it was scattered with bites and cuts of all shapes and sizes. She taught herself, getting more and more confident with each stroke, stronger with each slash, and quicker with every hour of practice.
One day, while she was teaching herself how to parry an attack, she jumped in surprise when she heard screaming and other sounds of violence from the other side of the forest. She started to sprint, her sword held at her side, and gasped when she saw the terrifying figure of Athos looming over the small creatures of the forest, his claws coated in blood. She sprung into action, jumping in the air and landing on one of Athos’ huge haunches and pushing her sword into the thick muscle there. He growled in agony, attempting to swat her away, but her size meant that he missed.
The other animals watched in awe as the mouse they had previously made fun of saved their lives. Dyna was nothing more than a brown and gold blur, her sword swinging deadly circles as Athos realized his mistake. He knew that he could not win, not against this swirling angry cloud. He screamed as her sword struck home again, again and again. He finally started to run, praying that she couldn't follow, and Dyna was satisfied that he would not come back for a long, long time.
One day, while she was teaching herself how to parry an attack, she jumped in surprise when she heard screaming and other sounds of violence from the other side of the forest. She started to sprint, her sword held at her side, and gasped when she saw the terrifying figure of Athos looming over the small creatures of the forest, his claws coated in blood. She sprung into action, jumping in the air and landing on one of Athos’ huge haunches and pushing her sword into the thick muscle there. He growled in agony, attempting to swat her away, but her size meant that he missed.
The other animals watched in awe as the mouse they had previously made fun of saved their lives. Dyna was nothing more than a brown and gold blur, her sword swinging deadly circles as Athos realized his mistake. He knew that he could not win, not against this swirling angry cloud. He screamed as her sword struck home again, again and again. He finally started to run, praying that she couldn't follow, and Dyna was satisfied that he would not come back for a long, long time.
She smiled happily as she saw his lumbering form disappear through the thick trees.
Never stop until you have completed your goals.
OR
Do not throw away your shot.
OR
Do not throw away your shot.
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| Dyna, MDS (2016) |
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| Athos, MDS (2016) |
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