Week 3 Story: The Golden Deer
(Rama and the Golden Deer, by Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues)
She was the interest of many young princes. They would shower her in attention, gold riches, and vibrant fabrics, but she refused them all. Adi only wanted three task that no prince could do.
On a morning walk through the mountains she came across a hunter. He did not shower her with faux attention, riches, or brilliant clothes. He simply told her he would do anything to prove his love for her.
Adi was drawn to him and agreed to let him prove his love with three task.
Adi asked the hunter if he would resist the urge to cut down the trees.
He said yes, and vowed to never cut another tree.
Adi asked the hunter if he could sing to the birds and give them music to dance to.
He said yes, and vowed to sing the sweetest of melodies.
Adi asked the hunter if he would lay down his bow and never pick it up again.
He said yes, and vowed to never use his bow again.
Adi told the hunter she would return someday more beautiful than ever, dressed in riches, and cloaked in temptation. If he could treat her with respect, she would stay by his side forever.
The hunter agreed, not grasping how he could ever treat such a beautiful woman like an animal.
Months passed and the hunter had sang many songs, cared for many trees, and allowed his bow to gather dust. One morning, he was walking in the mountains, day dreaming about the beautiful woman who was to return. In front of him a golden deer walked out of a patch of thick brush. The hunter had never seen a more beautiful deer. He though such a coat would woo Adi.
He reached for his bow, but the golden deer ran away into the brush.
The hunter grabbed an axe and cut through the tree limbs. He finally arrived to a field where he saw the golden deer laying. He drew his bow and shot the golden deer.
Before his eyes the golden deer turned into the beautiful woman. He yelled and shouted, scaring all the birds out of the trees. He ran to the beautiful woman to explain the mistake, but before he could she silenced him saying,
"You do not own this Earth. You do not own the trees, nor the birds, nor the deer, nor me. I am the original creator. You do not respect the gifts I made. You cut my trees, scare my birds, and hunt my creatures. You have shot my heart, but it is your wicked heart that will never heal"And then she disappeared, back into the forest.
Author's note:
Hi guys! Okay so this story is VERY loosely based off the PDE Ramayana story The Golden Deer. Loosely because the only similarity is the golden deer.
I was inspired by the idea of this beautiful deer that was actually a form of another person. In the Ramayana it is Maricha, an old enemy of Rama, disguised as the deer. Maricha uses the disguise to tempt Rama away from Sita so he can give her the deer as a token of his love. I used this idea, but added the twist of the love interest being the deer.
Now as for Adi, she is actually taken straight from some research I did. I tried to find the Indian mythology version of a mother nature, and it is a supreme being named Adi Parashakti. She is the creator and is in many forms. From there, I just ran with the story. I wanted it to be centered around nature and really focus in on the importance of respecting the Earth we walk on.
I wasn't sure how to end the story, so if anyone has an idea or suggestion let me know! I thought the walk away ending worked, but I feel like something else could tie it in better. Maybe just ending with the quote? Let me know what you guys think!
Bibliography: PDE Ramayana, Part B by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913) Link here
I really liked how you ended the story, actually! It gives a sense of mystery and acts as a cliffhanger. That part made me very curious as to what can happen, and in a sense for most people, it can have them finish the story themselves, in a way. You could possible expand on the details of the story and base them more on the actual story itself, as you mentioned that it was only very loosely based off of it, so what if you brought more details straight from the story to your own? I really enjoyed your rendition of it, however!
ReplyDeleteHello! This is easily my favorite story I have read in this class so far! It was so beautiful and enchanting. Normally detail bores me but you did a wonderful job with not overdoing it. I especially liked the "Months passed and..." sentence! It summarizes the situation really well and helps the reader see how much the woman changed him. It really adds depth to his character. Also, I really loved the "You do not own this Earth" paragraph. It's filled with so much wisdom, and I'm sure it stuck the man for the rest of his life. I loved your ending, but maybe you could have added something about the man's response, or his life afterwards? E.g. was he mourning or heartbroken? Did he go back to hunting? Still, I thought you did a great job with it.
ReplyDeleteOne suggestion I have is to add in a sentence or two about why the man suddenly forgot he was supposed to not hunt when he saw the golden deer. Was it just that the deer was so mesmerizing? Had he forgotten his promise due to the passage of time? Just a suggestion, though!
Camille,
ReplyDeleteI think your story is really endearing (no pun intended). Adi's speech towards the end is so beautiful, yet so relevant in today's world. Also, you developed the relationship between the hunter and Adi really well and with detail. Upon reading your author's note, the use of the name Adi was such a good choice, too! I look forward to reading more from you!