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fandomhigh2007-01-31 10:03 pm
blossomsofice.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2007-01-31 10:03 pm
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Folklore and Fact: Mystical Artifacts Week 4 [Thurs/2nd Period]
Sakura had a stack of handouts to give the class upon arrival today. "This story is in your textbooks as well," she said wryly, "but in order to ensure that everyone has read it, please take a few minutes to review the handout."
She waited about ten minutes before continuing, "Taketori Monogatari, or the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, is considered to be the oldest known narrative in Japanese culture; it's not known who originally wrote it. Tibetan folklore contains a nearly identical story, and certain elements of this tale can also be found in folktales around the world. Wayland the Smith from Norse myth and the Russian tale behind the ballet Swan Lake feature otherworldly princesses with mystical robes; countless stories tell of princes or commoners who must fulfill impossible tasks to win the princess." There was the slightest hint of distaste in Sakura's voice when she mentioned princes. "Similarly, the story of Thumbelina tells of a girl born from a plant. And then there's Momotarou, but . . ."
For a very brief moment, it might have looked like Sakura's brain was breaking.
Moving to the lockbox on the table, she opened it to reveal the wooden box from last week's class, the one they weren't supposed to open. Sakura did open it, and reached in to retrieve a large chunk of what appeared to be dull yellow quartz. "At the end of the bamboo cutter's story, the potion of immortality was burned on the slopes of Mount Fuji -- the mountain of immortality -- giving it its name. I found a copy of some notes in my office, left by the previous occupant, apparently a translation of a tale about two ancient Greek women in search of a fountain of immortality on Fuji. We haven't found any such thing, but as you can see the mountain's link to eternal life is widespread." She placed the rock on a scanning platform set up on the table, and its enlarged image appeared on the triple display screens. "This rock is . . . synthesized from the ashes that were in the box when it was found, and has the same effect, which isn't true immortality but a temporary boost of life energy."
Carefully, she put the rock back into its box, which in turn went into the lockbox for safekeeping. "With the Potion, when it was located, was the garment known as the Angel's Raiment of the Moon, used by Kaguya-hime to return to her people. We don't have it in our possession -- but I believe it's safe with its owner."
Sakura let them consider the implications of that statement for themselves. "All right. Since different people may have different motivations to acquire something like the Potion of Immortality, I've divided the class into three groups. Group One and Group Two are each to come up with one selfish reason to obtain the Potion; Group Three, your intention should be a well-meaning one. Once you've all decided on your reason, try and figure out why all of them could ultimately lead to trouble."
Beat.
"And no, none of you are actually going to get the Potion at the end of class."
[OOC: Class roster and info post. OCD is available for your pleasure not dirty!]
She waited about ten minutes before continuing, "Taketori Monogatari, or the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, is considered to be the oldest known narrative in Japanese culture; it's not known who originally wrote it. Tibetan folklore contains a nearly identical story, and certain elements of this tale can also be found in folktales around the world. Wayland the Smith from Norse myth and the Russian tale behind the ballet Swan Lake feature otherworldly princesses with mystical robes; countless stories tell of princes or commoners who must fulfill impossible tasks to win the princess." There was the slightest hint of distaste in Sakura's voice when she mentioned princes. "Similarly, the story of Thumbelina tells of a girl born from a plant. And then there's Momotarou, but . . ."
For a very brief moment, it might have looked like Sakura's brain was breaking.
Moving to the lockbox on the table, she opened it to reveal the wooden box from last week's class, the one they weren't supposed to open. Sakura did open it, and reached in to retrieve a large chunk of what appeared to be dull yellow quartz. "At the end of the bamboo cutter's story, the potion of immortality was burned on the slopes of Mount Fuji -- the mountain of immortality -- giving it its name. I found a copy of some notes in my office, left by the previous occupant, apparently a translation of a tale about two ancient Greek women in search of a fountain of immortality on Fuji. We haven't found any such thing, but as you can see the mountain's link to eternal life is widespread." She placed the rock on a scanning platform set up on the table, and its enlarged image appeared on the triple display screens. "This rock is . . . synthesized from the ashes that were in the box when it was found, and has the same effect, which isn't true immortality but a temporary boost of life energy."
Carefully, she put the rock back into its box, which in turn went into the lockbox for safekeeping. "With the Potion, when it was located, was the garment known as the Angel's Raiment of the Moon, used by Kaguya-hime to return to her people. We don't have it in our possession -- but I believe it's safe with its owner."
Sakura let them consider the implications of that statement for themselves. "All right. Since different people may have different motivations to acquire something like the Potion of Immortality, I've divided the class into three groups. Group One and Group Two are each to come up with one selfish reason to obtain the Potion; Group Three, your intention should be a well-meaning one. Once you've all decided on your reason, try and figure out why all of them could ultimately lead to trouble."
Beat.
"And no, none of you are actually going to get the Potion at the end of class."
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | ||
| Evie Carnahan | Wyatt Halliwell | Dawn Summers | ||
| Phoebe Halliwell | Walter Dornez | Balthier | ||
| Pippi Longstocking | William Kessler | Elizabeth Delgado | ||
| Dean Winchester | Carmela Rodriguez | Haruhi Fujioka | ||
| Matilda Wormwood | Kyo Sohma | Tori Hanson | ||
| Kabuto Yakushi | Stark | Jo Harvelle | ||
| Chris Halliwell | Sam Winchester | Valentine | ||
| Ronald Weasley |
[OOC: Class roster and info post. OCD is available for your pleasure not dirty!]
Re: Group 2: Discussion
Re: Group 2: Discussion
Re: Group 2: Discussion
Re: Group 2: Discussion
Re: Group 2: Discussion
Re: Group 2: Discussion