SPRING
TEEN WRITING & ART SHOWCASE
& We hope you enjoy reading Gail Borden’s fourth Teen Writing and Art Showcase! This issue includes submissions from fifteen students at eleven local schools. We have published entries exactly as they were submitted. For information about how to submit work for publication in a future showcase, please visit www.gailborden.info/teenwriting. We want to see your amazing creations!
TABLE OF CONTENTS FRONT LOTUS FLOWERS OIL PASTELS ELISE MILLER GRADE 8, KENYON WOODS MS 3
FAIRWAYON
4-5
THE NEW BEGINNING FICTION (EXCERPT) JENNA MCKEE GRADE 7, ABBOTT MIDDLE SCHOOL
6
YUNO GASAI PENCIL DAE’VANTE TWYMON GRADE 8, KIMBALL MS
6-7
NEGLIGENT STEWARDS ENTRUSTED WITH THE FATE OF THE WORLD NONFICTION SAMANTHA HARVILLE GRADE 11, BURLINGTON CENTRAL HS
8
MUSIC FREES DIGITAL SOFTWARE ALEJANDRA RODRIGUEZ GRADE 9, BURLINGTON CENTRAL HS
8
MISAO – BLACK BIRD PENCIL STEPHANIE SNYDER GRADE 10, HOMESCHOOL
9
IMAGINE POEM WITH ILLUSTRATION (DIGITAL ART) LANEY SCHWEITZER GRADE 8, KENYON WOODS MS
10-11
LINDSAY FICTION KATIE S. MOORE GRADE 6, CLINTON ELEMENTARY
12
ST. VINCENT PENCIL RACHEL HARNESS GRADE 11, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN
12
THE PUZZLE OF SHAPES PENCIL ON PAPER STETSON MEYER GRADE 7, KIMBALL MIDDLE SCHOOL
13
SAND PENCIL AILISH SEIBERT GRADE 6, FOX MEADOW ELEMENTARY
13
FACADE SLAM POETRY AUTUMN PEARSON GRADE 12, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN
14-15
RESOURCEFULNESS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD NONFICTION YAHYA ARASTU GRADE 6, SYCAMORE TRAILS ELEMENTARY
BACK
UNTITLED OILS, INK FARRELL ROSA KUHN GRADE 6, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY
POETRY
ASIYAH ARASTU GRADE 8, LARSEN MS
FAIRWAYON
ASIYAH ARASTU
This poem describes the feeling of “fairwayon,” a sniglet I created that means the following: A feeling, often bittersweet, felt after finishing an epic novel, of relief, nostalgia, sadness, and remembering good and bad memories.
Through joy and sorrow, ease and pain, Across jagged mountains and barren plains, In terrible battles with grief and death, Not knowing if we’d breathe another breath…
We’ve seen people unite and divide. We’ve seen wars flare up and subside. We’ve seen things that once were remain not the same. We’ve uncovered identities, hidden true names.
We’ve destroyed objects with evil teeming, Fought serpents, spiders, and monsters screaming We’ll never forget the courage shown As we traveled together to face the unknown.
We’ve experienced wonder and hope and delight And unbearably dark and harrowing nights. We’ve experienced worry, fear, and relief, Unfathomable agony, beyond belief.
We’ve seen our loved ones leave this world, Teachers, students, boys and girls, Friends and classmates, kings and queens, Elven warriors, talking trees…
We’ve searched for things and hidden things. We’ve learned things and written things. We’ve yearned for things and forgotten things. We’ve lost things and then found those things.
We’ve seen family leave and not return, Learned things we wish we’d never learned. We’ve wept for parents, sisters, brothers, And rejoiced in the end with one another.
We’ve known beauty and forces of good In valleys and forests and golden woods, And we’ve battled against what’s wicked and wrong With friends whose friendship I hope will stay strong.
We’ve run and walked and flown and sailed. We persevered when all else failed. We’ve unearthed secrets, cast fears aside, We’ve suffered and triumphed, laughed and cried.
Through lands bathed in the light of the moon, Through moments we wish hadn’t ended so soon, Through valleys where songs echo in the breeze, Through good times, bad times, across tumultuous seas…
We’ve faced our enemies; we’ve faced our foes. We’ve faced suspicion that ebbs and flows. We’ve faced confusion, lies, and deceit, But we never gave in or accepted defeat.
We’ve faced magic and swords and poison and spells, Weapons and goblets and maps and wells. We have faced and learned and felt so much. It hovers within us, a lingering touch.
Time has passed, but still we remember Powerful wands and rings and embers. We remember facing both darkness and light. We remember fleeing and turning to fight.
And now the journey is at its end. We’ve stood together as steadfast friends. Through all that has happened, we’ve endured as one. But now, it’s all over. At last it is done.
THE NEW BEGINNING JENNA MCKEE
Looking straight down, I power walked right into my first period class door. Time slowed down as I fell, and I saw the cold, cement floor get closer and closer to my body. As soon and I hit the ground, pain spread throughout my body, like when you first jump into a pool- the water engulfs you, and it's all around you. Tripping over my books to get up, I then awkwardly wave at the students through the small rectangular window. There were only a few moments of silence before I could hear a tsunami of laughter from behind the door. I felt my face go red, and I quickly picked up my purple binder and books. I hope no one judged the color. It was my favorite. Grasping the metal door knob, hands shaking, I sighed. I bet I wasn't going to make friends, was I? I did not make any eye contact with anybody in the room, and then, to make it worse, the teacher snickers, “Had a rough fall there, eh buddy?” I mumble, “Yes, ma’am, but I’m fine.” Muffled snickering surrounded me. I took a seat in the back of the class, hoping things would get better. “Hey!” an olive colored kid with a brown buzzcut whipped around to the back of his seat to face me. “What colored binder is that?” Trying to act slightly casual, I replied, “Purple. My favorite.” Teeth clenched, I resisted the urge to punch him in the face as he almost cackled, “That's a pretty feminine color, isn't it?” I cursed under my breath before replying with “so is yours like camo or something?” “Actually, yes.” and with that, the kid turned around. I so wanted to punch him. “Okay class! It's time to introduce ourselves! Say three things about yourself,” the teacher cheered. It was sad how fake it was. The kids went through, and told us a little about themselves, until it was my turn. “Well…. my name is Hayden Avila, I am 16 years old, and I just fell.” Laughter. After this, I was ignored for the rest of the period. During the last five minutes, I stared at the clock, quietly ticking
away time. The hour, minute, second, even millisecond I wanted this to end. I let go of anything I learned this period, because all I want is a fresh start. Startling everyone in the class except me, the steady sound of the bell appeared, as happy memories of middle school flooded my brain. Not as much homework, and friends. But high school was a new start. I dashed, hoping no one would chase after me, or bully me. I turned the corner, and slowed down to a steady walk. Looking at my schedule, I realized I had to make it to the first floor, while I was on floor five. Sprinting again, my eyes dashed around, hoping the stairs were going to be somewhere in sight. I slowed down once again, because a boy with brown curly hair, and matching brown eyes approached me. I did not recognize him from last class. “Umm…hey, you dropped your pencil back there.” Did he just blush? “Here you go.” Looking at the pencil, and not paying any attention to where his hand was, I grabbed his hand, that was over the pencil. This was awkward. “Oh! I am so sorry.. this must be so awkward for you,” I rambled on, getting lost in his eyes. I adjusted my hand so we weren't touching. “I’m Steven , by the way,” the boy greeted. This kid had a perfect face. Everything about it, perfect. “I’m Hayden, what period next?” I asked. “oh,” he looked down at a crumpled mess of a paper that must have been his schedule. “Mr. Ramos- British history.” I beamed. “Cool, me too!” Maybe, just maybe, high school wasn't going to be this hard. “What is the capital of England?” That was the easiest question in the world. Slowy raising my hand, like everybody else, I somehow got called on. “London.” I didn't expect anyone to be excited, and of course no one was. But one person, in the back of the class, was clapping enthusiastically. Feeling my face go red, I managed to say a small “thanks Steven.” He just replied with finger guns. Turning my attention back to class, I found that Mr. Ramos was staring gloomily down (down because this dude was as tall as a titan,) at me. “Uh, sorry sir.” I mumbled. Only a grunt in response.
The rest of the class was just jumbled up sentences entering my ears, and cut up pieces of the past trying to stick to my brain I couldn't quite focus, because of a warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach. But about 15 minutes before class ended, a really weird, wonderful question popped up. “Now, does anyone know who the two famous British-” looking down at his paper, Mr. Ramos grimaced, making me feel a bit disrespected, for some reason. “-youtubers, that managed to obtain a radio show on BBC radio one, got a small part in big hero 6, and made an app and a book?” I smiled as big as I could, because these people were awesome. My hand shot up so fast everyone was surprised. “Umm, Dan Howell and Phil Lester?” Eyes widened, the teacher nodded his shiny head, pushed his red glasses up and answered “that's correct.” I was so happy- they got into a history book. The bell sung its tune, letting the school know to get to their next class… … considering my next class was math, and that was on the 3rd floor, not the first. So I speed walk again, to room 325. Steven was sitting in the class, with sweater paws, frowning at the screen. Taking a place next to him, I whispered, “Hi!” looking back at me with a faint smile, he replied “hey,” as the students filled in the empty seats. Me and Steven had light banter about nothing, which probably would have been boring with one of my other friends, but it was slightly better with him. Soon, the classroom got silent, so silent you could hear a pin drop, and the teacher greeted us with a nice loud “hello.” His accent wasn’t like ours, it sounded….. American. “I’m your algebra teacher, Mr. …..” Steven leaned in my direction. “Loud mouth?” he whispered. We snickered to ourselves for a few moments before returning our attention back to the teacher. “And I just wanted to go over something- yes, I am American. I moved here 3 years ago for family reasons, and I've been teaching since I was 24.” “So HOW OLD ARE YOU NOW?!” a boy who seemed to be going through, uh… nevermind, and had a mustache asked mockingly. “Now, Jason, we don't ask these kinds of questions do we, now?” The kid snapped his fingers. “But you're not a lady!” he retorted, snickering under his breath. The American replied, “I’m not going to tell you my age.”
The kid playfully collapsed with a “bruh.” I looked over to Steven and repeated, “BRUH.” he smiled, but I could tell it was fake. Throughout the whole period, Steven looked like he was struggling. I really felt bad for him. I had the urge to help him, because I cared. Weird- the first day of school, and I actually cared for someone. But not like the ‘oh he’s my friend, yeah of course I care about him,’ it was a ‘please, I care about you more than a friend’ thing. This whole period, he never smiled. The bell rung, and I looked at my schedule. Fifth period lunch. Who was I going to sit with other than Andie, Carlos, and Steven? Skipping stairs, I accidentally push a student with the back of my binder, which had a ruler poking out. Wow. The kid turned around, glaring viciously at me, like I was his natural born enemy. “Watch it, doof-a-licious.” “Sorry,” I murmured. The opening to the cafeteria was like a small cave tunnel leading to an underground kingdom. Steven waved me over, sitting with a group of kids, including Andie and Carlos. I took a seat by Steven, and smiled. He returned the favor. We were surprisingly quiet, like something weird happened and we were trying to ignore the fact that it happened. Suddenly, a caramel colored kid started to yell out, “STEVEN HAS FEEL-” Steven had an outburst, and punched the kid in the arm, it seemed, very hard. He was also blushing like crazy. Like anime girl blushing. I chose to ignore what just happened, but I did chuckle a little. We finished our lunches, and had banter, until the head of the lunch staff announced that there was 1 minute left. The cafeteria got silent, and students got ready to jump up and run up the stairs to their classes. Finally, the bell rang, and as I broke out in a run, double skipping stairs, dashing to social studies, I realized something. The gears clicked. I found out what that kid yelled. Why Steven acted like that. But didn't just find them out, I found myself. The tingly feeling earlier. My blushing. I like a boy. I never liked a boy before…. but I never liked girls either, and this boy, liked me back. I was gay, and another person was gay. And we liked each other.
YUNO GASAI
DAE’VANTE TWYMON
NEGLIGENT STEWARDS ENTRUSTED WITH THE FATE OF THE WORLD SAMANTHA HARVILLE
Saturdays
March 19 and April 23 2-3:30 pm
New Members Welcome! For Grades 6-12 South Elgin Room
Background Information: I am submitting this essay in support of environmental protection for the spring edition of the library’s Teen Writing and Art Showcase, in honor of Earth Day which is celebrated worldwide on April 22, 2016. I patterned my piece after the famous sermon entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” delivered by Christian Theologian, Jonathan Edwards. The masses have no difficulty taking the fluffy white clouds, undulating seas, vibrant flowers, towering trees, and twinkling stars above our dear Mother Earth for granted. Indeed, many people regularly spurn putting forth the paltry effort to use the recycle bin or support organically grown produce. Consequently, watching the downward spiral of our supposedly cherished planet has become as simple as glancing outside our smog-smudged windows. Earth’s population can be found guilty of many horrific attributes, and unfortunately, habitual overindulgence is chief among them. Enormous amounts of precious natural resources continue to be carelessly extricated from deep below the surface at an alarming rate. Smokestacks atop factories keep chugging caustic substances into the already thinning polluted atmosphere. Nuclear material is stockpiled to create more energy and construct secret weaponry, and then the hazardous waste is disposed of upon a barren landscape painfully stripped of its beauty. Regrettably, the general populace can be equated with extremely inconsiderate hotel
guests. Welcomed with open arms into a wonderful establishment, visitors are invited to make themselves at home. Yet, upon their arrival, the lavish accommodations are thoughtlessly abused. Trash is strewn about the floors, tastefully patterned walls are scuffed, luxurious beds are left unmade, and elegant furniture is damaged. The air conditioning is cranked up beyond reasonable limits, and booming televisions and bright lights stay on throughout the night, disrupting others nearby. Each morning, the ever - popular complimentary breakfast buffet is ravaged. Patrons, dazzled by the abundance and variety of the hotel chain’s culinary spread, pile their plates high with assorted goodies and then go back for more, repeatedly disregarding the telltale signs of satiety. Worst of all, there exists the false notion that all the splendor can be regenerated in time for the next demanding customer, with minimal work by a clean-up crew. How do American adolescents similarly contribute to the dismal state of our world? Merely visit school cafeterias across our nation to witness the multitude of kids who are comparably at fault for wasting food after excessively loading up their trays. Electronic misconduct abounds too; Ipods, tablets, cell phones, and laptops consume battery power and electricity at unprecedented rates. The long, steamy showers enjoyed by most teenagers needlessly drain the freshwater supply, as scarcity is likewise ignored. The carefree vacationers’ mentality is also apparent--crushed water bottles, used fast food containers, plastic shopping bags, and other litter tumble in the breeze and onto congested highways, where new drivers cruise around aimlessly, blaring their sound systems and revving their engines, emitting noxious fumes of carbon dioxide into the air. Routine “maid service” is presumed by many youth to counteract their frequent acts of vandalism. Tacky gum lines the underside of classroom desks and stairway rails on subways. Bold graffiti mars the cities’ walls with crude messages. O abuser! The consequences of your wrongdoing cause repercussions far in to the future! This apathetic pattern of global destruction—especially with the knowledge that the very existence of generations to come will be seriously threatened—cannot plague us. Humanity has been granted only one planet, and a single task:
to ensure its vitality. How can you abide the company of even yourself knowing that your slovenly manner is degenerating the ground around your feet? Ice caps are melting, and glaciers are crashing into the rising icy ocean below; however, no one here gives this steadily worsening situation a second thought, because its place of origin is seemingly located on the other side of the globe. Weather patterns have forever changed, affecting all of humankind. There is no excuse for the heavy blows our struggling habitat has had to endure. There is no lack of ability to rectify the situation, and yet the welfare of even the smallest plot of land fails to cross the mind of the average citizen. There is no luxury of additional time; we must heed the signs of our ailing planet now! At this very moment, a glorious window of opportunity presents itself. Join the Sierra Club or other dynamic environmentalist groups dedicated to identifying and eradicating serious sources of trouble. But, this organizational approach necessitates important singular action, as well. In fact, you alone can make a monumental difference. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE! Each small individual contribution can collectively help to thwart the deeds of thousands of squanderers. Therefore, let every one of you who has not been awakened to the emerging global crisis, leave now to create a more hospitable planet…
ChessMaster Junior Chess Club
Thursdays 4-5 pm For kids and teens in grades 2-12 Beginners and experts both welcome!
MUSIC FREES
ALEJANDRA RODRIGUEZ
MISAO - BLACK BIRD STEPHANIE SNYDER
IMAGINE
LANEY SCHWEITZER
Can you imagine a life with your skin stripped away? It’d be so much better at the end of the day. No race and no color, no gender at all. Nobody unequal for us to recall. No weight and no scars for your bones to show. No reason or excuse for your fears to grow. Yes, so, so much better perhaps it would be. No race, no religion, no sexuality. But a world without bad people just doesn’t exist. Each story, each legend is all but a myth. No real time in history could ever display something equal to a life with your skin stripped away. This world that I speak of is nothing to sell, but a poem and a story for us dreamers to tell.
LINDSAY
HORSE HOOVES
KATIE S. MOORE The spotlight shines back on the arena. A horse bounces in, this is Lindsay and she is a performing horse. Lindsay and her owner Jackie have been working on this performance forever, and this is the big show. This show might even put them on the map. “Come on Jackie.” Said Alex who is Jackie’s friend from the ranch. “You can do this Lindsay!” Alex yelled with excitement. As Lindsay got ready for the first jump someone in the audience whistled which didn’t set off Lindsay but an awaiting horse got spooked and took off from his waiting spot and jumped into the arena. Just as Lindsay takes off for the first jump the disturbed horse stops right in Lindsay’s landing point. Lindsay is able to miss the horse… but not the whole horse her foreleg hits the back of the other horse causing her to trip. Lindsay smashes to the ground she slowly gets up the alarmed horse was lead out off the arena for a check up. Without Jackie’s control Lindsay tries to get through the show. After the event Jackie’s horse trailer came to take Lindsay back to the stables. The next morning Jackie called Dr. Clarbel to see if Lindsay is majorly impaired. Lindsay did not experience any “real” harm but she did get a mild cut from the ground. “Oh Lindsay you have to get better soon we have a show Friday night and it’s Tuesday.” Jackie said in a nervous tone. Alex walked up with a rope in one head and some jelly filled cookies in the other for Jackie. What she’s not going to make Jackie feel better without food and she’s sure not doing it for Lindsay. “Healing takes time, you can’t rush healing.” “But I can try right?” Jackie said grabbing a cookie. Alex looked around the room. “Hmm…” Alex walked off. “Oh great thanks walk off without me.” Jackie said with a mouth full Alex walked into the office and grabbed the flyers for the show. “Look we never motioned Lindsay in the show!” Alex said running out the office. Jackie over to read the flyer
Come see a performance that YOU won’t forget Jackie, Alex, and more but don’t ignore their HORSES Jackie looked at Alex and thought why they didn’t and heir horses names. But that didn’t matter what did matter is finding a horse that is easy to train and a quick learner. “I got to go find a horse replacement.” Said Jackie but before she headed out Lindsay laid down and exposed her scratch, which wasn’t covered, Jackie could see dirt making the scratch diseased. “Look Lindsay’s scratch isn’t covered and it’s getting infected hurry get it covered!” Jackie exclaimed Alex ran over to the office to grab some gauze and tape they both wrapped two layers of bandages. “Great now it will take longer and Lindsay needs four legs to make a 7 foot jump.” Jackie said grabbing another cookie What they’re good you should have some “Jackie went looking around the stables the next day trying to find a horse that looks like Lindsay and trains easy but who… “Arianna she’s witty, she talented, she’s caring, and she’s a professional.” Jackie said with a smile even though no one else was listening. Jackie grabbed Arianna’s lead and went out to train with her but right when Alex got to the stables she freaked out. “What are you doing your training with Arianna!” Alex yelled running over you Jackie. “Yeah I know she’s that best in the stables.” Jackie said riding off. Alex knew that Arianna had a performance but she was the best in the stables well she’s tied with Lindsay and Erianna but she’s a different story which will be coming up soon. Point is Arianna is busy that day but Jackie doesn’t know that because when it was announced she was out. “Jackie wait I need to-“ “Sorry Alex we got to practice.” Jackie said starting warm ups with Arianna. Once Jackie was done Alex broke the news to Jackie she freaked out. “What you mean I won’t be able to use Arianna as a sub. For Lindsay!” Jackie yelled as she paced around the stables. Alex knew Jackie was freaking out she just wasted a day to practice with Arianna. “I know… Semi he’s perfect for the show he looks like Lindsay and you based some of the performance on his past show.” Alex’s cousin was also actually the owner of semi but Jackie didn’t know that.
“Yeah that’s true but you have one flaw in your plan, Semi is a famous horse and.” “And I know his owner pretty well.” Alex said interrupting. Jackie’s eyes got wide with exhilaration. “You think we can use Semi.” Jackie said brightening up. Alex nodded the two ran to the phone and called the owner. The night of the show came quicker then Jackie realized. Jackie’s knees wobbled her stomach felt a little odd and sweat rolled down her forehead. “Next up Jackie with a very special horse joining her Semi Lee!” The announcer said with excitement. The crowd screamed with posters of Semi Lee. As Jackie started Semi took control and did his own thing. Since Jackie wasn’t in control she didn’t feel all that great once the performance ended Jackie was happy to get off of Semi. After the show Jackie went to see how much money they raised from the show. Jackie’s dad walked up to her and didn’t tell her the best news. “What do you mean you lost you job”? Jackie said. “The company couldn’t pay for all of us so some were fired including me.” Jackie’s dad said with his head low. “But you can’t loose your job now!” Jackie exclaimed with shock. Jackie couldn’t believe it, she didn’t start crying when Lindsay walked out with bandages and winning with pain. Alex walked over to see what was wrong, she came to see Jackie sitting alone crying on the fence Alex grabbed her phone from the stadium and ran over to help her friend. Jackie held a picture of the barn her dad gave to her. “Why are you holding that picture of the barn?” Alex asked. Jackie turned to Alex and told her the bad news. “My dad lost his job and I’m moving to Indiana he got a job in Indiana,” Jackie wept, it was hard for her to talk without bursting into tears. Alex held Jackie till she stopped crying; while she did it was quiet beside the tears of Jackie. The girls heard a jeep honk it was Alex’s dad coming to pick her up to take her to the city for grocery shopping. Alex ran over opening the car door then realizing that she abandoned Jackie to cry, Alex asked her dad to sleepover tonight since she didn’t like shopping for
food and it was Friday. Jackie, Still sitting on the fence she saw Alex running to her. “What…what are you doing don’t you have to go?” Jackie questioned. “No I thought you could use some company.” Alex said walking with Jackie to her dad to ask. “Sure you girls can hang out as much as you can before we move we’re moving in March and it’s August.” Jackie’s dad said cleaning up in the stables from all the trash on the ground. Jackie and Alex hopped into the car and headed to Jackie house when they got there Alex’s stuff was dropped off. The next day Jackie went to the barn to ask her dad if they are going to take Lindsay with them. “No Jackie we can’t rent a truck for that long of a ride and there’s no barns near by where we’re moving.” Her dad said. “Then who’s taking Lindsay?” Jackie asked. “I am,” a tall skinny blond girl and two other brunets walked in. “BEVERLY! Beverly in taking Lindsay!” Jackie said in anger. “Well yeah, who else is rich enough to adopt and horse I mean you could barely afford her and she’s already to good for you, like it was your fault you didn’t scan your area.” Beverly said with an attitude. She walked past Jackie flipping her oily hair along with the other girls. “We’re not moving yet Beverly so don’t get too excited yet we’re moving in March.” “Haven’t you checked the calendar?” “What?” Jackie said turning around to see the calendar then turning back to see Beverly and her friends laughing. “Well I’m only here to practice with Emerald here.” Jackie’s face was red and steam came out of her ears. “Beverly! I can jump just as well as you can!” Jackie blurted out as Beverly was walking out, Beverly turned in shock to see another person talk to her like that. “Can you do a triple foot 8 meter jump?” Beverly asked with a smirk on her face. Jackie face got red “Well jump off tomorrow.” Next day Lindsay can’t jump.
To be continued…
ST. VINCENT
RACHEL HARNESS
THE PUZZLE OF SHAPES
STETSON MEYER
SAND
AILISH SEIBERT
FACADE
AUTUMN PEARSON She feels like she can never be herself, She always has to force a smile on her lips, She feels like she is falling apart inside, with no one to reach out to. Everyone runs away, if she tries to tell them how she feels. The laughter that comes out of her mouth is all too familiar to others, but her happiness and laughter is all for show. No one’s heard a real sincere laugh from her since her life fell in shambles. She wishes she could just be herself, but she knows people won’t accept her. Being fake while dying inside, seems to be the only answer.
RESOURCEFULNESS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD YAHYA ARASTU
There was a reason why the ancient Greeks and other civilizations told stories and remembered important figures. The reason was that there was some sort of lesson that could be learned from these stories, or actions of those figures. In the combined stories about Perseus's quest, the Trojan War, and fables from Aesop, there is one big lesson that is still relevant to the world today. This lesson that the ancient world, through these stories, communicates to us today is that resourcefulness, used in the right way, will help you succeed. One figure from Greek mythology that shows how resourcefulness helps you succeed. This figure was Perseus, whose mission was to kill Medusa by the order of Athena, "...but bring me only Medusa's head." One of many instances of his resourcefulness on this journey was when he came across the Grey Sisters and forced them to tell him where Medusa was by taking their only eye, "And as they groped between themselves, he held out his own hand gently, till one of them put the eye into it, fancying that it was the hand of her sister. Then he sprang back, laughed, and cried: ...'I have your eye, and I will throw it into the sea, unless you tell me the path to the Gorgon,'". This, although it wasn't the best way of resourcefulness, it was one instance where Perseus used his quick-wittedness to continue on his journey. When he finally reached the place where Medusa and the other two Gorgons slept, he used all the gifts he got from Athena and Hermes to kill Medusa and escape the wrath of the other two Gorgons. "Then Perseus came down and stepped to her boldly, and looked steadfastly on his mirror, and struck with Herpe stoutly once; and he did not
need to strike again." By the time he had killed Medusa, the two other Gorgons had woken up, and sought to avenge their fallen associate. Perseus again used what he had to escape. "...and he cried, 'Bear me well now sandals, for the hounds of Death are at my heels!' And well the sandals bore him, aloft through cloud and sunshine, across the shoreless sea; and fast followed the hounds of Death. But the sandals were too swift, even for the Gorgons,� Thus, Perseus's mission of killing Medusa ended. These two examples, and several others are instances of where Perseus's resourcefulness helped him succeed in his quest. The fable "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" by Aesop has similarities and differences with the story about Perseus. It still communicates the idea that resourcefulness, used in the right way will help you succeed, but has a different way of showing it compared to Perseus. Here, it shows how resourcefulness used in the wrong way can bring about consequences; in this case death. A brief summary of the fable is that a wolf, to get food more easily decided to disguise himself as a sheep. "Encases in the skin of a sheep, he pastured with the flock deceiving the shepherd by his costume." Because the shepherd was convinced by his costume, he thought the wolf was any old sheep, and to "...obtain meat for the next day, mistakenly caught the Wolf instead of a sheep and killed him instantly." Although the wolf was resourceful in his plight to get access to food, he didn't think about what would happen and as a result, he died. This shows what happens when resourcefulness is used in the wrong way. The story of the Trojan War shares ideas
and lessons from both Perseus's quest, and the fable "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing". It shows the success of resourcefulness used in the right way, and the consequences of it used in the wrong way. These examples are near the end of the Trojan War, where the Greeks formed a plan to defeat Troy once and for all. This was the basic outline of their plan: Odysseus got a skilled worker to "...make a huge wooden horse which was hollow and so big that it could hold a number of men." Then he persuaded certain commanders and chieftains to go inside the horse while the rest of the army's force would wait on a nearby island except for one person who would stay behind at the abandoned camp to tell a tale that would trick the Trojans into letting the wooden horse inside the city gates. When this plan was carried out, the Trojans thought that the war was over, and the horse was a gift from the Greeks. "All Troy exulted. Her long warfare was over; her sufferings lay behind her." When they saw that the Greek camp was empty, they went to see of they had truly gone and found Sinon, who stayed back at the camp. He told them that he no longer wanted to be a Greek, and wanted to join them. He told a story formed by Odysseus convincing the Trojans to let the horse in. In the middle of the night, the people inside the horse sneaked to the gates of the city, and opened them, letting the rest of the Greek army in who had already arrived. They stormed the city, and killed everyone in their path. This whole plan the Greeks created was based of wits, cunning, and resourcefulness. But some Trojans also used what they had at their disposal to help them. "The quickest-witted Trojans tore off their own armor and put on that of dead Greeks, and many a Greek thinking he was joining friends discovered too late that they were enemies and paid for his error with his life." Both sides used the resources around them, and took advantage of what was going on to help their side of the
war. Although this wasn't the best way to use their resourcefulness, the Greeks and Trojans decided to use it for one of worst wars in history. This especially shows that depending on how it is used, resourcefulness can be destructive or productive. It was the case with all of these figures, stories, and events that resourcefulness played a key role. With Perseus's quest, on his journey and even afterwards, he used whatever was around him to succeed in his mission. With the story of "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing", Aesop shows that without thinking about the results, resourcefulness can bring about consequences; death in the case of the wolf. Finally, during the Trojan War, the Greeks with their clever plan to invade Troy, and the Trojans desperate attempt to fight back show simultaneously the good and bad results of resourcefulness when it is used. All of this combined shows how the ancient world, especially the Greeks, tried to communicate to the world that resourcefulness, used in the right way, will lead to success. Works Cited Hamilton Wright Mabie, Heroes Every Child Should Know: Perseus (1914). Aesop, "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" (600 B.C.E.). Edith Hamilton, Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes (1942). ď ľ