Week 3 Storytelling: Splurge-Worthy Sandals
Bhrata still couldn't believe what his mother had done to his beloved brother, Rama. He never wanted any of this and he made that clear to Rama. Yet, so gallantly, Rama turned down the throne once again. He had to honor the wishes of their late father, the king. Instead of taking the throne himself, Bhrata decided to do something that would honor his brother and excuse him from royal duties.
Rama is a fashionable guy. He keeps up with the latest styles and trends. He likes to wear colors that bring at the blue in his skin. Bhrata was at the mall the other day and he saw that Gucci had just released some new slides that were right up Rama's alley. Rama wasn't a showy guy, but he is royalty. So every once in a while you''ll him and Sita hitting up their local luxury stores like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc. Bhrata knew he wouldn't have even seen this new collection because Rama had been living in the jungle for the past couple of weeks. So, Bhrata went to the mall and bought a size 10 (and a size 10.5, for himself). As he was leaving the mall, he realized just how important these gold Gucci slides are going to be.
The next day, Bhrata set out for the jungle. He was sad that he couldn't wear his new slides. He felt like it would take away from the novelty of the Rama's gift. Plus, it was dirty in the jungle and he paid way too much to get those shoes dirty. A few hours had passed when Bhrata finally reached Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. Immediately upon arriving, Bhrata informed them to gather around him. He began by apologizing to Rama once again for his mothers's horrible deeds. He encouraged Rama to take his rightful place. Once again, Rama resisted as Bhrata figured him would. Then, Bhrata brought the Gucci slides out of the satchel he was carrying. Rama was excited to be in the presence of such luxury after leaving that life behind weeks ago. But he didn't understand. There was no need for these shoes out here. He was fighting demons and trying to keep his family alive.
Bhrata told Rama to try the Gucci slides on. Of course, Rama agreed. They fit him like a glove. He danced around and leaped with joy. Then, he blessed them and returned them to his brother. Rama told his brother to take these sandals back home in place of him. "Seat them on the throne," he said. Rama would return in 14 years to reclaim his place, but until then, these shoes would symbolism his presence among them. Before the tearful Bhrata departed from his family, his brother Lakshmana asked "Can you see if they have my size?"
Authors Note:
Brhata wasn't happy about the decision his mother made for him and he remains loyal to his brother. He told Rama that he could take his place on the throne, but Rama wants to honor his father's dying wish. Rama wants to complete his 14 year exile before he will return. Brhata doesn't want to take Rama's rightful place. Instead, he brings Rama a pair of gold sandals to bless and serve as Rama's placeholder until he returns. The sandals will sit on the throne for the next 14 years. I basically kept everything the same, just adding a modern twist. Gucci slides were so trendy these past couple of months, so when I saw a story about sandals I just knew I had to do something with Gucci.
Bibliography:
"Indian Myth and Legend" by Donald A. Mackenzie web source: The Sandals
Rama is a fashionable guy. He keeps up with the latest styles and trends. He likes to wear colors that bring at the blue in his skin. Bhrata was at the mall the other day and he saw that Gucci had just released some new slides that were right up Rama's alley. Rama wasn't a showy guy, but he is royalty. So every once in a while you''ll him and Sita hitting up their local luxury stores like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc. Bhrata knew he wouldn't have even seen this new collection because Rama had been living in the jungle for the past couple of weeks. So, Bhrata went to the mall and bought a size 10 (and a size 10.5, for himself). As he was leaving the mall, he realized just how important these gold Gucci slides are going to be.
The next day, Bhrata set out for the jungle. He was sad that he couldn't wear his new slides. He felt like it would take away from the novelty of the Rama's gift. Plus, it was dirty in the jungle and he paid way too much to get those shoes dirty. A few hours had passed when Bhrata finally reached Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. Immediately upon arriving, Bhrata informed them to gather around him. He began by apologizing to Rama once again for his mothers's horrible deeds. He encouraged Rama to take his rightful place. Once again, Rama resisted as Bhrata figured him would. Then, Bhrata brought the Gucci slides out of the satchel he was carrying. Rama was excited to be in the presence of such luxury after leaving that life behind weeks ago. But he didn't understand. There was no need for these shoes out here. He was fighting demons and trying to keep his family alive.
Bhrata told Rama to try the Gucci slides on. Of course, Rama agreed. They fit him like a glove. He danced around and leaped with joy. Then, he blessed them and returned them to his brother. Rama told his brother to take these sandals back home in place of him. "Seat them on the throne," he said. Rama would return in 14 years to reclaim his place, but until then, these shoes would symbolism his presence among them. Before the tearful Bhrata departed from his family, his brother Lakshmana asked "Can you see if they have my size?"
Authors Note:
Brhata wasn't happy about the decision his mother made for him and he remains loyal to his brother. He told Rama that he could take his place on the throne, but Rama wants to honor his father's dying wish. Rama wants to complete his 14 year exile before he will return. Brhata doesn't want to take Rama's rightful place. Instead, he brings Rama a pair of gold sandals to bless and serve as Rama's placeholder until he returns. The sandals will sit on the throne for the next 14 years. I basically kept everything the same, just adding a modern twist. Gucci slides were so trendy these past couple of months, so when I saw a story about sandals I just knew I had to do something with Gucci.
Bibliography:
"Indian Myth and Legend" by Donald A. Mackenzie web source: The Sandals
Not Gucci slides, but a close second. web source
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Hi Jasmin! Your story is too awesome. It was creative that you turned the original story into a modern fashionista. I would never actual thought about relating their sandals back in the day to Gucci sandals. I never shopped at Gucci before or may not know what it is, but my mommy and sister definitely own a pair of their purses. Great job on your work and keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this! It's very well-written, and the sense of humor throughout is my favorite thing about it, particularly: "Rama is a fashionable guy.", and the "Can you see if they have my size" made me laugh out loud! I especially appreciate how you maintained Rama's gallant characterization while incorporating a love for showy sandals- after all, royalty in Ancient India had to get their trendy shoes from somewhere, right? Also, I enjoyed that this story gave an added sense of meaning to the shoes- even though they appear multiple times, the extra kick of them being designer makes the story all the better. Great read!
ReplyDeleteHey Jasmin,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your story and am a big fan of how well written it is and how you were able to put so much humor into the story, which is something that I find really hard to do. By using our cultures obsession with fashion you were able to craft a very fun and humorous story that is one I could definitely read over and over. Keep it up!
Hi Jasmin,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, the image caption was hilarious. Second, I think you did a great job setting up the story around why the shoes were a good fit for Rama. It’s not 100% clear why the sandals mean so much on the first read of the Ramayana, but you mold the character of Rama and the shoes very well together in your telling of this story. One thing I wonder is whether or not there is some cultural meaning to shoes in India? Is there a reason that the Ramayana originally chose a pair of golden sandals as opposed to a golden weapon or golden jacket for Rama? That might shed more light on the culture as a whole. One thing that might be interesting in this story is a follow-up on the meaning of this gift and the blessing of the shoes when Rama returns fourteen years later.
Overall, this was a great story!
Hey Jasmin,
ReplyDeleteI found this story being hilarious! I love how you brought in some modern features to this story. I remember reading this specific story and how the King died of grief, once he exiled his son. I enjoyed every bit of this story and the way you used modern society. The Gucci slips were on point and had me dying. For this specific case, as royalty, it would have been hilarious if you used jandals! I know they're not classy-expensive shoes, but they carry an ancient feeling to them as well as the specific style. I hope to read more from you in the near future!