Wednesday, 4 September 2013

Philippine literature



Types of prose

Short Story
A prose narrative limited to a certain word limit is defined as a short story. It generally includes descriptions, dialogues, and commentaries. However, one characteristic that distinguishes a short story from the other kinds of prose is the concentration on a compact narrative with detailed character drawing. In general, short stories are believed to have existed decades back, even before the art of writing was known to man. The oldest recorded example of a short story is considered to be the Egyptian tale of “The Two Brothers” dated around 3200 BC.
 
Novel
Similar to a short story, a novel includes uncertain information since it centers on different types and possibilities. However, the length of a novel is highly undecided due to the numerous characters and situations included in it. In short, a novel is a comprehensive narrative on a large scale, in particular. Just like short stories, novels, too, have known to exist ever since literature came into existence. Amongst all the prose kinds, the novel dominates the industry, both in terms of quality and quantity. However, considering its quantity, its only rival is the magazine short story.
 
Fable
A fable is a short allegorical tale emphasizing on a moral or any principle of behavior. The characters of fables are usually animals that portray like human beings, though they keep their animal traits intact. The moral of these fables is highlighted towards the end of the story in the form of a proverb and is generally enacted. The oldest fables describe stories of why crows are black, or why different animals display different characteristics, such as a sly fox, a dignified lion, and so on. The earliest fables came from Greece and India, while the oldest Western fables were those of Aesop.
 
Fairy Tale
Stories of kings, princesses, poor farmers, and queens are not new to any one of us. They are generally guided by supernatural or magical events that fascinate us to get engrossed in them. These short stories are nothing but fairy tales. They are distinguished by generalized characters without being individualized or localized; thus, the names ‘a king’, ‘a queen’, ‘a poor farmer’, and ‘a princess’. Fairy tales begin with misfortunes graduating towards undergoing adventures and solving mysteries, and ending in a happily-ever-after mode, thereby rewarding the virtue. These stories often revolve around charms, magic, disguise, and spells. Hans Christian Andersen (Danish), Basile (Italian), the Grimm Brothers (German), Perrault (French), and Keightley and Croker (English) are known to create some of the most famous collections of fairy tales.
 
TaleA tale is a kind of prose narrative that describes strange and wonderful events in the form of somewhat bare summary. However, the main character is not focused on or given due importance. In fact, the goal or purpose of the tale is highlighted and given front seat rather than the main protagonist himself. For example, in the tale English folk of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, the beanstalk and the giant are highlighted instead of Jack’s personality.

Sunday, 4 August 2013

SHORT STORY



The Conquest-Ma yank chhaya
Short Story

Early winter breeze strummed the tranquil waters of the Bea's like the harp as the sun set on the western mouth of the river. Alexander's copper-iron armor shimmered leaving a mauve glow on his worried face. Signs of mutiny in his army's rank and file were unmistakable.
After eight years of bloody triumphs through the Tigris, the Nile, the Euphrates, the Oxus, the Jaxartes and now the Beas, Alexander wanted one final conquest. His men though had had enough. The great warrior had decided to make one last attempt next morning to persuade his commanders to march on. He retired to his tent and fell asleep.
Dawn came but did not bring with it the promise of a new day. Alexander reluctantly put on his armor, fastened the buskins, grabbed the helmet in his armpit and stepped out of the tent. His commanders were waiting, not knowing what to expect but expecting something they knew would not be.
"Over half a dozen great rivers, thousands of adversaries who fought as if there was no tomorrow, cold that could freeze the finest of horses and heat that could singe one's conscience did not stop us for eight years. Civilizations will grow out of the footprints left by our horses' hooves. We have left in our wake history's greatest conquests. History will know no warriors like you and imagine a conqueror like me. I am asking you for one final conquest. I appeal to you valorous soldiers to take the final step and conquer the last great stretch," Alexander said pointing east.
"Violence is what happens without your knowledge or consent. I both know of and consent to my death," Calanus said to Alexander.
The last great stretch was a fabled empire controlled by the Nandas north east of the great city of Takshila. "We have heard great stories about their army of 200,000, 20,000 cavalry, 2,000 four-horse chariots and 6,000 elephants. You might see that as an unconquerable force, I see it as a great empire that is ours for the taking," the warrior said.
For a brief while blood rushed through the commanders' veins with the visions of defeating the Nandas. Then came a sense of deep fatigue that had set in their bones after eight years of invasions spread over 25,000 kilometers. Alexander was nothing if not an intuitive thinker. He changed the mood of his address: "Retreating now means humiliating death. Retreating now is turning the vanquished into a formidable foe yet again. Retreating now is ignoble."
The commanders seemed moved but not enough to rise and fight. Alexander stomped back into his tent and surrounded himself with singular gloom for three days. After 72 hours he emerged again to address his men. This time, it was to announce a withdrawal.
"I am a great conqueror because you great warriors are with me. I may slay a few robust men single-handedly but an entire army? Even I cannot. We withdraw in glorious victory," he said. The banks of the Beas shook with loud cheers from the great army. Alexander knew in his heart he was returning with an incomplete victory. "In the end my own men defeated me," Alexander told himself as he plotted his departure by sailing down the Jhelum river.
As Alexander and his exhausted men set sailing, some 50 kilometers downstream a group of naked men sat by the river bank chanting mantras in unison. Each mantra seemed to rise from the core of their being and attain an exalted spiritual harmony. One of the naked men, apparently quite old, was the only one not chanting with the rest. He was their leader in as much as ascetics could ever have one and he had earned his right to pursue silence.
The sight of naked men radiating some strange sounds out of their seemingly closed mouths was too much for Alexander to resist. The sails were brought down, the boats anchored and the ascetics summoned. They did not oblige. Instead their leader said if he wanted to meet Alexander would have to come ashore himself. The idea that men with no possessions, not even clothes, could look so calm and content attracted Alexander to them. Alexander's commanders were offended that naked men could summon history's greatest conqueror.
"Who are you and why are you naked and what are you chanting?" Alexander asked with the finality of someone accustomed to being deferred to.
"You have many questions but no manners?" said the ascetic. Two of Alexander's commanders were about to unsheathe their swords but he stopped them. The ascetic looked at the commanders and said, "Those who are always ready to commit violence are cowardly. We do not fear death, we invite it. We believe life is but a brief interlude before death."
Alexander was struck by the strange aura surrounding the ascetic's weather-beaten face. "Forgive me for being insolent. I am a warrior and manners are not useful in my occupation," he said.
"You call conquering others an occupation? Aren't you struck by the irony of your expression? To answer your questions we are men in search of eternal peace.
We wear elements and so do not need clothes. What we chant is a vehicle to that eternal peace." "Can that peace be sought anywhere?" Alexander asked surprising his commanders not used to hearing him indulge in a pacifist discourse.
"Peace like violence resides within you. You seem to have chosen violence and we peace. Yes, peace can be sought anywhere," the ascetic said.
"If that be indeed so, why don't you join me on my voyage? I don't know what I need but peace might not hurt," Alexander said.
"A peace that hurts is merely thinly disguised violence. Don't be fooled by it. You look like a warrior from a far land. What use do you have for someone like me? I don't even wear clothes," the ascetic said.
"What do I call you? How about Calanus?" Alexander asked.
"You may call me what you desire. It does not change anything. Yes, I will join you," Calanus said.
"You don't know me. You don't know what lies ahead for you and yet you are coming with me. Have you now doubts?" Alexander asked.
"Our needs are few. We have conquered the most important territory for humans to conquer. We have conquered self. We have nothing more to conquer. Wherever we go is our home," Calanus said.
"Wherever we go is our home. I feel the same way. How are you different?" Alexander asked.
"You need an army to create a home for you wherever you go. We need nothing. Not even clothes," Calanus said.
"We have a long journey ahead full of uncertainty. We don't know if we will reach the sea where my ships are being readied. Babylon is calling me," Alexander said.
"We all have long journeys ahead full of uncertainty. You are nothing special in that," Calanus said.
"You would make a great companion," Alexander said.
"So will you," Calanus said.
It took Alexander and his men six months to reach the sea. The great warrior survived a near fatal attack by fierce riverine peoples. An arrow almost punctured his heart perhaps making him realize his own frailty as his entourage reached what is now the Arabian Sea.
Before set sailing, Alexander asked Calanus, "You know there is no turning back for you once we sail. You are an old man. Are you sure you want to leave the familiar for the uncharted?"
The ascetic replied, "I left the familiar for the uncharted the day I was born. Let us sail."

After weeks at sea, Alexander along with Calanus and his men reached the desert coast of Gedrosia . Alexander had not yet given up his dreams on conquering the Nandas. He had strategized in his mind he would bring in more troops and return to India.
However, once in Babylon, Alexander's famous appetites for food and liquor took over. There were frequent banquets. At one such banquet he invited Calanus and his naked ascetics.
As always the banquet was full of wines and dead animals cooked to satisfy Alexander's gargantuan appetite. Weeks of sea journey to Babylon had already prepared Calanus to expect Alexander as the embodiment of the very anti-thesis of what he stood for.
Calanus waited outside the main tent where the feast and merry-making was in progress. The frail, wasted body of Calanus made a stunning contrast with the two robust armed men who stood guard outside the tent. Even in their aloof and authoritarian gait, there was an element of respect for the ascetic.
Calanus looked pale and weak. Nudity compounded by the severe winter and undernourishment had all taken their toll on the ascetic. He was lost in his thoughts about his early life as a renunciate when Alexander came out with a goblet of wine in his hand. "Calanus, why must you wait outside in the cold? You are enlightened but not invincible. You will catch a cold."
"I have come to tell you that my journey has ended. Tomorrow at dawn I shall cease to be." Alexander was perplexed by Calanus' tone. "What do you mean? Have you had a premonition of some kind?" "There is no premonition. It is knowledge. I know because I have decided to do it," Calanus said.
"What have you decided to do?" Alexander asked even as he handed over the goblet to one of the guards. With his hands akimbo the conqueror asked even more forcefully, "What have you decided?"
"Tomorrow at dawn I shall immolate myself," Calanus said. One of the guards dropped the goblet out of shock. Alexander looked at Calanus with a mixture of disbelief, incomprehension and anger.
"Immolate yourself? How? Why? I would not let you," Alexander said.
"You have too many questions. You may control territories but you do not control individuals. It is not for you to let me do anything. I came of my own volition with you," Calanus said.
"I always make the mistake of not remembering that with you I am not a conqueror. What can I do to dissuade you?" Alexander asked.
"Nothing," Calanus said, "So dawn it is. If you are awake come to bid me goodbye. If you are not able to rise early because of your abuse at the feast, goodbye now."
Calanus walked back with the support of his disciples. Alexander stood there transfixed. Rather than rejoining the banquet, he went back to his tent. That night he could not sleep.
The sun had not yet come out when Calanus awoke. He bathed in cold water, while his disciples began piling wood to make a pyre. After his wash Calanus went into deep meditation chanting mantras. Some distance away in his tent Alexander sat up in his bed as if stung by some bad dream. He realized it was already dawn and remembered Calanus' words. He came out of the tent and ordered his commanders and soldiers to get ready in full battle gear. "We shall lead Calanus on his final journey," he declared.
With his joints stiff because of old age and lifelong exposure to the elements, Calanus began walking towards the pyre. Behind him walked his naked disciples, Alexander followed by his commanders and men. Alexander and his commanders knew what lay ahead, his soldiers did not. They were intrigued by Calanus walking towards the burning pyre. Calanus stopped a couple of feet away from an end of the pyre that had still not caught fire. He chanted mantras again and then turned around to address his disciples.
"This is just an end of one phase of my life. You in your wisdom will choose my successor. I am moving on to another level. I was happy throughout my life. I am happy at its end," he said even as he began climbing the pyre.
Alexander, who was pacing up and down nervously, said, "Wait! You claim to believe in non-violence. You would not even kill an insect. What then gives you the right to kill yourself?"
Calanus did not wait to answer. He sat cross-legged on top of the pyre waiting for the flames to consume him.
"What gives you the right to kill yourself?" Alexander asked again as Calanus' disciples signaled him to be silent.
"Violence is what happens without your knowledge or consent. I both know of and consent to my death," Calanus said.
Minutes later there was no trace of Calanus. His disciples began walking away from Alexander. The Greek army men stood frozen not knowing how to react.
Finally, Alexander spoke. "Calanus was of a different world. We celebrate his passage through our world."

Characterization.
1.Alexander
2.Calanus
3. The Riverine peoples
4.Comanders
5.The Ascitic

Setting
Water of the Beas
City of Takshila
 Jhelum river
desert coast of Gedrosia

Conflict
Between Alexander,Calanus and the Ascitic.
The final conquest for peace.



Friday, 2 August 2013

Contras Poem

I am not phone so you cannot text me
I am not  a phone so you cannot press me
I am not a phone so I cannot picture you
I am not a phone so I cannot inform you
I am not a phone so I cannot give you message

I am not a water so you cannot drink me
I am not a water so I cannot take you a bath
I am not a water so you cannot boil me
I am not a water so I cannot give you energy
I am not a water so I cannot take you a bath.

I am not a pen so you cannot write me
I am not a pen so you cannot draw me
I am not a pen so you cannot throw me
I am not a pen so you cannot close me
I am not pen so you cannot put me in your bag.

I am not a book so you cannot scratch me
I am not a book so you cannot make me fan
I am not a book so you sit on me
I am not a book so you cannot read me
I am not a book so I cannot inform you.

I am not a cockroach so you cannot dump me
I am not a cockroach so you cannot kill me
I am not a cock roach so don't be scared
I am not a cockroach so you cannot poison me
I am not a cock roach so  you cannot play me.
 
I am not a computer so you cannot play with me
I am not a computer  so I cannot inform you
I am not a computer so you cannot research on me
I am not a computer so you cannot off me
I am not a computer so you cannot on me.

I am not a hair so you cannot comb me
I am not a hair so you cannot color me
I am not a hair so you cannot cut me
I am not a hair so you cannot make any style on me
I am not a hair so you cannot tie me.

I am not a cloth so you cannot wear me
I am not a cloth so you cannot wash me
I am not a cloth so you cannot iron me
I am not a cloth so you cannot design me
I am not a cloth so I cannot make you comfort.

I am not a flower so you cannot decorate me
I am not a flower so you cannot water me
I am not a flower you cannot cut me
I am not a flower so you cannot plant me
I am not a flower so you cannot buy me.

I am not a magazine so you cannot scratch me
I am not a magazine so you cannot sale me
I am not a magazine so you cannot read me
I am not a magazine so I cannot inform you
I am not a magazine so you cannot buy me.

I am not a door so you cannot push me
I am not a door so you cannot pull me
I am not a door so you cannot lock me
I am not a door so you cannot knock me
I am not a door so you cannot open me.

I am not a fire so I cannot burn you
I am not a fire so you cannot use me to cook
I am not a fire so you cannot blow me
I am not  a fire so you cannot avoid me
I am not  a fire so you cannot kill me.

I am not a shoes so you cannot wear me
I am not a shoes so you cannot brush me
I am not a shoes so you cannot wash me
I am not a shoes so you cannot tie me
I am not a shoes so I cannot cover your feet.

I am not a fish so you cannot fried me
I am not a fish so you cannot sale me
I am not a fish so you cannot eat me
I am not a  fish so you cannot buy me
I am not a fish so you cannot put me on the pond.

I am not a soap so you cannot rub me
I am not a soap so I cannot make your skin smooth
I am not a soap sop I cannot clean your body
I am not a soap so you cannot buy me
I am not a soap so you cannot sale me.

i am not a camera so youn cannot on me
I am not a cmera so you cannot off me
I am not a camera so you cannot shoot me
I am not a camera so you cannot zoom me
I am not a camera so you cannot flash me.

I am not a news so I cannot inform you
I am not a news so you cannot read me
I am not a news so you cannot hear me
I am not a news so you cannot ignored me
I am not a news so you cannot spre4ad me.

I am not a bed so you cannot cover me
 I am not a bed so you cannotsleep on me
I am not a bed so you cannot sit on me
I am not a bed so you cannot jump on me
I am not a bed so you cannot  lay on me.

I am not a tree so I cannot protect you from the sun
I am not a tree so you cannot bark me
I am not a tree so you cannot cut me
I am not a tree so you cannotplant me
I am not a tree so you cannot use me to build your house

I am not a dog so you cannot tie me
I am not a dog so you cannot kick me
I am not a dog so you cannot teach me
I am not a dog so you cannot prison me
I am not a dog so I cannot bite you.








Wednesday, 31 July 2013

Turn-Around Poem

                                                I used to eat food,



















































Haiku Poem

  
The sky is so blue
The sun is so warm up high
I love the summer.

I really like toast
It is yummy when it’s hot
Cold I like it most.

Bears are kind to hearts
I like you eat them daily
A then do big farts.

Those who came before
Shall forever be with us
Always remembered.

Children learn from us
Teach them about ancestors
Start a family tree.

Haiku softly sing
And a world picture is formed
A feast for the mind

Poetry and love
Will tell you hurt forever
Or rip it to shreds.

Butterflies are cool
In the big hug, green forest.
They fly up so high.

Moths go flying by
They are very beautiful,
Fluttering around.

Lady bugs are red
And had black spot on their wings,
Expert at flying.

A fat bee sting me,
If hurts very badly but,
I do not cry though.

The bee flies quickly
It turns around and stings me.
Then falls to the ground.

As the wind does blow
Across the tree, I see the
Buds blowing in may.

I walk across sand
And find myself blistering
In the hotshot heat.

Falling it the ground
I watch the leaf settle down
In the bed of brown.

It's cold and- i wait
For someone to shelter me
And take me from here.

The beaches wave hit
Sounding of flooding water
Soothes ache all over.

Silence around us
Our watchful eyes hear the world
Hands do the talking.

To be a leader
One most first dream and act out,
Fulfillment is yours.

The wind is blowing
It is blowing very hard
I don't like the wind.

I love Winnie the pooh
Winnie the pooh loves to cat honey
Bees chase Winnie the pooh.

A broken tree cut
Brings no shade to the weary
Then what good is it?

Rain falls, seeks sprout
Continues life from something
Small but strong, it grows.

Gracefully slither
He sneaks to the net untouched
With one swing he scores.

Slash, push, crush, swipe, skate
Big time effort for four hours
Game ends tied, zero-zero.

Up on the tundra
You have one of two choices
hockey or...mum...hush..

The winter is over
Spring is having hurry good cheer!
I am glad it's here.

I like spring water
It makes me feel good inside
It takes my breath away.

Fall is almost here,
I like the colorful leaves,
Others like the fall too.

Leaves down everywhere
Different colors through the years
Fall is almost here.

Fall is leaves falling
Eating crisp, crunchy apples
A warm fire burning.

Falls is leaves falling
Munching in sweet red apples
A warm fire burning.

Snow falling snow
Blanketing the trees and road
Silence and beauty.

Branches stretching out
To grab the sunset colors
Night is  approaching.

White light shining through
Patterns along the blank wall
Brightening my day.

Whitecaps on the bay
A broken signboard banging
In the April wind.

An old silent pond
A frog jump in to pond,
Splash! Silence again.

Over the wintry
Forest, winds howl in range
With no leaves to blow.

We are but flyspecks
On the window pane of life
The window cleaner.

Chicken or the egg?
No egg, No chicken dummies
It's a no brainier

Like medieval knights
Armor clad, in fields battle
To reap victory.

After summers rain
God's promised is remembered
Glorious rainbow.

People united
Ti secure their liberty
Out of many, one.

Patrick of England
Preserving Erin's blood line
Prove out the serpents.

Fighting for freedom
Fall of all valiant soldier
Resting in the lord.

My sheep hear, my voice
Christ did say, and I know them
And they follow me.

Green grass in April
Birds begin to sing in trees
Children play outside.

Frogs jumping around
Frogs hopping away from shakes
Frog doing cool tricks.

Birds chirping a lot
People singing all the time
Birds are going south.

Birds and bees flying
Soft blades of grass on my feet
New flowers blooming.

.