|
|
|
Promises |
|---|
This is a storybook about promises, also commonly known as oaths, bonds, pacts, covenants, or deals. Whatever the term, the function is the same. A promise is a pledge by one party to another. The results of promises vary greatly. Sometimes, a character in a story is rewarded for keeping a promise. Other times, a character is punished for breaking one. What's more, a promise can be kept and yet result in negative outcomes for the promise-maker, especially if the pact was made foolishly or without the intent of keeping it. In this storybook, you will learn about four different tales in which promises determine the fates of the characters.In folktales, promises can serve as an important element for driving the plot. In many cases, the promise-centered plot contains three distinct phases: the promise made, the promise honored or broken, and the consequence. Because each phase can be different from one story to the next, promise-centered stories can proceed in many directions and teach a variety of lessons. For example, in the first phase (the promise made), the pledge-maker can enter into a covenant in many different ways. It can be the result of necessity or that of whimsy. It can be for a selfless reason or for personal gain. Moreover, the promise can be made either with or without the intent of keeping it.The other phases of a promise-centered plot can also vary. For example, in phase two (the promise honored or broken) it is evident that the character can either keep or fail to keep his pledge. However, other variables exist as well. For instance, the kept-promise can be voluntary or forced. Likewise, the broken-promise can be due to malintent, negligence or compulsion. It can also occur--despite the character's best efforts--by some stroke of misfortune.In the third phase of a promise-centered plot, the consequence generally follows from the results of the first two phases. For instance, if the pledge is made in bad-faith, and the promise is not kept, then one can safely assume that the consequence will be negative. However, a myriad of exceptions to this rule occur with more complicated plots. In such instances, characters may escape their fates or get off on a technicality. Otherwise, the protagonist may make multiple promises that conflict. This type of story represents a more realistic world, but it creates a more complex story which makes the moral less clear. Nonetheless, three phases of a promise can still be identified in these stories, and the lesson can still be defined.For this storybook, the purpose is to teach four different lessons by telling stories from Andrew Lang's Fairy Books. The setting for the frametale is a grandparents' cottage where grandchildren have gathered to visit for the Summer. The children will serve as the audience, while the grandparents will tell them stories that have to do with promises. Each story will be different in its outcomes, and the moral of each story will be summarized at the end. |
Story Selections:Eisenkopf (Hungarian) - This is the
story of a boy who makes a promise to a character called Eisenkopf and
then breaks it. Eisenkopf
is a devil-like creature who plays the role of antagonist. In my
version, the boy is faced with a subsequent promise, and his fate is
determined by the results of both promises.
|
Summertime is a magical time for children. For the grandchildren of Alvin and Louise Wilkinson, it was a time to meet with cousins and explore the wilderness around their grandparent's cabin in the woods. Located right on Lake Apalta, the cabin afforded a peaceful but thrilling setting for adventure and play. So Trina, Archie, A.J., Maggie, and Sally spent their time playing, fishing, and enjoying the lakeside paradise. Although... harmony wasn't always the mood of the day..."You said you'd give me the toy dumptruck if I let you play with my ball, " argued Trina. She was the eldest but rarely in command. All the younger children were gathered around watching Trina argue with her cousin Archie over the sharing of the few toys that were available at the grandparent's cabin. Trina's little sister, Maggie, was five years younger, and so there was very little rivalry between them."You did say that, Archie! You promised!", shouted little Maggie in defense of her big sister. "I did
not. I said I might
let you see it, IF you played keep
away with me first. And
you didn't, so I'm not!" Trina's youger cousin by ten months,
Archie was a bit stubborn and always wanting his own way. His
younger brother, A.J., was nearly the same age, but his demeanor was
quite different.
|
Back to Cover Page Story 1 - Eisenkopf Story 2 - The Yara Story 3 - Sylvain and Jocosa Story 4 - The White Wolf |
| Image Web Source: Best Picture Gallery |