Week 4 Story: The Love Letter

Undelivered Letter

Dear Sita,

While I know, there is no way for me to send you this letter I need to write down my thoughts. I miss you so much! I cannot believe I was so foolish to go chasing off after some golden deer. I just wanted to make you happy. We both should have listened to Lakshmana. He tried to warn both of us. How could I have been fooled by something so transparent? Golden deer do not exist. Lakshmana feels responsible for what happened, but I try to reassure him it was not his fault. I also do not blame you. I am supposed to be your husband who protects you and provides for you. I still feel bad for the life you are stuck living with me out in the forest for fourteen years. I know you chose to come with me, but I just want to do anything to make you happy and feel like the queen you indeed are. Sita, I wish I could talk with you. It did not feel so bad living in the forest with you by my side. I have Lakshmana with me, but he does not bring comfort to me as you do! I fear I will never find you. It is going to take some time, but know that I will find you! Thankfully we ran into some helpful monkeys Sugreeva and Hanuman. They saw Ravana carry you away and the jewelry you threw down has reassured my hope. They both have promised to help me find you. We must wait until the rainy months are through before we can begin our search. With my mighty bow and fellow friends, I will bring an army to rescue you. There is so much I wish I could have done to have saved you. I know that if we both make it through this ordeal that we can make it through everything. I want to tell you not to lose hope. I will find you and destroy Ravana for the harm he has caused you!

With all of my love,

Rama

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Author’s Note: This story is based off of the story The Ramayana by R.K. Narayan. In the story of The Ramayana, Rama wife, Sita, is taken by Ravana. Ravana can trick and separate Rama from Sita with a golden deer. Rama brother, Lakshmana, does not fall for the trick but unable to convince the other two tries to do his best to keep everyone safe. After Sita is gone, Rama tries to figure out where she is and finds two monkeys who saw which way Ravana took Sita. Rama knows of Ravana great power and armies and will need some help to defeat him to get Sita back. The monkeys agree to help, and after the rainy season, they plan to go looking for Sita. Before the rainy season is over Rama reaches a low point in his moral since he has left home to live in the forest. He longingly thinks about Sita. The book only describes one particular instance when Rama was missing Sita, but I am sure there where many times when she came to mind. I decided to create a letter that Rama would write to Sita about his thoughts and how much he is missing her during the time they are apart.  I hope you have enjoyed my story and would love to hear feedback!

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Image: Written letters. Source: pixabay by jarmoluk

Reading Notes: Reading B: The Ramayana p. 134- 157

All good things must come to an end... 

I finished reading The Ramayana by R.K. Narayan pages 134 - 157. We finally reach the chapters that discuss the Great War between Rama and his army against Ravana and his army in Lanka (Ravana's City). I felt that there was not enough description of the fighting between the two armies (p. 134-138). Monkeys are fighting against men and demons the descriptions of the fight should be able to help readers envision an epic battle scene! Sadly, I didn't get a vivid picture in my mind of the fighting between the armies. I could create a more detailed battle scene between the two armies as a possible new story. I was also surprised to read that Ravana's youngest brother, Vibishana tried to stop him from going up against Rama then when Ravana got angry with him and planned on fighting against Rama, Vibishana fled and went to Rama for an asylum (p. 132). Vibishana ends up helping Rama and his army by warning them about Ravana's army and weapons he will use in the battle. Vibishana is an integral part of Rama's story, and without his help, Rama might not have been able to defeat Ravana. Even though Vibishana is crowned the King of Lanka after Ravana defeat, I think a story should be written about this brother. Vibishana lived with all of the different demons and evil men but was still able to do the right thing, and the Hanuman notes how well his house was in order (p. 131). A story could be created to highlight how Vibishana was able to remain so good even when surrounded by so much evil. The final story creation I could make and would like to make is to change the ending when Rama is cold and short to Sita after she was rescued. Rama acted entirely out of character. I did not like how he treated her; even the gods were upset with how Rama handled Sita (p. 150). I would like to have Rama excitedly going to Sita after winning against Ravana and embracing her because of how she was treated while captured.

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Image: Couple embracing. Source: pexels by luizclas