Week 13 Story: The Roommates who don't Clean

There were once four roommates named Eli, David, George, and Kaz. The roommates had known each other for a long time before they had begun living with each other, so they figured that being roommates would be a good fit. And for the most part they were right.

However, there was one thing that was wrong. Two of the roommates, David and Eli, were very messy. And it was not just that they were messy, but they were messy and did not clean up after themselves. Sure they kept their respective rooms clean, but they never took care of the common area. They often left their trash in the common area and they never vacuumed the floor or wiped off the counters in the kitchen. 

One day, after vacuuming and cleaning up their trash, Kaz decided to tell the roommates that they needed to make sure to clean up their stuff and that it would not be so bad if they decided to do some vacuuming as well. David and Eli realized that Kaz was right, and they decided to be more aware when they left trash around the house. They also decided to help with the vacuuming.

Kaz also would bring it to George's attention whenever I would clean the bathroom. Maybe one of these times he would get the hint that he should lend a helping hand. After all, he is 20 years old and he should not have to be told these things.

However, David and Eli soon started leaving trash around the house once again. They even left garbage on the kitchen counter when the trashcan was right next to it. I could not fathom it, yet I decided to clean up after them anyways cause they were still asleep. Also I should not have to tell them to throw their trash in the trashcan. IT IS NOT GOING TO MAGICALLY GO AWAY!!!!! IF YOU WERE NOT GOING TO THROW IT AWAY NOW THEN WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO THROW IT AWAY?!?!?!? Also George still never cleaned the bathroom, so I have kind of lost hope that he ever will. 

Mr. Clean

Author's notes: I got inspiration of this story from the Jataka Tale in which the horse gives up his life to make sure the kingdom will be able to survive 7 kings attacking. However, in this story the metaphorical horse is left thankless.

Bibliography: Twenty Jataka Tales by Noor Inayat (Khan), 1939 link

Week 12 Story: The Greatest Rivals in the World

 Eli's restaurant was empty despite it being the nighttime rush. And this was not the first time this had happened. Ever since he had opened his restaurant it had consistently been empty, and the customers he did get often asked for a refund since his food was so terrible.

"Maybe I should not have decided to become a small business owner," he thought. "After all, I do not know how to cook at all and my restaurant is on the verge of bankruptcy."

But this was Eli's dream he had ever since he retired from weightlifting.

It was now closing time, and as he was about to close up a hooded man walked in. 

"I have heard you need some help with your restaurant," the stranger said. "I am a master chef who can help you, but it will cost you."

"What will it cost?" asked Eli.

"For everyday I work here you must give me 1% ownership of your restaurant until I own 50% of the restaurant. "I will handle the cooking and you will handle the business side."

Eli was hesitant to accept the offer as this was such a strange request, but seeing as he had no other choice he agreed.

"What should I call you anyways?" asked Eli.

"Just call me Snake," replied the man.

Like Snake said, he was able to help save Eli's restaurant. But he didn't just save it; in the first week of working there Snake had turned Eli's restaurant into the most popular restaurant in the state of California. And in two weeks it was the most popular restaurant in the world! 

However, something bugged Eli. He never actually knew who the man was. The man always wore his hood down and Eli could never get a good look at his face, but despite this there was something familiar about him. However, Eli never pressed Snake on his identity. After all, the restaurant was the most popular restaurant in the world.

Then 50days had past and Snake asked to speak with Eli.

"As you know I now own 50% of the restaurant according to the deal, and I would like to reveal the plan I had all along," said Snake.

With that Snake took off his hood and it was David, Eli's old weightlifting rival, underneath. David spoke before Eli could.

"While we were weightlifting rivals I often thought about what a good team we could be," David said. "And like you I decided to open a restaurant, but it failed due to me not knowing the business side. And when I heard about your failing restaurant I knew that I could use my naturally good cooking skills and your naturally good business skills to create the best restaurant in the world. I am sorry for deceiving you, but this was the only way I could think you would work with me. Will you continue to work with me?"

Eli sat there in silence for a minute and finally said, "Yes I will, friend."

David and Eli shake hands

Author's notes:  This story is a sequel to my week 2 deadlifting world champion story. This story is based on The Frog King's Folly from the book Indian Fables and Folklore. In the story a snake tricks the frog king into letting him eat all of the frogs he ruled over, and then the snake ended up eating the frog king himself. In this story I decided to make the snake Eli's old weightlifting rival David, but in the end I decided to have the rivals reconcile the past and become friends to make the greatest restaurant in the world.

Bibliography: Indian Fables and Folklore by Shovona Devi, 1919

Week 11: Redeeming a lottery ticket

 It was a Friday, and David was parking his 2009 Honda Civic at the lottery office. In his hand he held the winning ticket to a $75 million dollar jackpot. He still could not believe his luck. After being down on his luck since he lost his job and his girlfriend had left him for his best friend, he decided to buy a Powerball lottery ticket. And to his surprise, he had won the jackpot. 

But instead of calling his friends or family he had decided to keep his winnings a secret. He did not want anyone to find out about his sudden luck as they would surely ask him for a piece of the pie. Instead, he planned to continue working at his job and put his money into a conservative S&P 500 index fund.

When David got out of his car he saw a huge line that stretched outside of the office. In fact, it stretched so far outside of the office he could not see where it ended. 

"Surely they could not all be winners," thought David.

David then asked someone in the line why they were there and they replied, "Why because I won the Powerball!" 

Confused, David asked someone else and they replied the same way. In fact, everyone he asked replied the same way. As it turned out everyone in that line, a little over 2,000 people, was related and they had all bought lottery tickets, because 900 years ago a distant relative had a piece of paper with numbers on it. And these numbers turned out to be winning lottery numbers for the power ball. 

As it turns out this relative had many children and he decided to share the secret of the numbers with his relatives in hopes they would bring his family riches. It just so happened that today was the day of the lottery ticket and all 2,000 members bought a ticket. 

"Just my luck," thought David. "I am the unluckiest luckiest person in the world."

David's Car

Author's Notes: This story is a continuation of my week 7 story George Wins the Lottery. For this story I was inspired by the story of the Jewel that Satrajit had in Shri Krishna of Dwarka and other stories. In that story the jewel changed hands many times as people killed each other for it. I was intrigued by a story where people struggled against each other for a great prize, but in this story I added a twist. I decided to have the prize be split among 2,000 people so the true prize is not actually that large.

Bibliography: Shri Krishna of Dwarka and other stories by C. A. Kincaid, 1920

Week 9: Chess Match

 It was the final game of the chess world championship and it was anyone's game. The competition was between two chess legends. David, a masterful attacker who had the white pieces for the final game, and Gary, a masterful defender with the black pieces. 

While this may have seemed like any other ordinary world championship, there was bad blood between the two competitors. It was not just that both of the competitors had grown up playing each other, or that each had never been world champion. Their competitive relationship had gotten personal. 

As the match was about to start David thought about the bad blood between them. First starting with when David's wife left him for Gary. He thought about how he did not blame his wife for leaving him. After all, she was an independent woman with an associates degree who could make her own choices. Additionally, David realized that he was not the most supportive husband. But the real gut punch was the fact she left him for Gary, his mortal enemy.

"What did I ever do?" David thought, "For as far back as I can think Gary has been a thorn in my side. Not just in chess, but in life, as well. Nonetheless, today will be the day I defeat Gary once and for all."

Gary also thought about the bad blood between David and him. How Gary did not even like chess, but the only reason he had decided to begin playing chess was to get revenge on David, the chess club president at the time, for calling him fat in middle school. He also did not even like David's ex-wife, in his opinion she was uptight, but the only reason he had agreed to date her was to get revenge on David. 

"Words hurt," Gary thought, "And today I will get my final revenge on David."

The game then started and David made his first move.

chess

Author's notes: 

This story is based off of the battle between Ravana and Ramayana in the Ramayana. I decided to have David represent Ramayana and Gary represent Ravana. 

The story has many parallels between the original story. In my story Gary "steals" David's wife similarly to how Ravana steals Ramayana's wife. Also Gary is a masterful defender and David is a masterful attacker which parallels how Ravana is defending against Ramayana in the battle. 

Also I had the beginning of the beef between Gary and David be because David was mean to Gary similarly to how the reason Ravana even begins to mess with Ramayana is because he was mean to his sister.

Bibliography: "Myths of Hindus and Buddhists: Ramayana" by Sister Nivedita

Week 7 Story: George Wins the Lottery

George, a peasant living in feudal times, sat on a rock looking up at the night sky. This was his favorite part of the day, because he was able to gaze at the stars and not have a worry in the world. As he gazed up he saw a shooting star and wished for a life of luxury. Maybe not even a life of luxury he thought. Maybe just a life where he had enough.

Suddenly, there was a bright flash and a metal box appeared in front of him. George could not believe his eyes. Out of the box stepped a man dressed in clothes George had never seen before. The man also had a face of bewilderment. Before George could speak the man said, "What year is it?" "It is 1020," George replied. "Oops I must have mistyped the numbers," the man said to himself.

Before the man could ask another question George asked "Are you here to grant my wish?" "You are here to bring me riches correct?" Looking to have some fun, the man replied "Why yes I am, but you must answer my three riddles." "Ok," replied George.

"What is your name?" asked the man. "That's not a riddle," said George. "Do you want riches or not?" asked the man. "My name is George," George replied. "Correct." answered the man. While he was correct George wondered how the man knew his name.

"What is your profession?" asked the man. "I am a farmer for the local lord." "Correct again!" replied the man. "Only one more question and the riches are yours. Being a farmer you should know this next one easily." 

George could not believe what was happening soon he would have the riches he needed to lift his family out of poverty and improve his town. "How long does it take to grow corn?" asked the man. "What's corn?" asked George. Realizing his mistake the man hesitated. "Umm... Incorrect..."

George was crushed. "But do not despair George. Since you were able to answer two of my questions I will still give you riches, but in a different form," the man said. From inside the man's pocket he pulled out a piece of paper. "These numbers are very important and one day they will bring you and your family riches as long as you hold on to them," said the man. 

With that the man departed back into the metal box and the box vanished as suddenly as it had arrived. And while George was excited, he was somewhat sad. If only I could read he thought to himself.

Lottery ticket

Author's Notes: I was inspired by the riddles at the lake story in the Mahabharata, and I wanted to add a fun twist where the protagonist did not get all of the riddles right. I was also inspired by the Monty Python and the Holy Grail bit where they have to answer weird riddles at the bridge in order to cross.

Bibliography: Public Domain Edition of the Mahabharata "Riddles at the Lake" by Donald A. Mackenzie Link

 

Week 6 Story: Poker Night

It was another Thursday night and Zak's longtime friends were about to arrive. As Zak finished setting the table for another relaxing poker night the first guest arrived. It was David, Zak's longtime friend from high school bringing his famous chips and dip. Next came Eli and Dave, twin brothers who Zak had met at the gym in college. They brought the beer. Finally came Shalashaska another longtime friend of Zak and David.

Once the four guest had arrived they chatted for a few minutes and then sat at the poker table. The buy in was only $20 dollars, because David's wife told him if he gambled more he would not be allowed to come to poker night anymore.

 As Zak was about to deal Eli chimed in, "Shouldn't we wait for Hue?" "I don't think he's coming. He texted me earlier saying he has to help his kids with homework tonight", said Zak. "That's alright", said Dave. "He's busy with his new job, and I am sure he's stressed with his wife expecting in a few months."

"His wife is pregnant again?!" exclaimed Shalashaska . "I didn't know that either." said Zak. "Well I am sure he just forgot to tell you since he has been busy recently, but I still am surprised. They announced it to their family a few weeks ago. I only know because I am dating Hue's sister, and it's not like she told me to not say anything."

"Whatever," said Zak. "Let's just play poker."

After the game had ended and all the friends had left Zak wondered if his friend Hue would ever come to another poker game again. It's unlikely he will come to one while his wife is pregnant , and once his kid is born he will have double the responsibilities he has now. And as he thought this he felt saddened. After all, poker night was how his friends and him were supposed to keep in touch, but Hue could not even make that.

Poker Night

Author's notes: This story is loosely based on the gambling match between Yudhishthira and Duryodhana. But instead of the focus being on gambling the story focuses on dialog that happened during a group of longtime friends during their poker match. The primarily focuses on how one of their longtime friends Hue hasn't shown up for a poker match in a month and how their has become a distance between him and their friends due to Hue having to take care of his responsibilities. 

Bibliography: Pubilc Domain Edition of The Mahabharata by Donald A. Mackenzie Link

Week 4: Meat Restaurant

It was a few days after his brother's successful coup, and despite life generally returning back to normal for the rest of the country, all things considered, David was closing his meat restaurant for good. In fact, every restaurant that served meat was closing as well. This was because of "President" Eli's new executive order to ban the eating of meat.

As David packed the rest of his cooking utensils in cardboard boxes he thought back on the good times. The times when him and his brother ran the greatest meat restaurant in the world. With David as the cook and Eli as the face of the restaurant they were unstoppable. People would wait in the rain and snow for hours just to taste their reasonably priced yet delicious food.

And then one day it all changed. One day Eli took a tour of a factory farm at David's request and came back a changed man. No longer did he want to cook meat, but instead he wanted to turn the meat restaurant into a vegan one, but when Eli told him no, David took matters into his own hands. 

At first Eli was reasonable. He decided to open his own vegan restaurant, but when Eli asked his brother for help to cook vegan food, David denounced his brother and refused to help stating that vegan food was not real food. Shortly after Eli's restaurant closed down. In his darkest moment Eli then realized that cooking good vegan food was not the way to get people to stop eating meat, but instead it was through politics. Shortly after his vegan restaurant closing Eli formed the Animals Liberation Party.

The party was a success. Not only was Eli able to make promises, but he was able to fulfill them as well. And before long he was elected president of the country. Eli was actually a good president. Under his guidance the country saw life expectancy skyrocket, technology advance, and a large increase in the quality of life for all citizens.

However, all of this was done with an ulterior motive. The day before Eli was to leave office congress voted to abolish term limits and give Eli absolute power. Suddenly everything was in place. As his first act of President for Life Eli abolished the eating of meat with every country in the world following as well.

As David turned off the lights he wondered if he could have changed things. Maybe if he just taught Eli how to cook vegan this could all have been avoided. However, it is hard to know these things he thought.

David's meat restaurant

Author's Notes: This story is an adaptation of "Rama and the Monkeys" from the Ramayana. In the story Rama meets the monkey king Sugriva who has had his wife and kingdom taken from him by his brother Vali. The story I made is based on that story, because similarly to the story in the Ramayana, the brothers were once friends and then they became enemies.

Bibliography: "Rama and the Monkeys" from the Public Domain Edition of the Ramayana by Geraldine Hodgson. Source

Week 3: Deadlifting World Champion

 Eli sat in silence waiting for his name to be called. Today was the day he was going to break the deadlifting world record and defeat his rival David once and for all. Suddenly Eli's name was called. It was time for him to go. As he walked out on the stage he thought back three years to when David had broken his deadlifting record and shortly after, David retired. Eli also thought about the last brutal three years of training. Doing two a days six days a week, eating healthy, cardio, and no alcohol. Eli also thought about how he was at the end of his prime and how he did not have much more time if he was wanted to retake his record. This was likely his one last shot.

Eli arrived on stage, and despite all of the pressure, he felt confident. He knew he had done the right things, and he knew he could do it. Eli then stood in front of all 1,105 pounds of weight, he grabbed the bar, and he lifted. The next 15 seconds were a blur, but at the end of it Eli knew he had done it. The crowd erupted in a cheer and everyone was chanting his name. "Eli. Eli Eli." With tears streaming down his face Eli could not do anything but smile.

But suddenly David walked on the stage. "Put on five more pounds, he told the weightlifting official. "I'm about to beat this man's record." Everyone was shocked despite being retired David looked bigger than ever. The weightlifting official obliged, and without hesitation David did not one but two reps of 1,110. Without a belt too. Unbelievable! The crowd couldn't believe it. Not only had David broken Eli's record, but he had crushed it. And it was in this moment Eli realized that David had been toying with him all this time, and that even if he did reclaim the deadlifting world record, David would quickly shatter it.

David warms up to beat Eli

Author's Notes: This story was inspired by Rama Wins Sita from the public domain edition of the Ramayana. In the original story Rama has to show his strength and bend and snap a powerful bow in order to win Sita. I changed the story to a competition between two weightlifting rivals, and added the twist to have the hero of the story succeed only to be undone by his rival.

Bibliography: "Rama Wins Sita" from The Public Domain Edition of The Ramayan by M Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder, 

Week 2 Story: Rescuing Einstein

 It was a calm night when John Serpent was in view of the extraction zone. This was where he was supposed to meet the contact, a defecting scientist from the enemy militant group Gearhead. Normally John would have left this kind of task to someone else, but the defecting agent was someone special. John was to meet the the primary man responsible for the almost complete destruction of his squad nine years ago - Hue Einstein. And although one of the surviving members of the squad Zak Mills had tried to talk him out of allowing Hue back into the squad, stating that Hue couldn't be trusted, John acted against his better judgement and decided to help Hue defect.

As John sat thinking about the past he saw a figure approaching. It was Hue. Suddenly, all the pain from the events nine years ago came flooding back, but John held his composure. Hue was the first to speak, "You look different John ." Not wanting to make small talk John replied "It's time to go." John then put a black bag over Hue's head and searched him for tracking devices in order to make sure Hue still wasn't in contact with Gearhead. 

John then led Hue three miles to where the truck that would take them back to base was waiting. Before entering the truck Hue spoke up "I know you don't trust me John , but I want to clear my name from what happened nine years ago. I want to prove that I didn't betray the squad." John was silent,  but he hoped the scientist's words were truthful. On the trip back to base John thought back on all the good Hue had done as a member of their squad, and somewhat sadly he also knew that even if Hue hadn't been the one to betray them things would never be the same. And another thought still sat at the back of his head. What if Zak was right and Hue couldn't be trusted?

Author's notes: This story is based on "The Crocodile and the Monkey's Heart" in which the crocodile tries to trick the monkey into climbing onto his head so he can bring the monkey's heart to his wife so she can eat it. My take on the story is about two old comrades who are reunited after one of them allegedly betrayed the squad. This story, however, is not so black and white as it is never revealed if Hue did betray the squad, and it ends with John possibly remaking the same mistake.

Bibliography. "The Crocodile and the Monkey's Heart" from Eastern Stories and Legends by Maries L. Shedlock source

Hue Einstein