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

 

Reading Notes: Mahabharata PDE Part D

Shikhandin get her revenge on Bhishma, Arjuna and Bhishma fought and everyone watched and Arjuna killed him by tricking him. Arjuna was sad about killing Bhishma. With his dying breath he tried to make Duryodhana stop the war. Arjuna's son died. Bhima also lost his son because of the celestial arrow Karna had. Drona died because he was was tricked by the Pandavas because they said his son died when he actually didn't. Bhima then drank the blood of Duhshasana fulfilling his vow. Arjuna then killed his brother Karna.

The Kauravas then began to flee once Karna was killed. Duryodhana then hid underwater. But he came out and lost his fight. Ashwatthaman then raided the Pandavas with the help of Shiva. Arjuna then took the jewel from Ashwatthamann's head. Yudhishthira then became the king. Arjuna followed the horse that Yudhishthira sent out to attone for his sins. Arjuna was then killed but came back to life. The horse was sacrificed and Yudhishthira became the king. Krishna was killed by a hunter by being shot in the foot. Then the Pandavas went to heaven and everything was alright.

Mongoose

Bibliography: Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore, Public Domain Edition of Mahabharata link

Reading Notes: Mahabharata PDE Part C

Pandavas go into exile again after losing the gambling match. There were good and bad things about exile. Arjuna goes on adventures to get the weapons that the Pandavas will need. Arjuna then had a vision and got a new bow. Arjuna lived in Indra's city for 5 years where he trained. The Pandavas saved Duryodhana and they were nice to him afterwards even though they were in exile. Karna and Arjuna become rivals. Karana loses his invincibility but he gains the ability to kill a strong foe. Yudhishthira answered some riddles. 

The Pandavas hid for their 13th year of exile otherwise they would have to spend another 12 in exile. The exile ended and a war with the Kauravas was about to start. Krishna, however, tried to have peace. Karna discovers the Pandavas are his brothers. However, he does not betray the Kauravas. Arjuna does not want to fight but he does. 

Answering riddles

Bibliography: Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore, Public Domain Edition of Mahabharata link