Week 12 Story: The Showboater
One day, there was a very proud seagull. He went around all day boasting that he was truly the strongest of all the animals. He was largely ignored at first, with everyone thinking he was simply trying to draw attention to himself. Eventually, he became enough of a nuisance that the other animals decided it was time for him to show his worth or shut his mouth.
When asked to prove himself, he would simply challenge the other animal to a contest. Whoever could throw a rock the farthest would be considered stronger. All of the animals would take their shot at this, each thinking they could easily beat the small bird. After all, the rock weighed almost as much as the seagull himself!
First came the lion, who proudly threw the rock over a hundred feet. The bird, still looking smug, simply picked up a rock and flew that far before dropping his rock just beyond the lion's. This pattern continued with the other animals. The dog would throw, and the seagull would drop his rock just beyond. The deer would throw, and again the bird would beat him by the slimmest margins by carrying the stone just a little further.
The animals began to despair, thinking that they were truly all weaker than the seagull. Then, one day, as it seemed like the seagull would truly go unbeaten in his challenge, a giant came upon the animals. Once the game was explained to the giant, he simply picked up a rock, took one step forward, and set it down again. Try as he might, the seagull could not fly as far as the giant could step while carrying a rock. The seagull was forced to surrender his title as the strongest animal and live the rest of his life being mocked by the other animals.
Author's note: This started as the fable "Apollo and Jupiter" where Apollo claimed he could shoot a bow the farthest, only to not be able to shoot it father than Jupiter could step. I took this general concept and applied it to animals, as they are a common model for fables.
Bibliography: Fables of Aesop and Other Eminent Mythologists by Sir Roger L'Estrange. Link
When asked to prove himself, he would simply challenge the other animal to a contest. Whoever could throw a rock the farthest would be considered stronger. All of the animals would take their shot at this, each thinking they could easily beat the small bird. After all, the rock weighed almost as much as the seagull himself!
First came the lion, who proudly threw the rock over a hundred feet. The bird, still looking smug, simply picked up a rock and flew that far before dropping his rock just beyond the lion's. This pattern continued with the other animals. The dog would throw, and the seagull would drop his rock just beyond. The deer would throw, and again the bird would beat him by the slimmest margins by carrying the stone just a little further.
The animals began to despair, thinking that they were truly all weaker than the seagull. Then, one day, as it seemed like the seagull would truly go unbeaten in his challenge, a giant came upon the animals. Once the game was explained to the giant, he simply picked up a rock, took one step forward, and set it down again. Try as he might, the seagull could not fly as far as the giant could step while carrying a rock. The seagull was forced to surrender his title as the strongest animal and live the rest of his life being mocked by the other animals.
It's a giant. Link
Author's note: This started as the fable "Apollo and Jupiter" where Apollo claimed he could shoot a bow the farthest, only to not be able to shoot it father than Jupiter could step. I took this general concept and applied it to animals, as they are a common model for fables.
Bibliography: Fables of Aesop and Other Eminent Mythologists by Sir Roger L'Estrange. Link
Hey Joe! I really enjoyed your story! I like how seagull was very conceited when no animals could beat him in the challenge. He was soo prideful and full of himself until the giant came along and defeated him in the rock moving challenge. I loved your story and keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteHi Joe! I really enjoyed reading your story this week!I like how you portrayed the seagull character. You were able to paint such a vivid dynamic between the seagull and other animals in only a few sentences. I also like how the giant was able to beat him. It shows that you should never be too arrogant. Modesty is a virtue! Anyways, fun story and I look forward to reading more in the future.
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