Peter Mills
10/3/11
Billy Budd
Billy Budd, written by Herman Melville over a period of five years, was left unfinished at his death in 1891. The version that I read was published by the Penguin Group with permission from the University of Chicago. The book explores the theme of justice, centering on the punishment Captain Vere gave to Billy for killing the master-at-arms. This is a very descriptive book, and since the book isn’t all that long, not much happens to Billy on the boat before the central event occurs.
In the beginning of the book, Billy is taken from a merchant ship, the Rights-Of-Man, and impressed into the service of the Bellipotent, a British warship in need of soldiers. Billy is the sort of sailor one might call handsome, and he is tall and strong. Throughout the book, Billy is shown to be liked by almost everybody. Although young, Billy has been at sea all his life and he knows how to do his job. Unfortunately, there is one who doesn’t like Billy, and his name is Claggart, the ship’s master-at-arms. Claggart hates Billy, although it is unknown why he does. What the narrator does state in the book is that Claggart has, “the mania of an evil nature, not engendered by vicious training or corrupting books or licentious living, but born with him and innate, in short ‘a depravity according to nature.’” (326) So it is not at all surprising when Claggart falsely accuses Billy of being involved in mutiny. Another thing to note is that Billy Budd has a speech impediment, and when he is falsely accused, he is so astonished he can’t talk. So instead of speaking, he lets his actions speak, and strikes Claggart full on the head, killing him. A raging debate ensues between the captain and his other officers, trying to determine what justice to bring to Billy. Eventually, Billy is sentenced to be hung, and Billy Budd dies on the Bellipotent.
I believe the justice Billy Budd received was incorrect. “In certain matters, some sailors even in mature life remain unsophisticated enough. But a young seafarer of the disposition of our athletic foretopman is much of a child-man. And yet a child’s utter innocence is but its bland ignorance, and the innocence more or less wanes as intelligence waxes. But in Billy Budd, intelligence, such as it was, had advance while yet his simple-mindedness remained for the most part unaffected.”(336) Billy Budd was like a child, and is it correct to hang a child? The book also states, “Besides, he had none of that intuitive knowledge of the bad which in natures not good or incompletely so foreruns experience, and therefore may pertain, as in some instances it too clearly does pertain, even to youth.” (336) Billy’s nature was so genuinely good that he didn’t really understand the nature of evil in other people. Billy’s impulsive response was motivated by his sense of right and wrong. He had been unfairly accused, and his natural reaction was to defend his honor and protest the injustice of the accusation. The officers should not have hung Billy Budd, for Billy was wronged first, and it was not his intention to kill Claggart.
Overall, Billy Budd lengthened my vocabulary and spured my thinking to a deeper level. Although difficult to read, it was worth it to read about the complex problem the captain had to face and how he worked it out.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Peter Mills
10/31/11
The Pit and the Pendulum
The Pit and the Pendulum, written by Edgar Allan Poe and published in 1842, is an intriguing story of a man enduring torture. Poe himself had a very difficult life. Abandoned by his father before he was even born, Poe suffered the loss of his mother when he was three years old. Sent to live with a foster family, he loved his foster mother, but hated his foster father. He began gambling in college to sustain his education, and his foster father eventually withdrew him from school. He then joined the military, but was court marshaled because he did not attend drills. He then married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia, claiming that she was twenty one. Unfortunately, his wife later died of consumption. This may be the reason that in many of his books there was a, “death of a significant woman in the narrator’s life.”(http://www.exampleessays.com) The purpose of this paper is to discuss Poe’s themes, and analyze what they mean.
Many people believe that Edgar Allan Poe had some sort of mental issue. An example of this is “In The Tell-Tale Heart, the narrator confesses a love for an old man whom he then violently murders and dismembers. The narrator reveals his madness by attempting to separate the person of the old man, whom he loves, from the old man’s supposedly evil eye, which triggers the narrator’s hatred. This delusional separation enables the narrator to remain unaware of the paradox of claiming to have loved his victim.” (http://www.sparknotes.com) Poe’s own unhappy life was probably the source of his depression. He became addicted to opium, he drank, and he gambled. He believed this was the only way to find happiness from his miserable existence. This caused him to pursue themes that were dark and horror-filled.
Another theme commonly mentioned in his poems was the “unjust death of a woman that the narrator loved.” (http://www.exampleessays.com) One of Poe’s most famous poems reveals this. “In The Raven, the narrator’s lost love, Lenore, died of a mystery illness (possibly tuberculosis.). The narrator spends most of the poem grieving for Lenore and hoping, praying, and wishing that she would come back. He is in so much grief that he even thinks that a raven was sent to tell him that he was never going to see her again.” (http://www.exampleessays.com) This theme is believed to come from the death of Virginia, Poe’s wife.
The three websites from which I acquired source information each had bits of truth in them. http://www.exampleessays.com stated that the most common theme was the “unjust death of a woman that the narrator loved.” while (http://www.sparknotes.com) said that the most common theme was love, hate, and horror. Many of his writings show both. In the Pit and the Pendulum, however, there is another theme. Poe seems to be looking for someone; someone who can help him get out of his mess of a life. “Even in the grave all was not lost. Else there is no immortality for man.” His story was mostly all horror-filled, with death at every turn, but there was a glimmer of hope and light since the beginning of his story. Perhaps he is seeking to fill that void which has been with him since the beginning. Perhaps his ultimate search is to find the source of life. Perhaps his ultimate search is for God.
10/31/11
The Pit and the Pendulum
The Pit and the Pendulum, written by Edgar Allan Poe and published in 1842, is an intriguing story of a man enduring torture. Poe himself had a very difficult life. Abandoned by his father before he was even born, Poe suffered the loss of his mother when he was three years old. Sent to live with a foster family, he loved his foster mother, but hated his foster father. He began gambling in college to sustain his education, and his foster father eventually withdrew him from school. He then joined the military, but was court marshaled because he did not attend drills. He then married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia, claiming that she was twenty one. Unfortunately, his wife later died of consumption. This may be the reason that in many of his books there was a, “death of a significant woman in the narrator’s life.”(http://www.exampleessays.com) The purpose of this paper is to discuss Poe’s themes, and analyze what they mean.
Many people believe that Edgar Allan Poe had some sort of mental issue. An example of this is “In The Tell-Tale Heart, the narrator confesses a love for an old man whom he then violently murders and dismembers. The narrator reveals his madness by attempting to separate the person of the old man, whom he loves, from the old man’s supposedly evil eye, which triggers the narrator’s hatred. This delusional separation enables the narrator to remain unaware of the paradox of claiming to have loved his victim.” (http://www.sparknotes.com) Poe’s own unhappy life was probably the source of his depression. He became addicted to opium, he drank, and he gambled. He believed this was the only way to find happiness from his miserable existence. This caused him to pursue themes that were dark and horror-filled.
Another theme commonly mentioned in his poems was the “unjust death of a woman that the narrator loved.” (http://www.exampleessays.com) One of Poe’s most famous poems reveals this. “In The Raven, the narrator’s lost love, Lenore, died of a mystery illness (possibly tuberculosis.). The narrator spends most of the poem grieving for Lenore and hoping, praying, and wishing that she would come back. He is in so much grief that he even thinks that a raven was sent to tell him that he was never going to see her again.” (http://www.exampleessays.com) This theme is believed to come from the death of Virginia, Poe’s wife.
The three websites from which I acquired source information each had bits of truth in them. http://www.exampleessays.com stated that the most common theme was the “unjust death of a woman that the narrator loved.” while (http://www.sparknotes.com) said that the most common theme was love, hate, and horror. Many of his writings show both. In the Pit and the Pendulum, however, there is another theme. Poe seems to be looking for someone; someone who can help him get out of his mess of a life. “Even in the grave all was not lost. Else there is no immortality for man.” His story was mostly all horror-filled, with death at every turn, but there was a glimmer of hope and light since the beginning of his story. Perhaps he is seeking to fill that void which has been with him since the beginning. Perhaps his ultimate search is to find the source of life. Perhaps his ultimate search is for God.
Peter Mills
10/17/11
The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and published by the Penguin Group, is a well known classic with an enthralling storyline. This book shows how sin can wreak havoc in people’s lives if they do not ask the Lord for forgiveness. In the beginning, the book’s first character is Hester, a newcomer to the community, who has committed adultery with an unknown person. Her husband, who has not yet moved to the town, finally arrives, only to discover what Hester has done. Assuming a false identity, he goes under the guise of Roger Chillingsworth and attaches himself to Arthur Dimmesdale, the beloved minister of the town. It is later revealed that Dimmesdale is the other adulterer, and that Chillingsworth is torturing Dimmesdale’s conscience. Dimmesdale whips himself in the closet, and grows paler and weaker. Eventually, Dimmesdale proclaims at the end of the book that he is the other adulterer, and then dies with a free conscience. Chillingsworth dies soon after, since he has no one left to torture and take revenge on. In this paper, I will examine of each characters sin (Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingsworth) and explain the effect it had on them.
Hester committed adultery with Arthur Dimmesdale. The effect of this sin greatly altered her personality. “the young and pure would be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast, - at her, the child of honorable parents,- at her, the mother of a babe, that would hereafter be a woman,- at her, who had once been innocent,- as the figure, the body, the reality of sin. And over her grave, the infamy that she must carry thither would be her only monument.” (72 Hawthorne) Hester became almost completely devoid of any emotion.
Arthur Dimmesdale committed adultery with Hester. The effect of this sin practically killed him. “How feeble and pale he looked... The glow, which they had just before beheld burning on his cheek, was extinguished, like a flam that sinks down hopelessly among the late-decaying embers. It seemed hardly the face of a man alive, with such a deathlike hue; it was hardly a man with life in him...” (231, 232 Hawthorne) He died after his proclamation of his sin, but he died forgiven and happy.
Chillingsworth’s sin was different from the sins of the other characters. He was called the “leech”, because once Dimmesdale died, he lost his purpose in life. Once he discovered that Dimmesdale committed adultery with his wife, he went crazy and the only thing on his mind was revenge. “Old Roger Chillingsworth, throughout life, had been calm in temperament, kindly, though not of warm affections, but ever, and in all his relations with the world, a pure and upright man. He had begun an investigation, as he imagined, with the severe and equal integrity of a judge, desirous only of truth... But, as he proceeded, a terrible fascination, a kind of fierce,, though still calm, necessity seized the old man within its gripe, and never set him free again until he had done all its bidding. He now dug into the poor clergyman’s heart, like a miner searching for gold; or, rather, like a sexton delving into a grave...” (117 Hawthorn) The devil took over Chillingsworth, and drove him to the brink of insanity, trying to torture Dimmesdale.
I believe that Chillingsworth committed the greatest sin. Although a sin is a sin, his did the most evil. As it says in the Bible, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”(Romans12:19) Chillingsworth allowed evil to corrupt him, “All his strength and energy - all his vital and intellectual force - seemed at once to desert him; insomuch that he positively withered up, shrivelled away, and almost vanished from mortal sight, like an uprooted weed that lies wilting in the sun. This unhappy man had made the very principle of his life to consist in the pursuit and systematic exercise of revenge; and when, by its completest triumph and consummation, that evil principle was left with no further material to support it, - when, in short, there was no more devil’s work on earth for him to do, it only remained for the unhumanized mortal to betake himself whither his master would find him tasks enough, and pay him his wages duly.” So when there was no more devil’s work to do, he shrivelled up and died. Overall, I believe this is more than enough evidence to prove that Chillingsworth’s sin was the worst. This book candidly shows how one sin can have a chain effect that disrupts and ultimately destroys the lives of many people.
10/17/11
The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and published by the Penguin Group, is a well known classic with an enthralling storyline. This book shows how sin can wreak havoc in people’s lives if they do not ask the Lord for forgiveness. In the beginning, the book’s first character is Hester, a newcomer to the community, who has committed adultery with an unknown person. Her husband, who has not yet moved to the town, finally arrives, only to discover what Hester has done. Assuming a false identity, he goes under the guise of Roger Chillingsworth and attaches himself to Arthur Dimmesdale, the beloved minister of the town. It is later revealed that Dimmesdale is the other adulterer, and that Chillingsworth is torturing Dimmesdale’s conscience. Dimmesdale whips himself in the closet, and grows paler and weaker. Eventually, Dimmesdale proclaims at the end of the book that he is the other adulterer, and then dies with a free conscience. Chillingsworth dies soon after, since he has no one left to torture and take revenge on. In this paper, I will examine of each characters sin (Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingsworth) and explain the effect it had on them.
Hester committed adultery with Arthur Dimmesdale. The effect of this sin greatly altered her personality. “the young and pure would be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast, - at her, the child of honorable parents,- at her, the mother of a babe, that would hereafter be a woman,- at her, who had once been innocent,- as the figure, the body, the reality of sin. And over her grave, the infamy that she must carry thither would be her only monument.” (72 Hawthorne) Hester became almost completely devoid of any emotion.
Arthur Dimmesdale committed adultery with Hester. The effect of this sin practically killed him. “How feeble and pale he looked... The glow, which they had just before beheld burning on his cheek, was extinguished, like a flam that sinks down hopelessly among the late-decaying embers. It seemed hardly the face of a man alive, with such a deathlike hue; it was hardly a man with life in him...” (231, 232 Hawthorne) He died after his proclamation of his sin, but he died forgiven and happy.
Chillingsworth’s sin was different from the sins of the other characters. He was called the “leech”, because once Dimmesdale died, he lost his purpose in life. Once he discovered that Dimmesdale committed adultery with his wife, he went crazy and the only thing on his mind was revenge. “Old Roger Chillingsworth, throughout life, had been calm in temperament, kindly, though not of warm affections, but ever, and in all his relations with the world, a pure and upright man. He had begun an investigation, as he imagined, with the severe and equal integrity of a judge, desirous only of truth... But, as he proceeded, a terrible fascination, a kind of fierce,, though still calm, necessity seized the old man within its gripe, and never set him free again until he had done all its bidding. He now dug into the poor clergyman’s heart, like a miner searching for gold; or, rather, like a sexton delving into a grave...” (117 Hawthorn) The devil took over Chillingsworth, and drove him to the brink of insanity, trying to torture Dimmesdale.
I believe that Chillingsworth committed the greatest sin. Although a sin is a sin, his did the most evil. As it says in the Bible, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”(Romans12:19) Chillingsworth allowed evil to corrupt him, “All his strength and energy - all his vital and intellectual force - seemed at once to desert him; insomuch that he positively withered up, shrivelled away, and almost vanished from mortal sight, like an uprooted weed that lies wilting in the sun. This unhappy man had made the very principle of his life to consist in the pursuit and systematic exercise of revenge; and when, by its completest triumph and consummation, that evil principle was left with no further material to support it, - when, in short, there was no more devil’s work on earth for him to do, it only remained for the unhumanized mortal to betake himself whither his master would find him tasks enough, and pay him his wages duly.” So when there was no more devil’s work to do, he shrivelled up and died. Overall, I believe this is more than enough evidence to prove that Chillingsworth’s sin was the worst. This book candidly shows how one sin can have a chain effect that disrupts and ultimately destroys the lives of many people.
11/14/11
Peter Mills
Through Gates of Splendor
Throughout the New Testiment, there are many references of Jesus giving instructions to the disciples. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20) Through Gates of Splendor, written by Elisabeth Elliot and published by Living Books, is an awe-inspiring book about five missionaries trying to preach the gospel to a hostile group of Indians called the Aucas. Just like Jesus said to the disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” (Mark 16:15) these missionaries go deep into the jungle of Ecuador so they can preach to the Aucas living there. This group of Indians has killed many people, but that doesn’t stop the missionaries from doing the Lord’s work. The Apostle Paul said, “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:23-24)These missionaries know it might cost them their lives, but that’s a risk worth taking to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Throughout the book, the missionaries were as careful as they could be. Before they tried to talk to the Indians, they dropped gifts from their plane and shouted friendly phrases in the Auca language. After they had dropped gifts for weeks, they then planned to land and try to communicate with the Aucas. Something went terribly wrong, for they were all brutally murdered. It could have been that their mistake lay in one of their gifts. It could have been that they grew nervous from the missionaries pointing their cameras at them and taking pictures. We will never know why the Aucas thought the missionaries were dangerous. But later on, one of the missionaries’ wives worked with the Aucas and they told her that they had killed the missionaries because they thought they were cannibals.
I myself haven’t gotten the chance to go on a mission trip yet, but I have done many service projects in Boy Scouts, such as helping a couple move, working with friends on a conservation project, and acquiring food for the needy. My troop and I once helped a family move. First, we went to their old house and transferred their belongings into the truck we were using. We then drove a couple hours to their new house and set up all of their stuff. I have also helped many of my fellow Scouts complete the requirements for eagle, the final rank in Scouts. One of the requirements is to do a large service project. I’ve helped built a fence, benches, install water logs, and a few other things. Finally, there is a Scout program called, “Scouting for food”. We drive around neighborhoods putting plastic bags on doorhandles, with instructions of what to do. We then return a week later and pick up the plastic bags, now filled up with food. We then give the food to the church that charters our troop, and they give the food to the needy.
We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. To do this, we must preach the gospel to people who are lost. We must also help those who are in need of practical things, such as food, and be an example for them. In this way we can point a lost, dying world to our Savior.
Peter Mills
Through Gates of Splendor
Throughout the New Testiment, there are many references of Jesus giving instructions to the disciples. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20) Through Gates of Splendor, written by Elisabeth Elliot and published by Living Books, is an awe-inspiring book about five missionaries trying to preach the gospel to a hostile group of Indians called the Aucas. Just like Jesus said to the disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” (Mark 16:15) these missionaries go deep into the jungle of Ecuador so they can preach to the Aucas living there. This group of Indians has killed many people, but that doesn’t stop the missionaries from doing the Lord’s work. The Apostle Paul said, “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:23-24)These missionaries know it might cost them their lives, but that’s a risk worth taking to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Throughout the book, the missionaries were as careful as they could be. Before they tried to talk to the Indians, they dropped gifts from their plane and shouted friendly phrases in the Auca language. After they had dropped gifts for weeks, they then planned to land and try to communicate with the Aucas. Something went terribly wrong, for they were all brutally murdered. It could have been that their mistake lay in one of their gifts. It could have been that they grew nervous from the missionaries pointing their cameras at them and taking pictures. We will never know why the Aucas thought the missionaries were dangerous. But later on, one of the missionaries’ wives worked with the Aucas and they told her that they had killed the missionaries because they thought they were cannibals.
I myself haven’t gotten the chance to go on a mission trip yet, but I have done many service projects in Boy Scouts, such as helping a couple move, working with friends on a conservation project, and acquiring food for the needy. My troop and I once helped a family move. First, we went to their old house and transferred their belongings into the truck we were using. We then drove a couple hours to their new house and set up all of their stuff. I have also helped many of my fellow Scouts complete the requirements for eagle, the final rank in Scouts. One of the requirements is to do a large service project. I’ve helped built a fence, benches, install water logs, and a few other things. Finally, there is a Scout program called, “Scouting for food”. We drive around neighborhoods putting plastic bags on doorhandles, with instructions of what to do. We then return a week later and pick up the plastic bags, now filled up with food. We then give the food to the church that charters our troop, and they give the food to the needy.
We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. To do this, we must preach the gospel to people who are lost. We must also help those who are in need of practical things, such as food, and be an example for them. In this way we can point a lost, dying world to our Savior.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
The Bronze Bow
Peter Mills
1/19/2011
In the book, The Bronze Bow, written by Elizabeth Speare, the protagonist is a young man named Daniel. Daniel faced three great challenges. The first was to stop hating the Romans, even though they killed his parents. The second was to overcome his headstrong nature and trust in Jesus. His third challenge was to be patient with his sister who was afraid of everything. How can Daniel overcome the obstacles in his life? Taking place in Galilee during the life of Jesus, the Bronze Bow is a riveting story of a young man making some life-changing decisions.
To stop hating the Romans was Daniel’s first challenge. After the Romans killed his parents, Daniel, slowly, surely, and stealthily, determined to wreak vengeance against them. Patiently, Jesus of Nazareth told him that hating the Romans would do no good; Daniel refused to listen. When his friends tried to help, he rebuked them, and continued fighting. His hatred of the Romans knew limitless bounds.
Daniel’s second challenge was to trust in Jesus. At first Daniel thought that Jesus was a Zealot, and would fight against the Romans, but he was dead wrong. Jesus told him to stop hating the Romans, because the only thing stronger than hate is love. Extremely confused by the turn of events, Daniel stopped trusting everyone, and made himself miserable. Only when he could bring himself to trust Jesus could he find the peace he deeply and desperately desired.
Daniel’s third challenge was to exercise patience with his sister. When her parents died, Leah, Daniel’s sister, lingered at the site where they had been killed. When she returned home, she was partially possessed by demons. She became afraid of everyone, except Daniel and her friend Malthace. Accidentally, Daniel discovered that she had been talking to a Roman, and he lost his temper. Leah became dreadfully afraid of him. Realizing what he had done and that Leah was dying, Daniel became miserable. What could Daniel do to help her? When Jesus came to heal her, Daniel knew that if he wanted Leah to live, he would have to stop hating the Romans and be more patient with his sister.
Eventually these challenges led Daniel to encounter Christ. Once Daniel stopped hating the Romans, Jesus healed Leah, and Daniel invited Leah’s Roman friend to stay with them. Daniel’s first challenge to stop hating the Romans would have been impossible if Jesus had not helped him. His second and most important challenge, to trust in Jesus, was accomplished as he let go of his hatred for the Romans. Trusting Christ allowed him to replace hatred with love and gave him greater compassion. Daniel was able to accomplish his third challenge, to be more patient with his sister, once he had the love of Christ in his heart. Compared to Daniel’s challenges, mine are insignificant, and I should practice more patience and love toward the people that I deal with daily. Love one another. Trust Christ. Show compassion. In The Bronze Bow, Elizabeth Speare paints a realistic portrait of a young man who faced great challenges and overcame them by a genuine encounter with Christ.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
My Side of the Mountain
In 1959, My Side of the Mountain, written by Jean Craighead George, was published. She has written many great books about nature such as On the Far Side of the Mountain and Julie of the Wolves, and she has won many awards. The book tells the story of a boy named Sam Gribley, who lived in a city in New York. Because he hated cities, he ran away and started living in the woods in the Catskill Mountains. While he was there he wanted a peregrine falcon to help him hunt. Fortunately, he discovered a nest with peregrine falcons in it. He cautiously climbed a tree and stole an eyas, which is a baby falcon. The falcon, which he named Frightful, became his trustworthy hunting companion.
While living in the woods, Sam made a home for himself inside the trunk of a tree. Because he had read many nature books, he learned to forage for food, fish, and trap animals. From the skin of a deer which he had captured, he sewed his own clothes. Amazingly, he even fashioned his own warm winter underwear from rabbit skin. Sam Gribely was a hermit kind of person, but very brave. Frightful, a courageous, friendly bird, wasn’t afraid of anything. Together, they made a great team. They hunted and they lived happily through the winter without any hunger pains.
Frightful was also a beautiful bird, and any other falcon that saw her wanted to mate with her; one time she mated with another falcon and had eyas! But that’s another story. From this awesome story I learned to always be adventurous, but never live alone, because later in the story Sam really wants someone to live with, although he doesn’t really know it. This truly is a great story which I recommend to all ages from 10 and up. This book exudes adventure and excitement. Completely deserving of its Newberry Honor Award, this well written book is a terrific read, and probably is my favorite book ever.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Prodigal Son
A father had two sons. One of the sons requested his share of the inheritance immediately so he wouldn't have to wait for his father to die. The father, who loved the son unconditionally, gave him his share of the goods and the son peregrinated to a foreign land. Foolishly, the son spent all his money on parties with his friends. After a time, a great famine came across the land. So the son desperately searched for work, and finally he found it! His work involved feeding pigs, which is quite a messy job. But the son was so hungry that he started eating the pigs’ food!
Finally, the son, whose pride had turned to mortification, came to his senses and said to himself, “I have been very foolish and I need to go back to my home, because my father’s workers at least have something to eat. I will humbly tell my father that I am not a worthy son anymore, and I will work as one of his servants.” In humiliation, he began traveling back to his home which was very far away.
When he was nearly home, his father sighted him and ran and hugged him, but the son cried, “I am not worthy to be your son anymore, please accept me as a servant.” But his father commanded his servants to kill the calf they had been fattening and to prepare a feast! The other son, who had been working in the fields, arrived home later and asked his father why he had killed the calf and prepared a feast. With joy his father replied, “Your brother is home and we are celebrating!” But the older son angrily declared, “I have worked for you all my life and never questioned your authority, but when my brother comes home you prepare a feast for him?” Gently the bewildered father replied, “You have always been with me and everything I have is yours, but he was once lost and now he is home; let‘s be happy about it!”
Monday, May 18, 2009
Government
North Carolina’s government is divided into three branches: the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch. The Executive Branch is led by the governor of the state. She has lots of responsibilities, such as enforcing state laws, proposing or vetoing laws, planning a budget, and commanding the state military.
The Legislative Branch makes all the laws. The laws focus on education, roads, healthcare, crime, and other things. The people that make these laws are part of the General Assembly. The General Assembly is divided into two houses: The House of Representatives, which has 120 members; and the Senate, which has 50 members.
The Judicial Branch is the court system, and it interpret laws. First, there are the District Courts which handle small cases. Second, the Court of Appeals handles larger cases and has twelve judges. The last one, the Supreme Court, handles the biggest cases, and it has seven judges. All of the judges are elected by the people living in the state.
The three branches of our state government are similar to the branches of the federal government. Having three branches of governments preserves our system of checks and balances.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Star Spangled Banner
In 1814, during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key boarded a British ship to try to obtain the release of his friend, Dr. William Beanes. Key was detained onboard the ship, because he overheard the British plans to attack Fort McHenry. While Francis watched the British bombard the fort, he saw a small American flag flying and wondered if it would be there in the morning. When morning came, he saw that not a small flag, but a large flag, was flying on the poll! (This was the American way of saying, “We ain’t done with you yet!”) This is when Francis Scott Key wrote the famous poem, “The Star Spangled Banner”, but at the time he called it “Defense of Fort McHenry”. Later on, music was added to it, to the tune of a famous British song, and it was printed. (Only two original copies are known left in the world) This famous poem was made into the National Anthem in 1931, 116 years after it was written.
Friday, April 24, 2009
My Bedroom
Most of the time my bedroom is very dirty. It looks like a tornado ran through there! My legion of bionicles are warriors surrounding my room. With the mountainous pile of clothes and the bionicles thrown everywhere, it’s almost as bad as my brother’s! And you would never want to look into my brother’s room… it looks as bad as a toxic swamp! Once in a while my mom goes into my room and starts screaming. This is not good. I go up to my room to find my mom’s head steaming… this is definitely not good!
Maybe I should clean my dirty bedroom more often.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
My Dog, Jack
Some people might say that my dog is the meanest thing in the world! But he’s my hero! He always tries to protect me, and growls at anything that might threaten me. He’s reasonably fit, and has more bark than bite. He loves to play with his Big Brute Toy and shake it around. Most of the time I find him staring out the window barking at cars. He thinks he is a Great Dame, and can beat up anyone. But, he is actually a Miniature Schnauzer, and quite small. He is a salt and pepper Schnauzer and has a very shaggy beard. When my mom gives him a hair cut, it shortens his beard, and his legs seem WWWAAAYYY too small for his body. It looks so weird! But when it comes to a good dog, Jack is the best!
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Boasting Traveler
A man, who had traveled to a far away land, boasted when he returned home. He had been to many places and performed many heroic acts. He said that when he went to Rhodes he leaped such a distance that no one could beat him, and there were many so called witnesses. Just then, a bystander interrupted him saying, “ There is no need for witnesses, show us right here and now!”
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
United Nations
The United Nations is an organization that is supposed to solve world problems like world wars. The Allies set it up in 1945 after World War II. The headquarters of the UN is in New York City. There are 192 member nations, which is most of the countries in the world. Each country is part of the General Assembly. Fifteen of them are in the Security Council to keep the world at peace; the US, China, Britain, France, and Russia are permanent members of the Security Council. So far they have not done a good job.
The flag of the UN shows a world protected by laurel leaves of peace.
The Fox and the Grapes
A fox, famished with hunger, saw some large juicy grapes hanging out of his reach. Eager to eat them, he resorted to all kinds of tricks to reach them. All his efforts were in vain. He turned away, hiding his disappointment. He said, “Those grapes are sour anyway and not even ripe.”
Moral: It is easy despise what you do not possess.
The Bat and the Weasels
A bat fell off of a tree branch, but a weasel caught him, and the bat pled for his life. The weasel refused him saying, “It is my nature to be an enemy of all birds.” The bat replied, “ I am not a bird, but a mouse.” So the bat was set free. But again the bat fell and was caught by another weasel, who intended to eat him. The weasel said he felt a special hostility to mice. The bat said, “I am not a mouse, but a bat.” And the bat escaped again.
Moral: It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Chemistry 2
All matter in the world is composed of elements. Each element is made up of its own kind of atom. All of the elements on the earth are known. In 1867 Dmitri Mendeleev made the Periodic Table of Elements. He lined up elements in rows from left to right, according to their atomic number. The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in its atom. Elements in the vertical columns have similar chemical properties. For example, the alkali metals give electrons, but the noble gases do nothing.
The symbol of an element represents its name. For example, C stands for carbon, but some of the elements’ symbols come from other languages. Tungsten’s symbol is W, which comes from the Latin word, wolfram. The atomic weight of an atom is the sum of its protons and neutrons. For example, hydrogen has the atomic weight of 1, which means it has one proton and no neutrons. Another element, Uranium, weighs 238 atomic mass units, which means that it has 92 protons, and 146 neutrons.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Chemistry
Chemistry is the scientific study of matter. Matter is anything that has mass or weight and takes up space. Matter is made of atoms which are small uncuttable things. Protons, neutrons, and electrons compose an atom. The protons and the neutrons form the nucleus which contains most of the mass of the atom. The electrons are the smallest, but they take up most of the space, which is called the electron cloud. Also, there is the same number of protons as there are electrons in an atom. So if an atom has four protons, it will also have four electrons. One example is the helium atom. It contains two protons, two electrons, and two neutrons. The study of chemistry is quite interesting and complicated.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Theodore Roosevelt
Born into a wealthy, loving family in New York, in 1858, Theodore Roosevelt was a weak, sickly boy who eventually grew much stronger. His father taught him to love the outdoors, animals, and people. At age 22, he married Alice Hathaway and lived happily for about 3 years, until she died on February 13, 1884, while giving birth to a daughter. Later on, he married his childhood sweetheart, Edith Kermit Carow. After the Spanish-American War, Teddy became Vice-President under President McKinley. Shortly after he had won his second term as President, in 1901, President McKinley was shot and killed. Roosevelt then served as President for almost 4 years and won a second term in 1904. As President of the United States, he is most remembered for beginning the building of the Panama Canal on May 4, 1904.
To honor one of our most sincere Presidents, the Teddy Bear toy is named after Theodore Roosevelt! One of his most famous quotes is, "With self-discipline most anything is possible." He lived by his own quote, because Teddy Roosevelt was one of the toughest and most disciplined Presidents we have ever had! How was he so tough? For one thing, he was the leader of the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War. Also, he was a politician, and you have to be pretty tough for that! After living a full life he died on January 6, 1919, at the age of 60. As he lay dying, he bluntly murmured, "Put out the light.” Then he died. We will never forget this great President of the United States of America, Theodore Roosevelt.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Stress Level!
Are any of these items moving? Or are they perfectly still??
One teacher said, "I felt like they were all moving..but slowly. Kind of like, they were breathing."
The pictures attached are used to test the level of stress a person can handle.
The slower the pictures move, the better your ability of handling stress.
Allegedly, criminals that were tested see them spinning around madly; however senior citizens and kids see them standing still.
None of these images are animated - they are perfectly still.
One teacher said, "I felt like they were all moving..but slowly. Kind of like, they were breathing."
The pictures attached are used to test the level of stress a person can handle.
The slower the pictures move, the better your ability of handling stress.
Allegedly, criminals that were tested see them spinning around madly; however senior citizens and kids see them standing still.
None of these images are animated - they are perfectly still.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day, which is an annual holiday, is celebrated on February 1. Carefully a sleeping groundhog is prodded from his underground chamber to the ground’s surface to look for his shadow. If the groundhog doesn't see his shadow then winter is near its end. On the other hand, if the groundhog does see his shadow there will be 6 more weeks of winter. There is actually a groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania that people drag out on Groundhog Day. His name is Punxsutawney Phil. He earned his name “Punxsutawney” from his town, and his name “Phil” from King Phillip. Up to 40,000 people watch him search for his shadow. This celebration in Pennsylvania has been going on since 1883. Now that’s what I call dedication to a groundhog! I guess he discovered his shadow this year because there are 6 more weeks of winter ahead. It is ored that Punxsutawney Phil has been alive for 120 years. And how does he do this? He just drinks “Elixir of Life” every summer. He weighs about 22 pounds and is 22 inches long. There are quite a few other official groundhogs, but there are way too many to tell you about, or this would be a 10 page report! People all over the U.S. and Canada enjoy the yearly groundhog celebration.
Groundhog Day, which is an annual holiday, is celebrated on February 1. Carefully a sleeping groundhog is prodded from his underground chamber to the ground’s surface to look for his shadow. If the groundhog doesn't see his shadow then winter is near its end. On the other hand, if the groundhog does see his shadow there will be 6 more weeks of winter. There is actually a groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania that people drag out on Groundhog Day. His name is Punxsutawney Phil. He earned his name “Punxsutawney” from his town, and his name “Phil” from King Phillip. Up to 40,000 people watch him search for his shadow. This celebration in Pennsylvania has been going on since 1883. Now that’s what I call dedication to a groundhog! I guess he discovered his shadow this year because there are 6 more weeks of winter ahead. It is ored that Punxsutawney Phil has been alive for 120 years. And how does he do this? He just drinks “Elixir of Life” every summer. He weighs about 22 pounds and is 22 inches long. There are quite a few other official groundhogs, but there are way too many to tell you about, or this would be a 10 page report! People all over the U.S. and Canada enjoy the yearly groundhog celebration.
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