Friday, September 1, 2017

Week 2 Story: The Basilisk and the Beauty

For as long as I can remember, I've looked in the mirror to see an ugly creature staring back. I've had this problem for most of my life, but I just can't seem to find someone who can help me get back to normal. I once had everything: a family, friends, servants, money, and a castle. And then it was all gone. I still live in the palace with one servant who cares for me, but things aren't what they used to be. You see, I was cursed and transformed into a basilisk long ago. Now, the only way to become a human again is to be kissed by my one true love.  Of course, that's what makes this problem almost impossible to solve. What human would love an ugly creature like me?

And that's when the solution came to me. I saw her with her mother and two sisters one bright, summer day. As they were passing by, I heard them speak of going to the market. They began to make a weekly trip to the market, and I would almost approach them every time until I remembered that I'm not a normal human anymore. I needed a plan.

My castle was once very beautiful with fruit and flowers growing abundantly. Roses were sure to attract the attention of the lovely woman I had been waiting to meet, so my servant and I planted some along the outskirts of my palace. Sure enough, the women stopped by the very next week to admire the roses. Listening carefully, I realized that her name was Mary. She became separated from her family, and I knew this was the perfect time to go through with my plan.

My servant and I set a trap in the woods allowing Mary to become confused on how to get home once she was separated from her family. They became so far apart and lost that when night fell, her family went home without her.  Hiding in the darkness, I said to Belle,"Hello, my name is Adam. You look lost, can I help you?"
"Oh yes. Please, I've lost my family and can't find my way home. Especially now in the dark," Mary sobbed." "Now, I don't want to scare you, but understand I look a bit different. If you aren't afraid, I can give you a place to stay for the night.

Later that night when I got Mary settled in the castle, we began to talk about their lives. I told Mary everything I could remember about my life before the curse. I heard of Mary's family, her dreams, and her love for roses. We became very familiar with one another so quickly and naturally. "I have a favor to ask of you, if you don't mind," I asked. "Yes, anything," replied Mary. "I'm in need of some care for the next three days while my servant is gone, and I think you would do a marvelous job. In exchange, I can help you find your family and you are welcome to take as many roses as you please," I said.

Over the course of the next three days, our relationship grew stronger. Mary was able to look past my looks, and treated me kindly as a normal human being. Our relationship strengthened so far that we began to develop love for one another. And finally, we shared a kiss, and I was transformed back into a handsome young man.

We had a tremendous wedding with many guests. We sang, danced, and had a grand time.

Basilisk creature
Source: Max pixel



Story source: The Key of Gold by Josef Baudis (1922)

Author's Note: In the original story I read, the story was told from an outsider's point of view. I chose to tell the story from the basilisk's point of view. In the original, the mother goes out to get stuff for her family, and one of her daughters asks for some roses. On her way home, the mother gets lost but comes across some roses in a garden. She then decides to get them for her daughter. This is when she encounters the basilisk, who demands that she gives him her daughter in exchange for stealing his roses. Mary, the daughter, agrees to go to the Basilisk and even enjoys herself. She must nurse the basilisk for three hours everyday. On the third day he tells her to cut his head off, and when he does he transforms into a handsome man with keys to his palace. They then get married and live in the castle.
So, I changed the point of view, how the two met, and they get to know each other. I started with changing the point of view because I thought that could be a new, interesting perspective in this story. I changed how they met because I thought she was a more important character to be involved than her mother. This also made it possible for them to get more familiar with one another, and later to get married.







1 comment:

  1. Hi McKenna!
    I really enjoyed reading your story! It was both interesting and intriguing. I just had to keep reading to see what would happen next and how the story would end. I also like how you told the story from the basilisk’s point of view because it added a new unique perspective. I think you did a great job this week and I can’t wait to see what other types of story’s you come up with!

    ReplyDelete

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