Week 9 Story: The Urban Jungle
The Urban Jungle
One day John was going to the other side of town when he got into a car accident with another man Jamal. They were both scared at first and didn't know what to do. This was an accident where no one was at fault and it was just a bad circumstance. Luckily neither of them was hurt at all but both of their cars were totaled and out of commission. Both of the men were scared of the other and didn't know what to do but at the same time, they asked if the other was okay while waiting for someone to come pick them up. This not only eased some of the tension and allowed for the two men to have a conversation. While talking they found out that despite living very different lives that they had a lot in common. It turned out that John's house had a termite infestation and he would need to live somewhere else for the next two weeks. Despite having just met and only about thirty minutes of conversation the two of them had become quite friendly. John agreed and they both lived at Jamal's house for two weeks. They both had daughters who were roughly the same age who were also getting along very well. John was very surprised by how well he was treated by Jamal so when his how was complete he invited Jamal and his family to come over for a housewarming party now that his house was functional again. Jamal however was scared and asked, "What if your friends do not like my face and kick me out?" John responded, "you need fear nothing, no one will touch you while I am there." Jamal then went to John's house and brought his family he got there early and had a great time with the family but left before any of the other guests could arrive. The two families stayed close and would see each other often over the course of the next couple of months. Eventually, John's father died and Jamal thought it to be a good idea to try and condole him also bring some money and try to support his friend. As Jamal was going home two of John's friends stopped him and called the cops saying that they didn't believe that he belonged there. When the police arrived John noticed what happened and went out to set the situation straight. Jamal seeing his friend stand up for him made him tell him that he will always be safe and never has anything to fear from anyone like him. 
Author's Note
When I read this story I noticed that despite there being a lot of differences a tiger and a man were able to become friends. I saw similarities to the current world so I wanted to make this story more applicable to my world but I also wanted to leave it open for different interpretations if it is rich-poor POC-White and although it's not women men or even women-women I hope that people would be able to see whoever they need to in JOhn and Jamal and see that despite differences most people have more in common then things that separate and divide us.
West African Folktales by William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair, with drawings by Cecilia Sinclair (1917).
ReplyDeleteHi there Pierce. I really enjoyed your story and the unity that you were able to plant throughout your retelling. One thing I think you could do that would enhance your story would be to add more of the original story to the author's note. This would help someone such as myself that has no previous knowledge of the story have a better understanding of the changes you made and your own take and message.
Hi Pierce!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your story and the approach you took to it. I think it was very creative and a new and relevant approach to the story. I also think its a good story to tell during this time because although we are very different people there are a lot of things that people have in common if they try to find out about others.
Hi Pierce,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your story. It's very creative but i think you could add some details on where they were going before they got into the accident. Or maybe say what caused the accident, where they maybe speeding? I liked also how you showed that it's good to have your friend's back when they need it. Overall good story.