THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH
The first great story
The story that has become known as The Epic of Gilgamesh is
regarded as the first work of pure literature. Yes, there is
some proof that a king named Gilgamesh once lived in the
time of ancient Mesopotamia, but did he really slay monsters
and befriend a hairy jungle guy? You can never be sure, but
it’s pretty unlikely. So what was the point? Were the
Sumerians trying to leave behind a legend for generations?
Were they just bored? Who knows? But the fact remains that
someone, somewhere had a story to tell – and it stuck!
For this particular
assignment, you will take a story of some familiarity. It should
be a fairy tale or a children’s book. You will play with the
language to give it an epic-like quality.
Have fun with language to make a simple story grand in scope.
Choose a book that was important to you at one time – and,
hopefully, still is.
Unlike Gilgamesh’s tale, which was inscribed on 12 tablets,
your story should be generally short. So, telling it in around
200-250 words should do the trick.
Be prepared to present the work and explain why it was/is
important to you if called upon. Make it Uruk-like!
EPIC OF GILGAMESH
He who has seen everything, I will make
known to the lands. I will teach about him
who experienced all things. Anu granted him
the totality of knowledge of all.
He saw the Secret, discovered the Hidden,
he brought information of (the time) before
the Flood. He went on a distant journey,
pushing himself to exhaustion,
but then was brought to peace.
Supreme over other kings, lordly in
appearance, he is the hero, born of Uruk, the
goring wild bull. He walks out in front, the
leader, and walks at the rear, trusted by his
companions. Mighty net, protector of his
people, raging flood-wave who destroys even
walls of stone! Offspring of Lugalbanda,
Gilgamesh is strong to perfection, son of the
august cow, Rimat-Ninsun;... Gilgamesh is
awesome to perfection.
It was he who opened the mountain passes,
who dug wells on the flank of the mountain.
It was he who crossed the ocean, the vast seas,
to the rising sun, who explored the world
regions, seeking life.
He walks around in the enclosure of Uruk,
Like a wild bull he makes himself mighty, head
raised (over others). There is no rival who can
raise his weapon against him.
EPIC OF CORDUROY
In a gargantuan temple of commerce a young
ursidae doth dwell. His fur like the linens of an
infant. His coveralls the color of the emerald
forest. Yet, this bear, Corduroy beith his name,
misses his clasp of perfection – a button.
For this poor missing item, the bear is cast
aside unwanted by the youth who enter his
realm, choosing playthings of lesser quality
and majesty.
Yet there is one, the young female known as
Lisa, who sees the true beauty of our hero.
However, the poor fortunes of her clan render
her unable to obtain Corduroy for her own.
Thus, Corduroy embarks on a grand quest to
find his missing clasp, ascending moving
mountains and entering abandoned palaces.
Finally, he sees the item of his desire, but it
remains fastened to its positioning.
Only great courage and strength allow the bear
to remove the button, yet he is caught by a
roaming guardsman. Remaining brave, the
small bear allows the sentry to take him into
custody.
In the end,
Corduroy’s bravery
and truth to self are
rewarded. Young Lisa
returns with her own
small fortune to
rescue Corduroy
from his commercial
incarceration to
return him to a place of happiness and
sanctuary. And, once there, a new clasp is
affixed to the bear’s tunic. A whole bear – with
a happy heart and a mended garment – once
more.