Reading Notes: Raja Rasalu, Part A

This week I read the about the adventures of Raja Rasalu. He is known as the Hero of the Punjab. I really like to read and write about hero stories, so I decided to do another one this week. Raja has multiple stories and adventures. I decided to focus on a specific story for my notes. I am taking notes over Raja and his battle with the giants. This will most likely be the story that I choose to retell later this week. Again, I am using the bullet point notes format.

• Raja is perceived as charming to those that meet him.
• He faces similar challenges to that of other heroes in this course.
• Raja flows with confidence in himself.
• Raja does not fear for his life in this situation
• The people of the city had succumbed to the demands of the giants.
• There was not resistance formed to fight off the giants.
• Everyday the people of the city were fearful for their survival.
• The city took turns rationing their men as sacrifice.
• He does not doubt his ability to take on the giants in combat.
• Raja shows no mercy for his foes.
• He was born into the world as giant slayer.
• Raja confronts the giants with confidence and the knowledge that he will win.
• Raja slices off the hand of a giant with ease as a warning.
• The poem of Raja's return has some significance.
• I definitely need to include the poem in the retelling.
• I like how Raja is never challenged in his adventure.
• I could change his typical victory to something more fatal or drastic.

Overall, I think there are a lot of creative options for this week. I have really taken a liking to the stories about heroes and their many adventures. I will probably try to find a new way to get creative with this week's story and do something different.

(A photo of a sunset in Punjab, India. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Bibliography: Raja Rasalu from Tales of the Punjab by Flora Annie Steel. Source: UnTextbook