Slave Journal

Guest post by Harry Lai

   South

   When I was little, I was separated from my family and brought to the South.  I worked there for many years.  There was a lot of conflicts between me and my master, but I could do nothing to make them understand how cruel slavery was.
   Today, I was beaten 15 times, the highest amount in a day of my miserable life.  1/3 of these beatings were for no reason.  I decided that I was going to escape.
   One stormy night, I wrapped the bread I had saved for my journey in a piece of cloth.  I climbed on a chair and crawled out the window on and landed like a cat onto the ground.  I looked up at the sky.  Other slaves told me that the North Star, the brightest star in the sky led North, and when you were north, you were free.  I ran toward the North Star.  I stopped, thinking if the rumor was true.  But there was no time to think.  If the overseer saw me out of my cabin, I'd be beaten bloody.  So I ran and ran.  I soon grew tired and slept under a bush, hoping it would conceal my body fully.

Diana's Revenge

Below is guest blogged.

I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a field trip during March. I saw many wonderful works of art there. One piece of artwork that fascinated me was the tapestry of Diana and Acteon. In my report, I will tell you about this wonderful work of art.

As I said, this tapestry is called Diana and Acteon. The artist that made this piece of artwork was named Jean Jans II. This tapestry was woven in Paris, France at the Altier of Jean Jans the Younger near the Gobelins. The culture that this tapestry described was the Romans.

I chose this work of art because it described a Greek/Roman myth. I think that these myths are cool and interesting because they usually have a god or goddess upset. I’m always eager to find out what happens to the person that messed with the god/goddess. Something that inspired me to pick this tapestry was the Percy Jackson series. The series were based on Greek Mythology and I wanted to find more about the Greek and Roman myths. (I really liked the Percy Jackson books)

This tapestry shows Diana (also known as Artemis, goddess of the hunt) taking a bath in the forest with nymphs. Acteon, the man hidden in the trees was secretly watching Diana. When Diana found out, she was not happy. She turned Acteon into a stag/deer. In the tapestry it shows Acteon with antlers on his head to show he was turning into a deer. Then, Diana had his own hunting dogs kill him. The dogs were probably thinking, boy, this deer is sure dumb. It walked right in front of me. I get a free meal without doing any work! Hmm, huh, there’s something strange going on… hey, where’s Acteon?! Am I seeing things because I see an Acteodeer! But I am going to eat it anyway. I think Diana was a bit too cruel. If I were Diana, I would warn or threaten Acteon first like this “Get out of here or I’ll turn you into your dog’s lunch or something like that.” However, watching someone take a bath is a bit, well, not right, right?

I learned from seeing this piece from the tour that the people from long ago would hang tapestries such as this one as a decoration on the wall. This makes sense because where would you put it, under your couch? Tapestries also help trap heat in the house. Also, I learned to never watch gods or goddesses while they are taking a shower in the forest… if I ever encounter one of them. (Just joking) I also learned that Artemis can be called Diana instead of Artemis.

I hope you learned a lot about Diana and Acteon in my report and had fun reading it. Here’s a picture of Diana and Acteon.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjr1961/2497782735/sizes/l/

Untitled

Right before lunch…
“Okay,” said Mr. Bob, “take out your homework.” “I didn’t do it!” blurted out Jack. “EEEK!” screamed almost everyone in the classroom. “You stop that!” yelled Mr. Bob. “Next time, raise your hand!” Mr. Bob took note that Jack did not do his homework. “One more time you call out you are going to be in serious trouble!” said Mr. Bob. As you can see, Jack has issues with calling out. “Sheesh!” thought Jack. “Mr. Bob, you aren’t following the three strikes and you are out rule! You are only giving me two chances!” called out Jack. “EEEK!” screamed almost everyone in the class. “You scared me!” screamed someone. The three strikes and you are out rule is if you disobey rules three times you get into trouble. “I’m going to contact your parents!” said Mr. Bob firmly. “Darn!” shouted Jack. “AHH!” screamed almost everyone in the class. Mr. Bob glared at Jack. “Calm down class,” said Mr. Bob. “Now let’s go over homework.” RING!

The same day at lunch…
Jack was minding his own business when Mr. A made an announcement. “Boys basketball tryouts are tomorrow!” Sam knocked Jack’s friend, Andrew, aside. “Hey!” said Andrew. “So you are trying to make it to the team?” asked Sam. “Yeah,” said Jack. “Me too,” said Andrew. “I’m not talking to you!” shouted Sam. “Didn’t have to yell,” said Andrew. “Tryouts are tomorrow,” said Sam. “And you are going down wimp!” Jack, Sam, and Andrew were ready for the next day.

All of a sudden, Jack remembered last year…
“Jack!” yelled Andrew. “What?” asked Jack. “Did you know that people on the team get lunch early?!” “Awesome!” exclaimed Jack. Both of them tried out but didn’t make it. Sam had told them they were wimps!

After Jack had a good rest, he got to school. At lunch the next day… “Tryouts, line up!” yelled Mr. A. Jack had gotten lunch early that day. He was full of energy. He had practiced hard in the summer. The line went into the gym. LATER … When Jack returned, he came running into the classroom door. WHAM! Jack opened the classroom door and got in. “I’m innnn!” he screamed. Teachers looked at the classroom. “Calm down!” scolded Mr. Bob. In a kinder voice, Mr. Bob said, “Congratulations Jack. Now who else in this class is in the team?” Sam and Andrew raised their hands. “Good job!” said Mr. Bob. “Jack, if you don’t improve your behavior, you will not be on the team!” “What!” exclaimed Jack. “But he’s the best!” said Andrew. “I’m the best you fool!” shouted Sam. Sam shoved Andrew. A bunch of kids laughed. “Silence!” screamed Mr. Bob. “Sam and Jack go to the principal’s office now! As if now, you two aren’t on the team! And if you call out again Andrew you are kicked off too!” “Ooooh!” said a bunch of kids. Sam and Jack nervously went into the office.

At, In, And Outside of the Office…
The secretary told them to sit down and wait. Sam and Jack were sweating like crazy. Sam didn’t dare to shove Jack because the secretary was watching. “Jack, you can go in now,” said the secretary. Jack went in.
“Okay Jack. I’m going to make you a deal. If you behave very well, I’m going to put you back on the team and give you some cookies as a motivation,” said Mr. Bay. “It’s a deal!” said Jack.
Sam played with his fingers. When the door flew open, Jack ran out. “What happened?” asked Sam. “I’m going to get cookies!” replied Jack as he ran back to his class. “What!” thought Sam. “Sam, your turn,” said the secretary. Sam confidently walked in. He was going to ask Mr. Bay for a cookie as soon as he got in…

Back in class … Mr. Bob had informed bad behavior to the gym teacher on the phone.

A week later…
Jack had improved his behavior since he had made the deal. He really tried to raise his hand. Meanwhile, Sam got into a little trouble for asking for cookies. But he and Mr. Bay had made the same deal as Jack. Both boys were working hard. And then, the moment they were waiting for came. Cookies! Mr. Bay had given them chocolate chip cookies for their good behavior. Plus, Mr. A and Mr. Bob let them stay on the team. “Whew! I thought you wouldn’t be on the team anymore man!” said Andrew. Andrew and Jack high-fived. “Sorry I called you two wimps,” said Sam. “It’s okay,” said Jack and Andrew.

Another week later…
Game! PS901 Killers (Jack’s team) versus PS736 Twisters
PS736 had the ball. The kid who had the ball tried to pass over Sam. Sam jumped up and caught the basketball. Andrew was open near the half court line. Sam passed the ball to Andrew. Andrew saw that Jack was the only one open. 5, 4… the score was 18-19 PS736 leading. Andrew passed to Jack. 3, 2… Jack shot the ball near the foul line. 1- BZZZ! Swish! The killers had won! 20- 19! “We won!” screamed Mr. A. Everybody on the team high-fived. Jack, Sam, and Andrew couldn’t wait to go back to school and tell everyone.

NOTE: Guest blog, not written by me.