On-line Task 1

Folktale

List some of the well-known folktales from Malaysia.

1.       Sang Kancil and the Crocodile

2.      Sang Kancil Helps Kerbau

3.      Bawang Putih Bawang Merah

4.      Princess Santubong and Princess Sejinjang

5.      The Legeng of Mahsuri

6.      The Curse of Sang Kelembai

7.       The Shy Mimosa Plant

8.      The Catfish in The River

9.      The Woodpecker’s Crown

10.   The Cockerel That Crows

11.    The Haunted Cave

12.   Raja Bersiung

13.   The Princess of Gunung Ledang

14.   Si Tenggang

15.   Badang

16.   Mat Jenin

List some of the possible issues found in The Son of the Turtle Spirit

1.)     In the Chinese belief, some spirits are said to commit adultery with human men / women. This normally takes place during the seventh month of the Chinese calendar where it is believed that the gates of hell are opened during this period. There are some claims which I have read in the newspaper stating that a male spirit impregnated a Chinese woman during the seventh month of the Chinese calendar.

2.)    It is also known in the Chinese culture that some turtles has spirits which manifests at night and disappear at dawn before the sunrise.

3.)    The Chinese community may shift their ancestral / elders remains if the necessity arises. For example, they may shift their ancestral / elders remains upon the request of the dead one through their dreams or they may shift the remains if they find a more suitable place to bury it. The costs of shifting the remains are quite expensive not only in the story but also in the real life. The Chinese community has a strong belief system that the location of the burial ground is very important because it affects the wealth and the well-being of the deceased descendants. In this story, it is stated clearly in the 8th paragraph that “the sons and grandsons of anyone buried there would certainly rise to high honours.”

4.)    Regardless of race and religion, we have a common belief system of ‘fate’. The son of the turtle spirit was supposed to place the remains of the rich man’s grandfather in the dragon’s mouth. Instead, he hung the bones on the dragon's horns because he followed his mother’s instructions. Finally, the son of the turtle spirit became the Emperor, and the son of the rich man was his minister. That is why I said that our life depends on our fates. We can only plan for something and work hard for it but as we all know our fate is predetermined by god. Everything in the universe works in accordance to the Almighty’s good will.

Are those issues universal in nature or are they only relevant in the Chinese culture?

Issues one to three are only relevant in the Chinese culture. Meanwhile the fourth issue is universal in nature regardless of race and religion.

Fables

What are the other morals that can be gotten from the other fables by Aesop? List at least two.

1.       Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. (from The Bear and the Two Travellers)

2.       Do not attempt too much at once. (from The Boy and the Filberts)

3.       There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth. (from The Shepherd’s Boy and the Wolf)

4.       Union is strength. (from The Lion and the Three Bulls)

5.       Birds of a feather flock together. (from The Farmer and the Stork)

Myths

One well-known literary figure from the Elizabethan age used Ovid’s Pyramus and Thisbe as a model to one of his famous plays. Who is he and what is the play?

He is William Shakespeare. The play is Romeo and Juliet.

Legends

List some of the popular legends we have in Malaysia

1.       Langkawi’s Legendary Brawl

2.       Magical Lake of Pregnant Maiden

3.       The Seven Magical Wells

4.       The Legend of Mahsuri

5.       Mystical Cave of Stories

6.       Kedah’s Legendary Fanged King

7.       Sri Rambai, The Magical Cannon

8.      The Mysterious Giant Footprint

9.       The Adventures of The Singing Sea Captain

10.   Perak Royalty Rituals

11.    The Fairy Princess of Gunung Ledang

12.    Colonial Period Styles

13.    The Legend of Princess Sa’adong

14.    The Dragon of Lake Chini

15.    The Mysterious Jugra Lighthouse

16.    The Kinabalu Dragon’s Gem

17.    Legend of Perhentian Island

1. Who is Thomas Malory?

He is an English author of Le Morte Darthur (“The Death of Arthur”).

2. When was Le Mort d’Arthur written?

It is written in the early 1450s.

3. How many books/ parts are there in LMDA?

There are 8 books/parts.

4. What is book 8 about?

It is about “The Death of Arthur”.

5. Who were the two people who had an affair?

Sir Launcelot and Queen Gwynevere.

6. Book 6 has a strong connection to a popular modern fiction which is now a movie. What is the title of the popular modern fiction?

“The Noble Tale of the Sangreal”.

7. State three well-known facts about King Arthur/ his time as a King

1.       Arthur was the son of King Uther and Igraine.

2.       Arthur was raised by Sir Ector, who had a son named Kay.

3.       Arthur was betrayed by his greatest knight, Sir Lancelot.

Think of 2 ways in which you can use folktales/fables/myths or legends in the classroom. Explain briefly.

1. I would use folktales/fables/myths or legends in the classroom by creating a group activity such as role-play to induce the students’ interest in the subject matter. It is good to encourage and increase co-operation level among the students. This is vital because the co-operation skill will be applied by the students in the tertiary level and also in their respective careers.
2. However, role-play might not work for every student. Some might be shy and refuse to participate. Therefore, I would as well carry out individual activity like sequencing. Sequencing worksheet can be modified for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners. This activity can enhance students’ understanding of the plot of the story.