I SIAP SELEM

Once there was siap selem, the Black Hen, looking for food in the forest with her chicks. They always wandered to places under big tress where they could find lots of food; such as termites, worms, insects and others. They went out of their nest early in the morning and went back home at dusk. They had to go and return home. Black Hen knew very well the place they had to cross in the creek for the safety of her young chicks. One day, while they were busy looking for food they did not realize that is was already late. The chicks reminded their mother that is was late and the sky was overcast. Their mother replied “Don’t worry children, nothing will happen.” “But we are worried, mother, when the rain does come. The creek will be flooded and we won’t be able to cross,” the chicks said. Black Hen responded that they did not have to worry has there would not be any rain at all. But, alas, the rain did fall and the creek was flooded. They could not cross it in order to get back home before it really got dark. Black Hen thought for a while. She then said to her chicks, “Let’s go and see Mrs. Kuwuk, the civet cat. Maybe we can spend the night at her house.” All agreed and to Mrs. Kuwuk’s house they went. Black Hen knocked at the door several times. Suddenly she heard an answer from within, “Who’s there knocking at my door?” “It’s me, Black Hen with my children. I cannot pass the creek because it is flooded. Can I spend the night at your house?” asked Black Hen. Again, she and her chicks had to wait for a moment before they got answer, “Oh, what an unlucky day for you. You cannot go home because of the flood.” Then the door was opened, “please come in and spent the night here with us.” Mrs. Kuwuk said to Black Hen and her children, “You can sleep in the kitchen because it’s warm.” “Thank you.” Black hen said to her. All then went to the kitchen in which it was a bit dark. To cut the story short, it was already late at night. Black Hen and her chicks were still wide awake. They could not sleep because that house was not the place they used to do so. But soon one by one the little chick fell as sleep as they were tired; but no their mother. She was suspicious whit the hospitality given to them by Mrs. Kuwuk. She was restless as morning time was very far away. While her mind was wandering she overheard Mrs. Kuwuk talking to her young children, “Tonight we are going to have delicious food. We’re going to have chicken” she said to her children. “Please give me the wing so that I can use it has a fan,” One of them said. And the other begged their mother to be given other parts. Their mother reminded them not to speak loudly; otherwise their guests could her them. Black Hen thought hard for a plan to escape. She woke all her children up. They wee told that Meng Kuwuk and her young wanted to kill them for food. As the rain had stopped and the level of water in the creek had resided, Black Hen asked he children to climb the tree next to the kitchen. From there they had to fly across the creek to get home. Every time the chick flew there was a big noise. “What’s that noise from the kitchen, Black Hen?” asked Mrs. Kuwuk. “Oh, it’s a big leaf falling from the trees,” Black Hen said. All the chicks had escaped except one. This one chick had not fully grown his feathers yet, so the mother talked to him, “You stay here until you have grown your feathers so you can fly to escape. When they catch you, tell them that you are still very young. Your flesh is not good when you are eaten since it still tastes bitter.” “All right, mother, I’ll remember all that, the chick said. Then the mother left him and she flew to escape. She produced a lot of noise when she flew across the creek from the tree. Mrs. Kuwuk was suspicious that Black Hen had escaped quietly. She peeped through a hole on the wall. There was no sign of their presence, but she sensed something behind a black object. “That must be her and the chicks” she thought. The bald chick hid himself behind a black rock. Mrs. Kuwuk crawled quietly toward it. She suddenly sprang into it with her mouth open wide. Alas, she bit the rock and broke her teeth. Her mouth was full of blood. Her children were awoken by the loud noise and tried to find their mother. When they found her they were surprised to see her mouth was full of blood. One of them asked, “What has happened to your mouth, Mother? It’s full with blood.” “I slipped and fell. My mouth was hit by the rock and now it’s bleeding. Don’t you worry. I’ m all right,” Mrs. Kuwuk lied to her children. The next morning they found the bald chick hiding the rock. “Now, we’ve got you. We’re going to kill you for our food,” They said. “Please don’t kill me now if you want to have a delicious meat of mine,” The chick responded calmly. “What do you mean?” one of Mrs. Kuwuk’s children asked.” “I’m still young, and my flesh will still taste bitter. Raise me until I’m a bit older, and only than you can kill and eat me. My meat will taste delicious,” The chick explained. “All right if it is so,” Mrs. Kuwuk said. The chick was kept then at their pulu, the place in which they kept the rice. To again cut the story short the chick had grown his feathers. His mother always spied from the other side of the creek. One day she saw him with his fully grown feathers. The she gave a sign that it was the right time for him to escape. He then called Mrs. Kuwuk and said, “Now time for you to kill me; but before do you it cut the string which ties me. You’re not supposed to kill me while I’m tied.” Mrs. Kuwuk cut the string, and at once he flew swiftly across the creek. The hen and her chicks shouted happily when he landed. All of Black Hen’s chicks were again united as they used to be.

point of view

http://litera1no4.tripod.com/pointofview_frame.html by: Jean B. Trinidad Considering character, we noted that a writer does not abstracy choose methods of revealing character, but rather selects the method of methods in keeping with his chosen point of view. By the point of view of a story (sometimes called “angle” or “focus” of narration) we mean the narrator’s relation to the fictional world of the story and to the minds of the characters in it. When we read fiction we tacitly agree to a contract with the author: we agree to be willing to accept as imaginatively true what he tells us. We agree to do this , but we also expect the author to keep to the terms of the bargain terms he himself sets when he begins to tell the story. They are (1) he must make clear to us where he, as narrator, stands in relation to the substance of the story; and (2) he must make clear which, if any, of the minds of his characters he presumes to be able to penetrate, and hence to reveal. Let us put the matter another way. Assume a triangle situation involving Allan,Bob, Cathy, an emotional difficulty of some sort, the details of which we need not specufly. Who could tell their story? Where would the narrator stand in relation to the story? What exactly could he divulge in the telling? The answers to those questions constitute the 4 main points of view in fiction. 1. Allan could tell the story(or Bob or Cathy could tell it , though in each case it would be a different story) with himself as one of the characters; nobody else thought and felt . He would be inside the story. An important variation on this method would be to have someone other than one of the principals-- perhaps a parent or a friend-- tell it. He too would write in the first prson would be inside the story, but he could not penetrate the minds of the principals. The point of view in both cases is that of the First person narrator. 2. The narrator could be someone outside the storywho would speak of the principals as “he” and “she”. If he wnted to focus on one of the principals, say Allan, he would take liberty of assuming to know what Allan thought and felt, and he would proceed to tell us. He would reveal what Cathy and Bo said and did, but he would not presume to read their minds and so we would only get indirect an indirect revelation of them. We would say that tha narrator pretands he knows all-- is omniscient -but chooses to reveal only a limited part of what he knows: the workings of Allan’s mind . This method is known as the limited omniscient point of view . 3. The narrator , again outside the story could penetrate and reveal the minds of all three of the principals. in this case he would pressume to know all and would take the liberty of telling all. We call this the omniscient point of view. 4. Finally, the narrator might choose to reveal none of the three minds. From outside the story he would report simply what the three people did singly,in various pairs or three together) and what they said (in various paits or all together) , the story would resemble a play in that the narrator be revealing things indirectly, through speech and action. At no point could he make a statement like “Cathy felt miserable.” Because all personal thoughts and feelings --subjective matters-- are ruled out by this method, it is called the objective point of view. Each of this points of view has technical advantages , as well as disadvantages , which the other lack. A story told in the first person is likely to be convincing because the method of narration is a natural one; as in life, a person tells us directly what happened to him. It also seems more intimate than a story in the third person, and so we find it easier to identify ourselves with the central character, the “I” of the story. On the other hand, action is largely limited to what the narrator himself witnesses or takes part in. Also, when the main character and narrator are one, possibilities for analyzing the mind of the character will be limited if he is unperceptive or reticent or both. The other points of view also have advantages and disadvantages. The omniscient point of view, which reveals all minds, makes for subjective richness, but it maybe that this value is achieved at the expense of selection and concentration . When such emphasis is desirable, the limited omniscient point of view maybe used. Finally, the objective point of view in a way is the most lifelike, since the limitation to action enables the narrator to present a scene in the way we would encounter it in life. We may, however, miss the analysis and wish the author had included some--had, that is, written from a different point of view, or, we may like the subtlety of the objective method, the rich implication it permits, and the corresponding inference it requires from the reader. Reference: Bautista C. et al. Introduction to Literature, 1986 Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99 1993-1998, “ Fiction”.

PPOINT OF VIEW IN LITERATURE

Point of view in literature is probably the biggest single area of novel writing that aspiring writers have problems with. More specifically, they often can't decide whether to use first person or third person point of view. Actually, though, there is a bigger problem that most newcomers are not even aware of, and that is failing to handle viewpoint like a pro. That is why this section on point of view is such a large one... It begins by explaining the theory of point of view in literature. A full understanding of viewpoint will not only help you to choose which point of view to use in your novel, it will also help you to then use that viewpoint like a master. After all the theory, you will find articles on choosing a point of view. These look at the major viewpoints (first and third person), some less common viewpoints, as well as some other choices you will need to make. You might already have a good idea on what viewpoint you will use, but I urge you to keep an open mind until you have read both sections... First, learn the theory of point of view in literature. This knowledge will help you make a better choice of which viewpoint to use. And the knowledge will help you to use your chosen viewpoint with more skill, too. "Since we lack telepathy, we humans are imprisoned in our own skulls...The only thoughts, plans, dreams, and feelings we can directly experience are our own. It's because this one-viewpoint reality is hardwired in us that fiction is so fascinating. It lets us experience the world from inside someone else's head." - Nancy Kress Understanding Point of View in Literature (If you want an overview of the articles in this section, please check out my Quick Guide to Point of View in Fiction.) Why Narrative Point of View Matters To start with, an article looking at just how important point of view is in fiction, and why it is essential that you don't cut corners. Understanding Third Person Narrative POV This article introduces you to four crucial people in a third person narrative: the Author, the Narrator, the Viewpoint Character, and the Protagonist. Writing in the Third Person And this one makes everything crystal clear with a detailed worked example. Understanding First Person Narrative POV Guess what? The four people I mentioned above - author, narrator, viewpoint character, and protagonist - are also vital ingredients in a first person point of view novel. Only their roles are a little different. Writing in the First Person And here is another detailed worked example of first person prose, with plenty of explanation. Choosing a Viewpoint Character In most cases, novels are seen through the eyes of the leading man or woman - the protagonist, in other words. But this isn't always the case. Using Several Viewpoint Characters Writing a Multiple Viewpoint Novel In novel writing, you are not restricted to presenting the events through just one pair of eyes. Having two or three viewpoint characters is common, and there is nothing to stop you having as many as you like. When and How to Switch Viewpoints This is important. Why? Because it is another of those areas of point of view in literature that beginners seem to have the most trouble with. Follow the advice in this article and you will never go wrong. Multiple Viewpoint Novels and Subplots If this one sounds a little too technical, don't skip it. The subtle link between the number of viewpoint characters in a novel and the number of subplots is a crucial one to understand. Choosing a Point of View: the Major Viewpoints If it seems that you will have to work your way through an awful lot of theory before getting to the heart of the matter, trust me - without all this theory under your belt you can never hope to handle point of view in literature like the professional you intend to be. In other words, don't be tempted to skip all of the articles above explaining the theory of point of view in literature - not if you are serious about novel writing success. Once you have read and (more or less) understood everything so far, you will be in a strong position to choose a point of view for your novel. And for most of you, that will come down to a straight toss-up between... First Person Point of View, and Third Person Point of View. Trying to decide whether to use first person or third person is often one of the biggest problems newcomers to novel writing face. They set off on their novel writing journey, full of confidence and excitement, but they are barely a mile down the road when they come across a fork: first person to the left, third person to the right... Which way should they go? Is there a wrong choice and a right choice? Could either road lead them to success? What information should they consider before making a decision? The fact is that neither point of view is inherently "better" than the other. It all depends on the particular novel you have in mind - and since only you know that, only you will be able to decide which viewpoint to use. All I can do is run the respective arguments past you, and they are contained in these two articles... The Advantages of First Person Point of View The Advantages of Third Person Point of View Just bear in mind, as you read these two articles, that a supposed advantage of one particular point of view might not, on closer inspection, be quite as advantageous as it seems - and vice versa. (You'll see what I mean when you read the articles!) If, after reading them, you still can't make up your mind, there is a final article... 3rd Person vs. 1st Person: Which Is Best? ...which is a summary of all the key points and will hopefully steer you in the right direction once and for all. Choosing a POV: Less Common Viewpoints "Use any other form of narration but straight first- or third-person and you'll be wasting your time. You may even risk a worse fate than rejection, which is not to finish the novel." - John Braine "What is the best way of telling a story? Since the standard must be the interest of the audience, there must be several or many good ways rather than one best...Why should a story not be told in the most irregular fashion that an author's idiosyncrasy may prompt, provided that he gives us what we enjoy?" - George Eliot Third Person Omniscient Point of View The omniscient viewpoint was the predominant voice in nineteenth century literature, but it has since fallen out of favor. Does that mean you shouldn't give it a try? Of course it doesn't. Second Person Point of View Should you give 2nd person point of view a try? No, probably not - unless you are feeling very brave and more than a little foolish. 3rd Person Point of View in Two Varieties Even if you intend to write a "standard" 3rd person novel, this article is a must-read. First Person Narration Using an Observer What is a 1st person "observer" in fiction? I'll give you a famous example of one: Doctor Watson from the Sherlock Holmes novels. The Unreliable Narrator It is a convention in novel writing that 1st person narrators should always tell the reader the truth. Unreliable narrators don't. Writing an Epistolary Novel Epistolary novels, as the name implies, are ones written in the form of letters. Nowadays, of course, they are more likely to take them form of e-mails or even tweets. Yes, even point of view in literature moves with the times. Point of View In Literature - Other Choices Past Tense or Present Tense? This really is a matter of personal choice. The tense you go with should be the one that feels right for the story you want to tell. But if you want to see me get down off the fence and make a recommendation, read this article. Literary Point of View - Mixing It Up This final choice concerns taking a mix'n'match approach to point of view in a novel - using 3rd person and 1st person, for example. But would such a move be sensible or suicidal? Related Questions Finally, here is one of the questions I have received on point of view in literature... 1st Person Point of View and Description "In first person point of view, what is the best way to describe the main character's physical appearance?" If you have your own question on point of view in literature - or on any aspect of writing a novel - you can ask me in the Fiction Writing Q & A section. http://www.novel-writing-help.com/point-of-view-in-literature.html