The Ancient Forest...

Everybody else is doing it so... This is my setting description. Hope you like it.


The group of excitement-seekers saw a small stream snake along. Just beyond it, a vast, dark, overgrown forest, full of undergrowth and mist, loomed. The road cut straight into it, seeming to fade away a few yards in. The trees on either side of the trail-entrance looked not like a gateway, as some would expect, but more like two silent watchers, waiting for the adventurers to walk between them so they could sound the alarm. When they walked in, all sound was cut off; even the flowing of the stream just beyond the border. There were no birds singing, no insects buzzing, no animals braying, barking, or calling, and no sound of their own footfalls on the fallen leaves of autumns past. The air was so close that it was hard to move; the trees so close it was impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. Anything could creep up on them without them hearing or seeing. There was no use speaking, because it was strangely muffled, and even if someone heard, what could be said in this evil place? The air they breathed in smelled like any other oak-wood in its waning: the damp of the soil, the bark on the trees, the decaying leaves on the ground. But the taste of the air was different, it was a bad flavor, which can’t be described, and could only be understood if you could get to that woodland, not that you would want to.

Black Curly-Fries

Here is my descriptive essay!:

I arrived late. The entertainment had already begun. Standing behind an elated crowd, I viewed his body begin transportation. Left to right, sky driven then at risk of being dropped; hands grasped his limbs as he was passed through and above the crowd. Shouts blared through the microphone in his hand. In this single moment the connection to this group was more important than his performance. Or maybe the connection was a part of the performance. Soaked from the sweltering heat of the night, he dripped. His hair, which was of likeness with black curly-fries, reflected the rose colored lightning that was shining from the stage. The cotton of his shirt had been dyed the color of a street cleaner’s vest, his khaki slacks rolled up beneath his knees. He was dark, his skin the color of a muddy stream, like that of the Indians. There was not a lady in sight… that would break the hindrances of this culture. These men devotedly loved their chosen leader. When he sang, or in their sight even spoke, his voice was that of an angel. Not resembled, but was. The beat of the snare was hypnotizing, and I was prompted to ponder what would become of these men.

Winter's Widow

If you pass the mountains and walk through the trees, you'll find a worn lady all bundled-up sipping a cup of coffee on her porch in the mist of the cold winter morning. She admires the golden horizon as the morning sun surges its way over the snow covered mountain tops. Gaze into her eyes and you will find that she's obtained much strength, wisdom, and patience over the years along with caring and grace. Her eyes are that of a gray tint with wrinkles to encase it. The winter cold has kissed the gentle woman's round but tender and wrinkled face, making it a red-purple blend. She has a rounded nose that can smell the crisp winter air and, of course, her warm coffee. The woman’s frigid ears and grayed hair are tucked away under her toasty brown hat. The divine lady has a combination of knit and wool clothing which climbs all the way up her neck to keep her warm. With lips full and creased, she grins ever so slightly as she ponders through years past. She chuckles at all the good times and even finds herself smiling at the difficult ones. Behind her smile lies the good jokes and laughs she’s shared with good friends. With the sun shimmering off her face, she yet again sits alone with her half empty coffee cup and all her life's memories to contemplate.

Apple and Cheese

The giggles floated through the car and reached my ears. I looked back to see a beaming Mara. Her fiery hair was pulled off her pearl-like face with two ladybug barrettes. Mara's twinkling eyes were fixed on her sister's red, juicy apple that she was holding absentmindedly.

Mara's sister, Bella, was quietly reading her new book ," I Like Cheese". Her wavy, red hair was hung over her face like a curtain. She was just about to finish her book when she suddenly remembered her shiny, red apple that she had saved from lunch. Bella put the apple up to her ready mouth. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth to take a bite. But instead of tasting the apple she had gotten a knuckle sandwich. She frantically scanned the floor of the car for her apple. Then another round of laughter ricocheted off the walls of the car.

Bella slowly looked up and saw that Mara had pilfered the prized pomme. Bella's arms were quick but Mara's mouth was faster. Mara brought the apple up to her mouth and sliced through it with her tiny teeth.
Bella cried, aww....., in defeat. But then to Bella's surprise Mara then replied in a cheerful shout,

"I'LL SHARE WITH YOU"!

Sharp Eye

Well, oops. THAT'S why the title looked so weird in the paragraph! Cause I put it in the wrong place! Well, the title is SHARP EYE. Did everybody get that? Good. Just look below.

Okay, sorry guys...but I couldn't find this picture on my computer....SO, I had to take a picture of it with my web cam, and...well, it's a long story. Ask me in class. Here goes!

Sharp Eye

There I was with my young master. Of course, she was but only an ignorant child, and yet, still my best friend. We were resting in the grass on a quite peaceful afternoon. I was given instructions to watch her like a hawk. I knew my job. I had served as the family guard dog for almost 10 years now. I knew my place, and I loved it. My young master watched me with wondering eyes, absolutely curious about the world we were in. Her short blonde hair was blowing in the wind, and she was smiling. I laughed to myself as I thought about how naive and content she was by her surroundings. After all, we were in the meadow, and it just felt timeless with the big sky above us, and the cool autumn grass beneath us. It felt so good. Suddenly, I pricked up my ears. Had something just moved? That's odd. I had never smelled that before...what was that? There it was again. Obviously my master did not sense it. She was rolling in the grass and laughing. A slow feeling of defense and responsibility grew inside me. I couldn't think about anything but that thing. My mind was fully alert, and my only intent was to protect the child. I saw a quick movement in the brush ahead of us. I had to act fast. I quickly stood up, and the child said something to me that I did not understand. It was not one of my commands that I knew so well. Something was different about her voice. Suddenly, my once joyful master started to cry. She finally saw whatever it was. She looked up at me with no longer amazed eyes. What I saw in her young eyes was fear. My old nose was worn, and I couldn't smell as good as I once was able to. But my heart told me something was not right. My biggest instinct fell over my entire body. I grabbed the child by the back of her shirt and ran. I did not dare look back. I just looked onward.

Young Love

I walked casually through Times Square, minding my own business. It was not the hundreds of people surrounding me crowding the streets that caught my eye, but instead two people that were not even part of the chaotic, crazed scene. I came to a stand-still, allowing them to steal my focus.

It was a boy and girl in their teens, sitting on a ledge next to a big column in the plaza. They seemed to be only focused on each other, like they did not even care about the busy hordes of people surrounding them. They looked happy, and loving. The girl sat on the boy’s left, her right leg across his lap and her other leg resting on the ground. Her arm was around his waist, and her stance expressed that she was at ease, and content. Curiosity filled her eyes, as if she wanted to know more about how he felt or what exactly to do in that moment; but she also remained cautious. She looked to be enthralled and sometimes giddy, as a girl who is in love would be.

The boy sat with his arms over her leg that rested upon him, surrounding her as he showed that he was truly protective of her, but lovingly protective. He was careful with his movements, and gentle with her. His warm smile was welcoming, and affectionate. As he gazed at her, entranced, I could tell that he wanted time to stop so that the moment could last.

Both were mesmerized and passionate, and both caring for one another. Words cannot explain the way they looked at each other. I couldn’t seem to stop watching the two of them. How committed for the moment they were…how relaxed, and in love…made me ache for someone to feel that way about me. Because even though they were young, and still had so many decisions they would have to face later in life, I could sense that they both adored each other; and that they were both willing to make sacrifices for one another. I don’t know how long they’d known each other, but it didn’t seem to matter. What mattered was that they were deeply in love, and it put a smile on my face and gave me an understanding of which I had not yet been capable.

I continued on, finally. But I would never forget what I had seen in the plaza that day…and I’d wait for that sort of thing to happen to me. Because now…I really know that such a love exists.

Morgan Le Fay ( Ari's oral report)

Morgan Le Fay was known as evil to most; but she was never purely evil. She loved her half-

brother; but, at times she would try to poison him just to spite Queen Guinevere. She would

meddle with the hearts of many just to get what she wanted out of them. She is quite selfish;

but, she did one known deed that is of the good kind. She transported Arthur to the Isle of Avalon and was his healer. But who is Morgan Le Fay?

Morgan Le Fay is bad and good, a shapeshifter, a faerie, and a healer; but most of all she is one of

the great characters of the Middle Ages.

[(www.arthurian-legend.com) Patrick Taylor]

Wealhtheow's Thoughts (from Glennellen's point of view)

Wealhtheow’s Thoughts During Beowulf’s Arrival

“Oh, I do hope with all of my heart that Beowulf appreciates his gifts and treasures. More importantly, I pray that they even come close to expressing our most profound gratitude towards him!”

“My, what a hero…without him, the killing spurge of the evil Grendel would still keep us, the Danes, awake at night unable to let the nightmare escape our thoughts. I wonder, if he perhaps inside was just as frightened of the monster as I; even though he was able to maintain his courage?”

“Dear me, how tired and parched these young warriors look…and their hunger most likely ravenous! I had better not let them down as a hostess…”

“I know that I may rely on Beowulf with my sons…if ever he were to fail me, I’d be more surprised with him than ever I have been at a person. He is a loyal, caring man. Oh, how I shall miss them…”

“Oh, I wish all these brave young men the most wonderful feast tonight, and I pray them not at all disappointed. But my, I’ve probably gone around the table at least five times refilling their glasses with wine and mead. I do hope that they do not get themselves inebriated. The thought of what would come out of their mouths and their actions if that were to happen! I do not wish to face the matter that happened with Unferth again….”

“Ahh, to finally rest and sleep at peace; no more of Grendel lurking in the night to haunt me.”

“Of all the things to happen! Yet another threat prowls in dead of night now…oh, and how well the matter had been taken care of by the warriors and mighty Beowulf!”

“And of all the people that had to face death, our dear friend and counselor Aeschere was selected. Oh, how dearly Hrothgar must grieve! How dearly I must grieve! Does the Lord no longer love us?!”

“Seeing Hrothgar in such pain and remorse…it is so hard to bear to watch. Is there never to be peace for the Danes again?

“How Beowulf is right…we must stand strong. Aeschere shall be avenged and the lives of innocent people spared of death and peril from the mother of our previous demon-monster. The Lord still loves us…he has not turned against us after all.”

Wealtheows Random Thoughts at the Feast

Praise God above for Beowulf. He is surely the most courageous warrior we have. He didn’t seem to be afraid at all when he fought that Grendel. That battle with the monster was terrifying. Ah! I must do something to show our gratitude! I could—Oh! I can’t believe I didn’t notice that man over there before… hmm….
Now why can’t other young men be like Beowulf? His name is now known far and wide across the land. The Lord has truly blessed us to use him to slay that monster. Oh goodness!!! That drunkard nearly fell off of his horse! No, he seems to be okay… Now have I done everything right? Is my husband pleased with my actions? Oh dear… I need to serve more drinks to the men…More music at the next feast too. That minstrel should play more instead of stuffing himself silly. I’ll discuss that with him later. Oh there is that selfish Unferth. What does he want from me? I’ll just walk over here. Hmmm…that pork tastes divine! What shall I do with myself when I’m old and alone? Will people still visit an old woman in her last few days? What shall become of Hrothgar? Will Herot be consumed by yet another Godforsaken beast in the future? Oh, I shouldn’t worry so. Ah! Here comes our hero. I’ll present a torque to him. What a treasure! I do wish him the best of luck.

Ari's Unferth :An Unpleasant Look through Unferth's Eyes

That Beowulf.. He thinks he is the best! I can take down an ogre any day;In fact, I could
take one down faster than he could! Now he offers himself
up again to save our people, I would be a much better
hero than him, and a better looking one too! Hey.. If I go maybe I could see the monster destroy that Pretender... And then I could jump into the fray and destroy the monster
myself! It would be like killing two birds with one stone! Hah!
Ugh! When are going to leave already?? Is he done buttering up my dad yet?! Hurry up!
A few hours later... Why should he get to ride in the front? Wait, why did every body stop?? What is that? It's...IT'S Aeschere's HEAD! Whoa.... Ok, just pretend that you didn't notice and remember Beowulf is going to die. There's the lake. Hmm.... I hope my dad doesn't take to hard when Beowulf doesn't come back. Oh Well! I should give Beowulf my sword... It is the least I can do before he dies... Luckily he is so dim-witted that he can't tell a sharp sword from a blunt one! Hah! Take that Pretender! Yes! Yes! Go on, jump to your watery doom! WAIT! What if he does survive?? Nah... That couldn't happen! If the monster doesn't get him then he'll drown,like the slimy bilge rat he is!
Ha! So many hours have past, he couldn't be alive! I win! No more of that Pretender to steal the glory!!!
YES! Wait! What? What's with all the commotion? Beowulf has returned? NO!!!! The royal brat survived?
It can't be.... He has Grendel's head and a wonderful sword with him! I wish I had that sword!!!! Wait... Why is he coming over here? Oh no... He going to punish me for giving him a blunt sword! Here comes the anger....!
WHY? Is he giving it to me with a smile? He must have done something to it! I checked all over, but there was nothing damaged... Maybe he knew and spared me the anger and embarrassment....
OR MAYBE HE IS WAITING FOR HIS REVENGE? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Description of Grendel

GRENDEL

A creature, more frightening than you could ever imagine, haunted the great halls of Herot in the night. When the sun had set, and the sky was a black sheet.

Grendel, demon of all demons. Deadly Beast. Blood Seeker. Hell’s Assassin. The only monster who came close to being as bad as Satan himself. His image could paralyze you. He was enormous, big. His ogre-like features made the skin of humans crawl, his flesh the color of a deadly green. Blood was smeared upon his arms, remains of his last meal; of the last unfortunate soul to which he’d shown no mercy. Claws sharper than knives were always at the ready on his slimy, grimy hands. His legs dragged behind him when he crawled, gaunt and beaten…but ready to kill, nonetheless. They never made a sound as he lurked through the halls which he haunted at nightfall, always silent and sneaky. Filthy rags hung from his body, caked in dirt and blood. His eyes were filled with hate, hell’s flames shining through them. You could see images of death and murder just gazing into them…the gore and evilness. But as if anyone dared look him in the eye or even approached. But those who’d been killed and slaughtered by him would always catch a glimpse before being devoured in his great, blood-thirsty mouth. After his killing spurge, the smell of flesh and human blood sat upon his lips. No one could ever escape him. His strength was too much to bear. What a God-cursed creature he was…

Never had one looked upon such a terrible sight. Never had one swore that they had seen hell through a ghoul. Never had one ever been so terrified of a being…than they had of Grendel.

(by Glennellen)

Grendel seen by Ari: The Observer

Close by, I could hear his piercing howl. This Godforsaken being was closing in on his prey. I could just imagine what the victim was witnessing. A raw, ripped, and ravenous face with a gaping maw and bloodshot eyes. By now the a cursed thing would have the poor victim in his clutches. His blood encrusted finger nails would pierce any man's skin. He is almost finished; I can still hear the banshee like screams of his prey. Suddenly the scream breaks off. It is silent. I turn around and find my self face to face with the death taker. Neither of us move; I wince at the smell of his breath-The most horrific thing I have ever smelled in my life-Rotting corpses. He is everything I had imagined him to be. Realizing the danger, I turn to run.

Now the Observer becomes the prey.

Anna's Coast Guard View of Beowulf's Arrival

As I snoozed off on the wall, still half-awake hoping my officers around me won’t notice, I felt the tremendous vibrations of the ocean-water churning. When I fully regained consciousness I saw a beastly thing I had never seen before! This ship, sailing towards our shore, was magnificent. I can only imagine how the fish getting tossed through the waves from it’s water-disturbers must have felt!

Completely awakened at this point, I clambered down from my perch. While I was climbing down, I began to think of the possible reasons they would come to a place like this, when we are in such a devastating situation due to that life-taker. Are they friends of that terrible beast? Do they not know of his wretched actions? Do they plan to, dare I say it, attack us? I stumbled up onto my horse, filled with anxiety.

When I arrive at the point where their ship is stationed, I am astonished at the beauty of it. And the armor of the men, it was glistening! Then I am reminded of my fears. What purpose do they have here, in the land of Dane? I withdraw my sword, radiant in the sun’s rays. I ask them of their meaning in arriving at this place. Are they friends or foes? I explain to them my longevity as watcher of the sea, hoping to maybe frighten them if they are enemies, and impress them if friends. Still astonished at their ship and armor, their bravery to come out in such openness, and the splendor of their leader, I confess to them that I have never seen such a feat, or such a magnificent captain.

This fearless man, his breastplate reflecting from that fire-ball, explains to me his motives. Their heritage is in Geatland. They are here to help us destroy the enemy! He boasts he can show King Hrothgar the way to ruin him, and I, surprising myself, say that I believe him. I tell them I can bring them to the King, for I know the way. I command my comrades to guard the splendorous water-carriage, full of excitement to hear more from these men on the ride to Herot Hall.

Journal Writing Activities

Feel free to copy and paste your journal assignments for this week here. I will print them out and bring them to class with my critique on them.

I hope you enjoy reading each other's works. It's fun to see other people's writing styles.