The Three Wishes by Ricardo E. Alegria and Juan Bobo: A Folkloric Information System

In Ricardo E. Alegria's "The Three Wishes", there were similarities and difference to other fables and folktales. Unlike others it isn't as short and direct. The Three Wishes slowly introduced thoughts explained through Puerto Rican culture. I thought it was harder to interpret and understand the main focus compared to  Juan Bobo: A Folkloric Information System. Juan Bobo's was more straightforward and share major similarities to other folktales. Just like other fables, John Bobo's used animals and what surprised me was that God was also included in one of the tales. It surprised me because God is very symbolic and a very powerful image of religion. I really enjoyed reading the "The Witch's Skin" because of the powerful ideas I have after reading it. The witch is evil in the eyes of other people despite her not doing anything evil or dangerous. Many men died trying to gain her love, but it was never her intention for them to die. However, society needs someone to blame and take out their frustration on. This correlate to the modern society where the innocent can get hurt when they haven't done anything wrong. 

Post #2- Living Folklore

When people say a piece of art or story is just a folklore, they assume that it is untrue or a made up belief. Martha Sims tries to explains that folklore isn't always just a "myth". She believes that folklore consists of habits and traditions and behaviors people have. With these traits people are able to learn about themselves and others around them. Sims points out the misconceptions that others have about folklore and shows that there is more to it. I agree with Sims that folklore isn't always based on the past, but that it is constantly developing and changing because of what humans do. Folklore is more than whether something is fake or real. It's about the way people behave and developing concepts based on the behaviors. Through past experiences and learning what others have accomplished in the past and present defines what folklore truly is. A major example of folklore in modern day is the media and what is trending. A lot of people are obsessed with Jordan's and because many people buys the brand. There's a trend that everyone starts to follow. However some trends, when people stops following it, the trend starts to die out. Through the media, traditions and pop culture are passed around the world. As soon as we hear about trends and ideas, it becomes a part of us and we begin to pass it on. It is an endless cycle, where information and culture continuously flows through us.

The Role of Aesop's Fables

I enjoyed reading Aesop's fables and learning the morals after reading them. As a child I have read similar fables and it's prefect for children as it teaches them how to behave through storytelling. With fables, children are able to know the difference between right and wrong at an earlier age. As I was reading the fables, I realize that the morals are the little things that tends to shape and define us as humans as we grow up. In "Aesop, Aristotle, and Animals: The Role of Fables in Human", Clayton shows that fables were used in ancient Greece among the weak.The fables made the weak cautious of themselves and taught them how to behave in society.These fables also deliver political messages among the people on top and the people with little power. I believe fables were used to depict social hierarchy in the past. Animals are used in fables because they have many similarities of humans in terms of the way they behave. However, I also agree with Clayton on the fact that it also shows the differences between humans ans animals. When humans are in a sticky situation or dilemma they tend to use reason to achieve they goal. Not only were fables used in the past, they are still used in modern society to teach kids about morals and behavior.