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Tolkienia Challenge: Animal Tales, and a Voting Surprise. A writing challenge and a special voting opportunity!

Ethel Duath Half-elven Oct 9 2013, 6:02pm Views: 1019 Tolkienia Challenge: Animal Tales, and a Voting Surprise. A writing challenge and a special voting opportunity! Here are two separate Tolkienia Town Activities to liven up your week with some fun and creativity! This is a greatly expanded version of an effort to have our favorite Middle Earth animals become part of our new Tolkienian National Culture. *Choose your favorite Middle Earth animal or animals to use in one of the following writing challenges! (Note: You can pick any M.E. animal(s) for your story, not just the ones on the voting site from the link below. That separate voting list on the external site is just limited because of space.) • "Publish" your stories right here, as replies to this post! • And then vote on your choices for official animal names and mascots in Tolkienia, including the name of our flagship and our National Basketball team. Voting results will be published in a future edition of the Tolkienian Times on the boards (use the link below, for your vote). 1) Writing challenge: a) Write a short story, poem, or Tall Tale about your favorite Middle Earth animal, for use in local Tolkienian schools for English classes and school libraries. Choose any style and grade level, from preschool through college. OR b) Write a fable (Aesop style) using at least 2 M.E. animals, for use in Tolkienian grade schools. 2) And let your voice be heard: Vote for your favorites! The results on this external site are hidden so that they can be revealed in a feature article in the next edition of the Tolkienian Times, and will then be added to the Map. Once the results are revealed, there will be another challenge just for fun (not for a vote), to invent possible team and other slogans, like "The Cruising Crebain: We always see you coming." "Shadowfax news: The fastest reporters in the West!" So jump right in and vote for your favorites. Tolkienia belongs to you! VOTE RIGHT HERE: http://www.addpoll.com/...946b49&autoStart For voter reference: Here are the links to the ships we'll be voting names for. The Flagship and ship #1 and #2 of the fleet to be named, in the order on the page at this link: http://newboards.theonering.net/...i?post=645495#645495 Enjoy! (This post was edited by Ataahua on Oct 10 2013, 10:29pm)

Brethil Half-elven Oct 10 2013, 12:51am Views: 781 Very cool! Fun voting site too! Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!

Rembrethil Tol Eressea Oct 10 2013, 1:51am Views: 762 Epic name The Flagship should be "The Watcher in the Water". Say it in an epic voice!! You know it is!

DanielLB Immortal Oct 10 2013, 9:16am Views: 779 It started off being a fable ... but has now turned into some weird fan-fiction. Tolkien wouldn't be amused. It is titled: The Master of wood, cloth and animals. The Master of wood, cloth and animals. Once upon a time, in the land of Middle-earth, long before Hobbits had moved into the Shire and during a time of peace and prosperity, there was a fox. This particular fox was rather cunning, and would wonder the wilderness stealing and pilfering anything that he could. The fox had his own hoard, and piled away in cave were long lost treasures - swords from Gondolin, treasures from Dwarven kingdoms, and the most splendid jewels from Numenor. The hoard also contained less impressive treasures - useless purses, worn clothes, trinkets of gold, and the occasional silver spoon. This fox could not speak, and had a glazed expression - he still very much had his animal instinct. Regardless, he regularly sold his items to passing travelers. One morning, an Ent knocked on the door, and said: "Hello Mr. Fox. I'm travelling up from Fangorn, and was robbed on my way Northwards, not far from Isengard, actually. They stole all my belongings (and my wife too). The weather ahead looks bad, do you have a new hat I could buy from you" Without being able to speak, the fox trotted off down into the cave, and bought back a small object in his mouth. Dropping it on the floor, the Ent paid him generously for it. The Ent was about to leave, but suddenly heard a scream for the back of the cave: "Don't take it!" The fox slammed the door shut suddenly and there was an all-mighty bang in the cave. Already being late for the his Moot, the Ent decided to leave immediately. The Ent continued his journey westward, and stooped by a river to have a quick refreshing drink. Having been too rushed to get to the Moot, the Ent had completely forgotten to examine the purse he had recently purchased from the Fox. "Queer old fellow, that fox. And what's this?! He's given me a purse, not a hat. What was he thinking?!" Though the Ent was flummoxed, he was also rather amused. Embroided on the purse was "friendly purse". And so the Ent decided to put what remaining coins he had left in the purse. As he put is hand in, the purse suddenly came alive. It bit the Ent's arm, and he shrieked in horror. Purses are the mischief and this was no exception. Before the Ent could do anything, the purse drained all the energy from the Ent. He had become a tree! The purse burped in content, and began to crawl away. Luckily, all of this had been seen, from afar. And Eru was not amused. And so picking up the purse he declared: "He who breathes out lies will not escape, and I give you the gift of speech". "'Ere, 'oo are you?" it squeaked Eru replied "You shall never tell a lie again." Turning to the tree!Ent, Eru tutted. "You should have listened to me when you had a chance. I shall not restore you, but I give you the gift of hearing. Passerbys shall rest by your trunk and roots, and you will listen to there woes. But, be warned. If you cause them harm, I'll not be far away." "And do not think I haven't punished that fox either. Neither of you would be in this mess had it not been for that thief of a fox. He will think for the rest of time what he has done here. He shall never stop thinking! That's the last time he steals from anyone." And so the man, with a wrinkled and ruddy face, bright blue eyes, and a bristling brown beard skipped off. All the tree and purse could do was look on and see the man with yellow boots skip off into the trees. And the moral of the story is ... ummmm .... I'm not sure there is one. But if you ever come across a vengeful tree, a thinking fox and a talking purse, you now know the story behind them. (This post was edited by DanielLB on Oct 10 2013, 9:22am)

Brethil Half-elven Oct 10 2013, 2:25pm Views: 728 Daniel this is awesome!!! // (*applause*)   Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!

Darkstone Immortal Oct 10 2013, 5:54pm Views: 738 JRRT's "The Fox and The Chicken" A fox passing through the wood on business of his own stopped several minutes and sniffed. "A chicken crossing the road!" he thought. "Well, what next? I have heard of strange doings in this land, but I have seldom heard of a chicken crossing the road! There's something mighty queer behind this." He was quite right, but he never found out any more because he ate it. ****************************************** I met a Balrog on the stair, He had some wings that weren't there. They weren't there again today, I wish he would just fly away.

Rembrethil Tol Eressea Oct 10 2013, 6:00pm Views: 723 Ha!! Great, short, and to the point!! Don't forget to vote, though!!

Ethel Duath Half-elven Oct 10 2013, 6:33pm Views: 724 I assume this is for the Pre-K "Life is Tough" empathy curriculum?

Ethel Duath Half-elven Oct 10 2013, 6:35pm Views: 720 O.K. I give up. You win the purse! 'Ere.

malickfan Gondor Oct 10 2013, 6:38pm Views: 718 This is Brilliant! If only TORn had a like button... I don't have much to say.

elaen32 Gondor Oct 10 2013, 9:04pm Views: 708 ROFL!!//   Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!

elaen32 Gondor Oct 10 2013, 9:08pm Views: 710 Oh, I think it's very much a fable.... or fabulous anyway!! So.... what DID Eru do to the fox? Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!

Rembrethil Tol Eressea Oct 10 2013, 9:24pm Views: 709 The fox's punishment Maybe he gave him ADHD? He couldn't STOP thinking?

DanielLB Immortal Oct 10 2013, 9:39pm Views: 702 I haven't a clue! In Reply To or fabulous anyway!! So.... what DID Eru do to the fox? The "fable" underwent quite a few re-writes. The Fox originally had a troll tied up in the back of the cave, and killed him. But that was too gruesome, and I needed a way of tieing the four characters together. So Eru (or Bombadil ...) ended up being the one in the cave. Come to think of it, I should have done a Wizard of Oz ... and given the fox a brain, the purse a heart, and the Ent courage. That's much better! Darnit!

malickfan Gondor Oct 10 2013, 9:42pm Views: 703 Could you fit in Cirdan anywhere? Perhaps on a merry jaunt through the woods on his zimmer frame looking for trees to build boats... I don't have much to say.

elaen32 Gondor Oct 10 2013, 9:53pm Views: 702 Hmmm.. an Elven zimmerframe?! Can you imagine the elaborate lines and carving on that? Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!

malickfan Gondor Oct 10 2013, 10:39pm Views: 689 Well he had to do something sitting around in the Grey Havens for 7,000 years I have a sneaking suspicion Cirdan sat around twiddling his thumbs claiming the credit while Galdor did the real work, too much coffee and cigarettes aging him profusely (his bow to Gandalf and co was merely his back giving out). It would be interesting to see Alan Lee have a crack at drawing one-it my mind it sounds ludricous, but maybe he could give it the sense of power and awe an immortal's waling aide surely would have. Actually come to think of it, would there be any Elvish pensioners? Whoops. Of on another tangent... I don't have much to say.

Ethel Duath Half-elven Oct 10 2013, 11:42pm Views: 685 Quick Announcement about the Poll: I just found out the polling site only allows one viewer at a time, so if you can't vote on your first try, give it another shot in a couple of minutes. And probably don't peek once you're done because it might prevent someone else from voting. (Next time I'm using a new site, without this particular restriction! )

Ethel Duath Half-elven Oct 11 2013, 3:45pm Views: 675 Broken Poll Fix! Vote now if you haven't been able to! :) http://www.addpoll.com/...olkienia-animal-poll

Ethel Duath Half-elven Oct 11 2013, 4:00pm Views: 667 Or, vote on these by P.M. It's the same list. "Keep it secret . . ." :) but the poll doesn't always seem to go to the submission page, so if you're getting frustrated, just P.M. me with your choices (see below): Remember, Don't put your votes in this thread, because we want to reveal them as a surprise in about a week! Tolkienia Animal Poll Q.1 Which Animal should represent our News Station? Fox Huan Oliphant Mearas Shadowfax Arod Thrush Crebain Raven Watcher in the Water Dragons Smaug Swan Hasufel Wargs Q.2 Which Animal should represent our Flagship of the Fleet? Fox Huan Oliphant Mearas Shadowfax Arod Thrush Crebain Raven Watcher in the Water Dragons Smaug Swans Hasufel Wargs Q.3 Which Animal should represent the second Ship of the Fleet? Fox Huan Oliphant Mearas Shadowfax Arod Thrush Crebain Raven Watcher in the Water Dragons Smaug Swans Hasufel Wargs Q.4 Which Animal should represent the third Ship of the Fleet? Fox Huan Oliphant Mearas Shadowfax Arod Thrush Crebain Ravens Watcher in the Water Dragons Smaug Swan Hasufel Wargs Q.5 Which Animal should represent our Local Basketball Team? Fox Huan Oliphant Mearas Shadowfaxx Arod Thrush Crebain Raven Watcher in the Water Dragons Smaug Swans Hasufel Wargs Q.6 Which Animal should represent our Local Celeborn High School Mascot? Fox Huan Oliphant Mearas Shadowfax Arod Thrush Crebain Ravens Watcher in the Water Dragons Smaug Swans Hasufel Wargs Q.7 Which Animal should represent our Local Sports Arena? Fox Huan Oliphant Mearas Shadowfax Arod Thrush Crebain Ravens Watcher in the Water Dragons Smaug Swans Hasufel Wargs (This post was edited by Ethel Duath on Oct 11 2013, 4:03pm)

Ethel Duath Half-elven Oct 12 2013, 8:43pm Views: 655 The Lay of the Bears of Beleriand (or the "Lay of the Land") (For grades 3-8, Beorn Elementary and Middle School, Tolkienia. Or for anyone, really! ) A land there is of road and stream, And forests fair, the living dream Of Tolkien-folk from far and wide, A place where they can live beside The horses, Ents, and Oliphants, And wander through the shadowed haunts Of bears that shuffle, sniff, and speak, And stand and welcome strong and weak To learn adventure on their trails And follow through the streams and dales, Until the Carrock beckons tall And welcomes them to Beornings' Hall. Among the ponies, hounds, and bees, Tolkienians can dine with trees, And whisper to the tall Huorns, Politely, if they'd pass the corn. And then the hosts with growl and grunt, Beckon guests to join the hunt For precious mushrooms, jewels and stones, And caves with ancient scrolls and bones. As sunlight slants and warms to gold, Both hairy claws, and hands grow cold; While shadows lurch among the leaves And trunks, and branches seem to breathe, The furry trekkers and their guests Make their way back, so all can rest Among the cushions piled high. And then at night they hear a cry: A howling warg, a glowing eye? They gather at the door to spy, And see the lumpy dancing shapes Of bears and bear-lings; joined with grace By drifting lace of moth and wing, By swan and horse: and then they sing Of ancient joys and waters bright, Of trolls and dangers of the night. Of courage by the smallest folk Of golden leaf and magic cloak. Asleep upon the scented grass The guests hear calls and feet that pass Upon the stone-path by the glade Where hound and horse a feast have laid. At last they wander to the track And clamber on each scruffy back Of bears that lurch and rumble on Toward homes and fences, roads and lawns; But over walls and through the glass They still see Ents and beasts that pass And bears that wait within the shade. For this, Tolkienia was made.

Rembrethil Tol Eressea Oct 12 2013, 9:30pm Views: 658 The bear and the bee There was a time in Middle-Earth when the bears and the bees were at war. A long time the war raged, but soon all the original cause for open strife was lost, and each side agreed to stop all sorts of organised raids and attacks. The bears, however had not lost thier taste for honey, acquired in the high days of strife between themselves and the bees, and so occasionally, there would be a bear who would transgress the long peace, and make a raid of the bees' honey. Furious at these unwanted intrusions, and which the bees could not prove to be the work of any one bear( for the evidence was long gone by the time that the bear authorities arrived) there was one queen bee who had a plan. Sending out her scouts, they brought the closest bear to her for a parley. "Bear!, we are so exhausted by you, and your kind's perilous depredations!(She really was a high queen of the bees, and prone to high sounding bee-words) Your attacks rob us, not only of food and labor, but also of home and security. Many colonies have frozen and starved in the long winters that come. What do you say for yourself! Will you cease these terrible pillagings?!!" "Well, I say that it is not going to be an easy thing. Even some of us were willing, (which we are not), to forego honey, (which we do not), it would be a hard thing to convince the others of." Then the old queen had an awfully crafty idea. "Well, if we bees, agree to deliver to you, bears, a certain portion of our honey, will you then cease all violent aggression?" Now the bears, naturally lazy and unwilling to go to work for no end, agreed readily to the plan. Soon there were no more ravaged hives, and all of the bees felt quite secure. However, when the time came for delivery if the portion of the bear's part of the honey, it was found that the old queen of the bees, had moved her hive, and refused the bears their portion. Now Eru had seem the struggle from the Timeless Halls, and rejoiced that the long strife had come to an end in the settlement of the queen bee, but now he was angered, and spoke harshly to the queen. "You wicked creature!! I had wished all my creatures to dwell in peace and caring for another. Now you have broken you pledged word, and must be punished." Taking the first bear that had met with the queen, Eru gave him a special gift. "To you I give the task of my vengeance. I give you the form of the Secondborn, who will master all things yet, and the power to change shape so that you might not forget your taste for the bee's nectar" And so that bear was changed, in form of a large man with black hair, he was often seen. As a man he took the hive of the queen down, and set it hard by a lodge he had built for himself. His own personal supply she provided for many years. Though in main form as a man, at times he would retake his ursine form, to communicate with those if his kind who still haunted the wood. Heaven is not blind to the broken oath.

Brethil Half-elven Oct 13 2013, 1:56am Views: 642 This is awesome Ethel! I want to hear all the Tolkienia children reciting this! (With bear, bee and tree costumes on too.) Wonderful! It should be framed in all the Tolkienia schools. Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!

Brethil Half-elven Oct 13 2013, 1:56am Views: 641 Love the way you wrapped this up Rem...//   Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!

Ethel Duath Half-elven Oct 13 2013, 2:04am Views: 787 I love this story! Sort of a combination of Aesop and a Just So story! And now we know Beorn's back-story!