June 2024 Newsletter

Join us for the 4th FEAST Conference in Suwon, South Korea! (September 6-8, 2024) Get your tickets at early bird prices!  

Since SAS is an institutional member of FEAST (Federation of Asian Story Tellers), there are special rates available for the first 5 sign -ups from SAS. Email feaststory@gmail.com  to get this discount. 

The Prop Swap Project is a new initiative. FEAST is starting a Series of Skill Labs. A Skill Lab is like a Special Interest Group but different (because it could be of interest to practically everyone, not just a small group with a shared interest!) This is a member-only exclusive project, designed to offer tangible skills, in a very focused and compact format, while showcasing the skills of some of our members for the benefit of our wider community.

In each 90-minute session, participants will learn three different techniques (one from each facilitator) such as origami, paper-folding, string, pictures, tangrams and a transforming picture, that can be used to tell a story.

As well as teaching you the technique, step-by-step, each facilitator will share a story so participants will see the technique in action (and we expect you will also get an outline of the story so you can re-tell it in your own way while incorporating the technique you have just learnt!).

Click here for details and to register.

The Prop Swap Project is for Feast Members only.

To find out more and to register click here 

Every year Rachel Ann Harding and Cooper Braun have an anniversary show close to the Solstices.

This year’s Summer Solstice show has stories of love, magic, tricksters, joy!

This show is intended for adults. Please be aware that some of the stories may be dark. We recommend this show to only those over 18 years of age.

June 15 Monday, 8:00 am, Singapore time.

To register and find out more click here 

Click here to register.

Celebrating Our Humanity

The moon, especially the full moon, has always held a memorable place in my heart. 

Personally, two specific full moons have been special for me; one that is seen in late April or early May on the occasion of Chaitra Purnima (Purnima means full moon in Sanskrit) a festival dedicated to Lord Chitragupt who purportedly maintains a balance sheet of kindness shown and meanness displayed by humans.

The full moon of Narali Purnima (Coconut Purnima) is of great significance to fishing communities, and they offer coconuts and fruits to the sea expressing gratitude for providing them with a livelihood.

The full moon symbolizes completion, amplification of energy and heightened spiritual awareness, according to Farmers’ Almanac.

Vesak Day, another important full moon, usually observed in May, commemorates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing.

It is a day to reflect on our journey. The Buddha taught us what is possible precisely because we are human only if we embrace humanity.

“When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.” Mahatma Gandhi

Being true to one’s word.

I sat by the window admiring the Flower Moon as it rose up from behind the horizon of concrete blocks. When suddenly, I felt something hop out of the moon and come and sit next to me. 

It was a rabbit. I sang, 

In a cabin in the woods

Little boy by the window stood.

Saw a rabbit hopping by

Knocking at my door

“Help me, help me”, the rabbit said.

I was interrupted by the rabbit, and he began his story,

“Long ago, I lived in a forest at the Himalayan foothills. All the animals of that forest were kind and compassionate. Most animals gathered in the evening around an Amaltas (also known as Indian Laburnum or pudding-pipe tree) tree to listen to stories. We learnt a lot from one another’s stories. Each one of us explored different parts of the forest and learnt a lot about the forest and its ways. Even the tiniest ant had some wisdom to impart.

My friends were Jackal, Otter, and Monkey. 

One evening as the four of us sat under the tree I said, “we have learnt how to live happily together, but how wonderful it would be if we could spread that happiness to all the others around.”

“How shall we go about that?” asked Jackal.

Rabbit said, “We could care for whoever comes to our forest by helping them with their needs.”

The four friends agreed and thought it was a good idea.

Just as if we were being tested, the very next day a woman appeared, dressed in rags, emaciated, and looking like she hadn’t had anything to drink or eat in weeks. She carried a sack over her shoulder.

It was evening and we were gathered around the tree. She came and stood by us and very hesitatingly asked for something to eat. We looked at one another and then as if on cue the Otter dashed off and returned with some fish from the river Bhagirathi. 

Next, Jackal trotted off and returned with a pot of yak milk. The monkey scampered away and returned with some wild figs and apricots. 

I too thought that there was a chance for me to help a hungry, frail woman. I bounded off to find something delicious but all I could collect was some grass and weeds. I said to myself, “Even a hungry man won’t eat grass. If only I could bring some rice. How could I? None were afraid of a timid rabbit. People dropped their milk pots on seeing a jackal, but not for me.”

Then, as I thought, I realized that there was something I could offer. 

I returned to the spot as the woman was gathering sticks to make a fire. She then pulled out a pot from her sack, filled it with water, and placed it on the fire. Soon the water was boiling, and the smell of cooked fish permeated the air. 

I said, “I have nothing but grass to give you, therefore I offer myself.” So saying, I shook myself to ensure there were no ticks stuck to my fur and sprang forth into the rising fire.

To the surprise of the animals gathered, I landed in the arms of the woman. All the animals watched in astonishment. 

That’s when the old, frail woman spoke. She said, “I am not a hungry, frail, old woman. I am the Lady of Heaven behind the mountains. I heard of your generosity and came to see if what I heard was true.”

A chorus rose from the animals gathered, “It is true. Rabbit is the kindest creature in the forest.”

The Lady of the Mountain broke a twig from the Amaltas tree, and she grew and grew and grew and when she could reach the moon, she drew a picture of a rabbit onto the face of the moon. 

Then we heard her booming voice and she said, “Now the world will remember you, Rabbit. The Rabbit that wanted to bring happiness to others. Anytime anyone looks up at the moon, it will be a reminder to be a little kinder than they are.”

The rabbit paused for a moment, then continued speaking.

“Now, when you looked up at the Flower Moon rising from behind the horizon of blocks, I hopped out and came to share this story because stories live only when shared. With every telling it hops further and spreads endlessly.”

Like the rabbit, hop out of the moon. Shine! Share your stories.

“Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine.” Gautama Buddha

References

The Rabbit On The Moon, East Asian Folktales, Moon Rabbit, Jataka Tales