Karna has just become king but the question of where he came
from was resonating with him. He thought how could I be king if I did not know
where I came from or what my background was. Who could I guide a whole kingdom when
I am so lost? He also thought that who ever gave him up would have to be proud
of him when they find out he became a king and would finally accept him. So,
Karna set out to find where he came from and to have the answers in his head
answered.
Karna began his journey by talking to the people who raised
him. “Mom, Dad where did I guys find me, who did you get me from?” His parents responded
“We don’t know who we got you from all we were told was that you were born in
the south of the country in a city called Madurai and they were not able to
keep you because they were not ready to have a baby”. Karna did not know what
to do next so he headed to the south of the country to the town of Madurai.
When he arrived in Madurai, he asked everyone if they knew
him or new of a baby that was given away the year he was born. Most people told
him they did not know or just ignored him. Other people gave him advise on
where to go where he might find more information. He spent days and days
searching through the town to find more information about his history. Karna
gave up hope and decided he would go home but before he left, he needed food
and to rest before the long journey. He stopped into a bakery to buy some bread
to fill his stomach. When he came in he heard a older women scream and drop a
bowl he was holding. He asked the old women if she was ok and if he could help
her clean the mess from the bowl.
She responded “Is your name Karna?”
“Yes, do I know you” asked Karna
“No, you do not know me but I know you, your parents were my
neighbors when you were born and when they gave you away.” Claimed the old
women.
“You knew my mother and father? Can you tell me who they are?”
asked Karna
“I never knew their names they only lived next to me for a
short while, they moved the day after you were adopted, they said they wanted
to be closer to you even if that meant they could not talk to you.” Said the
old women.
“Thank you for talking with me and for the bread but I must
be going.” Said Karna.
Karna set out for home and he thought a lot about what the
old women had told him. He was confused and angry that his parents had moved to
be closer to him but never told him who they were. The anger began to consume
him and he had to stop and rest to calm himself. He thought to himself should I
be king, am I worthy? By the time he returned to the palace he knew what he had
to do. He knew he must be king because he knew he would be a good king. He
thought to himself, I do not want to waste time on people who lie and hide the
truth from me. I will not let my history determine my future, I will make my
own future.
Authors note: I continued the story of Karna and Arjuna by Sister
Nivedita. The story ends with Karna becoming king but I wanted to show he was
not perfect and he struggled just like everyone else. I took some aspects of
the original story like him not knowing his history and that his mother was
close to him he just did not know. This story gives more information on how he
dealt with the fact he did not know his parents and that he might not ever
know.
(Animation of Adoption: Image from Wikimedia Commons)
Hello again, Olivia!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your story. I did not read the story by Sister Nivedita, but may read it as the next reading assignment now that I have read your story. I like that you kept some of the original story, and wove your story around it.Through your writing I can feel Karna's frustration as he searches for his birth parents. Since I have not read this version of the story I have lots of questions regarding Karna and how he came to be King. I think that a few sentences leading into his story, and explaining where he came from and how he was to be King would give the reader more insight. I really enjoyed reading your story, thanks for sharing!
Hi Olivia!
ReplyDeleteI really like this story. I didn't read the original, but I love how you were able to capture Karna as a normal person with issues and doubts like everyone else, even though he was a King (to be). I like how in the end Karna decides to make his own path and not let his history define him.
Hi Olivia,
ReplyDeleteYour story was fun to read over. I have not read the original story, but definitely think you did a great job at making the story modern and relatable. I feel like some of the scenarios Karna went through are relative to modern day society. So it was easy to understand the emotions he was going through and how he must have felt in the beginning. Great job!