Arjuna and Drona: Week 6 Story
Bibliography: "Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition" Part A and B by Laura Gibbs. Web source.
The biggest game of the semester has begun, a game between the Garuda and Vishnu high school. With only 5 minutes to go, the Garuda huddle up to discuss the game plan. Duryo suggests an old play, but Arjuna argues it is too predictable. Arjuna orders to use the caste tactic coach Drona has just taught them recently. Duryo refuses, stating their team isn't ready. Arjuna insists and orders the team as the captain. Arjuna tells his team members that he believes they are ready for this tactic. Ash backs him up and supports his game plan. In the end, this risk led the Garuda football team into victory.
Right after the game, Arjuna was approached by a college scout from the University of Pandava. They were offering him a full ride to the university. Arjuna could not be more delighted as he had always dreamed of playing for the Pandava's football team. As Arjuna thanks the scout, coach Drona witnessed the whole conversation. During the celebration, coach Drona pulls Arjuna aside and advises him to decline the offer from Pandava. Coach Drona says they were not to be trusted as the Pandava coach was known for forcing the players into taking steroids. Arjuna insists that this is his dream and refuses to listen. Arjuna thought to himself that he is now an even better player than coach Drona. Arjuna states he does not need him anymore and storms out of the room.
Years later, Arjuna becomes one of the most famous football players in the college football scene. He was known for his speed and clever tactics. There were rumors spreading on how Arjuna was taking an excessive amount of steroids. Even when Ash, who is now Garuda's football coach, tries to speak with him, Arjuna pretends he does not know him. On the night before his last college football game, Arjuna was found dead on the ground of the locker room from a drug overdose.
Drugs and Steroids. Source: EuroJust
Author's note:
In the original Mahabharata, Drona was known as the trainer to the princes of Pandavas and Kauravas. His favorite was Arjuna of the Pandavas which made Duryodhana of the Kauravas jealous. I integrated this into this story by having Drona as the coach of the football team with Arjuna as the star player and captain.
Drona's own son, Ashwatthaman, actually trained with the princes as well. In my story, I wanted Drona's son to be a part of the team but not in a way where he was jealous of Arjuna. I didn't want the jealous son type as the original story portrays Ashwatthaman and Drona as a great father-son duo.
The ending of this week's reading in part B didn't really have a climax or an ending. So, I had to improvise. I had Arjuna having a big ego and not listening to Drona even though Drona is the person that has made Arjuna into the great player he has become. In the end, this rebellion costs him his own life. I wanted to show how important Drona is to Arjuna's character.
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DeleteHi Amy! I forgot to check the length requirement before publishing my first comment, so I deleted and am re-commenting here! First off, I really liked how you tied the ancient epic story to the contemporary problem of performance enhancing drugs. Many people have different feelings about the true dangers of steroids and other drugs, but it is true that many athletes have suffered physical consequences from drug usage, so it adds a serious element to your story. I did want to ask: why did you portray Drona as such a good coach? When I was reading the Mahabharata, I found him to be a really manipulative and cruel character (such as when he tells a young boy to cut off his thumb for his "guru fee." As one suggestion, I would describe the winning football play in more detail so your readers understand why it was so risky and how it ended up winning the game! Overall, this was a very creative adaptation, and I enjoyed reading it a lot.
ReplyDeleteI see your point with Drona. I think when I was reading it, Drona was willing to do anything for his love ones such as his son. I amplified this to him being a coach. So, in a way he loves Arjuna and will do anything for him.
DeleteHi Amy! Great adaptation of this story! I really loved how all of the high schools and the college were named after elements from the Mahabharata. I also think you were right about there not being a big climax in the original story, and I think it was smart, though sad, to include the storyline about the performance enhancing drugs. In fact, I would love to see a follow up story or even just a revision where you focus more on that part. Did Arjuna hesitate to take the drugs from his coach or did he like the idea that it would make him even better? Did he ever get caught in a drug test? I think the conflict between him and the college coach could be really interesting, but the high school story is interesting and tense, too. You definitely portray Arjuna as arrogant!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I really liked this story. This is for two reason. It seems you missed medicine "the drugs part" with Indian Epics and as a pre-med I really enjoyed reading that! It helps me relate to the story as a reader. I understand you are premed as well and so I completely understand the approach. I liked how you made the names of important institutions from the original story and so it was a good combination of originality and using the source. I would say there are so many ways you can take this story in the future but it is also good as it is. Good job!