Developing a Man

Author's Note: This is a character development piece on Wolf Brother with connections to Life of Pi.

In the adventure book Wolf Brother, set in 6000 B.C., the main character Torak develops into a man. The story begins with Torak as a teenage boy hunting with his father. He embarks on a journey of self discovery, facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, to save himself and his world.

Torak begins his journey toward maturity when he is forced to make a kill on his own for the first time. This event makes Torak realize that he must depend upon himself alone.  In the novel Life of Pi, the title character is stranded in the ocean on a lifeboat. He must go against his nature and kill a fish or starve. Both characters are forced by circumstance to mature and accept life’s challenges or die.

Torak and Pi both continue on their journey of growth as they learn to work together with a partner toward a common goal (survival). For his part Torak is befriended by a wolf and Pi is stranded at sea with a tiger. Both Torak and Pi put aside their fear of these predators and build a bond that ensures their survival.

  Lastly, Torak and Pi learn one of the toughest lessons of all. They learn that love means the sacrifice of putting the needs of a loved one ahead of your own. Both Torak and Pi made a journey with their companions from a place of fear and mistrust to one of cooperation and true friendship. It can be said that the real test of friendship and love is the willingness to give your life for your friend. Torak defends his wolf friend against the demon bear that killed Torak’s father. Pi risks starvation by sharing his food with the tiger while they are lost at sea. In the end both Torak and Pi survive their ordeal, but realize that the wolf and the tiger belong wild, and with their own kind, if they are to be truly happy. They are heartbroken, but their journey to manhood has taught them that love means sacrifice, and they let their friends go.

Torak in Wolf Brother and Pi in Life of Pi both are thrust into battles for their very lives that force them to mature beyond their years. They learn the lessons of courage, self reliance, trust, cooperation, love and sacrifice. While neither Torak nor Pi had a choice in this journey, we do as we develop into men.

Patriot's Pen

Patriot’s Pen

By Jacob Sklenar

What if you were in charge of the future of a country that could change the world? Would you make the right decision to help it grow? The founding fathers of the U.S. certainly made the right decision. They fought battles, and gave everything they could within their beings, so that you could be sitting here today reading this essay. I know that I am eternally grateful for what they have done for our country. If I could write a letter to our founding fathers, and send it back in time, it would probably sound like this:   

Dear Founders of the United States,  

Thank you so much for your commitment to this beloved land! I’m very proud to say today, that you have been extremely successful in the creation of this country. The United States of America is literally the freest, and the most unique country in the entire world. U.S. citizens can say what they want, at any time, do what they want, almost anywhere, and express themselves in any way imaginable. I wouldn’t be here right now, writing about this glorious moment in U.S. history if you hadn’t worked so hard on developing this free country. Thank you so much for doing all that you have done for this country.

With love and pride, Jacob Sklenar

            When first asked “Are you proud of your country”, I think that most citizens - considering its history - would immediately say yes. I would too, but when you take time to think of all we’ve been through; wars, depressions, terrorism, ect…. You can really get a grasp of what makes this country, downright amazing.  

            I’m proud to say that I can give my own opinion on any given topic. I’m proud to say that I can be a Christian, and my friend can be Jewish. I’m proud to say that my friends and I can assemble at a tailgate to celebrate a sport that we love. I’m proud to say that my sister can spend her money in any ridiculous way she wants, without forceful objection, and at the end of the day….. I’m proud to say that I am an American citizen.

Pi's Changing Life

Authors Note: This is a cause and effect about Life of Pi.

       
         In Life of Pi,  there are some major conflicts in this book that cause huge effects on Pi, and his survival. One of them is when his family is sailing to Canada to move their zoo. The ship makes a huge lurching sound, and Pi springs awake. Pi feels as though some thing is wrong. This causes him to go investigate. He tries to tell his brother to go with him, but he won't. The effect of this entraps his brother when the ship begins to sink. Pi is literally thrown into survival, and this gives him no way to save his brother. Pi's survival story starts the same as Torak in Wolf Brother. They are both unprepared to survive, after the death of their only family members. So another cause is: Their only family members die, causing them to go into shock about the entire situation.
         Later in the story, Pi row, and rows, and rows, until he finds an island. This island is inhabited by an abundance of Meerkats. Pi soon discovers that these Meerkats don't know fear, and so they are easy food. The effect of this gives Pi food which makes him stronger. In another effect, he regains his abilities to run, and think straight.These are mere examples, but when you dig through your book, you are sure to find dozens of causes and effects.
         You see, cause and effects can be tricky. Some can be good, and some can be bad.Causes determine what will happen in your future through your actions. Effects are the results of your actions. Some people try to find the silver lining of effects. Pi was extremely good at this, and that ensured his survival. 

Stay Back Tiger

Author's Note: This is a conflict and resolution piece of Life of Pi.  
       
         The conflict in my book, is a very tricky one. Pi is on a boat with a 450 pound Bengal Tiger, and needs to survive before it gets hungry again.He can try to kill it, which won't end well for Pi. He can try to stay on the boat, but then he can't escape. In the end he decides to make a raft to stay as far away from the tiger as possible. I'd probably do the same thing.
         In this book there are many conflicts. Conflict: Pi is stranded in a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Resolution: Pi gets as much food as he can, so he can survive as long as he can.Then, every time a sign of humans appears, he sets off flares so they know where he is. He does everything possible to get rescued. But the real thing that saves him is himself. This is just like Spirit Walker. They boy is stranded in the boat, but with a wolf. He has lots of food, so he can live for a long time in ther e. When ever he see people, he uses shouting and movement to show them his location. The only difference besides the tiger, is that another human besides himself saves him.Once you find the conflicts in your life, it is easier to find the resolution. Torak and Pi did it to survive. So then you can do it to thrive.
         

Dog Days

Dog Days

By: Jacob Sklenar

Authors Note: This is my Personal Narrative

         
            I can remember the first day I saw my dog like it was yesterday. The puppies looked like petite Shar pei dogs, because of how fat and puny they were. Their skin rolled over their faces and covered some of their eyes. It was so cute! We tip-toed into the kennel and the second I saw their little faces, I knew that I had to have one of them.

            “Do ya wanna hold ‘em?” (He had a country/twang accent) asked the breeder.

            “Absolutely!” my brother, sister, and I all replied in unison. He swung the cage open and we quietly peered in. They lay in the tubs with newspaper on the bottom. The puppies made little squeaking sounds and puffed like sneezes as they sniffed the air for us.

“They can’t see ya yet since their eyes won’t open for a cupla days.” explained the breeder, “They’ll have ta smell for ya instead.” So we cooed soothing “awws” and “it’s ok” to them as we swooped down to pick them up. We must have sat there for hours with the little fur balls caressed in our warm embrace. My little soon-to-be dog sat in my arms and fell asleep while sucking my finger. When she woke, she started sniffing and tickling my ears. She licked my face, but I didn’t care, because I loved her so much already. I didn’t dare disturb the beautiful, tired puppy. It was undoubtedly the cutest thing I had ever saw in my entire life. The day I met my dog, will always feel like yesterday.

The Legend of Conflicts and Resolutions

       Author's Note: This is a conflict/resolution piece on Legend
       
          The conflict in Legend is a seemingly impossible one. Day-the criminal-has a family infected with a horrible disease. The only way to cure this disease is buy an extremely expensive medicine. He is soon forced to develop a plan to get this medicine, and save his family. He decides to steal the medicine to resolve the conflict.
           I'd do the same thing in this situation. I'd do so because I'd figure that I'm already a criminal, and I have nothing to lose. Sitting there and letting my family die wouldn't be an option. That's why I think Day made a good decision. He wouldn't lose anything but his family if he got caught. The other option (to sit there and let them die) would ensure their death. Taking the risk would at least give them a chance. That's why taking the risk would be the definite best decision.

Old Yeller: Retold

Author's Note:This is a retelling of Old Yeller

         Old Yeller is about a teenage boy, (about to become a man) in the 1860s that discovers a dog after his dad goes away on a trading trip far from home. They decide to keep the dog and he grows quite fond of his new coon-hunting Yeller dog. An outbreak of rabies appears, and  an infected wolf shows on the farm. Old Yeller protects the boy's life, and lays his own on the line by getting infected. What will happen to Old Yeller? Everyone that loves dogs and adventure is sure to like it.

A Great Accmplishment

          My goal for the year in wrestling was to qualify for the state wrestling tournament, and I accomplished even more than that.I had gone to state for the third time in a row, and this was the year that I would win some matches. It was time for my first match. I walked out on the mat,

          "Ready," the jitters vanish, "wrestle!" Now I'm in my game mode. I constantly looking for a shift of weight, a wrong move, an attempt to attack, an opportunity. I took my best shot at a leg attack and got around him after that, to quote the words of Sean Conery: "The day was mine". I took control of the match and scored and scored and scored. At the end of the massacre, the result was 12 to 0 and I had won my first match at state. At the end of the tournament I was ranked twelfth in the entire state at my weight and age, out of tens of thousands of kids. It was BY FAR my greatest wrestling accomplishment yet.

A Quick Quote

"Cheese, wine, and a friend must be old to be good."

          This Cuban Proverb is very insightful. It has a deep meaning that teaches a life lesson on who friends truly are. Friends can only be recognized as good friends if they have been around for a while. The only possible way to be a good friend is to be there for your friends when they most need it, and to do so consistently. When a friend has been around for a long time it lets you really get to know them and understand who they are as a person. The older you get the wiser you get. Good friends are the same. When you get in trouble and do not know how to deal with it, your old and good friend will be wise and know how to deal with the fix you are in.