The Two Frogs

Nationality: Japanese
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles
Performance Date: April 5th
Primary Language: English

Main Piece: “Once upon a time in Japan there were two frogs, one that had a home in Osaka I think, which is on the sea coast while the other dwelt in a clear little stream in Kyoto. Since this was a large distance they had never seen each other, but the same idea popped into their heads that they should visit Osaka. So they went on the journey and the road to get to Osaka and it was very tiring. When they reached the top to their surprise they sae each other.  One frog said that it was a pity that they weren’t bigger so that they could see the town from the hill. But the other frog said to stand up on their hind legs and hold onto each other to see Osaka. This idea pleased the Osaka frog so much that he stood up immediately and the other frog did too. But at that moment they both looked into each other’s eye and forgot about the beauty of the city and only about each other”.

Background Information: The informant learned this story from his grandparents, and he comes from Japanese descent. The informant says that this is a very popular Japanese Folk story but with many variations, but this is the version his grandparents taught him. His grandparents said the morale of this story is to always stay in the moment and that it is about the journey and the people you meet along the way, not the destination.

Context: At a coffee shop in Los Angeles

Thoughts: This story is interesting because it contains information about Japan itself- Kyoto and Osaka. I am curious why frogs were chosen and not another animal, and if this means that frogs are culturally significant.

Rouhmi Cryus

Nationality: Persian
Age: 29
Occupation: Businessman
Residence: San Diego
Performance Date: April 9th
Primary Language: English
Language: Farsi

Main Piece: “Do not be around people who cannot fan your flames.” Rouhmi

Background Information:  The informat learned this saying from his grandparents in Iran when he was having trouble making friends in school. The informat says that this is a typical persian saying that most grandparents or parents tell their children when they are adolescents. The main message behind this is to be around people that can calm you down and ease your nerves. The informat says he takes this into consideration every time he is trying to meet new people and new friends.

Context of Performance: In the informant’s house in San Diego

Thoughts: This proverb seems telling of the Persian culture, especially of who you should surround yourself with. This is different from most proverbs because it is saying to surround yourself with people who can calm your down vs other proverbs that say be around happy upbeat people. This also relates to the Persian value of being humble, and being arround people who can ground you instead of always praise you.

 

 

Raman Grewal

Nationality: Persian
Age: 30
Occupation: Businessman
Residence: San Diego
Performance Date: April 1st
Primary Language: English

Main Piece: “He who cannot handle the thorns cannot have the rose”- Raman Grewal

Background information: For the informat, he learned this from his parents who learned it from their parents. His parents learned this saying from their parents when they immigrated from Iran into the United States. When the informats parents were struggling to make a living and felt overwhelmed, their parents back in Iran told them this proverb that is common in the Persian community, especially upon immigrating to the United States and other countries. The basic premise behind the proveb is that something so beautiful will always have rough edges, and that  you can not have a good thing if you can’t handle the negative aspects of what come with it. This can apply to people but also also relationships as well. For the informat, he now lives by this and realizes that hardships are always unevitable when you are trying to achieve something you want.

Context of Performance: Outside of a gas station in San Diego

Thoughts: I think that this proverb is interesting because it is important for people in situations of people immigrating to another country, like the informants family. This means that people from other cultures realize that the “American Dream” might be very hard to achieve and might not be easy. Especially with the debate of immigrants and if they should be let into America and other countries, this proverb can be applicable in many different cultures because it demonstrates the reality of achieveing an appealing dream. 

 

 

Rustam and Rakhsh

Nationality: Persian
Age: 25
Occupation: Employee for marketing company
Residence: San Diego
Performance Date: April 1st
Primary Language: English
Language: Farsi

Main Piece:“There is a story that my dad always use to tell me about a man called Rostam. So, the King of Iran used to be a man called Rostam way back in ancient times. When Rostam (the king of Iran) was older, he knew he would be a great warrior and he wanted to be the best. So because of this, his dad Zal promised to find a horse that was good enough for him so he could fight properly. In particular, his dad wanted to find one that would be courageous and obedient whenever Rostam was fighting. Because Rostam was king, he could basically do whatever he wanted and choose from any of the horses.. He ended up picking one that was famous for its speed and spirit. This horse was almost impossible to catch  since almost three years warriors had attempted get it but had failed. Rostam was impressed: He caught the hourse named it Rakhsh, the Persian word for lightening. After that they became best friends and they went on the have many adventures together.”

Background information: For the informat, this story has significant cultural significance. Her father would tell her stories about Rostam ever since she was a young child. In the Persian culture, this is the most influential epic poem which is written by Ferdossi; this is also the longest. A lot of stories within the epic tales have lessons of family and themes of evil vs good,  but also working out things within yourself. This particular story about Rostam and his horse is an example of Rostam being humbled through his journey. To the informat and her family, being humble was something that was highly regarded, especially in the Perisian community. This is because those who flaunt their wealth are looked down upon. For the informat the idea of remembering where you came from and your roots is something she constantly thinks about.

Context of performance: At the informant’s house in San Diego 

Thoughts: The significance of this story seems to correlate with Persian culture. The story of Rostam and his horse signify that being humble is one of the most important values, and that it is important to think of others and not just yourself. The horse also seems to carry significance as a symbol of a companion and power which has a parallel to American society where dogs are thought to be companions for men. 

 

 

Texas Simile

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: USC
Performance Date: 4/19/2018
Primary Language: English

I decided to ask my friend if she knew any interesting folk similes. She shared with me a few she thought reflected her Texas heritage. She is marked KB, and I am marked CS.

 

KB: “So another simile we always use in Texas is ‘he’s got a ten gallon mouth.’”

CS: “Can you explain to me the meaning of this simile, in your own words?”

KB: “It’s just like, Texas people are really talkative. Like, you talk to them, and they just start…blabbering. Or when people talk really fast. I feel like that’s just such a Texas thing.”

CS: “Have you personally used this simile before?”

KB: “Oh yeah, all of the time.”

CS: “Where did you first hear it?”

KB: “Oh, my dad. Definitely my dad. He always uses Texas phrases.”

 

Context:

Phone conversation in which I recorded KB’s recounts of folk similes as well as a riddle she grew up learning.

Background:

KB is a freshman at the University of Southern California and grew up in Austin, Texas.

 

Analysis:

I did enjoy this simile because although I have never been to Texas, there is definitely a well-known stigma of it and it is clear there are certain sayings you just don’t hear anywhere else. Similar to other Texas simile, this one seems to reflect how deep-rooted Texas’ cultural values are. I never quite thought of folk similes as being so pertinent compared to the other forms of folklore, but clearly in this instance they are. They truly indicate their origins and that origin’s heritage.