"Gilgamesh the Hero" by Geraldine McCaughrean

As Sam gets older and his reading skills become more advanced, I find myself reading more chapter books for children to determine whether or not they would be appropriate for Sam. I happened across Gilgamesh the Hero in the library last week, which happened to be right after I taught a lecture on ancient Near Eastern art. Although I don't think that Sam is ready for this book (I think it would be better for a child that is ten or eleven years old), I still am excited about this discovery. So far, I think this is the best way to introduce someone to the basic story of the Epic of Gilgamesh.

I teach basic elements from this story to my art history students, but I am most familiar with different characters or themes that have application in ancient Near Eastern art. I've never paid too many specifics to the order of events in the story itself. But I thought that I would outline the basic story of Gilgamesh's adventures here, so I can have the chronology for future reference.

• Gilgamesh is a very handsome king, but he is selfish and oppresses his people (by sending them to war and forcing them to build new monuments in Uruk).
• Hunter spots wild Enkidu (man-beast)
• Gilgamesh recommends to Hunter that Enkidu be tamed by a woman. Hatti tames Enkidu.
• Gilgamesh and Enkidu wrestle and fight, but then they become thoroughly devoted friends
• Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill the monster Huwana who guards the Cedar Forest
• Gilgamesh rejects the advances of Ishtar, the goddess of love
• The destructive Bull of Heaven sent as a punishment for Huwana's death. Enkidu and Gilgamesh fight the bull, which is eventually slain by Gilgamesh. Enkidu is killed by the gods as a punishment for the bull's death. (The "Master of the Animals" motif on the bull's head lyre may have been inspired by this part of the story, since the heroic figure is wrestling bulls.)
• Gilgamesh is thoroughly shaken by Enkidu's death. Gilgamesh decides that he needs to find the secret to immortality, so that he can avoid death himself. He determines to seek out Utnapishtim, who was given immortality by the gods
• The angry Gilgamesh kills a pride of lions as he leaves on his quest to search
• Gilgamesh meets the Scorpion-man and Scorpion-woman, who guard the gate which leads to the way toward the Garden of the Gods. This is a fire-scorched gate which only previously had opened for the sun, but the scorpion creatures let Gilgamesh through. (I think it's interesting that a "scorpion-human" is depicted on the bull's head lyre from Ur, again suggesting that the imagery may have been loosely inspired by the Epic of Gilgamesh.)
• Gilgamesh travels through a mountain for twelve leagues in darkness
• Gilgamesh meets the ale-wife Siduri, who recommends that he forget this quest for immortality and live his mortal life to the fullest. Gilgamesh doesn't listen to this advice (yet!).
• Gilgamesh has the ferryman Urshanabi take him across the Waters of Death to Paradise Shore.
• Gilgamesh meets Utnapishtim and his wife at Paradise Shore. He learns of their adventure with animals in the ark and how the gods blessed them with immortality
• Gilgamesh sleeps for seven days and seven nights. Utnapishtim's wife Saba makes a loaf of bread for Gilgamesh each day, in hopes that he will wake
• Gilgamesh goes in search of Old-Made-Young, the Plant of Life
• After finding the Plant of Life growing off shore in the water, Gilgamesh accidentally allows a snake to eat the whole plant. The snake sheds its life and rejuvenates itself, but Gilgamesh loses a chance to use the plant.
• Gilgamesh returns to Uruk and brings the ferryman Urshanabi with him.
• Gilagamesh is a changed man and ruler. He no longer oppresses his people, but has a new perspective on life and compassion. He leaves his selfish ways behind, marries, and has a child.

Sam's Spring Break

I feel kind of triumphant tonight, as we are finishing up Sam's Spring Break. It was a little tricky to balance my own work and commitments during this past week, while Sam was at home for most of the time. If only my Spring Break aligned with that of Sam's school!

I know that I did a lot more of this tricky juggling before Sam started kindergarten, but perhaps I've been spoiled over the past few months by having more flexibility. Or perhaps I just have less energy right now. Several weeks ago, Sam made a general observation about pregnant women: "The pregnancier you are, the tireder you get!" I'm afraid it's true. Nonetheless, despite this pregnancy, I feel like I was able to help Sam do a lot of fun things this past week. And I'm glad about that.

Sam got to spend time with his Gram twice this week. The first time was on a moving day, and Sam had fun playing in the paper that was used to box up Gram's dishes.

We visited the Nature Center at Lewis Creek Park

Sam got a new "Hidden Pictures" magazine in the mail (a bonus as part of his "Highlights" subscription), so we worked on it outside. He wore the cowboy hat initially to shield his eyes from the shade, but later we were able to pretend he was a sheriff too.

We went to the Washington State Fair with our cousins G and C! Here Sam and g are showing off their temporary tattoos.

Prizes won at the fair. Sam named his dog "Fluffy." Now he sleeps with Spot, Fluffy, a small bear (whom he calls "Russell Stover") that he got from the Paxmans on Valentine's Day, and his elephant pillow pet Snowman. Sam's bed is getting a bit crowded these days.

A small alligator we saw in the Reptile House at the fair

Making gigantic bubbles

Saturday J, Sam and I explored Magnuson Park in Seattle, which has the largest playground in the Seattle area.

We walked through the park trails until we reached Lake Washington. It was about half a mile from the playground to the lake, which is just the right distance for my stamina right now.

We ended up running into one of Sam's classmates at another park in the Newcastle area, which was a fun surprise.

Riding bikes with Dad

Sam and I also visited the SPY! exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, which was fun. The exhibit displays a lot of objects that spies actually used during the World War and Cold War eras, which was neat. The ammunition umbrella gun was probably my favorite thing on display. Sam liked seeing ways in which spies would hide things in shoes, soap dispensers, etc.

Whidbey Island Trip

About two weeks ago, we traveled up to Whidbey Island for a weekend getaway with our friends JB and M. Really, this trip was partially a birthday trip to celebrate JB and J's birthdays (which are just a day apart). The five of us stayed in a charming beach house that was just across the street from the beach. Although the weather was a little cold, we did see some bursts of sunshine. It was fun to relax, see some new sites at a leisurely pace, and just visit with our friends.

Riding the Mukilteo ferry over to Clinton. For dinner we had great sandwiches at the Pickles Deli in Clinton. I highly recommend going to eat there!

Before JB and M arrived, we briefly visited the beach and got to see the sun set. JB and M arrived just as Sam was getting settled in bed. It was fun to visit with them and catch up.

JB and M brought a kite to fly on the beach. Sam was nervous and kept worrying that the kite would fly away, but I think he secretly enjoyed it. I'm actually surprised that I got a picture of him smiling, since most of the time he was so worried about the kite.

Sam and I collected different shells on the beach.

I think this photo was taken on our second excursion to the beach that same day.

Everyone relaxed in their own way. While J and JB played guitars, Sam read a Garfield book behind the couch.

The lighting isn't great in this picture, but I think it captures our relaxed atmosphere pretty well (even down to the stocking feet on the table!).

We visited Fort Casey. Sam loved seeing all of the cannons and different fortifications. 

 

My cute friend M!

J took this shot inside of the light house at Fort Casey.

We decided to drive through Deception Pass instead of taking the ferry home. We parked the car on one side and walked over the bridge to Pass Island to look around for a bit. This shot was taken on the Deception Pass bridge.

I felt pretty puffy that weekend! I'm about 26 weeks pregnant in this photo. We are standing on Pass Island on the north side of the bridge. The camera is facing east (with Strawberry Island in the background).

 We stopped by the Tulip Festival on the way home. The festival had just barely begun, and there weren't enough tulips open for the fields to be as visually striking as I would have liked. But it was still fun to see the tulips, nonetheless. We also enjoyed seeing the fields of daffodils in the area as we drove to and from the Tulip Town grounds; those fields were very striking and completely covered in yellow.

I'm so glad that we were able to take this little trip with JB and M. I don't know when we are going to be able to do such a luxurious and low-key trip with them again, especially with this new baby on the way. But I don't doubt that we will have more relaxing vacations with these friends in the future.