Week 3 Story: Risa and Raymond

Pyramus and Thisbe by Tony Kline

This story is a rendition of Pyramus and Thisbe. I took this story and changed a few things like character names, animals and trees. The basic story is unchanged. It is about two children that fall in love but are forbidden to see each other by their parents. They of course disobey, and quickly find a dark end. Think Romeo and Juliet.

Risa and Raymond

Risa and Raymond were both lovely children. Risa was loved by all and was most radiant. Her friends doted on her constantly. Raymond was fawned over by all the girls in the village with his perfect smile and capable demeanor. When the two first found each other they quickly were stricken with love. Coincidentally, Risa and Raymond were neighbors. They desired to see one another as quickly as was possible, but sadly their parents saw the rapid devotion of the two children and kept them apart. As love always finds its way through murky waters, the two children found a way to communicate without their parents knowing. 

There was a quaint garden that connected behind the two neighboring houses. It was thick with fragrant red, pink and yellow roses. The vines of them grew so thick you could not see through from one side or the other, so when the sun faded beyond the horizon Risa and Raymond found their way to the garden where no one could find them. Risa and Raymond often hid there knelt behind the tangled roses. They spoke for hours at night never tiring of each other's words. 

One night they began talking about running away, which is where their conversations often strayed. The two grew tiresome of always hiding their love for one another. Feeling more courageous than normal, Risa proposed they run away the following evening and meet up outside of town at the large willow. Raymond swiftly agreed of the idea. 

The following night Risa made her way to the willow. She noticed she had arrived first so she decided to rest underneath the willows long drooping branches. As she slumped underneath the tree she noticed beyond the willows leaves a silver wolf with its teeth bared, blood dripping to the earth. Risa ran as fast as she could to the nearby forest. As she frantically made for her escape she dropped the thin scarf she had around her shoulders to keep warm in the brisk night. Hearing the commotion the wolf made its way over to the willow and caught sight of the scarf, which is thought of as a play thing and ripped to shreds. 

Weeping willow

Not long after Risa's departure Raymond trotted towards the willow with excitement to see his love. Finally, he approached the hilltop where the willow danced in the midnight breeze. He pushed aside the lazy branches and was grief stricken by tattered remains of Risa's scarf. "What have I done?" Raymond thought blaming himself immediately. "How could I agree to send my dear Risa to meet me here in the middle of the night when dark creatures roam? I have surely put my love to her untimely demise." With this resolution in his mind, Raymond drew out his thin dagger and plunged it into his chest. 

Once Risa felt it was safe to return to the willow she cautiously made her way back. She playfully whispered Raymond's name as she came closer, but with no reply. Unconsciously her heart began to beat harder. Risa lifted her pearl white hand to the emerald green leaves of the willow and gasped, "My dear Raymond! What have you done?" As her tears flowed hot and steady she held the limp Raymond in her arms. "Why have we been dealt this cruel fate?" Risa whispered, "To end one's own life is cowardly but I do not know how to go on without my love." Risa then withdrew the dagger from Raymond's chest and stuck it into her own as she wept. From that day on the willow was known only as the weeping willow.