My Travels :)

Gulliver’s Travel Blog

I’m Most tired, and I am most desirous of Turning in for the Night. After obtaining my Liberty, I was finally Able to visit Mildendo, the Metropolis of Lilliput. I shall not interrupt the Subscriber with the Particulars, but I might Grace him with a brief description of my Escapades.

As I informed the Reader of my most successful book of Mildendo: =

“The City is an exact Square, each Side of the wall being five Hundred Foot long. The two great Streets which run cross and divide it into Four Quarters, are five Foot wide. The Lanes and Alleys, which I could not enter, but only viewed them as I passed, are from Twelve to Eighteen Inches. The Town is capable of holding five Hundred Thousand Souls. The Houses are from three to five Stories. The Shops and Markets well provided.”

I shall not anticipate the Subscriber with more Description, as I reserve it for a greater work. Afterwards, the Emperor entreated me to Visit his palace. After a slight mishap concerning my own Size constraints, I was able to Experience the Maginifacence of the Palace. How incredible is Was.

Yet another Expedition I have yet to disclose is what happened early One Morning, a Fortnight after I received my Liberty. I woke up still dreamy and hazy from a decent night’s Rest with the Satisfaction of being free and Independent. But a Knock on my Door made me jump back to Reality, and I realized that I was in a crowded Room that barely fit my Length and that I was trapped on a desert Island having just swore my Service to the People of Lilliput, who just reached six inches tall. The person who knocked on my Door I found was Reldresal, Principal Secretary and a newly made Companion. Without having been a half Hour after I awoken, Reldresal suddenly rants about Lilliput’s Problems as if it were Time for Gossip and had no One to talk about it with but Me. And I thought, oh Lord, we have only been Companions for a short While, isn’t there Somebody else you can tell of this to? But after I had this in my Thoughts, and started to give my attention to Reldresal, I found that he was telling me about all of This because he wanted Me to take on the Title of the Solver of Lilliput’s Problems. Great, I swear my Service to the Lilliput’s People and at once get the Title of Problem Solver. If I were have to known This to be true beforehand, I would have never had swore any Business.

Reldresal informs me of two conflicting People within Lilliput, the Tramecksan, otherwise known as the High-Heels and the Slamecksan, otherwise known as the Low-Heels. According to Reldresal, the High-Heels agree with Liliiput’s Constitution rather than the Low-Heels, but the Majesty hath made the Low-Heels apart of his Administration of the Government and all Offices in the Gift of the Crown. I say, I give my respect toward the Majesty as much as the next six-inch tall person on this Island, but Confusion does sprout up in my Mind as to why the Majesty would do such a thing. Because of this, a Dispute arose among the High-Heels and the Low-Heels and now Reldresal wants me to make Ammends.

Not to mention in addition to this Problem, Reldresal has informed me of a possible Invasion from Lilliput’s long-time Rival, the Empire of Blefuscu. According to the Tale that Reldresal told me of, beforehand, the People of Lilliput were entitled to breaking Eggs on the larger End. However, the Majesty’s Grandfather cut his Finger while doing so, and his Father, the Emperor at the Time, commanded that from that point onward People would break their Eggs on the smaller End. After that Commandment, People rebelled and since then started the Empire of Blefuscu, and they have been Enemies with the Lilliput ever since. Now, Lilliput has had Word that the Blefuscu are planning on invading Lilliput and again, looks toward me to use my majestic magical “Man-Mountain” powers to resolve it.

Therefore, after having just attended a Lilliput History Class that I did not willingly attend, I told Reldresal that the Majesty had Nothing to worry about because I give my Word to do as he wishes. I mean what other Choice do I have, I am isolated on this Island after all, the least I can do is have Something to keep me busy. Well, so ends this Entry of My distant, and confusing Life on this exclusive Island, until next Time, by then, who could say, I may have spent so much of my Time here that I may actually write Something positive about it.

Chapter 6! by Chloe & Elizabeth

Analysis:
    After a few weeks with the Lilliputians, I have learned much about these interesting creatures.  I spent many Hours studying their odd ways, and have come to realize that honesty comes before everything in this Society.  Good behavior is rewarded, and dishonesty is worse than theft.  False accusation of a crime results in Death of the Liar. 
    Looking into their Culture, I have come to realize that the Kingdom itself, not the Children’s parents, are responsible for each individual Child, and that these Children see their parents no more than 2 days of the year.  The farmers, who as I before observed, were the exceptional Children who stay at home with their parents to work. No Beggars exist in this society; the Poor are well looked after.  They care so much for their Tiny city that they all work together in making is the Best they can. 
    “…who were all principal Gentlemen, freely picked and culled out by the People themselves, for their great Abilities, and Love of their Country, to represent the Wisdom of the whole Nation.” (page 89)  
    I recently noticed that these little People are very smart, but have a strange Language.  They write from one Corner of the Page to the other.  Another odd Concept about the Lilliputians is that they burry their People with their Heads facing downward so that when they start their second life, after the World rotates, they will be right side up.  They are Very unique People, but I am getting used to living with them.    

Chapter Eight (by Marina and Liesl)

Greetings from Europe! I am sure you are wondering how I managed to get back. Do not be of fear, I will not spare you the details.

At approximately three days after my arrival in Blefuscu, I encountered, by some Great Chance or Fortune, a large object just off the shore, moving closer by the tide, to which I judged to be a properly sized boat. I decided this was my Opportunity to escape this peoples while in the possession on mine eyes. The Emperor of Blefuscu, after three days to consult his advisors, many of whom felt in favor towards me for some Reason or another, even though I had effectively destroyed their navy and put them under the Occupation of the Lilliputians, made various Excuses for me, saying that soon the would both be rid of me and my treasury-draining Appetite as I would be sailing away. It was told to me, in Confidence, that the reply also contained a provision which I have roughly translated as I know it will be of interest to my readers.

“It would be crazy to try and bind the man-mountain. You only managed to do so because he was asleep. Are you insane?”

By this point, we were all impatient for me to leave, and thus the preparations began on my boat. I will not bore you with the details of the 500 workmen quilting thirteen fold of the strongest linen to provide my sails, or the tallow of 300 cows to grease my boat, or my Personal Contribution to the entire endeavor, a large rock.

In about a month, the boat was prepared for and I was ready to depart after a few formalities. I have described the contents of my boat best in my book. The details of finding it I will not enforce upon you, but it is something I highly recommend reading.

“I stored the boat with the Carcasses of an hundred Oxen, and three hundred Sheep, with Bread and Drink proportionable, and as much Meat ready dressed as four hundred Cooks could provide. I took with me six Cows and two Bulls alive, with as many Yews and Rams, intending to carry them into my own Country, and propagate the Breed. And to feed them on board, I had a good Bundle of Hay, and a Bag of Corn.

I have also included some passages from a journal I kept on my boat.

September 24,1701

Wind: South east

Sheep count: 300

I set sail at 6 in the morning and at about half a day after, which is to say 6 at night, I found a small island. I cast the anchor lee-side of the seems-to-be uninhibited island, took my refreshments, ate them, and slept quite well.

Next day

Wind: favourable

Sheep count:300

Ate breakfast, heaved anchor, and set sail on the same intended course of the morning before. Nothing was found…so I kept sailing.

Next day:

At about 3 in the afternoon, after which I computed with my trustworthy pocket compass that I was due east, I saw a sail sailing southeast, which I had also determined by my pocket compass. I tried to hail her, but I got no answer. And then I gained distance, all to the my favourable wind, and I saw a gun aiming at me from the sail. I cannot express the joy I had when I saw the gun because it meant I saw my people again!

As I came up with the sail, my heart did a little jump inside of me when I saw the English colours. I put my sheep and cattle in my coat pockets and hopped on the ship that carried 50 men. They were all kind men, that’s all you really need to know. My old comrade, Peter Williams, thought I was a lunatic when I told him about my travels. But then I showed him the gold the king of Blefuscu gave me and he no longer believed I was mad. The rest of my voyage doesn’t really matter.

April, 13,1702

Sheep Count: 299

We finally arrived in the Downs. I had lost one of my sheep because the rats on board carried it away and left only its flesh. It was sad but the rest of my sheep and cattle got on shore safely. During my short stay in England, I sold my Cattle to persons of quality for a profitable price of six hundred pounds. I found that the breed was very popular, especially the sheep, and I hope my sheep will benefit the Wool Manufacturing, for they are the finest of fleeces.

I spent two months in England with my wife and family but my obsession with my travels left me no further time. I left my wife with fifteen hundred pounds and settled her in a good house in Redruff. I then found out that my uncle left me an estate, my son Johnny is now at grammar school, and my daughter betty is now married. What joy! I left my wife and family, with tears on both eyes, excited to board the Adventure that was going to take me on another adventure to Surat! So long, my comrades! My account of the next voyage is featured in my next blog.

Chapter III

I have neglected to record my Goings-On in the recent Passing of Time. Here follows an abridged List of mine recent Activities:

1. My good Disposition and Kindness to the Emperor will possibly grant me a Chance at Liberty. To ensure mine Liberty:

-I have permitted several Children to play in my Hair

- I have made Myself familiar with the Local Language

2. I made an Arena out of mine Handkerchief for the Horses and for the

Emperor’s Entertainment.

3. They found my Hat. The Hat had a Hole in it.

4. I am known as Man-Mountain

5. Emperor orders me to stand like a Colossus. Soldiers walk below me. They make Mockery of my Pants.

6. Three Days later, they awarded Me my Liberty so long as I oblige by their Conditions:

- I may not leave without their License

- I may enter the Metropolis without Prior Announcement

-I may not walk in the Meadow or Field of Corn, only the principle High Roads

-As I walk on those Roads, I must take full Caution as to not trample upon Lilliputians.

- In Times of Expediency, I am obliged to carry the Messenger and Horse in my Pocket to the given Destination and return Them safely.

-I must be an Ally against the Island of Blefuscu.

- I am required to labor and raise Stones.

-In Moon’s time, I must scout out the Territories of their Dominions. I must measure the Dominions based on mine own Measurements.

- If I promise these said Conditions, I am granted the Food Equivalent to 1728 of the Local Subjects.*

7. I am sworn to the Conditions. I am at Liberty!!!

8. We are celebrating with a Ceremony from the Emperor. Huzzah!!!!!!

*The Reader may please to observe, that in the last Article for the Recovery of my Liberty, the Emperor stipulates to allow me a Quantity of Meat and Drink, sufficient for the Support of 1728 Lilliputians. Some time after, asking a Friend at Court how they came to fix on that determinate Number; he told me, that his Majesty’s Mathematicians, having taken the Height of my Body by the Help of a Quadrant, and finding it to exceed theirs in the Proportion of Twelve to One, the concluded from the Similarity of their Bodies, that mine must contain at least 1728 of theirs, and consequently would require as much Food as was necessary to support that Number of Lilliputians. By which, the Reader may conceive an Idea of the Ingenuity of that People, as well as the prudent and exact Oeconomy of so great a Prince.

Part 1, Chapter 1

Perhaps it is of some importance to report on Myself and my prior history before I begin my narration.

Born in Nottingshire as the third of five Sons, I attended Emanuel College at 14. Following three years, I Apprenticed to Surgeon Mr. Bates. Soon, I became learned in Mathematicks, Navigation and Physick. All in Practicality of the Voyages I was to work for.

I served under Abraham Pannell Commander of the Swallow as first ship. Later, I attempted to settle down as a Surgeon and I Married Mrs. Mary Burton. Twas’ a failure, so I found myself back on the Sea. I voyaged for 6 more years, with 2 more Captain, the details of which you needed not know.

But, the voyage with Captain Prichard on the Antelope to the West Indies deserves great strength in Mention and Memory.

On 1699, our ship capsized and all but 5 and me had Perished. But, the 5 I would never see again.

After swimming ashore, I was in so tired a Condition that I slept on the sand, leaving my Body Vulnerable.

When I woke, I found my Body and Soul smothered and tied down by the most curious of Creatures. They were human in all Proportions, but they were no higher than 6 Inches with bows and arrows in hands. I roared and the 40 creatures ran back frightened, falling down the sides of my Breast. Nevertheless, they soon returned, shouting Hekinah Degul. I broke the Strings and thought about breaking them, but they fired Arrows at my hand and face. I knew I could do horrible things to these creatures, but, I lay down in neutrality leaving them unattended, hoping they would do the same.

Instead, they began to craft a Stage a foot and a half feet off the ground, from whence a Person of distinction began to speak to me: Langro Dehul San... At this point my Hunger grew that I was ready to eat the creature, but out of prudence, I came to gesticulate my feelings of appetite. Soon, I found Myself dining on Baskets full of Meat, and Hogeshead of Wine of Burgundy.

When I finished, they started again Hekinah Degul, Hekinah Degul. Out of Respect for the exceptional meal, I did not crush them.

Once again, they began Construction, 500 carpenters crafted a large Engine with twenty two wheels. Also, they tended to my Blisters caused by their arrows. Unfortunately my dam broke, which drench the creatures in a alkaline Waterfall. I was mounted onto the Engine and carted to the metropolis where the Emperor was awaiting. Promptly, my left Leg was chained to a large Temple, leaving me enough Freedom to walk in a semicircle around the Temple.

“I heard a confused noise about me, but in the posture I lay, could see nothing except the sky. In a little time I felt something alive moving on my left leg, which advancing gently forward over my breast, came almost up to my chin; when bending mine eyes downwards as much as I could, I perceived it to be a human creature not six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back.” (Chapter 1, pg. 3)

Chapter 2

I woke up this morning to find myself chained to the temple and looking around to see the city, "I had been for some hours extremely pressed by the necessities of nature; which was no wonder, it being almost two days since I had last disburthened myself." So I did – but I’ll Spare you the details. The emperor and several nobility came to offer me Some of their food and Drink (See Picture); ten liquor vessels and twenty carts full of meat; they Tried to talk to me and I tried to respond, then tried again, and again, and again in eight different languages, but they never understood Me. If only I had a Lilliput Dictionary! (See Other Picture)

I then Solidified my standing as an honorable being by Breaking the bonds of the six men that shot at me only moments Before. The people of the court were surprised and proud of my Good manners! As night fell, the emperor and his men brought for my comfort six-hundred common beds to make one for my size.

Word spread quickly that I was in Lilliput, and people started to visit me as if I Was an exhibit on display. Meanwhile the Emperor and his royal people decided what to do about my presence. They realized that I was both costly and time Consuming; and so they agreed to give me my liberty if I swore allegiance with the emperor and his kingdom. However before granting me my Freedom, they underwent a search of my person to discover any secrets that I was hiding from them. They found my Scymiter, revolver, and watch but missed my spectacles, which I kept Out of sight. haha.

Check out my cool adventure from Lilliput:
"http://www.pdcomedy.com/Cartoons/GulliversTravels/ItsAHapHapHappyDay.html"

Chapter 7

It came to my knowledge today that I have been betrayed! Upon the arrival of a small man, of whose name I know not, I discovered that certain members of the court have a want for me not to attain such high an honor. Due to certain jealousies these men have contrived a document speaking of the crimes I have committed against the people of Lilliput. My death has been called for, however, I am satisfied to know that some members of the council have want for me to live on in return for the favors I have granted them. Unfortunately their pull with the council was not enough to snuff out the petty crimes I have supposedly committed against the nation. One such incident being when I relieved myself on the royal castle in order to put out the flames and save the lives of those within. Though his imperial majesty excused me from this crime, it has come to the attention of those who are most unhappy with my rise to high rank in Lilliput. Because his majesty does favor me it has thus been decided that I will retain my life permitting that I allow them to take my eyes. Perhaps, had I grown up knowing the workings and corruption of court, I would have taken this punishment for what it is: a seemingly mild punishment. I did not, however, grow up with such understanding and therefor have chosen to fled. I will to Blefuscu as planned and escape from there. As I write this I am hastily requesting leave to Blefuscu from his Imperial Majesty and will off to Blefuscu before I can receive his reply. Wish me luck! SUBSCRIBE <3