Niagara Falls Facts

THE MAID OF THE MIST

The meaning of Niagara is “thundering water”. Many people have tried to cross the thundering waters, but few have survived. Long, long ago, near the Niagara Falls and in the place where the town of Buffalo, New York, now is, there lived a tribe of red Indians known as the Ongiaras. They told many stories and legends, out of which the most famous of all is still known. So now listen carefully, because I am about to tell you the story of Lelawala, the Maid of the Mist…

Among the Ongiaras, it was believed that The Thunder Gods lived behind the Niagara Falls. These gods were the gods of weather and sent rain, thunder, hail and snow whenever they were displeased. Lelawala was the most beautiful girl in the whole tribe. Her father married her to the Old Chief of the tribe. But the Chief of the Thunder Gods, He-No, called to her to join him. So, on her Wedding Night, Lelawala ran away quietly to the Niagara Falls. She heard He-No calling out to her from the falls, so she stole a canoe, and paddled down the Niagara Falls.

Soon she was caught in the powerful current, tossing and turning, as her little canoe was buffeted by the forces of the mighty Niagara River. Finally she fell over the falls! He-No caught her and took her into his cave. She became on of the Thunder beings whose voices can be heard in the thundering of the Falls even today. She became a part of the local legends of Niagara and was henceforth called “the Maid of the Mist”.

Even today, the boat tour of Niagara is called Maid of the Mist. Many people have tried to cross the Falls; few have succeeded like…

The first person to go over the Niagara Falls in a barrel and return alive, she was a school teacher from Auburn, New York. On October 24, 1901, her 63rd birthday, her barrel was set adrift from a rowboat, south of Goat Island, after Annie had climbed in with her lucky heart shaped pillow. The currents carried it over to Canadian Horseshoe falls, and took the plunge down. Rescuers reached her barrel shortly after this. Her trip took 20 minutes.

Jean Francois Blondin

This tight rope walker strung a tightrope from the gorge, over to the Rainbow bridge, and successfully walked across and returned alive.

Steve Trotter 

He was the first American to cross the Niagara Falls in a barrel in 25 years and the youngest, only 22 years old.

John David Munday 

The first person to survive going over the Niagara Falls two times.

MACHALI – THE LADY OF THE LAKE

MACHALI – THE LADY OF THE LAKE

 

I went to Ranthambore National Park, and there I was lucky enough to see a very famous Tigress called ‘Machali,’. Machali as the most famed tigress of Ranthambore and has been written about in several books. Her famous adventures have given her several interesting names like ‘Machali’ meaning fish in Hindi, as she loves water, and often hides in water. She is also called, ‘Lady of the lake,’ because of her love of water, and ‘Crocodile Hunter.’ The stories behind these nicknames are quite interesting…

Machali had two healthy cubs. The problem was that the father of her cubs, Bumbu Ram, had mysteriously disappeared. {My theory of his disappearance is that he was killed by poachers, and is now stuffed and decorating somebody’s sitting room.} So, as he was not there to protect her cubs, she and her cubs were in great danger.

There was also another male tiger, Nick, who was a great threat to Machali and her cubs as he wanted to kill her cubs, so that he could have cubs with Machali, thus extending his bloodline. So Machali had to protect her cubs. Nick started to prowl around the borders of her territory, leaving marks to show Machali that he was there.

Machali knew of Nick’s impending threat, and that, if Nick found her cubs, she would be helpless to stop him killing them. So, she hid her cubs in a lake. But in order to do so she had to kill or chase away all the crocodiles near her cubs’ hiding place. That is why she is also called ‘Crocodile hunter.’

She then followed Nick everywhere, growling at him if he tried to venture into her territory or near the lake where her cubs were hidden. But, the strangest thing is that the day ended with them stalking a herd of Sambar together. {The deer, not the south Indian dish!} This kept happening time and again till the cubs finally grew up and over time Machali and Nick also became friends!

The First cub  was named ‘Broken Tail’ as his tail was slightly bent and thin at the end. The second was called ‘Slanted Ear’, obviously because his ear was slanted. Soon, Broken Tail and Slanted Ear left, Machali immediately had cubs with Nick.

The first of these cubs was known as ‘Jhalra,’ after the area he was born in. Jhalra now stays in Sariska Tiger Reserve, and her second cub was never named, she is just called T-17, as she is the 17th tiger born in Ranthambore.

Machali is T-16 and continues to inhabit the lakes of Ranthambore even today, awing visitors with her majestic presence and amazing self confidence … .

What Would You Explore?

I  wrote a poem and want to share it with everyone. I hope you like it!
-devanshika

? ? ? What would you explore?

If you were an explorer, what would you explore?
The Arctic,
The Antarctic,
Or is Asia too big to ignore?

Are the Americas too exciting?
Or to watch an African lion biting,
Or Australian Koalas fighting? 
       
Is Europe there?
If so, then where?
England, or Scotland,
Seville or Madrid,
France, or Italy,
Or, to India for an Idly?

In the Fantasia,
Of Asia,
You won’t find a foccaccia.
Instead there’ll be,
To see,
Some Chinese noodles,
But no French poodles,

 
And then, to the west,
The Indians, who may put your  knowledge to test,
Have beaches,
But no peaches,
Mountains,
But few fountains.
Would you go there?




What would you explore?

Bat Duck- Terrifying Titanic

It was early morning in a sleepy farm in Auroville, India. But this wasn’t just any farm; it was the farm where Bat Duck the superhero, and her friends, Prof. Boofey the cow and Piggy the superhero lived. Bat duck had a Supersonic Quack which, when used, could push things away from her. Piggy had a Snout, which, when wagged, generated a smell that made everyone run away from him. Professor Boofey was their brainy friend and helper. “Prof, can we have a milkshake? Or”

“A milkshake is too much work unless you want the mechanical one…….” interrupted Prof. A non- mechanical milkshake was one where Boofey shook himself before milking and they stole some milk before Farmer Maddock could get any. A mechanical one was that they stole some normal milk, and snuck into the kitchen and used the milkshake maker.

 “Hey, you know, you could have a Cappuccino...” said the Professor. Cappuccinos were a favorite of the Professor’s, he could drink them morning, noon and night.

“BEEP! BEEP! A.H.H.R! A.H.H.R!” Suddenly, something beeped.

“What’s that?” asked Bat Duck. The Professor had made a time machine, years ago, and now, it was finally coming in use, as B.D and Piggy were using it to help fight an organization called HHH [Haters of Historical Heroes], as members of the organization, HSH [Historical Super Heroes].

“Grunt! Prof what’s happening??” cried Piggy.

“It’s an A.H.H.R! To HQ, immediately!” yelled Professor.

 “I won’t till I know what is an A.H.H.R.” said Bat Duck.

“You animals, I’ll bake you into farmyard pie! Get back to your own pens.” It was Molly Maddock, the Farmers stupid niece. She liked animals, but wanted to kill them because of the work they made her do.
“Are you coming or Facing Molly?” called Prof. Boofey.

“Coming!” called Bat Duck, as she thought she was better of in the HQ, listening to an A.H.H.R, than facing Molly; and they raced off. Their H.Q was an old, unused cowshed. Once they were inside, the computer blinked on ‘Agents! Alert!’ It was Dave Bull, CEO of HSH, A.K.A.D.

“We have found out that HHH have been sending they’re agents to a specific place! Now they’re wrecking it! Go to April 10, 1912, Southampton, England. Be at the dock on April 10, before 11:00 hours. You’ll know what to do when you get there. Prof, think about the date! What happened on it and you’ll understand. Sorry, no time to give you more info….” He handed Professor some tickets. Then his image blinked off.

“First, what’s an A.H.H.R?” asked Bat Duck.

“It’s an ‘All Historical Heroes report’ signal! D told me all about the systems and workings of HSH. Ok, now, let’s go…” said Professor, pressing a few buttons. The time machine zoomed off.

“OH! MY GOSH!” cried the Professor.

“What?” chorused Bat Duck and Piggy.

“It’s the date when the Titanic set off! He wants us to get onto the Titanic!” said Professor. Just then, they landed in a huge sunny place. Bat Duck climbed out, wearing her blender as her hair clip. She looked like a girl, wearing a frock. Piggy became a pet dog on a leash. Professor was wearing a black top hat and suit.
“Ok. Let’s board.” Professor said, and walked aboard. B.D and Piggy followed.

“Great. We have first class tickets. We’ll be closest to the deck, and can get out first, too.” Said Professor. They settled in, and the ship lurched and started. They couldn’t see any land for a few days, but finally they arrived at Cherbourg.

“It feels nice to finally see some land, doesn’t it?” Said Bat Duck.

“Yeah.” Said Professor. “Grunt.” Said Piggy. After sometime, the Professor announced, “Start making plans, because we’re due to sink tomorrow.”

“Yes. I think that they’re going to try and steer the Titanic towards the Ice Berg. There’s no point trying to make them escape, they’d drown. So Piggy, It doesn’t look like you’ll have much to do. Anyway, I’ll stand on the steering wheel, in invisible mode, and Quack, so they can’t steer it anywhere close to the Iceberg. Ok?” said Bat Duck.

“Grunt. Yes.” Said Piggy. Just then, they saw a man giving the life guards something to drink.

“Why, it’s sleeping draught. Sleeping draught contains-” Bat duck stopped one of Professor’s long lectures by interrupting.

”I think the HHH are going to make life guards sleep so they can’t help peopleand no one escapes or survives! Piggy, you try to wake them up with your smell tomorrow, okay?” said Bat Duck,going to the room,

“ Prof, put an alarm, since we have to wake up early tomorrow, and be sure to have the remote with you .” She said, as she lay in bed, drifting off to sleep. The remote was what made the time H.Q appear anywhere the professor was.

“Grunt….” Piggy also slept off.

“TRING! BRING!” the alarm rang at 2:00 the next morning.

“Piggy, get up! The ship is about to sink!” cried Bat Duck, changing into Super Hero mode. Piggy did the same. “Action stations, everyone.” Cried Bat Duck.She turned invisible and landed on the steering wheel, and QUACKED! Piggy turned on his smell next to the now sleeping lifeguards. “Grunt!” he was surprised as they didn’t wake up at his normal smell. He guessed it was a really strong sleeping draught, and turned on his worst smell. They woke up, and Piggy gave a signal for bat duck to stop. The ship hit the iceberg andstarted to sink. Soon the lifeguards were helping the people abandon the ship quickly. Once she was sure that everyone was safe, Bat duck took off.

“PROFESSOR! THE REMOTE!” she cried. The Professor pulled out the remote and pressed a button. The time HQ appeared.

“Climb in!” called Professor, and they scrambled in. “Teleport!’’ said Professor, and they landed in the 21st century. The HSH computer blinked on.

 “Good work. You’ll find your rewards in the closet.” Said D, and his image flickered and disappeared. They ran to the closet.

“Grunt!” Piggy said, as he opened his present. It was a voucher for Pig Feed from the local store.

“Awesome!” said Bat duck. She had a new cape and mask, pink with blue flowers. “Blow!” cried Professor. He had some Ice tea powder. “A cow does a frightening mission and comes back to find ice tea powder, when you are supposed to have coffee powder. Humph!” he said. Then, he found another packet under it, and a note.

 “Prof, look, it’s a note from the B,” said Bat duck.

Dear Prof Boofey,
This is actually good coffee powder, I had to hide it from D, you know how much he likes it, he would have taken it. Sorry if you were angry because you thought it was Ice tea powder.
- The B

“Great!” said Professor, and made two cups of coffee right away, as Bat Duck didn’t drink coffee. The B was a detective in HSH, The Bui. “Come on, time for milking! And you, go to eat your feed.” 

Said Molly, leading Boofey and Piggy away.“Well, I hope we have another adventure soon.” Sighed Bat Duck, waddling off.

The Story of Macau

Macau

When the Portuguese explorers landed on the coast of a little Chinese island, they saw an ancient little temple, far off the coast. They walked until they reached the tiny village on the island.

“What is this temple called?” the Portuguese questioned the local people.

“A- ma- kow,” the people of the island answered because the temple was named after the godess A-ma; and ‘kow’ in Chinese means ‘temple’.

“A-ma- co? What a name.” the Portuguese marveled.

“This place will now be called Amakow after the temple!” The Portuguese ordered. The local people, much in awe of these new people, obeyed. The government of China allowed the Portuguese to take over, provided they returned the island to them in 1999. The Portuguese agreed. The Portuguese then took over the island of Amakow.

From then on, the little island was called Amakow. As the time passed, Amakow became Macow. Then, the people began calling it Macau. Macau began to prosper under the Portuguese rule. The Portuguese ways and customs took over, but the ancient Chinese culture also stayed. This mixed culture became known as Macanese culture.

Even the people became one, called the Macanese. The Portuguese modernized and improved Macau. The little island soon became a huge port. The people became richer, the little village became a town, then a huge, bustling city. But then, the Portuguese had to leave Macau, in 1999.

The Chinese took over, and allowed the people to live as they were. The little, wild, forest covered island had become a great modern metro city.