ITEM #1: Your Voice

Jonathan Flaum’s Finding Your Howl Part I is a very symbolic and meaning story of finding your identity and purpose in life. The story begins with the only 14 remaining red wolves being taken into captivity. For an experiment, the wolves’ offspring we released into the wild. Everything was fine except the wolves did not know how to howl. Without a howl the wolves could not have an alpha wolf to lead and protect the pact. All of the wolves were very scared and wanted to go back into captivity, expect for one wolf named Mumon who refused to go back. Mumon went on a journey to find his howl and soon encountered a deer. The deer questioned Mumon’s strength and knowledge about hunting, but Mumon attacked the deer anyway. Feeling bad about the deer, Mumon went on and found a raven. The raven also talked to him and gave him advice saying “Your mark is on everything you touch”. Mumon then came across a farmer who then shot and killed him. In Mumon’s final moments on earth he reaching inside himself and finds a howl. His howl is then heard by the rest of the pack who then howl back at him.

This story is very symbolic and shows us that we must not be afraid to venture out and be ourselves. It tells us that we should not be ashamed of who we are and what we do. One of my favorite lines from this story is from the deer who says “When you are hungry enough for it, it will be there”. I believe this quote can almost summarize the entire story. We must work hard and not be afraid to do what me have to do and not be ashamed, embarrassed or sad.

After reading this story, I found that I could relate it to one of my favorite song Who I Am by Jessica Andrews (see lyrics below). I really like this piece because it tells us that no matter what we are who we are. Like the previous story, it show us that we should not let little things like being sad or ashamed get in the way of doing what we need to do. This will help us become who we are truly meant to be. I find that I can personally relate to this piece because I have previously struggled with finding myself and who I am. This song has taught me that no matter what I am going through or what I think I must do I always have my family and friends who define who I am.

I am Rosemary's granddaughter

The spitting image of my father

And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan

Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy

But I've got friends that love me

And they know just where I stand

It's all a part of me

                  And that's who I am