Story: Happily Ever After

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“Welcome everyone and thank you for tuning it to America's number one reality show, "Happily Ever After" the show where real couples compete to see if their marriage can withstand the test of time. My name is Jimmy Weston and I'll be your game show host. Lets meet our contestants!" 

“Coming all the way from the west coast are Mike and Monica Jones. This couple has been married for three years and they want to make sure their relationship will last all of the bumps life throws at them. Mike is a professor at UCLA and Monica works in advertising. Can this high profile couple show that competitive nature is what it takes to make it to the top?”

 

                                Mike and Monica, Contestants on Happily Ever After. Web Source

“Our next couple comes from the rainy region of Seattle. Everyone welcome William and Jordan. These two lovebirds are avid adventures that enjoy hiking and yoga. William is a dentist and Jordan owns her own fitness studio. Can this couple show that different minds can work together?"

 

                              William and Jordan, Contestants on Happily Ever After. Web Source

“Our last couple comes to us from the plains of Texas. Everyone please welcome Daniel and Erica. Daniel and Erica both work in the agricultural fields and they both enjoy watching movies and going to concerts. Can this couple prove that opposites don’t attract?”

                               Daniel and Erica, Contestants on Happily Ever After. Web Source

“These couples will have to successfully complete each round in order to gain enough points to move into the finals. The challenges these couples will face today will show them whether or not they are destined to live their Happily Ever After”

Round One: Two Birds Sitting in a Tree

In round one the couples are taken to a local zoo where they were forced to answer riddles. These riddles acted as clues at lead them to the next location. Let me give you a rundown on what each couple did, remember in order to be successful in this challenge and in marriage the couples must learn to listen to each other and brainstorm together to complete the challenge.

Mike and Monica: The Powerhouse

Mike and Monica started out very strong in this challenge. They made it to the elephant enclosure where the first clue was hidden. When it came time to solve the riddle, rather than fighting they worked together and pulled their knowledge to find the finish line at the antelope enclosure. Overall we give their team work an 8/10.

William and Jordan: Tranquil Warriors

William and Jordan, the tranquil warriors, started out very strong. Their first clue leads them to the leopard pit. As they started to work on the first riddle they began arguing about which answer was right, should they go to the lion habitat or the antelope enclosure. In the end they listened to each other and made it to the antelope enclosure. For their rough start and fantastic ending we gave them a 6/10.

Daniel and Erica: Double Trouble

Team Double Trouble, Erica and Daniel started out on the wrong foot. This similar duo had a hard time even finding their first riddle. When they were torn between two choices, the split up and went different ways because each thought they were right. Neither of them made it to the antelope enclosure. Because of their failure to complete the course they are out of the running to have their Happily Ever After.

Round Two-Dinner for Two

As round two began the remaining two couples began to feel the pressure to win. The winning couple from this round will go home with the perfect honeymoon package for two, including first class tickets to Hawaii and an all expenses paid trip. For this round the couples really must listen to each other and work together to get the final prize. The couples were taken to a five star restaurant. Here they needed to work together to make a three course meal including appetizer, entrée and dessert. The couple with the highest score leaving this round will win the game.

Here’s a recap of what happened:

Mike and Monica: The Powerhouse

Mike and Monica had a rough start. They were unfocused about what they should cook, but quickly pulled a menu together using both of their favorite foods. Their tactic throughout the show has been to listen to each other about their ideas and wants. It was strong strategies that lead to strong results. At the end of the challenge they got a score of 9/10, which gave them an overall score of 17. They are by far the crowd favorites going into this last round.

William and Jordan: Tranquil Warriors

William and Jordan had an easy start. They were calm and collected when preparing the menu for tonight’s meal, however things quickly changed when William burned the entrée. Jordan, rather than being supportive blamed it on William. While the couple finished the challenge their burned entree and constant fighting gave them a low score of 5/10. Giving them an overall score of 11.

Our winners tonight are Mike and Monica. They worked together and used the power of communication and listening to win their Happily Ever After. We have no doubt that they will go on to live happy lives together, now for the other two couples, we aren’t so sure. Well, that is it for tonight’s show, remember anyone can have a Happily Ever After it just takes work.

Author’s Note: My story was based on Richard Dennett’s story, “Folklore of the Fjort.” His stories are comprised of little mini stories that originated out of the Congo. In the stories, they use animals to show lessons on marriage and wealth. Each of the challenges my couples faced represented challenges that the characters endured in the original stories. I wanted to make an modern retelling of the lessons to help people in relationships learn how to communicate and work together.

Bibliography: Notes on the Folklore of the Fjort by Richard Edward Dennett (1898).