“febold Feboldson” A Nebraskan Tall Tale

A Nation’s Strength by Ralph Waldo Emerson What makes a nation's pillars high And its foundations strong? What makes it mighty to defy The foes that round it throng? It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand Go down in battle shock; Its shafts are laid on sinking sand, Not on abiding rock. Is it the sword? Ask the red dust Of empires passed away; The blood has turned their stones to rust, Their glory to decay. And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown Has seemed to nations sweet; But God has struck its luster down In ashes at his feet. Not gold but only men can make A people great and strong; Men who for truth and honor's sake Stand fast and suffer long. Brave men who work while others sleep, Who dare while others fly... They build a nation's pillars deep And lift them to the sky. What is Emerson’s message? What kind of things/people does he suggest makes a nation strong? Do you agree with him about these things/people? Does American society believe that these people are heroes? Do you?

The Necessary Hero Why was Febold a necessary hero? What would his actions have provided those in Nebraska at the time? What types of heroes do we need in modern Nebraska? Modern America? The modern world?

Flash Fiction Tall Tale Febold Feboldson is an historic (fictional) Nebraskan hero. It is your turn to create modern Nebraska hero. You have 30 minutes to write a flash fiction tall tale about your new Nebraskan hero. Flash Fiction = story of extreme brevity (below 300 total words) We will share a few of these during class.

Remember: Elements of a Tall Tale A larger-than-life, or superhuman, main character with a specific job. A problem that is solved in a funny way. Exaggerated details that describe things as greater than they really are. Characters who use everyday language. Written in 1st person (uses “I”). Some legendary figures are real people. There are more tall tales involving American baseball player Babe Ruth than could fill a book.