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MSA, formerly known as "My Story Animated," is a dynamic YouTube channel that brings real-life stories to life through engaging and visually captivating animations. Specializing in personal drama, emotional journeys, and life-changing experiences, MSA transforms viewers' submissions into powerful animated narratives that resonate deeply with its audience. Each video tackles a wide range of topics, including relationship struggles, overcoming adversity, and self-discovery, making it a platform where real-life events are depicted with creativity and authenticity.
The channel's content is crafted to be relatable and inspirational, offering viewers a blend of entertainment and life lessons. Through animated storytelling, MSA explores complex social dynamics, personal growth, and the challenges of everyday life, providing viewers with stories that are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.
**Disclaimer:** The stories presented on this channel are based on personal submissions and are animated for entertainment purposes. While the narratives are inspired by real events, the characters and specific details may be fictionalized to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The opinions and experiences expressed in the videos are those of the individuals submitting the stories and do not necessarily reflect the views of MSA. Viewer discretion is advised.
MSA, formerly known as "My Story Animated," is a dynamic YouTube channel that brings real-life stories to life through engaging and visually captivating animations. Specializing in personal drama, emotional journeys, and life-changing experiences, MSA transforms viewers' submissions into powerful animated narratives that resonate deeply with its audience. Each video tackles a wide range of topics, including relationship struggles, overcoming adversity, and self-discovery, making it a platform where real-life events are depicted with creativity and authenticity.
The channel's content is crafted to be relatable and inspirational, offering viewers a blend of entertainment and life lessons. Through animated storytelling, MSA explores complex social dynamics, personal growth, and the challenges of everyday life, providing viewers with stories that are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.
**Disclaimer:** The stories presented on this channel are based on personal submissions and are animated for entertainment purposes. While the narratives are inspired by real events, the characters and specific details may be fictionalized to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The opinions and experiences expressed in the videos are those of the individuals submitting the stories and do not necessarily reflect the views of MSA. Viewer discretion is advised.
Category
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CreativityTranscript
00:00Have you ever had a dream so big it seemed impossible to reach?
00:04What should you do if nobody around believes in you?
00:07Or they try to take you down out of envy?
00:09Hi, I'm Wu Zikian, and my story takes place some 1,400 years ago in the Chinese Empire.
00:14Yet, I feel some things haven't changed much for us girls.
00:18The year I was born, a total sun eclipse darkened the sky.
00:22It was a sign of big changes, though at the time, nobody would have guessed
00:25that small, sweet Wu would be the one to make history.
00:29Growing up, life was good.
00:31I had two sisters and two older half-brothers from Dad's previous marriage.
00:35Our family was not part of the aristocratic class, but was very wealthy,
00:38which meant I didn't have to do any chores as we had staff taking care of daily activities.
00:43However, unlike other rich girls who mostly lazed off,
00:46Dad encouraged me to study from a young age.
00:49He soon realized just how smart I was, with a talent for poetry and public speaking.
00:53So he started to take me on business trips.
00:55I loved meeting new people, and asked lots of questions.
00:59Yes, I was a bit unusual as a kid, but my family was very proud of me.
01:03Well, except my brothers.
01:05Why are you studying again? You're just a girl!
01:08And?
01:09Your job is to get married and to have kids.
01:11Dad is wasting resources on you.
01:13Maybe he's afraid you'll never find a husband.
01:16And what's this?
01:17Oops!
01:18And with that, he spilled ink all over my notes.
01:20One day, you'll regret being so mean.
01:23I tried avoiding them as much as possible.
01:26But then, around the time I was 14, Dad got very ill and left us.
01:30Nothing was ever the same.
01:31My brothers started acting like the bosses of the family.
01:34Without Dad to keep them in check, they became rude to Mom,
01:37bullied my sisters, and were especially mean to me.
01:40Like the time I spent too much time with a friend and was late for my curfew.
01:43It was a rainy evening.
01:45I ran back home, but the front gates were already locked.
01:49No matter how much I yelled and banged on the doors, nobody could hear me over the wind and thunder.
01:54In the end, I crouched there all night until early morning.
01:57Mom found me crying and shivering.
01:59I'm so sorry, Wu.
02:00They told me you were back and sleeping.
02:02I should have checked.
02:03That little adventure gave me a cold so bad, I stayed in bed for a week.
02:08Without Dad, I felt powerless.
02:09I had to do something to change my fate, not only for me, but also for my mom.
02:14A chance presented itself when a beauty contest was held in town.
02:18The winner would be taken to serve at the palace.
02:20It was a huge deal and a way to gain respect and admiration.
02:24Mom was worried about my plan, and her fears came true when I won.
02:29Honestly, it wasn't that big of a surprise, being not only the prettiest girl in town, but also well-educated.
02:35My brothers just scoffed at the news and said they won't miss me.
02:38Typical.
02:39Mom helped me pack my things, and on the day of my departure, she cried as we hugged.
02:44Don't be sad, Mother.
02:45Who's to say it isn't my fate to meet the Emperor?
02:47And so, she understood.
02:49I wasn't going to the palace to escape my problems, no.
02:52I had a bigger plan.
02:54A hope to get noticed by the Emperor, maybe one day marrying into the royal family.
02:58Something to bring honor to my name.
03:00But my life in the palace started on the wrong foot.
03:03The Emperor took a quick glance at me and decided I'll be doing laundry?
03:07I didn't spend my childhood reading the classics and refining my calligraphy for this.
03:12One day, I was trying to get inside the palace library, but the guard wouldn't let me in, questioning if I could even read.
03:18Are you kidding?
03:19I was composing poetry at six.
03:21Give me some books or I'll report you to the Emperor.
03:24Just then, the guard went pale looking behind me.
03:26I turned and, oh my, the Emperor had heard it all.
03:30He seemed amused and I just doubled down, following him around the library all afternoon.
03:35By the end of the day, he was so impressed by my wit and education that he made me his secretary.
03:41Finally, that was my chance to work my way up the political ladder.
03:45Until, a decade later, nothing has changed.
03:47I'm a forgotten secretary.
03:49Then, the Emperor passed away and I got sent to a Buddhist convent to be a nun.
03:54All that time spent in the palace led nowhere.
03:57I even shaved my head.
03:58But not all was lost.
04:00You see, while I was living at the palace, I got close to the Emperor's youngest son, Lee.
04:04We met one random day when I was holding a bowl for him to clean his hands and he flicked some water at me.
04:10Offended by his childish behavior, I was ready to give him a lecture.
04:14His shy smile and cute face melted my rage.
04:17So refreshing.
04:18It's quite a warm day, isn't it?
04:20He laughed and we started chatting, quickly becoming friends.
04:23We were close in age and, unlike other officials, he was kind and humble.
04:28Easy to talk to.
04:29Do you ever regret coming to the palace?
04:31You probably miss your family.
04:32I do.
04:33Well, everyone except my brothers.
04:35Those two, I would vanish to the corner of the Empire, never to be seen again.
04:39Haha, I get that.
04:40My brothers either pretend I don't exist or act as if I'm beneath them.
04:44You think two are bad?
04:45Try living with 13.
04:46Can't you do something about them?
04:48You are a prince after all.
04:49Eh, it's just a title.
04:51You'll learn it in time.
04:52Having a title doesn't necessarily mean the same as having power.
04:56I knew what he meant.
04:57Li, being the youngest, had zero chances of succeeding his father.
05:01However, fate really had a sense of humor.
05:03Turned out, his brothers were so busy fighting each other over the title of crown prince that
05:08the emperor decided Li was the better candidate for the throne.
05:12And that's how my decade-long crush became the new emperor.
05:15He actually changed his name to Giaozang, but I'll keep calling him Li to avoid confusion.
05:19I was genuinely happy for him, even if my new status as nun meant we could never be together.
05:25One day, I wrote a poem about how much I missed him and took a chance sending it to the palace.
05:29Maybe he wouldn't even have time to read it, but I had to try.
05:32To my surprise, it worked and Li came to the temple.
05:36I got your letter.
05:37Is it true?
05:37Tears started rolling down my cheeks as I nodded.
05:41We hugged, and when it was time for us to part, I could see he was reluctant to do so.
05:45Could it be that my feelings were reciprocated?
05:48Indeed, he kept visiting.
05:49And one evening, I got a note saying I could grow my hair again.
05:53One year later, I was summoned back to the palace.
05:55There, I met Lady Wang, who was quite a big name in court.
05:59She was to become empress, having been chosen as a consort by Li's father himself.
06:04But that didn't mean things between them were all rosy and peachy.
06:08I had meetings all day, and when I finally got the chance to relax at dinner,
06:12Wang started talking about more political issues.
06:14It's the last thing I want during my free time.
06:17Is that why you're hiding in the stables with me?
06:20Not hiding, just surveying your work.
06:22Truly, some things never change.
06:24Li was the most powerful person in the Empire,
06:27yet his life was affected by so many people's influence and choices.
06:31I decided to be by his side the best I could.
06:34And in time, everyone started noticing how close we were, including Wang.
06:38That's when she showed her true colors.
06:40One afternoon, she invited me for tea.
06:43Tell me about your family.
06:44I heard your dad got lucky during the rebellion.
06:47But he wasn't aristocracy.
06:49My mom is.
06:50Ah, yes.
06:50And what did she accomplish?
06:52Only had daughters and is not well liked by her stepsons?
06:55How disgraceful.
06:56What is your point, Lady Wang?
06:58I'm just reminding you of your place.
07:01The only reason you've been called back was so the Emperor wouldn't have to visit that nunnery all the time.
07:06But do not be mistaken.
07:08You are not part of this world.
07:11And then, she started giving me so much work I couldn't keep up with it.
07:14And then complained about how lazy I was.
07:17Little did she know, I was used to palace drama.
07:20And was prepared to face much worse.
07:22One day, Li surprised me with a beautiful hairpin with pearls and small gold lotus flowers.
07:28I was walking back to my chambers holding the small present when I noticed Lady Wang scolding a maid for spilling some water on her dress.
07:35The poor girl ran with tears in her eyes, and I felt my blood boil.
07:40I knew what it meant to be beneath those of higher rank, both at home and at the palace.
07:44But then, I got an idea.
07:46I followed the maid and gave her the hairpin.
07:48Lady Wu, this is...
07:49I can't accept it.
07:50Sure you can.
07:51I want you to feel better.
07:52But I could never repay you.
07:54Just tell me the gossip you hear around the court.
07:56That's all I want.
07:57And so, I started befriending servants and lower officials in exchange for news.
08:02Soon, I had ears and allies everywhere.
08:05And that's how I found out Wang's envy ran deeper than anyone imagined.
08:09That night, I ran to Emperor Li.
08:11You have to come with me.
08:12Now, we silently walked through empty corridors, and I told Li to wait outside as I marched into Wang's chambers.
08:18There, as the informer said, she was performing some sort of ritual with a voodoo doll shaped like me.
08:24I knew you were a witch.
08:26But this?
08:27Why stoop so low?
08:28Why?
08:28You spend too much time with the Emperor.
08:31I have to stop you.
08:32Just then, Li walked into the room.
08:34Lady Wang, I'm very disappointed.
08:36You are far from the noble woman I thought I'd marry.
08:39She threw herself on her knees, begging for forgiveness.
08:43But it was no use.
08:44Witchcraft was a serious charge at the time, so Li banished her from the palace.
08:48Soon after that, Li confessed his feelings, and I was made the official consort, the new Empress.
08:54But, as Li said years ago, a title alone doesn't mean power.
08:59And that became clear to me while I kept listening to the Emperor's meetings with his advisors.
09:03I sat, as usual, in a small room behind a curtain of pearls, voicing my opinion when needed.
09:09The times my husband was ill, he trusted me to make decisions in his place.
09:13And some of his officials were seriously offended by this.
09:16It feels like the woman behind the curtain is the one actually running the state.
09:20I thought this is even beyond the palace walls.
09:23Truly unacceptable.
09:25Behind their protests, there was nothing but envy for the fact I was becoming more and more influential in court.
09:32And try as they might, they couldn't stop me.
09:34Some years later, Li and I took a vacation to my hometown, which turned into days of feast and celebration.
09:41I had finally brought honor and status to my family.
09:45One evening, during a family dinner, Mom brought up the topic with my brothers.
09:48Aren't you grateful for everything Wu did for us?
09:51She just got lucky. Wu's not special, her husband is.
09:55Also, we never asked for the high ranks she gave us.
09:58Mom flew into a rage, and the next day, came to the palace to meet me.
10:03Maybe it's time to give them a lesson, Your Highness.
10:06And so, I sent them to govern a faraway province where they couldn't bother my mother anymore.
10:11It seems like, at every turn, I was reminded how my accomplishments were never enough because I was a woman.
10:17But what if I could use that to my advantage?
10:19Was there a way to stand out from other empresses?
10:22The answer was feng shen, a religious ceremony.
10:25It involved gathering our entire court, leaders and aristocrats from neighboring countries, staff, and an entire army.
10:32And all together, do a pilgrimage to a sacred mountain.
10:35It was extremely expensive, and only six emperors out of 300 could afford it.
10:40Also, I added a small twist to it.
10:43After much planning, I brought up the idea to Li and the council.
10:46Our borders are safe, the economy is good, people are pleased.
10:49I think we've earned it.
10:50That is true, but Your Highness, we cannot allow the empress to perform the second ritual.
10:55It is for us officials to do.
10:57Oh, I knew they'd say that.
10:59Your Highness, the emperor makes offerings at the top of the mountain to heaven, which represents masculine energy.
11:05At the bottom, the offerings are made to earth, which is feminine.
11:09It makes more sense for a woman to do it.
11:11Li agreed and fired the advisor who opposed me, sending a clear message to the rest of them.
11:16And so, we gathered thousands of people and traveled for months to Mount Tai.
11:21I performed the rituals along with my husband, and we ended the procession with a huge banquet.
11:27And with that, I secured my place in history.
11:29Years went by.
11:31Li and I governed as a team, but slowly, his health started deteriorating.
11:35Everyone at court knew his time was near.
11:37As I sat at his bedside, we held hands, till slowly, his got cold.
11:41I wanted to mourn, cry, and give up.
11:44But everything we built together would have crumbled if I did so.
11:47The council wanted my son on the throne, but he wasn't as capable as me, and would have been a puppet to the advisors.
11:53So why give up power and risk the empire's stability, when I could rule it just fine?
11:57Only because I was a woman?
11:59That never stopped me before.
12:00And so, I did what I was good at, securing the throne and winning allies.
12:05At one point, some ex-officials started a rebellion against me.
12:09One of them wrote an entire manifesto making up all kinds of stories about me.
12:13It was read in court, and at the end, everyone was silent.
12:16Until I bursted out laughing.
12:20Who wrote that?
12:21So creative.
12:22We should have kept him.
12:23My army defeated the rebels swiftly, and then, I addressed the council with an ultimatum.
12:28If anyone here thinks they are more capable than me, speak now.
12:32Otherwise, pledge your loyalty.
12:34My opponents stepped down one by one, until eventually, I was crowned as the first female emperor.
12:40The only time in history it ever happened.
12:43Other women have tried to rule as wives or widows, whispering in their son's or husband's ear.
12:47But none had the official title and absolute power.
12:51For another 15 years, I skillfully led my people.
12:55Try as they might, not even my greatest opponents could deny the fact I was a good leader.
13:00They attacked my character, painting me as a power-hungry, ruthless woman.
13:04But never once criticized my governing skills.
13:07Truly, my greatest flaw was my audacity to play the power games of men and win.
13:14Today, historians keep uncovering the remnants of my empire's riches and culture.
13:18I wanted to make China the greatest empire in the world, and under my guidance, at the time, it was.
13:24So don't let the circumstances you were born with determine who or what you can be.