故
=
古
+
攵
:
Mnemonic symbol: This character only appears in 做, so we don't need a strong mnemonic symbol. We should be able to refer to 故 when we think of 故事 or 故意. Because it fits nicely to its components, I'll think of it as in the meaning of 故墓, an old grave.
故
=
古
+
攵
:
There is an ancient cloister in the space station's bathroom, and Gitta Giraffe once heard a story from her fellow astronauts that there's an old tomb inside with lots of treasure. One day she can't hold herself back anymore and deliberately breaks the cloister open using a sledgehammer.
宅
=
乇
+
宀
:
Mnemonic symbol: hanging around at home playing video games. After graduating, James II of England (zh) stays at home all day (宅) playing video games in the airplane's kitchen (ai2) while wearing his graduation cap (宀). He plays a game where he has to yield a blade of grass (乇) to control the sword master in his video game.