Date:         Tue, 15 Apr 1997 08:15:22 EDT
From: "strange tinks go bump in the night..." <mbarker@MIT.EDU>
Organization: Argus, Inc.
Subject:      EXERCISE: Mythological Extension

On an episode of Xena, Warrior Princess (hopefully I have the title
correct) which I saw recently, there was an interesting little bit of
business.

Essentially, the story extended the mythological story of Pandora by
the simple device of having the box require daily resetting of the lock.
In case you've forgotten, Pandora caught the hope of mankind in the box,
so her granddaughter was forced to constantly carry the box around and
every day do a little work to make sure that hope wasn't lost.

What a beautiful little extension or addition to the myth!  The notion
that every day we have to do some work to make sure that hope doesn't
escape or get lost, turned into a concrete part of the tale through
adding a little detail to the box (a time lock that requires regular
attention--and we'll ignore the anachronism, if you please).

And that's the challenge.  Take a mythological tale, then extend it a
bit.  Your choice as to whether the story (poem, essay, etc.) which
reveals the extension is contemporary, passe, or even quite futuristic.

If you don't remember a myth, let me see...pick a number from one to
six, please?

1.  Latona and the Rustics
    Wherein Latona, bearing twin dieties, begged a drink of water at
"this pond of clear water, where the country people were at work
gathering willows and osiers."..."but these clowns persisted in their
rudeness; they even added jeers and threats of violence if she did not
leave the place." and sure enough..."their backs are green, their
disproportioned bellies white, and in short they are now frogs and dwell
in the slimy pool."

2.  Minerva and Arachne
    Wherein Arachne "filled her canvas with similar subjects,
wonderfully well done, but strongly marking her presumption and
impiety." ... "[Arachne] could not endure [her guilt and shame] and went
and hanged herself.  Minerva pitied her as she saw her suspended by a
rope." and so Minerva transformed her into a spider.

3.  The Tale of Arion, the Poet
    Who set sail for Sicily to compete, was thrown overboard by the
sailors (who wanted to steal his wealth) but was allowed to sing one
last time before jumping.  The dolphins, wooed by the beauty of his
song, saved him and set him ashore.  "He journeyed on, harp in hand,
singing as he went, full of love and happiness, forgetting his losses
and mindful only of what remained, his friend and his lyre."  And when
Periander (King of Corinth) confronted the sailors..."He lives, the
master of the lay!  Kind Heaven protects the poet's life.  As for you, I
invoke not the spirit of vengeance; Arion wishes not your blood.  Ye
slaves of avarice, begone!  Seek some barbarous land, and never may
aught beautiful delight your souls."

    [stories taken from Bulfinch's Mythology, Thomas Bulfinch, Airmont
Publishing Company]

4.  Holle, Holda, Hoide.  "The Frau Holle of German folklore was the
German lunar goddess of witches and sabbath.  In summer she was to be
surprised bathing in forest streams, while in winter she shook down the
snowflakes from the trees."

5.  Adapa "A sage of Eridu...while fishing, the south wind capsized his
boat, and in his fury he broke the wings of the wind, which ceased to
blow. Anu summoned him to appear for punishment. ... Anu offered him the
bread and water of life but he refused, thus losing forever immortality
for men."

6.  Aiwel "founder of the hereditary priesthood known as the Spear
Masters by the Dinka people of the upper Nile.  Aiwel's mother conceived
him by allowing the waters of the river to enter her after her own
husband died.  From early childhood Aiwel possessed the ability of a
Spear Master to make his word come true, no matter what the
consequences."

Other sources of mythology?  There's Joseph Campbell, for example.

Feel free to use other myths or tales, but remember--extend the basic
premise.  Stretch it into a metaphor that teaches us, that reaches us.

And write!
tink

(if by any chance you're not sure who Pandora is, go reread the myth.
Or you could try this exercise
http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/exercises/exer960308.txt or maybe this
one http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/exercises/m027376.txt :)