Pandora's Box
Once upon a time, high above the clouds, where only mighty rulers lived, Zeus, the greatest of them all, was talking with two twins: Epimetheus and Prometheus. Prometheus was the wiser of the twins; he was clever and smart, unlike his brother. Epimetheus was a bit reckless and very naive.
— You need to eat more! Just look at these muscles! Don't you want to be strong like me? — Well, I don't think I want to become that strong. I mean, I like myself just the way I am now. How about you, Promi? — No, no, I think like my brother too. — At least try to be stronger, though you'll never be as strong as me. You don't even have my power. — Speaking of power, I'd love for you to give me a little bit of that fire, you know, so I can give it to humans. It would be very useful to them. — What? Why would I give something as wonderful as fire to some fools? They'd set the whole world on fire. — But the poor people are cold on chilly nights and when winter comes, brrr! — I don't care. Talk to Apollo. He handles the sun. — But Zeus, you have no idea how much it could help us. Couldn't you give us a little bit of this fire of yours? — No! My mind is made up. Humans will not receive fire.
When he heard this, Epimetheus was very disappointed, but Prometheus was very angry. The next day, Zeus was looking down at the world and, suddenly, he saw fire burning near a man's house. He became terribly furious.
— Fire! Where did that man get fire?
Looking further, he saw Prometheus giving fire to the humans.
— Prometheus! Prometheus! Come here immediately! — Oh, no, no!
Prometheus went to Zeus, who stood before him like an angry giant.
— I told you not to give them fire! Why did you steal the fire, Prometheus? — Actually, I didn't steal the fire, I took it from Apollo, who gladly gave it to me. Humans suffer every night, and a little warmth would help them, Zeus. Do you want them to suffer?
Zeus didn't know what to say. He was angry, indeed, but he knew Prometheus was right. Later that day, Zeus paced nervously around his room, fuming.
— What can I do? Prometheus must be punished. But how? He'll open his mouth and start spouting dry verses, and the others will take his side.
Thinking it over, he realized that Epimetheus was a much easier target.
— That foolish brother will be easy to trick, but I must make sure no one finds out my plan.
So he asked for a woman to be made from clay.
— She will be human, and make sure she is the most beautiful woman in the world. — Very well, Your Highness, but may I ask why you are creating her? — Well, I want a daughter, someone to fill the palace with laughter and happiness. — How sweet! I will make her the most beautiful, and every time she smiles, she will fill your heart with much... — Yes, yes, just make her already!
After the girl was created, she was very beautiful, and her eyes sparkled like stars.
— Oh, Athena, what a wonderful dress! — I'm glad you like it, my dear. It was woven from silver threads. — I'm going to see how it shines in the sun. — What a lovely girl! But Zeus, why did you create her? — Uh, well, I wanted to give her to Epimetheus as a wife. He's a lonely boy. He needs someone to love him, don't you think? — Oh, how sweet! Well, Epimetheus will like her very much.
Poor Athena didn't know what Zeus was planning.
— Pandora, my dear, I'm going to see someone. Do you want to come with me? — Of course, Father! Where are we going? — Well, I'm meeting a man named Epimetheus. He's a very decent man, kind and very nice.
On the way, Zeus talked a lot about Epimetheus, hoping to impress Pandora. Pandora was indeed impressed by what she heard, and as soon as she saw him, she fell in love with him.
— Hello, Epimetheus! Is Prometheus home? — Uh, no, he's out. — Perfect! Epimetheus, I introduce you to my dear daughter, Pandora.
Epimetheus was amazed by Pandora's beauty.
— She's very beautiful! — Oh, I knew I forgot something. How about you two chat for a bit? I'll come back to pick you up, Pandora.
And saying that, Zeus returned to the palace.
— Well, now I'm sure those two will fall madly in love. Everything is going according to my plan.
Later that day, when he went to pick up Pandora, he found the two gazing longingly at each other.
— Oh, Father, Father, I really like Epimetheus! I want to marry him! — Pandora, wait, not like that! — Fantastic! Huh? Let's have the wedding tomorrow! — Yay!
And so, the next day Pandora and Epimetheus were married.
— Oh, my daughter, Pandora! And I've only had you for one day!
As the day passed, Pandora prepared to go to Epimetheus's house.
— Pandora, my dear, take this box with you and guard it well. And Epi, you take care of the key. Remember never to open it, for many troubles will befall mankind.
The two were very puzzled but agreed. Over the days, Pandora explored more and more of Epimetheus's house.
— Hmm, I've seen almost this entire huge place. I haven't explored only that box my father gave me. I'll ask Epimetheus for the key.
However, when she asked for it, Epimetheus refused her. No matter how much she begged him, he continuously refused.
— I will give you anything you wish. Just don't ask for that!
Pandora was very nervous, so one day, when Epimetheus wasn't home, she stole the key from his room and opened the forbidden box.
— It's just a wedding gift. Surely it can't be that bad. Let's see what's inside! Oh!
When she opened the box, a swarm of bugs flew out of it. There were so many that they looked like a black cloud. Pandora quickly closed the box, frightened.
— What? What are you? — We are all the bad things in the universe. Hatred, greed, selfishness, sadness. We've been locked in that box for so long, but now we've escaped. Finally, we will spread throughout the world. Ha ha ha!
And they flew out the window, disappearing.
— Oh, what have I done?
When Epimetheus returned, he heard Pandora crying bitterly.
— My dear, what happened?
Pandora told Epimetheus everything, and he began to worry.
— Well, what can we do? I don't know how to help. — I can help you! Let me out and I will help you! — Who are you? How can we let you out? You could be evil too! — No, no, I'm not! Let me out and I'll tell you who I am!
Therefore, hesitating, Pandora and Epimetheus opened the lid. A small, luminous bug came out of the box.
— Thank you for freeing me! My name is Hope, and I will help you! — Hope? Maybe that's good. If people hope for better, then the world can be saved. But you need help.
And so, she divided hope into many parts.
— Ah, that's all I can do. Go into the world and save everyone! — Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!
And they all went into the world of humans, spreading hope everywhere. Over the years, evil spread everywhere, but hope did too.
— Oh, I hope nothing happens to my sisters! My dear, well, it seems your sister will be fine. And you need a little hope too. You are my sister, you are strong like me. I know you'll recover. — Oh, sister? Oh!
While hope was working its magic on Earth, Zeus was using his magic high above the clouds.
— Oh, why did I give that idiotic box to Pandora? I didn't think through the consequences. — Your Highness, evil has possessed some people in Asia. You must go there to help them. — Your Highness, in Western Europe, evil is spreading everywhere. We must do something! — Your Highness! — Oh, no!
Poor Zeus had done it with his own hand. Now it depended only on hope.
— Ah, come on, Hope! — I am at your service!
The moral of the story: Even in the darkest moments, there is always hope.
