Pandora’s box

I had been wondering aimlessly in the wilderness, with no memory of my past life, before reaching the place.

I saw the pretty, yellow mums growing in the salted ground. I guess miracles can happen. I saw the walls covered in ivy, as if they were hiding something. I saw the moss growing on trees to guide people and the milky way shining in the sky to guide beetles. I heard the laughter and chatter of children in the distance, a beautiful, heart-warming sound, unless you are on your own. I looked again at the walls covered in ivy, I wondered what they once stood for, when suddenly, I heard a noise. I looked up and I saw it.

A crow, standing on a worn out, wooden cross, near the ivy-covered walls. I slowly approached it and it suddenly flew away, to then land on the roof of those walls. I went near to it again, this time it didn’t move. I moved away the ivy, to discover a wooden door, they really were hiding something. I twisted the oxidised, iron doorknob and the door opened. I walked in to see a dark room, lightened only by a single ray of moonlight.

On a pedestal, there was a box. It was silver, studded with gemstones. As I reached for it, blinding, golden writing appeared on the wall.

“Pandora, protector of the curses” I read out loud.

A deep voice thundered “Pandora, creation of Hephaestus, dressed and taught by Athena, given beauty of Aphrodite, given the freedom of speech and named by Hermes.”

“All-gifted, all-giving” it continued. “Protect this with your life, it is your duty. Never open it or both you and the world will suffer.”

and the silence was broken. I was on my own, who had talked?

Suddenly, memories began flooding in. I remembered being created by Hephaestus. Clothed and taught needle work and weaving by Athena. I remembered Aphrodite, smiling down at me, “All women need beauty, darling” she said to me. Lastly, I remembered Hermes “Freedom of speech is a sacred gift. Use it wisely”.

And, before I knew it, he had named me. Pandora. The all-gifted, the all-giving.

I grabbed the box, it was quite light, I had expected it to be heavier. And then, I walked away. I left room, the ivy-covered walls, the crows, beetles and the chrysanthemums behind me, and I walked back to the wilderness.

I spent days looking at the box, wondering what was inside. Curiosity was killing me slowly. There was no way for me to know.

“Oh but there is” said a voice. It sounded almost like a whisper. Frightened, I stood up, holding the box.

“Who’s there?” I demanded. “Show yourself!”

And there it was. A serpent in the grass. Looking at me with his yellow eyes.

“You don’t need to fear me, Pandora”

“How…How do you know my name?” how was this possible? A talking serpent, who apparently could read minds was there, conversing with me.

“I know everything, Pandora, not only your name. I know that you want to open that box and I know what is inside.”

“What is inside then?” I asked, trying so hard not to give away that I was dying to know.

“Riches. Gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, emeralds… you name it, it’s inside.”

I believed him. At least, I wanted to. But why would the Gods call them curses?  Why would they not let me open the box, if that was all that was inside?

Then, I recognised him.

“You.” I bellowed. “I know who you are. You tricked Eve to eat that apple in the garden. You will not trick me.”

“Suit yourself.” said the serpent and slowly, it disappeared.

I stayed seated in the grass for what seemed like an eternity. Smelling flowers and turning them into a crown. Listening to birds sing and join them. Until the night came.

I fell asleep underneath an oak tree, with the box next to me, and for a while, I was safe.

But I guess that during the night, he had come back. The serpent I mean, for I was woken up by a strong wind, circling around my head.

The box had been opened. I quickly grabbed it and looked inside. Only hope was left underneath the lid, hope that I wouldn’t be punished for something I didn’t do. But I was.

I found myself kneeling in front of Aphrodite, Athena, Hermes and Hephaestus. I tried explaining that it wasn’t me, that I hadn’t opened the box, but it was all in vain. Hermes, with the gift of freedom of speech, had given me the ability to lie. I wasn’t, but how could they know that? So, I was banished to the room where I had first found the box, and I still remain there. I was stripped of my speech, beauty and knowledge. Only my name and thoughts remain with me.