Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo, the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho, with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house, come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise: draw near, and withal bestow grace upon my song.

Lights up on Hestia. Greek goddess of the hearth she is now alone and evidently cold. She has a scarf wrapped around her head and a pair of gloves on (preferably fingerless). She sits beside an electric heater, warming her hands. It should be made clear to the audience that she is very protective of this electric heater. She has a box of matches.

Hestia: (shouts to the heavens) Do you see me now Zeus? (Blows on her fingers, twists the dials of the heater) oh lord, oh lord. Why have you forsaken me?

I didn't want THIS. Oh by Hera, I did not. All of you sitting so comfortable on you clouds and me, HERE. And to think I volunteered!

Everyone loved me. Back then, everyone wanted me. I was their most constant, the glowing light of fire. The benevolent, loving warmth of the fire.

All the first sacrifices came to me, you hear that Zeus? I bet you couldn't stand that. But the people needed me. They needed me to live. They where my children and they loved me.

They love me...

It was my duty to protect them, and I did it. In their honour I gave up mine. I gave my seat with you in the heavens to that pretty boy, Dionysus, so I could tend to the sacred fire (gestures to the heater). They loved me for it. Every home had a shrine to me. The burning fire a reminder of their devotion and my love in return.

She warms her hands

Do you remember how Apollo used to look at me with his bright eyes? Oh the times he invited me to go with him and light the sky with my flame. He would beg me, impolere me. He said that the reason the fires where so warm was because of my radient smile and dark eyes. He said he loved me... he said he...

Music is heard very quietly in the distance

He said that to everyone. No, the people, they loved me. None of you did. Since the hearth is immovable, I was unable to take part even in the procession of the gods, let alone the other antics of you Olympians. I stayed behind and looked after the people. I cared for them. I LOVED them.

And you? You where always arguing with each other, over the most stupid things. I just couldn't take it any more.

None of you cared, none of you noticed. I was so fed up of you all complaining! We had a real chance to make the world better. Could we have listened to more prayers? This is all your fault. If you had helped, then they would have never lost faith. But no! You all had to go off, having your wonderful adventures, whilst I stayed behind and looked after the world. But I'm only one Goddess! I can't do this all on my own.

We let them down...

The music has got gradually louder and is now quite audible.

Hear that? Isn't it beautiful. How can such stupid and bland creatures create such wonderful things? They used to do it for us, but you never listened.

They've moved on. It's taken me so long to realize that. I have seen civilisations fall and be rebuilt. I have watched generations of men grow old. I've seen wars and weddings and funerals and births and...

I watched you die, Zeus. I saw you and the others give up. Once people stopped believing in you, you ceased to exist. You went to the very top of mount Olympus and there you died. Dead and forgotten. Who knows you now? Who remembers you? Where are you're feasts and public holidays? What new farce have the people invented to worship, instead of you?

Why couldn't you give them what they wanted. Would it really be that bad?

The music has faded away. VERY slowly the lights go down through the next part of the monologue

Will I be remembered? They can't live without me but... do they need me anymore. I've been holding on so long, but i'm so verry tried...

Look (she looks at the heater) they've even taken control of my gift to them. They can create fire themselves. They don't need me any more.

They haven't for a long time. But i've been holding on so long I can't let go...

She strikes a match

Look at it. When did this stop being beautiful? When did this stop being heavenly? When did they replace me with cold, heartless metal. I had a heart...

She strikes another match

Why did they forget this? I only ever wanted to look after them. I gave up everything for them…

and another

I just wanted to be loved. You never loved me. I never fitted in. you always thought I was too boring. The quiet one of your great celestial family. The bookish one. The one no-one cared about. The holy virgin- Zeus what was all that about? Is that all I'll be remembered for? Really? Is this- oh!

The match has burnt down to her finger and she drops it suddenly. There is now only a small spotlight on her face. She turns the match box over and reads…

Vesta- so I will be remembered. But as my Roman counterpart. Oh, I'm so tired I don't know why I'm still fighting.

She opens the box. There is only one match left. She takes it out and slowly makes the decision to strike it.

Its so very beautiful. Why did they forget?

The match burns

Can't we go back?

And burns

Can't we stay alive?

And burns, it is now the only light

Why don't they love me any more..?

Why don't they need me..?

Love me

Please

The match goes out. There is darknes.

I'm so cold...

So, I could realy use some feed back on this; I know its far form prefect. Any ideas/ suggestions welcome, I know you guys are out there! Just press the review button. You know you want to... L x