clel3ra_: This is my first attempt at greek mythology which I am rather interested in so please be gentle..(~^) More importantly, I'm considering to put this in for my portfolio so feedbacks are welcomed and much appreciated. Thank you!

PANDORA'S URN

Long, long ago, when the world was still young, there was a parentless child names Epimetheus.

He had a playfellow who he greatly adored, with soft curls of earth brown hair and eyes as bright as the evening stars. Her name was Pandora.

In the home of Epimetheus was an exquisitely crafted urn bounded with gold cords. It had carvings of beautiful figures laughing merrily and hypnotizing serpentine creatures. Pandora had often asked what was within it and he would reply "beloved Pandora, leave it be. That knowledge is not for you and me." However she was always an inquisitive child and when he forbade her from going near it, her curiosity became insatiable. She knew deep inside her little heart that something wonderful was inside.

The next day as the light of dawn touched the sky, she went to a valley farther off than the land they usually played in. She had heard from a pretty songbird that an apple tree bearing golden fruits grew there. So she walked away from the fields that she was familiar with, away from the flowers that she sang to and away from her dear playmate, Epimetheus. She walked until her leather sandals wore out and sweat adorned her brow. Finally, when the colours of night began painting the sky, she came to a beautiful garden that was clearly a creation of the gods. For a moment, a feeling of apprehension filled her and she felt the impulse to run back to the comfort of her home.

But she was determined to find out what was inside that urn.

Little Pandora then crept into the garden down a path made from thousands of gems. She was ever careful, for Eleus help her if she was seen or caught. When she heard the voices of three women, she quickly hid in the bushes, holding in her whimpers when the twigs snared against her fair skin and dress. The voices paused.

"Pandora! Come out from there, dear."

You could not imagine the fear that went through that little girl at that instant. The consequences for trespassing on a god's land were punishable by many horrible ways.

Another voice intervened, "Don't even think about running. You know we can catch you easily."

Tears fell from her eyes and she started to shake uncontrollably. Slowly, she crawled out of the bushes and stood on her feet.

"That's right, Pandora. Now look up. It's not polite to look at the ground when your elders are talking to you. You did the right thing, girl, by not running away."

"Hah! As if anyone could escape from the Fates."

At the name of the three great goddesses who weave the threads of destiny that controlled every being's life, Pandora's legs weakened and she fell to her knees. When she lifted her head, she saw them. Clotho the weaver, Lachesis the lot-caster and Atropus the inevitable.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to…I'm sorr-"

"Hush, little one. We knew you would be here. Afterall, it is in your destiny."

"And my, what a destiny it is…"

"Quiet, Lachesis! You are too crude at times."

"But Atropus, I am merely stating the truth."

"You know better than to reveal such knowledge to anyone."

"My sisters, please. Let us just give little Pandora what she came for and send her on her way."

Pandora did not understand anything that was happening until Clotho plucked an apple from the branch hanging above their heads and handed it to her. She looked at the golden fruit in her hand and back at the Fates.

"Now run, run home, dear. Epimetheus is worrying his heart out for you."

"Make sure you tell this to no one, girl."

She got on her feet once again and took off.

"Farewell, Pandora- she who will be the downfall of man."

"Lachesis!"

She paid no heed to what the final Fate had said, which was fortunate, for foresight often changes one's decision and then our story would end differently. All that was on her mind was to go back to her home and Epimetheus. She slept when she needed to and ran when she did not. By dawn, she had arrived at his doorstep, tired and bedraggled. The last sight she saw was the expression on her playfellow's features and the last sound she heard was his shocked exclamation before she fainted in his arms. On the third day, she woke up and found herself in her bed. Had it really been a dream?

But it cannot be, for there was Epimetheus holding onto the golden apple that she had strived so hard to get.

"Where did you get this, Pandora? It's beautiful."

"Do you want it, friend of my heart?"

Finally tearing his eyes away from it, Epimetheus looked at Pandora in wonder.

"You would really give it to me?"

"What will you give me in return?"

Looking back at the apple, he answered "Oh, anything, my dearest Pandora. Anything you want."

She pretended to ponder for a moment, "Will you give me that?"

Hesitation entered his eyes when he realized that she was pointing at the urn.

"Will nothing else satisfy you, Pandora? Must it be that?"

"Well then, if you don't want to. Give me my apple back."

"No, it's not that. It's just-"

"No, I don't think I want it anymore. My apple, please."

The apple mesmerized Epimetheus so much that he lost his senses and grabbed the urn, pushing it into Pandora's hands. "Here! Take it. It's yours."

Pandora could not believe it. Finally, she held the urn! What more it was hers to do as she please. She could barely hold in her curiosity and untied the knots of gold cord. Meanwhile, Epimetheus peeked at her from the corner of his eye. Although he said very little about it, he had his own share of curiosity to know what was inside the urn. He waited with bated breath as the gold cords fell to the ground. For the time being, his precious golden apple was forgotten.

As Pandora raised the lid, a swarm of winged creatures flew out of it on winds made of all the monstrous sounds imaginable to man. The combination of it was so frightful that it reduced the two children to tears and try as they may, they could not shut the lid. If you wish to know what these ugly things were which had made their escape from the urn, I must tell you that they were the whole family of earthly trouble. For unknown to Pandora and Epimetheus, they had unleashed the seven deadly sins onto the land. And the whole of humanity would pay for their deed.

The first was known as Envy. Envy manifested herself into one of two close friends. Adonia was fair and beautiful and her close friend, Desma was no less. But as Desma watched Adonia talking animatedly to some boys, she felt the growing presence of Envy in her heart. "There is nothing so beautiful about Adonia, my dear Desma. You are by far much fairer," came the whispers of Envy. With that thought, Desma convinces herself that Adonia is more popular because she is cheap and began to spread vicious rumors about the innocent Adonia. Even though she pretends to comfort Adonia when she cries due to the rumors, she silently waits for the day that Adonia will fall from her glory.

The second deadly sin proudly calls himself Wrath. As he traveled, he noticed a young teenage boy by the name of Kiron. He sees another boy accidentally fall on Kiron's beloved plants, instantly killing some. "A perfect opportunity", he says smiling to himself. As the other boy apologizes profusely, Wrath engulfs Kiron. Kiron who took no notice of the boy's apologies starts shouting and proceeds to hit the boy. The boy falls to the ground and injures himself. When the boy's parents seek an explanation from Kiron's family, Kiron is too blinded by Wrath and refuses to apologize. In the end, causing two families to be separated by hate and anger.

The third sin is Lust. She wrapped her fingers around a young girl called Iris whom was interested in a dashing young man. Iris did not heed her parents' advice to be wary of him. She felt as if she has been swept off her feet by his presence. It did not matter that she did not know him that well, it was love at first sight, she thought. Lust practically laughed at this comment. To mistaken her for love? This foolish girl had to be taught a lesson. By the time he showed her a little interest, Iris willing gave herself up to him, mind, body and soul.

Sloth was the fourth sin among the seven. He chose the only son of a farmer's family to be his vessel. He crept into the body of Athos every time his aging father asked him to help at the fields or when his mother needed him. He would pretend to be asleep or could even make up some creative from of excuse. If you ask whether he knew the fact that his family's business is poor, your guess is as good as mine. But one thing is for sure, he did not do anything to help.

Gluttony and his brother Greed are almost alike. However, Gluttony prefers food while Greed prefers wealth. Gluttony enters the body of a young boy, Hamon and indulges excessively in the food cooked by his mother. When he is done, only an insufficient amount is left for his many brothers and sisters. "It is no concern of mine", he said. "I have already eaten my fill." When Gluttony reappear Greed claps his hands at his brother's magnificent display and said, "Now, watch me!" Greed climbs into the body of a tax collector. The tax collector collects more than he should, claiming the tax has increased. A person of authority, who would dare argue? He then, keeps the extra amount for himself. When Greed rejoins his brother, they both laugh whole- heartedly.

Pride is the seventh and last sin but by no means is she the least. She shadows one of the upper class women of the village, Atlanta. Atlanta was in a heated debate with one of the villagers. Pride spoke into her mind, "You are much higher educated than this common villager. How can you be wrong?" Atlanta was convinced she is not wrong; there is no point even considering the words of this lowly common villager.

By the fault of both the children, troubles are among us and it doesn't seem likely to be drive away in a hurry. Both of them were sobbing as if their heart would break.

As the howls and screams began to die away, Pandora found out she could close the lid. She had enough and slammed it shut. What had she done? Suddenly, there was a tap from the inside and a gentle voice began humming from within. Seeing the look of indecision on her face, Epimetheus stood beside Pandora and placed his hand on top of hers. Together they opened the lid a second time.

A bright light filled the room and a soothing voice resounded in their minds.

"I am Hope, children. I am the dream of souls when they are awake. When the world tells you "Give up." I will be there to whisper "Try one more time."

Pandora and Epimetheus had stopped crying and begged the beautiful being to stay with them.

The voice replied "Whenever you need me, and that is as long as you live. I will be with you. Even when you think I have gone, and believed I shall never return, search deep inside yourselves and you will see… that I have never left."

Author's Note:

An interesting fact is that the golden apple in this story is similar to the apple mentioned in the Old Testament and the one in Greek Mythology, in a way that it caused the same consequence- which is the downfall of man. And Pandora is similar to Eve in the fact that in Greek Mythology and the Old Testament respectively, they were both considered as the first woman on earth.

*Eleus -the goddess that Pandora prayed to as she entered the garden was the Greek goddess of mercy and compassion.