PANDORA’S BOX

Social And Cross-Culture Interaction

A myth or legend is a story from ancient times.

It is mostly a story related to gods and goddesses.

For example, we have many myths related to Rama, Shiva, Ganga, Durga, Kali, Indra, Agni and others.

Here you’ll read a very popular Greek myth. It tells how things like grief, misery and hope came to live with man on this earth.

Now get started!

It is a story of long time ago. The world was new at that time. Gods and men lived together on the earth. There was no pain and no sorrow. Everyone lived a happy life.

In those days, there was one named Epimetheus in Greece. He lived happily with his beautiful wife, Pandora.

One day they saw god Hermes coming towards them. He was carrying a large, ornate, wooden box. It seemed very heavy.

1. ornate

decorated in a rich way.
What’s in that box of yours?” asked Pandora.

“I can’t tell you,” replied Hermes, “but may I leave it here for a few days? I’m going on a journey.”

“Of course,” said Epimetheus. “It will be safe in our house.”

Hermes thanked the couple and put the box in a corner. But he warned them not to open it. He said, “Whatever happens, do not open the box !”

“We won’t!” promised both Epimetheus and Pandora. Hermes left the box there and set off on his journey.

Now Pandora longed to know what was in the box. Day after day she looked at the box with curious eyes. She tried to guess what might be inside the box. Could there be gleaming gold coins or sparkling jewels? Could there be bottles of sweet-smelling perfume or fine silken clothes? Pandora’s curiosity kept growing every minute.

Finally she could bear the suspense no longer. “What harm is there if I take just one little peep³?” she said to herself. Then she untied the gold Cord around the box and began to lift the lid slowly.

Don’t do that!” shouted Epimetheus, who had just come into the room. But it was too late. The lid was already open!

1. couple-husband and wife; 2. longed desired very much; 3. peep quick, secret look through

a small opening: 4. cord – thick string.

Pandora gasped in surprise. There was no gold or jewels or perfume or silk inside the box. There was just a swarm of little winged monsters!

And before she could shut the lid, out they flew in a moment. They spread their wings and buzzed around her like flies. They stung her arms and face. They stung Epimetheus too !

Among those monsters, there were all the unpleasant things of the world- disease, pain, sorrow, suffering, envy, anger, revenge and many others. God Hermes had kept them trapped in his box, but now they were free to afflict the world.

Pandora slammed the lid shut’. For the first time in her life, she felt pain and sorrow. Epimetheus, too, had a new feeling. For the first time in his life, he was in bad temper³.

“You shouldn’t have opened the box!” he shouted.

“Don’t shout at me,” cried Pandora. “I’m sure you yourself would have opened it if I hadn’t.”

The husband and wife began to shout and quarrel. Outside their house they heard noises they had never heard before. Other people were also quarrelling.

“Oh, what have I done!” said Pandora in tears.

1. gasped took a deep breath creatures with wings; 3. afflict with the mouth open; 2. winged monsters ugly and frightening

cause pain and trouble; 4. slammed the lid shut shut the lid with

great force and noise; 5. temper state of the mind.

Pandora’s Box

Then she heard a sweet little voice calling her name. The voice seen to come from inside the box.

“Let me out! Let me out !” called the voice. “I can help you.”

Pandora hesitated, but then she opened the box again. Out flew a beautiful white creature with silver wings.

“Who are you?” asked Pandora.

“I’m Hope the fairy of Hope,” said the creature.

“I can help you and all others in the world to bear the sorrows you have just let out.”

The fairy of Hope healed all the hurts of Pandora and Epimetheus. T she went out into the world to do the same for all mankind.

1. hesitated was not willing to act; 2. hurts injuries, wounds, mental pain or suffering.

Comprehension Skills

1. Answer each question briefly:

1. Who was Pandora ?

2. Who was Hermes ?

3. Where did Epimetheus live ?

4. What did Hermes leave with Epimetheus ?

5. What warning did Pandora not care about ?

6. Who opened the box ?

7. What did Pandora see inside the box?

8. Why was Epimetheus angry with Pandora ?

9. Who healed Pandora’s hurts ?

10. What do you think would have happened if Pandora had opened the box the second time ?