Pandoras Box

Prometheus the Titan stole fire from the Gods and he gave it to the humans, which angered Zeus. As punishment, Zeus devised a lie and created a curse that appeared to be a blessing. Zeus asked Hephaestus, God of fire, metalworking and blacksmiths, to create the first woman from clay. Each of the Gods gave some of their skills to her. Athena, Goddess of war strategy and wisdom, taught her various skills: weaving, craftsmanship and household knowledge. Aphrodite, the Goddess of beauty, gave Pandora charm and irresistible allure. Hermes, the messenger God, gave cunning persuasion and a deceptive nature. Other gods gave additional qualities: music, curiosity, and grace. They named her Pandora—the all-gifted. Zeus gave her a sealed jar, (a pithos) and commanded her never to open it. Zeus sent Pandora to Epimetheus, Prometheus’ brother, as a gift. Epimetheus accepted the gift from Zeus, despite Prometheus’ warning never to take anything from Zeus.

Epimetheus began life with Pandora, walking her to each of her classes. But Pandora became increasingly curious about the sealed jar. Its mystery grew heavier each day. Eventually, she couldn’t take the curiosity anymore and she lifted the lid. With a squeak and a creak, the terrors of disease, old age, hard labor, jealousy, madness, hunger and other sufferings flew out. These horrors scattered across the world, embedding themselves in human life. With a scream, Pandora slammed the lid shut, but it was too late. The damage was done. With a whoosh and a swoosh, the sufferings were all throughout the air.

Pandora heard a faint banging noise inside the jar and reopened it more cautiously. The remaining presence, hope, emerged out of the jar. Hope became humanity’s counterbalance to all the sufferings released. Forevermore, humans dealt with pain, conflict and hardship, but they also possess the inner resilience to endure. Now, the human world was permanently changed. Suffering exists, but so does the strength to outlast it.