Psyche
“King returns!” I was in the bedroom waiting anxiously when the voice of my father’s retinue echoed in the palace. Today Father went to visit the oracle of Delphi to ask Apollo for an advice on what to do to find a husband for me, and he returned eventually! I ran out happily to welcome him, but my heart sank at the sight of his heavy, exhausted face.
“Others dismissed!” Father said. He firmly grasped my wrist and dragged me into the room. His pace was big and the hand was cold and trembling. He closed the door, sat on the chair and took a deep breath. He had a bad throat after the long journey, “Listen, Psyche. It is hard, but I must tell you. I get the prophecy; it is bad, really bad, much beyond our expectation.” He stopped, staring at a spot on the ceiling. “Oh,” I was calmer than I thought, maybe because I hadn’t caught on, “I wouldn’t have a husband?” “No,” Father denied quickly. Then it was a long silence. As if to end the torture as soon as possible, he said briefly, “He would be a winged serpent.”
*
I couldn’t remember clear things that followed. Friends’ cry, sisters’ comfort, the pitiful eyesight…all seemed vague and distant. Maybe I cried; maybe not. In a flash, I was brought to the summit of a mountain and stayed alone, dressed in black dress, waiting for my fate.
I had a presentiment years before. Much more beautiful than my two sisters, I was worshipped by the people as the embodiment of Venus. I know I would irritate the goddess one day, and tried to guide them back to Holy Temple; but even my sisters consider this as show-off! Not surprisingly, no man came to marry me; and here came the punishment!
I fell into deep sleep with these stuff in my heart.
*
I woke up the next morning, facing an imposing and magnificent castle. “Maybe he is actually a god.” I comforted myself to make myself feel better. Absolute silence ruled. I approached, remained suspicious at the threshold, where I heard a noise but could not see anyone. However, I could clearly hear the words: The house is for you. Come in and do not be afraid. Take a bath and we will immediately honor you with a great dinner.
I enjoyed myself in the palace. It was even better than my father’s. At night, my husband came in the darkness. His voice was gentle and sweet. Groping his body all over, I thought to myself, “Is he really a monster?”
*
Those peaceful, sweet days passed quickly. Unable to see his face, I gradually fell in love with my husband. And how foolish was I to listen to my sisters! I regretted from time to time. But, it was indeed none of my sisters’ business. I would light that candle to see his face anyway, because I did it for myself out of the doubt and curiosity.
So that evening, my dear husband, the god of love Cupid, woken up by the oil drop, left with broken heart. “Love can not live without trust. ”
He flew away! Falling on my knees, I cried for a long time, hoping to win him back. But he didn’t. I swore to myself that I would look everywhere for him and I would prove my love.
*
I went to the temple of Venus and prayed to her, hoping her to help me persuade her son. I had expected that Venus would distress me, viewing the things happened before. Her tasks seemed unachieveable still. Moreover, she threatened that if I failed in even one of these tasks, Eros would be lost for ever.
*
At first, I was shown a dune of different small seeds of wheat, poppies, millets and many others. “How could I do that? How could I separate all these tiny seeds?” My eyes were filled with tears at this sight. Luckily, a group of ants helped me finish the task. I managed to fill the bottle with waters from River Estige and drain a little of Persephone’s beauty into a box with the help of an eagle, Charonte the boatman and Persephone.
*
I knew Venus was a tough nut, and was used to her anger and torture. But I never expected that she would refuse to keep her promise! Be her servant and exploited every day, I was exhausted and brokendown. “Oh, my husabnd, my dear dear husband! Why are you so cruel to me? I didn’t trust you; that’s true. But you hide from me first! I don’t deserve all these!” I cried to the sky. Part of me even hated him now. “Do some good to me, almighty gods!”
*
My words must be heard by the gods. When I woke up after a collapse in the garden, I saw the face of my husband! He forgave me. We had a deep talk and had more understandings of each other.
*
Then was the wedding day. It was a big wedding! Gods came and gave us gifts. My favourite one was that from Zeus.He made me immortal and allowed me to taste ambrosia, the drink of the Gods. Even Venuscame as well, whom I talked Cupid into inviting. It was a small revenge, for I thought it was more intolerable for her on the spot to see me get married to her son than to be absent.
*
Venus was nicer to me day after day. After all, now that I was living in the sky with her son, men on earth had forgotten all about me and were again worshiping the true goddess of beauty
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