We’re currently studying ancient Greece, and one of Grace’s recent assignments was to write a “mixed up” myth. She randomly picked two Greek gods, a setting, and a problem…then she was off into myth writing. I think she’s done a splendid job with it. 🙂 Enjoy!
Tear Away the Sky
One day, the great god Apollo sat atop Acropolis staring into the blank night. He had finished his flight across the sky, and the Earth was shrouded in darkness. He sighed, wishing for some form of light that would allow him to gaze upon the lush fields and smooth lakes. He knew that Mother Earth, or Gaea, had sewn the night sky to protect her people from being burned by the blinding light of the heavens, but Apollo didn’t care. He wanted to see. Suddenly, an idea appeared in his head. He called for his sister, Artemis. A single deer trotted to him. Her fur was a shimmering gold, and a thin silver band was snugly fitted to her head. Apollo smiled.
-Grace<3
“Sister, you do not need to wear such costumes. No human dwells here.” The deer glowed a blinding silver, and the Goddess of the Hunt took its place, the silver band still on her head. Artemis frowned.
“Why have you called me here?” she asked. Apollo pointed at the sky.
“I need you to tear the night from the sky; it makes my only free time dark and dreary.”
Artemis tensed. “ I cannot help you; even my arrows cannot pull the blanket away.” Apollo stood.
“Maybe one of your immortal maidens can. They have immense power,” Apollo suggested. Artemis sighed.
“If you wish. ”She called out to her huntresses, and a huge group of girls ran to their goddess’s aid.
“What do you need?” the maidens asked, and Artemis pointed to the sky.
“Whoever can pull away the night will be crowned Leader of the Hunt!” the goddess shouted. The maidens gasped. A tall girl with spiky hair shoved her way forward. She pointed her bow at the sky, pulling her fingers to her temple. Her arrow shot upward, ripping a small hole in the night. A thin stream of light burst from the heavens, but the blanket still hovered. Several other girls tried, but only few even reached the sky. Apollo stepped forward.
“Sister, get all of your huntresses to shoot at once. Maybe then the blanket will fall.” Artemis smiled. She gathered her bow and pointed it at the sky. The huntresses did the same. She released, and 1,000 arrows shot forward, each piercing the sky. Tiny lights littered the night, with a gaping hole where the goddess’s arrow had gone. The land was filled with light. Ever since then, Apollo would sit on Acropolis and gaze at the fields with the newly formed stars lighting the land.