The Golden Box and Its Hidden Treasure - Part 2
The clay figure walked alongside Zeus, trying to match the small steps she took to the gigantic ones he took. Finally, unable to keep up with him, she asked, "Father, would you please slow down?"
She looked up into his face and listened as he benevolently said, "Child, all you need to do is ask, and it shall be given you."
Oddly enough, the clay figure did not fear this huge immortal who towered above her. His eyebrows were thick and full, his eyes piercing and all-knowing, his shoulders as wide as a thick tree trunk and his thighs as large around as three of the circumferences of his arms at the widest part. He was a bull of man, imposing and self-confident. Yet he was gentle and kind.
The meadow they walked through was carpeted with tiny flowers and surrounded by trees that nearly reached the cloudless sky. They passed through a thick stand of tangled bush before they reached a large clearing. Several trees had been chopped down and a group of beautiful people milled about, some laughing, some arguing in lighthearted voices. They stopped all at once when Zeus and she arrived.
Without preamble, for such was Zeus' abrupt manner, he said, "Meet my daughter, blessed ones."
There was a hubbub of noise as each of the beautiful people came forward and embraced her. When the noise died down, Zeus said, "Child, meet your aunts and uncles. They are the immortal ones."
"We have gifts for you," one immortal said to her. Zeus nodded at her. She felt welcomed and wanted in front of such illustrious beings. Her smile welcomed each one.
The first goddess to present her with a gift was Athene, the goddess of household arts. She was beautiful to look upon but it was not her shining face or her litheness that gave her such a remarkable appearance. Rather, it was the splendor of her tunic, spun and embroidered with gold threads.
In a rich voice which rang through the clearing, she said, "I give you the gift of spinning, oh little one."
The clay figure was transported to the inside of a home where the goddess taught her the art of spinning and enhancing all manner of clothes. Before long, the figure found herself back in the clearing, enriched and thankful to the goddess for her learning experience. The figure wore a tunic made from sheep's wool and decorated on the shoulders with a deep purple thread.
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