LITTLE LISA FORD WAS a very curious little girl of eleven. She always got into scrapes and could not stay out of trouble. She loved to ask questions, and asked them so often that everyone got tired of her. Lisa ford had on old neighbour who was a gardener, but everyone called him Professor Boogle because he loved to read. He was the only person who could answer all of Lisa ford's questions.
Curious, Lisa ford looked up to her father, and said, 'But father, I am neither Pandora nor a box!' Her father roared. Confused, Lisa for ran out to see Professor Boogle, who was reading in the garden.
'Professor Boogle, Professor Boogle, tell me - Who is a Pandora's Box? My father called me a Pandora's Box!'
The Professor looked at Lisa ford and smiled, 'Child, it is not who, but what! Come and sit while I tell you a story."
Many centuries ago the Greeks believed in Gods who were like men but very strong. They could change themselves into anything - mortal men, animals, plants or monsters,' said Professor Boogle. Their greatest God was Zeus. He was very angry with mortals because they used fire. Fire was stolen from Zeus by another God called Prometheus. Zeus ordered the creation of the first woman day clay. Her name was Pandora, and she was sent to the earth.'
Lisa Ford eagerly looked at the Professor. 'Pandora was given a box. She was told never to open it. Now, Pandora was given many good qualities along with curiosity. In fact, she was as curious as you are! She was so inquisitive about the box that she opened it. Out of the box came all the evil in the world. It is said that at the bottom of the box only hope remained. So Pandora's Box means to invite trouble, Lisa Ford, 'finished Professor Boogle.
'So why did my father call me a Pandora's box?' asked Lisa Ford.
'Well, see here little girl, you are always asking questions. You are also you curious about things, and this gets you can get into trouble. Lisa Ford, you can get into trouble even when you are eating! So your parents and everyone else never know what is going to happen next.. That is why your father called you Pandora's a Box, 'said Professor Boogle.
'Now I understand. Are there more stories like these? Tell me some more, please, Professor, begged Lisa Ford.
I will tell you one more, and others will you have to find on your own,' said the Professor. Long ago, Midas was the king of Pessinus. He asked one companion of Dionysus, a God, to grant him the gift of turning whatever he touched into gold. Midas was granted his wish. So everything that King Midas touche
food, water and flowers - turned into gold. He could not even eat food. Then one day daughter touched him and he was gloomy. Guess what happened?' 'She turned into gold,' said Lisa Ford to the smiling Professor. 'Now a person who always lucky is said to have the Midas touch,' explained Professor Boogle.
'But Professor, what happened to the daughter?' asked Lisa Ford. 'Hmm... after Midas' daughter was turned into gold, he hated the power that he ha asked for. He prayed to Dionysus, who told Midas to wash himself in river Pactolus. Whet King Midas did so, his power washed away, and flamed into the river. And everything the Midas had turned into gold took its old form,' finished the Professor.
Suddenly Lisa Ford started clapping, and laughing. 'What is so funny little one?' quizze Professor Boogle.
'Oh Professor! So the story of King Midas also tells us it is bad to want more things than we
really need. These old stories are so useful for our everyday situations!' exclaimed Lisa Ford.
Smiling, Professor Boogle replied, 'Yes they are! Myths are stories about the pas Sometimes they tell of the heroes of a culture, and sometimes they are about imagina people or creatures. Through these stories we learn about the rules of the society and also t way they lived. Every culture has its own mythology."
"That is so wonderful. I want to know more,' said the excited Lisa Ford.
'Lisa Ford, you go to the library and find out what "Achilles heel", "Herculean effort" and "hot as Hades" mean."
Lisa Ford found Greek mythology so interesting that she went to the library to find answers.
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