Kinard Mythology Anthology Volume III

by Kinard Middle School

Aidan stares in at Yankee Stadium and gets a signal. He takes a breath. He strides and then the Yankee batter swings and misses he just threw a no-hitter to win the world series!

  The Truth Behind the Tree

  By: Julia

  Trixie was one of many tiny nymphs living in a faraway forest. Trixie always had a good head on her shoulders. She had an adventurous mind, but knew her boundaries. Trixie had blue eyes as shiny and pure as the ocean. She had hair as red as a perfectly precious and plump  petite cherry. Trixie had demonstrated an excellence in solving any type of puzzle.Trixie was as kind as the neighbor down the street who baked and gave everyone her goods.   One day, while playing  in the forest with other nymphs, Trixie decided to join in. The forest smelled like freshly fallen rain.   Suddenly, the nymphs started forming crazy random shapes and configurations with their bodies. Trixie suddenly got a terrifying feeling, but somehow thought nothing of it. With every moment that passed, Trixie was getting more and more concerned about what was going to happen. The other nymphs had been decent and had the joyous laughters of  little children at their birthday parties. At that same time, Medusa was in that very forest, secretly  preparing for the killing of the nymphs.

  Trixie asked, “Is it just me,” she asked with a worry-filled  look, “or did it just drop  several degrees?”

  All the nymphs replied with a resounding no. Trixie started to get more and more concerned. She knew that they were on the verge of death. Slowly, she started realizing that the air truly was getting colder.  Suddenly Medusa came strutting  in while the nymphs were formed into a tree shape. Medusa’s nasty personal scent of death and rotten human flesh grew stronger and stronger. It was like a human slaughterhouse was coming for the nymphs.  Trixie was the one who knew that they were going to be in a deep pit of trouble, and she was right. The taste of deathly fear lingered in Trixie’s mouth. Medusa was ready for these young nymphs to be gone. With one petrifying look into all of their eyes, Medusa began trying to freeze them into stone. The slithering snakes on her head had the feeling of scales that were soaked in blood.  There was something wrong.

  Surprisingly, the innocent nymphs were not turning into stone. Instead, they were turning into wood. Medusa was confused and later found out that one of her snakes was completely sick and messed up. While Medusa was confused in her battle, she knew it was not her. Overhead, Zeus was watching the nearby battle and started fighting back to help out the nymphs. This dynamic had caused the whole wood effect. The nymphs were all screaming which caused the little holes and divots in trees that can be seen. The sound of hundreds of shrieks as loud as whistles filled the forest fast, but just as fast as they filled the forest, the noise disappeared. The nymphs’ lives flashed before their eyes.

  With all of this commotion, the few nymphs that were still alive, but were in other parts of their world, later saw that their nymph friends had created the first real tree. They accepted the fact that they would never see Trixie again. All the nymphs were in deep sorrow but they moved on with their lives. Medusa learned that she had created something new, unlike any other thing that existed during her time, which both freaked her out and amazed her. To this very day, that is still how trees are made.

  The Origin of the Diamond

  By: Pietra Arikita

  Once upon a time there lived a man named Aeoson, he was a handsome man that had bewitching hair that no man has ever had, his eyes were like an oasis in the middle of the desert. He was married to an equally beautiful woman called Anaís, her beauty almost matched Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and her skin was as smooth as a babys. The couple lived in a house that was a little separated from town but the house could fit 50 men and 50 women together. The house had tiny specks of gold in its walls and almost all of its furniture was the most expensive in town.

  One day however, while Aeoson and Anaís were dining at the table, Anaís was really excited about something, Aeoson could see that she was excited but he was not sure for what.

  “Sooooo, you know what is coming up?” Anaís asked so excited that she almost yelled the question.

  Aeoson wasn’t sure, but he didn’t want Anaís to know, “What if it was something important.” he thought. “Hahaha, of course I know,” Aeoson lied, trying to make his voice as steady as possible, “ But since you seem so excited about it I will let you tell me.” said Aeoson smiling.

  “IT’S OUR 6th YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY IN 4 DAYS!!” Anaís yelled with excitement.

  Aeoson froze; he had completely forgotten about it, he knew that this was when they both each got a present for each other, but what could he possibly get her? She already had everything. He looked at her faking a smile and praying that she could not see it.

  The next day Aeoson exploded out the door, sprinting to the city, he needed the most time he could get so he could get the perfect gift. He went from store to store, not finding anything that was good enough for his beloved wife. Aeoson started to panic, if he could not find anything for his wife, the only thing he could do is pray for the gods for a suggestion of what he should get for his wife. Aeoson got home and went to the praying room, there he prayed nonstop, not even stopping to go to the bathroom.

  Little did he know that the goddess Aphrodite was listening to his prayers, when Aeoson finally gave up, he went to the bathroom and to the kitchen to make dinner, Anaís was worried about him, but she knew Aeoson and didn’t say anything. Aeoson made his way to the garden to lay down in the grass. Aphrodite made herself only visible to Aeoson and spoke.

  “Aeoson, i heard your prayers, i have come here to help you.” Aphrodite said blandly “Why don't you get her a ring with the finest, most beautiful rock of all rocks that any mortal has ever seen?” Aphrodite questioned.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

  Right after Aphrodite said that Aeoson thanked her and sprinted back to town. When he got there, he was exhausted, he need water, his sides hurt, and his legs were practically dying, he quickly found water and drank as much water as possible. Then he went to all the ring stores to find the most beautiful ring ever. But that was a no-no too, he quickly realized that there was no ring that was like Aphrodite described. Disappointed, he went back home. But when we was about half way there, the goddess Iris appeared in front of him. There they made a deal, the goddess Iris would transform him into a beautiful ring right at midnight, but it would reflect rainbows when the sun was shining. And so the deal was set.        

  Aeoson got home and asked Anaís if they could give their gifts at 23:56, Anaís quickly accepted because she couldn't wait to show her gift to Aeoson. And so the time came, it was 23:56 and Anaís was first, it was a beautiful pottery set, it was perfect. But then it was Aeoson’s turn, it was 23:59, he was holding his wife’s hands, The goddess Iris was watching and when the clock reached 24:00 Iris was quickly moving and turned Aeoson into a ring just like Aphrodite described, but the only exception was that it would reflect rainbows when it was in contact with the sun. Anaís was shocked, she couldn’t believe what he had done, just like that, in a poof ! Her husband was now a ring, but the ring was perfect, smooth, like  when you just brushed your hair and pass your hand through it , it was transparent like glass, and just like she liked her rings to be. The ring was golden and had a little bit of silver in the middle, the jewel was not so big but not so small. After this event, she always had the ring with her for the rest of her life, even when she die
d; the ring was buried with her.

  The End

                                                      

   Alphabetizing

  By Juan Gonzalez

  A long time ago, on Mount Olympus, everything was perfect and golden and the smell and taste of cherries and pleasure filled the air. However, this was not a good time for the mortals. While the gods were having the time of their lives and everything was swell, the mortals were dying. Their population was decreasing rapidly because, at this age, there was an act applied to all humans from the gods. Any mortal that used a word that does not have a god that starts with that letter was punished with death by the swords of the gods.                                                                                                                                                                  

  Then one day Athena couldn’t take it. She had a sour taste in her mouth that told her she should do this. She hid the god’s swords so there would be no more deaths. She went to the town of Troy and gave a heart filled speech about what was right.                                                                                                                                     

  “Citizens of Troy.” Athena spoke. “It is I Athena.” As it went quiet. “I have heard your cries for peace and for the suffering.” “I have heard of your fellow people dying at the hands of the gods.” As Athena spoke a tear ran down her cheek. “And I have come to tell you no more suffering!” Athena exclaimed.

  “And we together can put an end to this!” The crowd roared at Athena’s speech.

  The Crowd began chanting. “No more deaths! No more deaths! Athena! Athena!” But little did Athena know that the god Bacchus had heard her chants and wanted to secretly join so he sent her a message that read:

  Hello Athena,                                                                                                                                              

  It is I, Bacchus, and it is I who has heard your outrageously amazing speech of what is right. And I am here to say I would like to join you in this quest to save many lives.                                                                          

  And so, Athena accepted his request and allowed him to join her. From there many gods began joining them. But little did they know Zeus had his people. He had intercepted these messages and was furious. He began his own organization and planned on destroying Athena And Bacchus. Zeus’s foul scent of anger filled the room.  

                                                                                                                                                                     Athena had her side consisting of Bacchus the god of wine, Poseidon, the god of the sea and, Artemis the god of hunting. Zeus began his organization and soon he had Ares the god of war, Savitar the god of speed, and Hephaestus the god of building. And that night a thunder cloud went over Mount Olympus and everyone knew exactly what was happening, Zeus was angry. Hephaestus built a battle field where Ares stood. But Athena's army was not intimidated and was ready. And just like that the war began.

  They charged at each other with strength to battle, except Savitar, he was nowhere to be seen. However then they all saw Savitar running in a circle. At first, they were confused but then, they saw it. Savitar had created a tornado sweeping up Bacchus and throwing him to the walls back and forth, then the tornado ended and Savitar was dead. Because of his speed with the tornado he went to fast and he was killed by the tornado, after this came brutality and death.       

  Athena was thrown out of the battle field and never came back. For everyone else it was Ares and Zeus vs Poseidon. But little did they know that Bacchus wasn't dead. In Fact he was fine. But They believed he was killed by the tornado. Poseidon began a tsunami that destroyed Ares and he was weak but he would not give up and they kept on fighting. But after they fought for awhile and Bacchus was still playing dead he snuck up and it happened. Then and there, he stabbed Ares right in his back. Ares fell dead. After he did this Bacchus was immediately pushed to the ground by Zeus, and thrown over mount Olympus, to never return. It was two vs one. Zeus gave up and they escorted Zeus back to Mount Olympus to make sure he didn't try anything sneaky so he would be forced to make an announcement everyone would hear.

  Zeus Spoke “it is now Legal to use any word at any time and these are all the new letters that can be used: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.” And it was officially made, The alphabet.

  The Tale of Femi

  By Amanda Millers

  One beautiful day, Banafrit was out with her daughter, Alexandra. Banafrit had a curvy body with straight black hair that almost resembled the burning coals in a fire. Banafrit also smelled like fresh Lilies that had to just been picked. When you were near Banafrit, you could almost taste the sweet sugar that came from her. And the birds chirped and followed Banafrit everywhere because the birds adored her. When you touched Banafrit you felt a sudden warmness that immediately spread throughout your body, even in the cold. Alexandra was just like her mother especially with that icy blueness in her eyes that looked like a frozen winter pond. They were playing in a little grassland near their home, the grassland was filled with luscious grass and very fertile soil that you can dig your feet in to keep your feet cool from being baked by the sun. There was also a stream that flowed a slow pace through the pasture. The mother was doing her daughter's hair in a very simple braid that went straight down her fine, bare back.

  All of the sudden, Banafrit heard a piercing shriek that was so loud she couldn’t hear what the noise said, but then saw her daughter, who was livid, sprinting away without warning like an antelope frightened by a lion . Banafrit then finally figured it out, it was mice, but where? She decided to look later.

  Banafrit was frenzied, so she called upon the goddess, Bast, for help to take all the mice that roamed around the Malkata(malkata is the Arabic name for palace) so she could get her daughter back. Bast agreed but on a couple conditions.

  “You must bring me Golden Chalice that holds the sacred wine, the skin of the Silver Lion,” Bast exclaimed, “and a Holy branch up upon the mountain of Bresalock(bres-ah-lock).”

  Banafrit wholeheartedly agreed so she could get her daughter come back from where she went. She promised herself to go on the journey herself and that she must leave at once. So, she got herself food, weapons, and hope to bring on her journey. She went to Shezmu first, but before she went in, Bast appeared and gave her a protection spell and a bag of fresh lamb’s blood as and offering to the god. Banafrit went in and asked for the holy chalice in return of the fresh lamb’s blood, at first her offer was declined but later Shezmu accepted because he couldn't hold the urge for blood back. Banafrit went outside to see that the chalice floated up in the air and disappeared right in front of her eyes.

  Once again, Banafrit did the other two tasks but came out raw. But she still managed to get around it. Banafrit called out to Bast again who came with all the prizes that she had harvested and began formulating a creature small enough to fit in small spaces like a mouse.

  The golden chalice became the blood of the creature, the skin coated the muddy being like a blanket, and the holy branch became two things, spikes on the beast's toes and a tail. Bast snapped her fingers together and... BOOM! The creature became a real
ity.

  They called this being Femi, which means love. The love passed on and soon all the mice were gone, Alexandra came back relieved and with joy, she also made another name for this being, aqattat saghira, which means small cat. But we say house cat today because the cats we own are loyal and they stay inside a house.