The Foolish Wish

                                                                      

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                            

                                       The Foolish Wish
One day Pelagia,a young woman,with golden hair glowing,and crystal blue eyes shining,asked her family if she could go for a stroll in Athens. ”Yes”,her family replied. So Pelagia ran out the door.She strolled along singing a cheerful tune as the sun beamed warmly on her. Everything felt perfect. Little did she know what was going to happen.When all the sudden, a couple blocks down the road she saw a house on fire!”Oh dear” she exclaimed!    

Wood crackling,smoke spreading,Pelagia called for help! No one could hear her for they were too busy running from the flames. Spying a jug near the burning house she knew what she must do. Coughing and running ,hands shaking,heart pounding,she reached the house and seizing the jug in her hands sprayed  the water all over the house, extinguishing the flames.She did not realize the house she had saved was not a house at all but the temple of Hera!

Hera appeared with her brown hair waving,eyes wondering,and said, “Thank you for saving my temple. I will grant you a wish. Just call when you need one.” She vanished in a brilliant blaze of light leaving no evidence she had ever been there.

Pelagia ran all the way to her home. Once inside,feet shuffling, and arms waving,she danced with joy and shouted to her family, “Hera has given me a wish!”

Her brother exclaimed,"By Jove!"

Her sister replied,”Ask for jewels!”

“No, gold,”said her father.

Her mother implored,”I’ve got it, ask to be like a god.”

Everyone agreed that she should ask to be like a god.Pelagia was not sure it was a wise wish, for it might anger the gods. But after some persuading she said,” I will ask to be like a god.”

She ran all the way back to Hera’s temple and called her name.
Instantly Hera appeared,”What is it child? Do you finally have your wish?”

Pelagia responded, “I do! I wish to be like a god!”

“What!!!!” Hera shrieked in rage. Pelagia hid behind a vase. “You dare insult the gods!” Hera shouted.

“No!” Pelagia denied,voice shaking,lips trembling, terrified to even move.”I only carried out the wish of my family!”

“Oh why would you carry out such a wish for your family? Did you know it was wrong?”Hera questioned.

Looking up Pelagia saw her kindly looking down at her,  eyes softened,and hands lowered. Now everyone was staring at them, some even dropped their offerings. All eyes were on Hera.Slowly Pelagia stood up and wiped a tear from her eye.

”Well I was not sure if it was a wise wish”she sniffled.”But my family told me to wish to be a god and I must obey them,”she confessed.

“Poor child you should learn  not to do what everyone tells you to. You have done no harm. You may go, but remember to never obey someone when they are telling you to do something that is wrong,  even if they are your family.”With that Hera vanished after giving her a warm smile and placing a small beautiful trinket in Pelagia's hand.

Pelagia ran home to tell her parents what had happened and to show them her lovely trinket.Hera on the other hand decided to punish her family for telling her to make such a foolish wish.

”I will give Pelagia’s family a punishment but only for a little while to teach them a lesson. From now until noon tomorrow they will not be able to open their mouths to speak or eat.”

When Pelagia got home she started jabbering on about what had happened, not noticing that her family was unable to reply.From then on Pelagia learned to never do something someone tells you when you know it is not the right thing to do.More importantly, her family learned never to make foolish wishes again.They went and prayed to Hera to thank her for her mercy on them ,well... after their mouths could open again.