Prometheus and Humankind
Once upon a time, a wise hero named Prometheus lived in a fabulous valley where cool waters flowed and great plane trees rose. Prometheus was a strong wise man with a huge heart full of love for humans and with an unbending courage. In those days helpless people trembled in dark caves and held on to one another to be protected from the cold wind. By day the scant light of the sky was not enough, and by night the pitch darkness cast a great fear into their hearts. But the proud rulers on the high mountain enjoyed the warm fire and hid this precious gift from people with jealousy. One day Prometheus went down to the villages and felt a deep sorrow when he saw the hands of the children freezing from the cold.
“I cannot close my eyes to this injustice any longer; people also have a right to get warm and to have light,” he thought. When it was midnight, he set out on a dangerous journey to climb secretly to the palace on the high mountains. Passing over the steep cliffs where the wind blew harshly, he silently reached the great fire that scattered sparks. Touching the tip of a long dry branch to this bright fire, he took a small but strong flame. Hiding the fire carefully on his chest, he ran quickly down the dark paths to the people. The people who saw this warm light shining in the darkness were both very surprised and filled with great joy.
Prometheus smiled at the people and patiently taught them to light a fire, to cook food and to get warm. When the proud rulers in the sky learned that the fire had been given to people, they were seized by a great anger. They at once sent strong guards down to punish Prometheus and to take back the shining fire. But the brave hero shielded the people with his own chest and entrusted the fire to their hearts. The people joined hands and managed to spread this holy light to every corner of the valley. In this way the dark caves turned into warm homes, and humankind looked to the future with hope through the power of solidarity. A kindness that is shared with courage is enough to light up even the deepest darkness. Do good and throw it into the sea; if the fish does not know it, the Creator does.