The Poet's Deliverance
Once upon a time, a talented poet named Simonides lived in a magnificent coastal city where cool waters flowed. This poet touched the hearts of people with his unique poems and rested their souls with divine melodies. One day the richest and proudest noble of the city decided to hold a great feast. The aim of the noble was to have an immense ode written that praised his own splendour. Simonides accepted this magnificent invitation and worked with great care for days. When the night of the feast came, the poet stood up at the head of a great table set in the hall worked with gold.
He began to read his poem, but in his verses he praised not only the noble but also the protecting twin gods of the sky. When the poem ended a great applause broke out in the hall, but the face of the host noble darkened with anger. The proud man looked at the poet and said, “You have devoted half of your poem to me and the other half to the gods in the sky.” Then with a scornful smile he added, “I am giving you half of the gold I promised you; ask for the rest from the gods you praised.” Before this injustice Simonides sank into a deep silence, but he agreed to his share without any argument. While the feast went on with laughter, a servant at the door came near the poet in haste.
The servant said, “Two mysterious young men on white horses are waiting for you outside; they certainly want to see you.” Simonides rose from his place with curiosity, left the magnificent hall and walked towards the outer door. But when he came out in front of the door, he found nobody in the darkness of the night. While the poet was trying to understand what had happened, a terrible noise that deafened his ears rose behind him. The palace of the proud noble fell in all at once, and the splendid hall remained under heaps of stone. The twin gods had paid the poet his due by saving his life, while the proud noble had found his punishment. True labour and humility are always rewarded with a divine justice. Do not take upon you the curse of the oppressed; it comes out slowly.