Why People Tell Myths

Why People Tell Myths

At the beginning of time, when the world was new and all of the evils were free of Pandora’s Box, the Gods ruled over all the land. But life wasn’t good, the mortals endured all of the hardships of life while the Gods sat on golden thrones and ate ambrosia and honey. Because the gods were stronger than a million mortals put together, nobody dared to speak out against them, except one. Minos, the poor farmboy was a thinker, and that was exactly what the mortals needed.
Minos was always thought of as a dreamer, he always had plans, but they were frugal. But one day while he was plowing the fields, a plan came to him faster than Zeus could kill him with his pinky. The plan was foolproof, he was sure of it. As he started to get all of the preparations ready, a stir was going on on Mount Olympus.
“We are in trouble, a revolt is going to happen in the mortal’s world!” Prometheus said angrily to Zeus. He knew it was death to argue with Zeus, but it was necessary. “How dare you speak to me like that, I can show you what torture is really like, how much it hurts.” Zeus said. “The only torture would be to watch the God’s reign end because of a foolish act.” Prometheus said wisely. “I have foreseen the future and a young boy is about to bring our demise.” “Get out of my sight.” Zeus growled. Prometheus simply bowed and left without a word. Little did Zeus know that young Minos was about to prove Prometheus true.
Minos’ plan was a simple one, get people to believe that they could have a better life. Zeus would then do the rest. Even though the plan required sacrifice, Minos was determined to go through with it. So off he went, preaching what he believed throughout the town. Then he went abroad, going to every town and city on the map. Meanwhile, the Gods were getting restless. “Do something!” They pleaded with Zeus. But Zeus’ pride would not let him admit that he was wrong. “I will take care of it.” But his eyes told them that he didn’t know what to do. So Zeus picked the only way out he could think of, he picked up a lightning bolt from the box beside him with a trembling hand, and went off to find the boy Minos.
After many days of hard work, Minos decided to rest. He sat out in front of the vast open sky and waited. He waited for many hours until he saw what he wanted. He swallowed hard, stood up, and yelled to the hole that was opening up in the sky, “Zeus! Before you strike, look around and look at the hardships we are facing. There is drought, disease, and deathly storms. Why have you not helped us?” By now many people had heard his cries and were crowded around him, listening. But the boy went on, “There is a story to all of this. Even if you kill me right now, people will still tell the story. It will build and build until it is a myth. They will tell the myths as a lesson of how the world began and how the Gods came to be.” By now, Zeus could not handle his rage, “Who is this boy who thinks he is above me,” Zeus muttered to himself, and with a flick of his wrist, he threw the lightning bolt and killed Minos.
To this day, the story of Minos is lost, but his words stay true. Zeus brought Prometheus back and apologized, though the evils of the world were never truly banished. So people now tell myths to recollect how the world began, as a balm for never getting rid of the evils in the world, and to remember that all it takes is one voice to strike back.