Poseidon's Punishment

I'm on a roll with my new stories tonight!  Okay, here is a legend I wrote for Language Arts last year that tells how thunder and lightning came about.  I had a ton of fun writing this story and I hope you will enjoy reading it just as much!

Poseidon’s Punishment

Poseidon was never my favorite grandson.  He ruled the seas strictly and in anger and didn’t care about what other people thought.  I had suspected that someday he might eventually use his power against the Earth and me.  One week, he decided to do just that.  It was a cold, dreary afternoon and I was visiting with my good friend, Athena when water started to pour from the sky.  I looked and saw Poseidon's face peering through the clouds.  Naturally, I was upset and disappointed.  My heart began to pound like a stampede of elephants, faster and faster.

“Oh!  Mother Earth, what has he done?” Athena cried.

“I knew he would do this, someday.  Don’t worry my dear, this will be taken care of,” I responded to my friend.

“But what will you do?” Athena persisted.

Having no clue what I would do to stop my grandson, I tried to cover up my fear.

“We will wait.  Poseidon has to stop sooner of later.  If he doesn’t, he will hear from me,” I tried to stay calm while frustration and anger boiled inside me.

“Of course.  You know him best,” Athena agreed.

We waited for the rain to end for a whole week, but it never ceased.  I knew then and there that something had to be done.  The only problem was, what should I do?  Finally, after hours of pondering possible solutions, I knew what Poseidon needed.

I took a few deep breaths then soared up to the sky.  That is where I found Zeus, the god of heavens, and another grandson of mine with his daughter Ialy.  Ialy was a young goddess who didn’t rule anything, not yet at least.  They were a happy little pair that would do anything to please each other.  Ialy was born to Zeus and Hera, who left after hearing about Zeus’ many previous wives and girlfriends.

The two greeted me warmly and after many hugs and hellos, it was time to cut to the chase.  Now, you must understand something about me.  I am kind, loving, caring and helpful, but if someone is being hurtful to my precious Earth, they will be punished.

“Zeus, you are very helpful to me, but at this moment, I need Ialy’s help,” I assured my grandson gently.

“Of course, Mother Earth.  Whatever you need will be given,” Zeus responded faithfully.

“Thank you,” I began, “Now, Ialy, you are a good little girl but you don’t have anything to rule.  How would you like to be the goddess of thunder and lightning?”

“Yes, oh yes!  Anything for my gracious great-grandmother, Mother Earth!” Ialy rejoiced at my request.

“Good,” I replied.  At that moment, I knew this would be easy.  Ialy would do anything for me!

“But, Mother Earth!  Why would you want to do such a thing?” Zeus was shocked at my idea.

“Oh, I wish I didn’t have to.  Down on Earth, your brother Poseidon is creating downpours all over the world.  I want to find a way to respond to his rain that will scare him into stopping,” I said cautiously.    

“What can I do for you, beautiful Mother of all things?” Ialy asked excitedly.  This devotion was amazing!  I think after I saved Zeus from being eaten by his father, I became his favorite Goddess.  Obviously, he had passed this love of me down to his daughter. 

“Well, my child.  There is a very mean man down on Earth.  He is your uncle, Poseidon and he’s hurting my poor Earth.  I am going to teach you a game that you must play whenever it rains really hard.  Is that clear?” I asked before explaining my plan to Ialy. 

“How will that help, Mother?” Ialy looked very curious.

I answered by teaching her the game.  This is how it went: I placed 20 hot, fiery stones on Zeus’ cloud.  Then, I lined them up in a straight line.  Finally, it was Ialy’s time to shine.

“You will step from stone-to-stone.  Do not be afraid, for they will not burn you.  Each time you step on a stone, a bolt of fire will fly to Earth.  Then a big crash will come from the sound of your foot on the stone.  This will create thunder and lightning.  You must do this each time the rain showers the Earth like it is now and be sure to step very slowly,” I showed Ialy everything she needed to know about the game, “Then you will be goddess of thunder and lightning,”

“Yes, most wonderful Mother Earth.  I will do just as you say and make you proud,” Ialy beamed and began her job.

And to this day, Ialy continues her job beautifully.  She has learned from her uncle’s mistake that misuse of power is punished and is very careful with her work.  I have filled her request of becoming a woman and she is a very handsome one, indeed. 

So, my young mortal.  Next time you hear thunder and see lightning, give a wave to the heavens and you might just get a wave back.