Angry Athena and Aellai’s Art
By Sara
Aellai was a mere mortal girl with soft, pure hazel eyes and the name that meant whirlwinds. She got this name because of her quick actions, often without thinking, and because of her fleeting feelings that changed like a summer storm. But Aellai was not like other mortals, she has some very unique artistic talents.
One fine spring day, Aellai had just completed a beautiful painting that showed all of the amazing things that Gaia, otherwise known as Mother Nature, had created. Aellai was proud of her work, and decided that this was one of her best works of art yet, but little did she know that this one piece of artwork could lead to such a disaster.
Overlooking all of the war, wisdom, and useful arts, Athena, with her velvety white and gold dress was sitting on Mt. Olympus, and Aellai’s painting caught her eye.
“Hmm. Seems to me that she is quite the artist,” murmured Athena. She always loved a good artist, but this girl seemed too good. She remembered that back in the day she would create paintings almost like Aellai’s, and this gave her a surge of anger.
“This girl is a menace to me,” thought Athena aloud as she paced around her palace, “Wait. What will happen because of this? Will I be of lesser rank? No, I can’t allow this to keep happening!”
So, Athena decided to go to Aellai with the disguise of an architect, interested in her work of wonders.
Arriving at Aellai’s studio, she was shocked that Aellai had already created and was adding the final touches on yet another beautiful painting. This one showed a beautiful metallic vase with a lustrous bouquet of flowers within. The bouquet consisted of gorgeous lavender Irises; soft pink Roses, dazzling blue Delphiniums, and lush green leaves to top it off. The vase was a thing of beauty. It was metallic silver, and glinted in the light of the shining sun.
Jealous Athena, still in disguise, inquired if she would dare compete in an art competition against Athena.
Without thinking, Aellai responded in a heartbeat, “Yes.”
Eyes flashing, Athena revealed herself. When Aellai gasped, she cried out, “You have made a mistake!”
Athena then haughtily announced that the competition would begin promptly at sunup the next morning.
The next morning, when the sun was barely peeking out into the sky, Athena already was at Aellai’s art studio, where the competition was to be held. As she set up her easel and glorious, golden paint brushes, she decided that she would beat Aellai in that competition, no matter the cost.
Soon, Aellai arrived right on time, as she did not want to anger the impatient goddess. But little did she know that the goddess was already enraged and was out to get her.
When they were both seated at their easels and ready to start, Athena announced, “let the competition begin.”
Athena painted a portrait of the mighty Zeus on the grand Mt. Olympus. The crowd that had gathered to watch gasped in awe, as the painting looked so realistic that Zeus himself would feel as if he were looking into a mirror.
When Aellai began her painting, the crowd marveled at the sight of her nimble hands working on a portrait of Tyche, the goddess of good luck and fortune. It showed Tyche giving fortunes to all and adding a little wonderful luck here and there. As a final touch, she used only a small drop of special metallic paint that made Tyche’s dress look like flowing gold silk, so soft and smooth that it gave the feeling that the dress had actually had been created, as if you could reach out and touch it.
Even Athena herself was dumbfounded by the wonder of art and even found herself in awe. But when she realized what was happening, she grew outraged again, and declared a tie, shouting, “this may be a tie now, but you will never be better than the great Athena at painting!”
Aellai was so afraid of the angry Athena that she hid her face in her hands and tears began to leak out of her eyes. She had never meant to create such a mess!
Meanwhile, Tyche had been watching the action, disguised as an insignificant mortal, only a face in the crowd. She began battling within herself. Should she protect the girl? Or not? She knew what would happen when Athena got angry. Should she risk it? Or not? But she couldn’t leave the girl at the hands of Athena. Yes, it was decided. She would protect the girl.
So she revealed herself, with a small crown placed atop her head, she looked very mystical, and as if she controlled something important. Which of course, she did.
When Tyche approached Athena, she looked her in the eye and gave her a warning: “If you harm Aellai in any way, your luck will go bad, and your fortune will be the worst of the worst.”
“Ok,” whispered the frightened Athena. If the goddess of good luck and fortune looks you in the eye, you are always willing to do what she says, as Tyche has a way getting what she wants with one powerful look. And of course, no one wants their luck turned bad.
“But wait,” thought Athena, “She never said I couldn’t turn her into something, so she could make art forever, and I feel so bad for scaring her so badly.” She was surprised at her own feelings, but knew that it would be the right thing to do. She even began to smile as she felt her anger melt away that had been cast over her, like a dark, heavy storm that was impossible to lift.
“But what can I change her into?” thought Athena, “something where she can do art forevermore?”
As she was thinking, her keen eyes landed on the painting that Aellai had first done: Gaia’s, or Mother Nature’s, finest creations.
Athena strode over to where the pale from fright Aellai was sitting and kindly placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Aellai, I am sorry that I was so angry, and that I frightened you,” said Athena softly, “you will now be turned into a helper of Gaia, also known as beautiful Mother Nature, so you can beautiful art forever.”
Aellai turned to Athena and replied softly, “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, thank you so much!” exclaimed Aellai.
Bowing, she immediately got up for to Athena, who embraced her. “I will be visiting you often to make sure you are alright,” said Athena, “if you ever need anything, I will be here for you.”
“Thank you so much,” replied Aellai, beaming, “I am forever in your debt.”
And so Aellai was given into the care of Gaia, and she very happily created the most gorgeous pieces of art forever.
Kinard Mythology Anthology Page 16