Snippet #2198636

Athena

Athena sighed as she watched her class restlessly get their books out. Even college children could be obnoxious. She waited patiently for them to settle down before she smiled and introduced herself.

"Class, my name is Miss Promachos, but that is a mouthful, so you are welcome to call me Athena" Athena said with a smile as she picked up the sylibi and looked it over. She frowned and rolled her eyes with a sigh. Those Fates could be bitches. She shook her head and looked over the class once more.

"ironically enough i know what your snickers are about now, it appears you where on said topic." Athena said as she flipped to the story of herself.

"Athena was born without a mother. Her father was the mighty Zeus, king of all the gods. Athena was born directly out of Zeus' brain. Zeus loved all his children, but if he had to pick a favorite, it would probably have been Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Athena was a powerful force, and one of the 12 deities who held a seat on Mount Olympus." Athena said with a smile and a wink at the class. they laughed at her favorite comment then she continued.

"Oh, your on the story of how she got Athens! oh good, this is a good story" she said with a smile as she started into the story.

"In ancient Greece, each town had a special deity, a god that looked after them. Poseidon was Zeus' brother. He was Athena's uncle. He was also Lord of the Sea. Poseidon was a very powerful god. He loved attention. He loved having towns build temples to worship him. He loved the gifts people brought him.

Poseidon was always on the lookout for towns that had not yet been claimed by a god. He wanted as many towns as possible to call his own. Although towns could only have one god to watch over them, gods could watch over as many towns as they chose.

One day, Athena, goddess of wisdom, and Poseidon, lord of the sea, both claimed the village of Athens. Back then, Athens was pretty small. Normally, the people would have been thrilled to be selected by a god to watch over them. But two gods at once? A town could have only one guardian, and they did not want to choose. They did not want to anger either god.

Athena, who was wise as well as beautiful, understood their worry. She suggested that both gods should give the town a gift. The townspeople could decide which gift was better. Poseidon loved the idea. The townspeople, if possible, were even more nervous than before." Athena paused with a roll of her eyes. humans could be so ridiculousness sometimes.

"Poseidon tapped the side of the mountain. Water flowed out in a beautiful stream. Fresh water was so important. The people were sure Poseidon had won. When they tasted the water, they tried to smile, but they had to spit the water out. It was salt water!

Then Athena waved her hand. An olive tree began to grow. The people tasted the olives. Smiles broke out. The olives were delicious. The olive tree would provide food, shelter, and oil for cooking. It was a magnificent gift indeed.

But no coastal town in their right mind would risk angering the lord of the sea, the mighty Poseidon. Fortunately, for the people of Athens, they did not have to choose.

Poseidon threw back his head and laughed his hearty roar. "Yours is a far better gift than mine, my lovely niece. I award you Athens." Athena paused. That was so not how it happened. She sighed and continued.

"And that is how Athena became the guardian of the city-state of Athens. Even today, Athena's special tree is the olive. It is said there were many people in ancient Greece who were sure that Athens' rise to fame was due mostly to Athena's wise direction. But that is probably just a myth" She said with another wink. "

Twenty minutes later the class was empty and she was done for the day. She sighed and rolled her eyes as she pushed her hair out of her face and started for her book shop. The walk wasnt far and she enjoyed the fresh air. She passed Persephone's shop, which was not even a block from hers. She smiled as the smell of the flowers wafted around her, but she didnt stop. She knew there was no point, though the girls where somewhat friends she was likely swamped. She sighed as she entered her own shop and saw that she too was swamped. So many people. She smiled as her employee's welcomed her with relief.

"Go on break guys ive got it"

"but we're swamped, you'll never be able to take care of it yourself!"

Athena raised and eyebrow.

"Go" she ordered still grinning before she got to work.