#9 My story

It was a beautiful sunny day in the land of Thessaly, where a large grove is dedicated to me! Citizens were worshiping and adoring the trees- especially the one that I love the most. This one is an enormous oak tree, standing as tall as the Heavens themselves. People stared in amazement of this astounding, special tree and grove.

Then one day, a man by the name of Erysichthon decided he is better than any god or goddess, and chose to cut down my sacred tree for his own purposes. Rumors suggest he planned to create a banquet table for his feasting hall. Out of my tree! How silly.

At first, the arrogant man did not attempt to cut down the tree on his own. Instead, he ordered his slaves to do the horrible deed. Of course they did not obey, as they realized the tree was dedicated to me and that so many people loved it dearly. Also, they knew a horrible fate would follow closely behind the action...

So Erysichthon decided he must cut it down himself. I disguised myself as a priest when he took the axe to the grove, ready to make the first move and chop down the tree. Attempting to talk him out of the cruel act failed, as he would not compromise. He really wanted that table, apparently. Erysichthon swung the sharp axe towards the oak, piercing its bark and leaving his mark. Sap like blood oozed from the cut. My tree was hurt, just as the evil man was also bound to be.

I threw off the disguise and emerged with all of my glory and anger. Innocent people that had been watching became terrified, so I removed their fears. Then, I sent them away from the scene that was about to unravel.

As punishment for trying to take my tree, I cursed Erysichthon with everlasting hunger. He ate and ate until he could bare his appetite no longer. He soon tried to sell his daughter to a sailor in order to get money for more food. Scared and upset, the daughter, Mestra, cried out for help. My brother and the father of two of my children, Poseidon, heard her cries and quickly used his powers to change her appearance. When the sailor came to pick up the beautiful girl, he could not find her, and went back to the ocean to continue his journey.

Mestra was thrilled that she could still stay on Thessaly with her father. He was also excited, as he realized he could continually sell his daughter, get the money, have Poseidon change her appearance, and keep his daughter.

But unfortunately, the old saying, money doesn't buy happiness, seems to apply here. After longing for food for the extended period of time, Erysichthon could bare it no longer. He began to eat his flesh, and eventually, took himself out of his misery.

Suicide by cannibalism.

Here, we learn not to mess with me or my nature. I can be a very sympathetic and loving person, but once you hurt something I love or myself, I may not be so gentle.