Pandora and Hope

Part One · All the Gifts

Long ago, the gods made a woman. Her name was Pandora. It means "all the gifts."

Every god gave her a wonderful gift. One gave her a lovely voice. One gave her a very curious mind.

Then Zeus gave her a tall clay jar. "Keep it safe," he said. "But never, ever open it."

Pandora carried the jar to her little house. She set it beside the wall. It had a heavy lid.

Part Two · The Lid

All day long, she looked at the jar. What could be inside? She wanted to know so much.

Sometimes she heard a rustle in the jar. Once a tiny voice said, "Let us out!"

One afternoon, she was home alone. "Just one peek," she said. She lifted the lid a little.

Out flew gray Troubles with wings like moths. Sickness, Sorrow and Worry buzzed past her. They flew out through the window.

Pandora clapped the lid on tight. But it was too late. The Troubles were out in the world.

Part Three · Hope

Pandora sat down and cried. "I should not have opened it," she said.

Then she heard a soft sound inside the jar. She peeked through a small gap. Something golden was glowing there.

"Do not cry," said a warm little voice. "I am Hope. The Troubles left me behind."

Hope has stayed with everyone ever since. Troubles still come. When they do, Hope is there too.