A Twitch of Fates’
Story #70, in which the fates learn caution.
To hear this story:
The three sisters, Neva, Gamma and Minka sat in a circle around a fire. Neva spun thread, Gamma measured it and Minka cut the spun thread. Each thread was lustrous, colorful and bright, the life of a King or a hero and the length of the thread were the days in that life. Among the three was a single eye, passed from one to the other in turn as each performed her own function. The mouths were no fewer than four.
“I just don’t have it today.” Neva complained. “I have no fiber, no inspiration and, as usual, I just don’t have any spin in me.”
“Neva, enough!” scolded Gamma, taking the eye. “The thread is too long again. Wouldn’t widowhood warm a queen as well as a scarf?”
Minka agreed, taking up her shears and the eye. “Truly, Neva. They’re men, not mittens. A glove would be nice, though. It’s cold up here.”
When Neva took back the eye and looked at Minka’s work. “Minka, you didn’t cut the thread all the way through.
“No, this one has many good years left so I just cut away his dignity and common sense.” She had made the first philosopher.
“Men are foolish and unpredictable, Minka.” Gamma cautioned. “Be careful with sparing them.”
***
Down below, Perseus, a great hero, brought the head of a seamonster to Croesus, a great King. The king was not cheered.
“Your Highness,” said Perseus, “What troubles you?”
“I am the richest King in all of Greece and you, our greatest hero. But all my wealth and all your courage will not cause the fates to pause. My robes will be rags and your sword will be dull.”
“Your highness, I have conquered the Gorgon what are three crones to me? I shall insist they release us.”
Croesus answered, “No, you are brave but not wise. The fates weave the tapestry of history from Kings and heroes. I am in their control and so are you. Our champion must be worthless and beneath notice to elude them. Send for Diogenes, the philosopher.”
Soon, Perseus returned with the man, who slept in a doghouse, ate the refuse of the poor and stood outside the agora offering new meanings to strangers for their words. There, the king gave him a sword, a mission and a map to the Fates’ lair.
***
Diogenes arrived after a long journey on which he had become lost many times and spoken to many snakes, seeking an honest one.
“Who goes there?” Cried Neva who hadn’t the eye but heard Diogenes sandal flop.
“We are powerful immortals! Come no closer!” Ordered Gamma who also hadn’t the eye but assumed as always that Neva had some good reason for shouting.
“You, too, are no mitten!” observed Minka, who had the eye and passed it on to Neva as she had countless times before but for once without sense of loss.
Diogenes stood and considered what to do. Having no idea he began to speak: “Life is a noun referring to the temporary state of permanent hunger. Measure is a transitive verb meaning to narrow lengthwise. Cut is an adjective meaning not careful enough with her scissors.”
“That’s stupid!” Neva yelled and hurled at the philosopher the nearest thing to hand which turned out to be the eye, which Diogenes caught. The fates protested their blindness but Diogenes refused to return the eye until the fates agreed to spare Croesus and Perseus. The three argued but finally relented and, with the eye returned to her, Neva spoke again to Diogenes. “No man has ever opposed us before. Your fame is assured.”
*Snip* went Minka’s shears.
Fate, n. A Stone with many midwives.
Thanks to The Central Snark Ladies. For a good time, call them.