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Pygmalion and Galatea |
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Pygmalion an ancient sculptor living on the island of Cyprus worked in marble and ivory, creating statues of great beauty. But none of the statues reached the state of perfection he craved. Some men who are hurt early in life by love gone sour, by unrequited love, or a simple lack of love, vow that they are better off alone. |
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| "Better to be alone than at the mercy of fickle women!" | |
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Beauty, courage, modesty, elegance, charm, warmth and passion and, one by one, he carved these qualities into the block of marble standing before him. Slowly, very slowly, the beauty and perfection he sought revealed itself beneath his chisel. Sometimes Pygmalion was so enamored of his statue he would stand back and stare, incredulous at the wonder of his own work. |
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| "Never has a sculptor created such a masterpiece. Never has a mere statue been so lifelike!"Pygmalion continued his labors until his exquisite work of art was so perfect it had no further need of the master's hand.It was finished, and Pygmalion was exhausted."Ah, but you need one more thing, my lovely one. You need a name. You are more than cold marble. You are warm as life itself. I christen you . . . Galatea!" Pygmalion slumped to floor in exhaustion. Pygmalion slept very well that night, right there at Galatea's feet. He dreamed that Galatea was a living, breathing person and that she found him as desirable as he found her In short, Pygmalion fell in love .... With a piece of stone. |
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For the next several weeks Pygmalion was wretched and it seemed that the female race that he had so despised was having its revenge. He talked to, touched, even kissed his beloved Galatea, but she was unresponsive He sang to her, danced for her, and gave her gifts Still she remained immoble. |
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"What shall I do? What shall I do? I love her. I love my Galatea." Then came the day of the festival of Venus, goddess of love and beauty. Since Pygmalion's life had been devoted to creating beautiful things, he was especially close to this particular goddess. |
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"Dare I approach the goddess.Venus with my problem? Would she understand Pygmalion decided to try. With many others he stood in line at the altar of Venus, waiting his turn to offer a gift and a prayer. He had taken with him an ivory carving, one of his finest works of art. "O, Venus, hear my prayer I have created Galatea, a woman of exquisite beauty, surpassed only by that of your own. |
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And I have fallen hopelessly in love. Would you help me find a real life maiden that I could love as I love Galatea? Please accept my gift, dear goddess, and my life's devotion. If you would see fit to answer my prayer, I would be eternally grateful. " Now Venus was no fool. She knew what Pygmalion really wanted. He didn't want a maiden like Galatea; he wanted Galatea! |
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And Venus, being the goddess of love and beauty, thought his a worthy passion. As a sign that she would honor his prayer, she caused the flame on the altar to leap high in the air. Pygmalion returned to Galatea. He touched her garment it was soft and pliable. He touched her hand it was warm. He touched her lips .... and she smiled. He took her in his arms .... and she responded. |
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Venus, goddess of love and beauty, had turned Pygmalion's marble statue into a living, breathing woman. And soon Venus, goddess of love and beauty, presided at their wedding. |
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| The End... | |
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