"Ariameda and Dicaeopolis" by Laura Beth Levinson

Ariameda and Dicaeopolis

A small blond boy of about six replied, "Without colour? You mean no blues or greens or reds?"

The antique man chuckled, "Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. A colourless world."

"I never heard of such a thing," a teenager replied from the back and the crowd all muttered the same thoughts.

Taking a sip of water the old man continued, "Well, how should I start this? Ahhh...yes. Once upon a time…

"Everything you see around you had no colour. The world was a bleak and dismal place devoid of all things bright and cheery, but then again, without colour it was also devoid of blacks and browns. I guess I didn’t phrase that right. Well, no matter, it’s not important. In this world lived a beautiful goddess by the name of Ariameda. Some thought that she was just as beautiful as Aphrodite, but none dared mention that out loud. Ariameda was not a full Olympian deity, however she did share a little of each of the various powers and had no specific responsibilities. This gave her unlimited freedom. She was never confined to one place and roamed the world as free and happy as a bird. She was of course pursued by many, if not all, of the gods but she remained chaste. Not in the sense like Artemis for Ariameda would tease all the gods and she became one of the most beloved, if not hard to get, goddesses.

"One quiet spring day, Ariameda became bored with flirting with all the gods and so went down to walk amongst mortal men and women. She walked through the cities mingling and learning all she could. When walking down a path through the countryside on the way to Athens she came across a young shepherd sitting against a tree. She gasped. Never had she seen such a handsome man and her heart started to pound within her. One could only think that Eros was up to his usually tricks for the feeling inside her was nothing like she had ever experienced before. Regaining her goddess like dignity, she walked over to the shepherd. ‘Excuse me my good man, I see you have a jug of wine with you. I have been travelling for a long time and if it is not too much trouble, would ask you for a little.’

"The man jumped not having noticed her approach and looked up at her gaping at her beauty. Fumbling for words he replied, ‘Umm…uhhh…yes, please…uhhh…take it all.’ He picked up the jug and nearly threw it at her in his haste to please the beautiful vision in front of him.

"Ariameda laughed and tossing her long hair over her shoulder, sat down next to him. ‘I would rather share it with you, my good sir.’

"Regaining his composure he replied, ‘I am honoured to have such a beautiful lady join me. May I have the pleasure of your name?’

"She smiled, ‘Ariameda.’

"He picked up her hand lightly and kissed it. ‘A beautiful name for a beautiful lady.’

"Ariameda blushed. The gods were never this romantic. ‘And may I have the pleasure of your name?’

"The man stood up and bowed, ‘I am simply Dicaeopolis.’

"She smiled, ‘A handsome name for a handsome man.’ And so a relationship was developed. They sat there for hours sharing wine and enjoying each other’s company. In that short time, both Ariameda and Dicaeopolis discovered true love." The old man smiled as he heard a few sighs from the women and girls in the crowd. The rest stood in rapture listening to his story so he continued on.

"Days and months passed and their love for each other grew. However, Ariameda had not told him yet that she was a goddess. One night after a romantic dinner, she brought it up. She had imagined that Dicaeopolis would be delighted to find out that his love was a goddess, however, that was not the case. They got into an argument and he was very hurt that she had not told him sooner. Ariameda went back to her home in the clouds in tears. Her heart cried out to make things right. She decided to make it up to him.

Not much later, Ariameda came up with an idea for a wonderful gift not only to her love, but also for all mankind. She quickly ran to Helios and begged him to help her. ‘I am going to make it rain this afternoon. Could you please make the sun shine as bright as ever when it does?’ She batted her eyelashes a few times and Helios’s heart melted. He agreed.

Ariameda drew on all her power and sure enough raindrops started to fall across the land. Helios kept his promise and the sun shined bright through the falling water. Ariameda’s plan took affect. The brilliant rays hit the clear raindrops and made the world’s first prism. A large rainbow formed, arching across the entire world. Every soul on the earth stopped and stared at the magnificent sight. None believing that the beautiful colours they saw before them could ever exist.

"It was time for the last part of Ariameda’s plan. The goddess took in a giant breath, inhaling as deeply as she possibly could. She then exhaled in one great blow shattering the rainbow into pieces and scattering them about the earth. Wherever a piece fell and touched it left its colour. Colours mixed and created the delicate peaches of human skin and the beautiful aquas of the ocean. The world burst forth into a brilliant cornucopia of hues and tints. Life would never be the same again.

"As the pieces fell, Ariameda caught a piece and formed it into a crystal of incomparable splendour that would always show a rainbow inside. She meant this to be a special gift for Dicaeopolis. She travelled back down to earth and found her beloved taking in all the new colours of the land. Ariameda walked up to him and held out the crystal. ‘M’love, please forgive me for my horrible actions. I never meant to hurt you.’

"Dicaeopolis took the crystal staring at it in amazement, ‘I do not deserve this Ariameda. I forgive you and will love you always.’ He looked around, ‘Is this all your doing?’

"She smiled brightly, ‘Yes, it’s the product of my love for you.’ He then took a hold of her and kissed her passionately and more deeply than ever before. And so, colours were created for us all to enjoy."

A young woman in the crowd staring off romantically asked, "What happened to Ariameda and Dicaeopolis?"

The old man grunted and his tone became bitter, "Ariameda’s divine influence prolonged Dicaeolpolis’ life and they lived happily together for hundreds of years. One day Ariameda simply disappeared. No one knows what happened to her. Perhaps the gods grew jealous that it was she, and not them who created such a wonderful thing and did away with her. Whatever happened succeeded in erasing her memory from the world and colours have been taken for granted ever since."

"And Dicaeopolis! What happened to him?" another shout rang from the crowd.

The old man sighed, "Dicaeopolis searched the entire world for his love but never found her. He eventually grew old all alone and heart broken. This is why I tell this story, so that it is not forgotten and to make it up to the two doomed lovers."

The crowd clapped and threw some coins in the man’s direction before starting to disperse. A little girl ran up to him and handed him a small wild flower she had obviously picked from a field. "I won’t forget…Dicaeopolis." And then she ran off. The man laughed placing the flower in a pocket. The little innocent girl was able to pick up what none of the others saw. Dicaeopolis opened a pouch that hung around his neck and took out the rainbow crystal. "Some day, my love, some day we’ll be together again." The ancient man picked up the coins and lumbered off into the streets.