Prometheus

Prometheus
By Vince Eckert
In Ancient Greek mythology, fire was given to man by Prometheus, who stole it from the chariot of Apollo. But what if he had stolen something else?

Man: I’m so cold.
Prometheus: Take heart, man! I bring to you a gift to ease your suffering: an urn of water stolen from the oceans of Poseidon himself!
Man: Thanks, I’ve had enough suffering… ugh, this is salt water.
Prometheus: Do you spurn my gift, mortal? Do you dare evoke the wrath of a Titan?
Man: No, no, I’ll take it. See? I accept. What a great and wondrous gift this is.
Prometheus: Partake of it then. Drink, fully and heartily, and may your troubles be erased.
Man: I just really need something to keep me warm. What if I give this back, and you give me an urn of heat? Maybe some fire?
Prometheus: Do I seem like some kind of God?
Man: Let me tell you of my plight. Long ago, I lived happily with my family. Then they froze.
Prometheus: Look, man, the fire’s a little tight right now, okay? But I’ll see what I can do.
Man: What am I going to do with this water? I can’t use it for anything.
Prometheus: It’s … enchanted.
Man: It doesn’t seem enchanted.
Prometheus: The magic is at the bottom. You have to drink for it.
Man: O, merciful gods, spare me from this…
Prometheus: Drink!
Man: I feel… so… bad…
Prometheus: Man? You all right, man?