Sisyphus unboundThe hill was rugged and steep and the narrow path well worn, for the man with the stone had pushed his way uphill many times. He was strong and muscular, with strong arms and legs, and he sweated as he pushed the stone higher and higher up the path towards the summit. The days wore on as he struggled on alone, step by painful step, ever upwards, slowly but surely, inch by inch. Within a few yards of the top he slipped, and his feet slithered on the wet ground. The stone slipped from his grasp and it began a slow descent, gathering speed as it went.
This man Sisyphus had once been a king. He was clever and used his wits to rule and he ruled well with an iron hand. Yet when Death came to claim him he seemed to be powerless: what use his wits now? However Sisyphus had already worked out a plan to cheat Death. Sisyphus left him chained to the wall at the gates of Hades in the chains that were designed for Sisyphus himself.
The price of this cunning was an endless, fruitless task, to try and push the stone uphill. Sisyphus tried to move the stone alone for many years, but soon it was clear that without some help he would never do it. He would never reach the top and never see the stone roll over the summit and down the other side, thus setting him free from the curse. He knew he needed a friend, and the first friend he called upon was Hope.
“Just keep trying,” cried Hope, as Sisyphus strained to move the heavy stone. “The summit is not far, and you are strong. You can do this, never give up. Keep hoping that tomorrow it will be better, that the stone will not seem to heavy and will move easily. Soon your curse will be broken and you will be free. Keep cheerful and keep believing that this can be done!”
With the help of Hope Sisyphus pushed to stone to the top with renewed strength, but again he slipped up and the stone rolled downwards into the valley with a great crash. At the bottom Despair was waiting for him, as he always did, laughing.
