Sierra’s Mushroom Myth
Posted on October 25, 2008
Filed Under Random musing | 1 Comment
Posted by Sierra
In the Piemonte area in Italy, there are giant mushrooms. Not real ones. Stone mushrooms. (A photo.)
The Italians call them “Ciciu d’opera,” or “Stone puppets.” I call ‘em giant mushrooms. They are made of gneiss, rocks that have rolled downhill and packed together. But enough scientific talk. It’s time for the part of natural formations that everyone loves—the legend.
Now, there is a legend in the Ciciu brochure about soldiers and faith and turning to stone and such, but I frankly find it … well, not very interesting. My legend involves Roman gods and is a story of trickery, thievery, and a very naughty god.
One day, Ceres (like cereal), goddess of the harvest, was working in the fields. Suddenly, Mars (like the planet), the god of war, swooped in, “accidentally” chopping down three-quarters of the cornfield in the process.
Ceres stood up angrily and began scolding Mars. She was scolding him very loudly and didn’t notice when Mercury (like the other planet), the god of thievery, music, and also the god with the winged sandals and hat, flew in. He quietly began to fill a sack with some the best mushrooms from the field.
You must understand that back then, mushrooms were very rare, even to the gods. They were created in a very interesting way, but that’s a whole other story. Anyway, back to this story. …
Mercury was about to get away when suddenly Ceres, having eventually let Mars go with a very severe warning that she would tell his mother (her sister) about his antics if he continued them, turned around and found Mercury stealing her mushrooms.
By this point, you may have guessed that she was very, very angry. First, Mars had chopped down most of the cornfield. Then, Mercury had stolen her best 500 mushrooms and, since they were stolen, Mercury was the only god to whom the mushrooms were of any use now. Plus, poor Ceres had a headache from Mars’ hammer.
Ceres explained to Mercury the whole thing about how he was the only one who could use the mushrooms now. She was so angry she threw the mushrooms as far as she could and said, “There! See if your winged sandals will help you find those mushrooms!” “Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!” shouted Mercury as he watched the sack of mushrooms fly. He flew off after them.
As soon as he was gone, Ceres, chuckling to herself, said, “Yes, indeed, young Mercury, go chase those stone mushrooms!” She laughed so hard, she hiccupped. “Catch them, and you’ll discover that stealing from my harvests turns the stolen food to stone.”
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Epilogue
MERCURY never did find those stone mushrooms. He moved on to other robberies. But he never forgot those mushrooms and always did a bit of searching for them every once in a while. CERES did find the mushrooms, and built a nature preserve around them using plants and trees from her very own forest. MARS went on to cause many wars, making sure the good guys won in most of them. He eventually destroyed more of Ceres’ fields with his antics. She told his mother everything. THE MUSHROOMS kept on growing until they reached the size they are today, when they are visited, not by gods, but by us ordinary mortals.
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Hi All
It’s been awhile since I’ve visited the site. Everything looks like so much fun… that’s why I don’t visit.. I’m jealous!
I think everyday life will be alot more boring after this trip…
Nancy