A couple of months ago, I introduced Gerald to the world in a short 100-word tale called Legendary Circles. I feel that tale needs a little padding here and expanding there, so hereโs the first partโฆ
โI donโt believe this!โ Athena sat down in frustrated contemplation, swiftly using her mouse to scroll onto the next page. โHow dare he!โ
Aphrodite, who had just removed her toast from the toaster looked up in disbelief. She loved to see people acting out of character. Even her fellow Gods.
โWhat is it, Ath?โ She asked, spreading copious amounts of butter over the toasted bread.
โThis mortalโ Athena pointed at her laptop monitor, โtelling tales about us, as if all we do all day is lounge about doing nothing.โ
โBut,โ Hera had walked into the kitchen, still trying to dry her hair after her hairdryer had exploded minutes before, โhe is right up to a point.โ
Athena looked back at her monitor. โWhen you told me to look this โGeraldโ fella up, I thought you were joking, Hez. Obviously you werenโt. He makes out that we all gather together and just watch whatโs going on.โ
Aphrodite took a bite from her toast, hot butter ran over her chin and down her neck. โMmmโฆโ she started to speak, and used a serviette to wipe her mouth before continuing. โWe donโt do that all of the time, but we do do itโ
โYes, I am aware that we do do it, Aph, but we donโt do it all of the time. In fact, we only do do it when we really have nothing else to do, and usually we do have something else to do, so we donโt do it as often as this Gerald makes out that we do…โ
Aphrodite learned long ago that it is wise not to question the wisdom of Athena when she was on one. In fact, it was best not to question Athenaโs wisdom at any time. She simply said โHeโs only writing what he thinks.โ
Hera, in a rage, threw her towel onto the marble floor by the basket, which had a load ready to go into the washing machine. โGet me my pomegranate, and Iโll arrange for someone to zap him with a lightning bolt, for his petulance!โ She needed to restore some kind of balance – and her hair would not dry.
โNow thereโs no need for that yet, Hez,โ Aphrodite held her hands up trying to calm Hera down. Having an irate Goddess of wisdom was enough to deal with without a vengeful Hera making matters worse.
โThen what do you suggest we do?โ Hera glared across the cool kitchen at Aphrodite, but her glare softened as she noticed the grease stains on the front of Aphroditeโs pure white chiton from the butter.
Aphrodite glanced down and saw the greasy patches across her bosom. โOh, bother!โ She declared. She tried to dab the grease away with another serviette, making matters worse.
Athena started to chuckle.
โI know what we can do.โ She smiled, and Aphrodite and Hera walked over to where Athena was sitting. They both looked at the image of a podgy-looking man with a funny haircut on a profile picture on the screen, while Athena was tapping the manโs chin. โWe will pay him a little visit, and then bring him here to the Lap. Weโll show this Gerald exactly what we Gods and Goddesses do. Weโll really give him something to write aboutโฆโ
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