Tales from childhood: Important qualities.

 Lara's father was a strange man. He did many strange things. When little Sophie saw him she had these thoughts. It was Sophie's opinion.

His new wife was a very good person. She was often used as an example to his ex-wife. Since early childhood the girls were competitors. Lara's stepmother had good qualities for a successful life.

During school years she visited sport section. Also, her grades were very good.

"Look how well she does everything!" said teachers and parents.

These words really hurt Lara's mother. So, she didn't like her. Sometime they were just neighbors. Later the girls became classmates. It only increased the competition between them.

But when Sophie and Natalie talked with Lara's stepmother, they understood several things. This young woman knew how to listen to other people. She never interrupted anyone.

The woman with wrinkles around the eyes. These lines only appeared when she was smiling and laughing. Lara's stepmother had a good sense of humor.

Little Sophie and her best friend Natalie liked her for generosity. The kind woman treated children in the yard and their friends for every holiday.

Stepmother gave gifts for her stepdaughter. On Christmas she knitted a warm sweater for Lara.

Sophie thought that maybe the husband loves his wife precisely for these qualities.

Delicious chocolate sweets.

Different teas.

 

Orpheus and Eurydice.

 Orpheus (Ὀρφεύς) was a singer. His parents were Apollo and Calliope. His symbol was a lyre. Orpheus played on this musical instrument. His music was very beautiful.

When Orpheus was a young man, he took part in the campaign for the Golden Fleece. He was with Jason and the Argonauts.

Eurydice (Εὐρυδίκη) was a forest nymph or dryad. She liked music of lyre which played by Orpheus. Later they understood that loved each other. 

Orpheus and Eurydice (Ὀρφεύς καί Εὐρυδίκη) got married. They became happy. But unfortunately it didn't last long. Eurydice was bitten by a snake in the forest. She died.

Her husband Orpheus was very sad about it. He decided to return Eurydice to this world.

Orpheus went to the underworld. Eurydice's husband sailed on the river Styx. He met Cerberus (Κέρβερος), dog with three heads. Also, Orpheus played on his lyre for Hades (ᾍδης) and his wife Persephone (Περσεφόνη).

So, he was able to take Eurydice. But Orpheus shouldn't look at her. She must go behind him. They went together.

Once Orpheus broke down and looked at his wife. Eurydice was left in the underworld forever.

Orpheus had a big griefed. He died.

This legend was popular in ancient Greece. There are many paintings and statues about these characters.

Cake with almond flowers.

 

2020.

Tales from childhood: Families.

 Lara was a strange child. Her behavior was unusual for other children. At the same time little Lara didn't understand many things.

Her parents had their own life. Lara saw them very rarely. Though her father lived in a neighborhood street he didn't want to know her. Or Lara's mother didn't want to see her ex-husband.

Little Lara had a friend in the yard. His name was Teddy. Teddy's parents weren't together. But his father paid attention to him. He took little Teddy to elementary school. During the weekends they went to the circus, park, and cafe. Son loved these moments with his Daddy.

Sophie was very proud that she knew the truth about her family. Mother told all her daughter.

Lara asked her grandfather again about her father.

"Where is my father? Please, tell me the truth. I don't want to believe you." she said.

Grandfather didn't say anything. He decided he blabbed very early.

"Why do other families have fathers? But our family doesn't have him?" thought little Lara.

She decided to ask it her mother.

Source of image:

https://www.shutterstock.com/ru/image-vector/big-happy-multigenerational-family-siblings-relatives-322612859

Purple flowers in Chile.

 

 

August, 2020.