Forever The Best
My loom never stops. What comes out of it are works of art. I’m not the only one who says that. People come from far and wide to look at my creations, to admire my intricate designs, the colours on my warps and wefts mixing, blending and bleeding to become a wondrous melody. It’s pure magic I weave, I know. Others have tried to imitate me and be faster, cleverer than me but I just know nobody can best me. Weaving is my pride, the results my joy.
Since I was four, I’ve participated in the annual competition our queen has patronised. I won it for the first time when I was nine and continued to do so every year. Oh, it’s not the prize that drives me but my pride. I’m simply the best weaver who’s ever lived and my wish is to be remembered for centuries to come.
Today it’s competition day and it won’t be different from previous years. Nobody can beat me. It’s always the usual faces, the same tired, boring designs. However, today I spot someone new at the loom beside mine. She is nothing much to look at, but her piercing azure eyes never leave my face, her hands flying on the loom. Whatever I try, she can do it too, she seems to be reading my thoughts and it’s not good…
I struggle but carry on doggedly, winning is the only result. I don’t even notice the light and dark alternating in the sky, all I see are my rival’s hands finally still on her loom. The cheer from the crowd is deafening and I know I have won. I’ll be the best weaver forever and ever.
My rival is smiling but her eyes are now full of mockery, then malice when an owl suddenly lands on her shoulder.
“You’ll always be remembered as the best weaver! Wasn’t this what you wished?” she hypnotically whispers.
She seems to become taller and taller or is it me who is suddenly so small? And the horror of my new eight hairy limbs!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleA fine retelling of the myth of Ariadne and her abundant pride in her (too) expert weaving. A fully realized character with powerful motivation. The ending is wonderfully shivery. Watch what you wish for!
Thank you so much, it makes worth it carrying on, on such a moment when I am doubting myself!
Excellent, Greene. I thought about Arachne right from the beginning, but you know how much I love my Greek myths. Well written story, loved it.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Carrie. I was discussing the concept of “pride before a fall” with a friend and the story just popped up in my mind, I had to write it and I am so glad you liked it.
You have certainly painted an arrogant protagonist. Greene,I love the line, “to admire my intricate designs, the colours on my warps and wefts mixing, blending and bleeding to become a wondrous melody.” Well done!
As I said to Carrie, I wanted to portray the pride before the fall. I guess Athena was the avenging angel but also the one with the envy. She demonstrates how mortals can’t best gods, they always want their pound of flesh and the last laugh…
Thanks Margarida, I am glad I could show you my protagonist’s colours.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleA wonderful twist ending, Greene, and karma for such conceit. I love the fast pace in your story, drawing the reader in as though standing there watching the looms. Well done!
Thank you, Sandra. I had to “drive” fast to make this story come alive and I have always been absolutely fascinated with spiders so I might take up weaving after this but I’ll make sure to be useless so Athena won’t visit me…
Wow, Greene, the plot twist at the end was amazing! I loved the descriptions of all the fabrics being loomed. A true delight to read!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Bella. I love colours in painting, nature and design, they are a joy to our senses and souls. I am glad you liked the story.
What a story, Greene! Pride certainly did come before a fall and in such a horrendous way! I know so little about Greek mythology but these stories are definitely widening my knowledge. Loved it!
Thank you, Linda. I love mythology of every kind, legends with fragments of truth, stories and sagas. There is so much material to inspire anyone!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThe protagonist sounded so extremely bratty and full of herself! That being said, I nearly screamed out loud at the last line ? On the one hand I thought she had it coming, but on the other hand I almost felt sorry for her. This was a great story. Well done.
Thank you, Marianna. I really wanted her bratty so she could get her punishment, although the horror of her new eight hairy limbs was too much, I agree. Did she deserve it? Only Athena knows!
Hello, Greene. I love it, especially the ending. I learned a great lesson from your story that I could share with those proud people. Well done, Greene.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Lotchie, you are sweet. I am glad you liked it. We all have lessons to learn throughout our lives and it’s exciting, isn’t it?
You are welcome, Greene. Yes, it is exciting.
Thank you for introducing us to Arachne and her strange fate, Greene. A good story about arrogance and downfall. I had never thought of it before, but thanks to your story, I now realize why the word “spider” (close to the Swedish word: “spindel”) is different in Roman languages. (Spanish: araña, French: araignée). Great!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with Google… and ragno in Italian! I guess the English and Swedish root comes from the old German spinnbronn, while the Latin languages used the Greek evolution of the word Arachne, my anti-hero/hero in my story.
I am glad my story gave you food for thought, thank you, Christer.