I was as decided as any living mortal could be to travel to the land of the dead, to converse one last time with my father, and let him know what his metered, patient guidance and example had meant to me growing up. To secure my ride in the ferry I made a new oaken pole as a gift for the famous psychopomp Charon and personalized it by carving his name carefully into the surface in Greek to win his favor.
I thought long and hard about how to bribe Cerberus to let me enter Hades alive. I decided to hunt for a stag in the forest near Charon’s Landing where game flourished in the thick, green, cool forest and bring the gift to parlay for my living admission.
Upon reaching the forest I found and tracked the footprints of a large stealthy stag and after a day he showed himself in a clearing, but my foot accidentally snapped a twig and alerted the animal. Instead of running in fear the monster charged me with his antlers pointed forward to crush an impale me simultaneously. I kept calm, controlled my breathing and aimed carefully, pulling back my bow as far as my strength would allow and releasing the arrow at the last minute, which entered the animal's heart, but he continued to charge forward out of pure fury. The beast came to a rest at my feet.
After cleaning the animal, I selected a large primal cut including the loins and ribs and packed it up for my trip to Charon’s ferry landing, leaving the rest behind for the wolves of the forest.
On arrival at the ferry exhausted by my burden I met the ornery old ferryman at the dock.
“Who are you who dares to visit my landing in a living state?” asked Charon.
“I am Orion the Hunter, and I wish to honor you with a new oaken pole with your name inscribed on it and made by my own hands for your invaluable service to the dead. “I bowed to Charon in a show of respect.
“This is a fine pole indeed, and my old one has given me many years of service. Thank you for this gift and in exchange I will ferry you across the river Styx if it is indeed your wish to travel to Hades?” said the old captain.
“Yes, you are welcome, and I will gladly accept your generous offer!” I exclaimed.
So it was set and I took my seat, with my large gift of venison, amongst the dead souls on their final journey. The ride across the Styx was calm and quiet as my fellow
passengers reflected on their lives. Upon arrival Charon helped everyone out of the vessel thanking me again for my gift.
Before me were the enormous black gates of Hades and sitting peacefully before them was the three-headed monster Cerberus reviewing the new admissions as they entered placidly and peacefully. I was the last one in line and when he saw me with the large piece of meat he was intrigued.
“Who are you and why do you come here prematurely?” demanded Cerberus.
“I wish to speak briefly to my father as we were apart at his death, if you will allow me this wish?” I muttered reverently.
Cerberus then asked “Why do you carry this large cut of meat is this to bribe me? asked the three heads simultaneously.
“No Sir it is merely a gift to thank you for guarding my father from danger. I hunted down the stag and butchered it for you in appreciation,” I said respectfully.
“Well, this is highly irregular, but I will accept your offering and let you in but be aware that this is a dangerous place to travel and it is easier to enter than to leave!” growled Cerberus.
I thanked him, leaving the offering at his feet, and with his instructions as to where I might find my father, I continued on my way…
Jim
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