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The Greek island of Delos was
pumice, the only rock that floats. It drifted across the Mediterranean,
master only to the currents. The island held 500 souls. The men fished
the ever-changing variety that was found on its ever-changing shores,
and never had to work more than the morning to feed their families. The
wives were always with child, fed with fish. As their children grew
taller, the island grew smaller. The weight of the growing population
caused the island to sink, the waves to wash higher and higher on the
Delos shore. The men told others on the island to sacrifice their
children, but no father would do so with his own children. The island
sank deeper into the Mediterranean until it found the seabed and
halted. Delos would never move again. The fishing was not good, and the
men had to work mornings and evenings just to survive. Years later,
when the men were elders, the young asked them if the island really
used to float. Yes, they said; Apollo in his wisdom tethered us to the
ground. They could not remember when the island floated, but assumed it
must have been a terrible life because it did not offer
stability. |
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