Pandora and the Box of Hope

Long ago, all children lived in a happy land. A boy named Epimetheus had a little cottage there. One day, a girl named Pandora arrived to be his friend.

Inside the cottage sat a large wooden box. It had been left there to be kept safe. Pandora pointed to it right away. 'What is inside?' she asked. 'It is a secret,' said Epimetheus. 'We must not peek.'

The days were sunny, and there was always fruit to eat. But Pandora could not stop wondering about the box. Even playing with Epimetheus could not take her mind off it.

One afternoon, Epimetheus went outside to play. Before he left, he said once more: 'It is a secret. We must not peek.' Pandora was left alone with the box.

Pandora saw the golden cord that kept the box shut. She touched the knot softly, just to look. Then, all at once, the cord fell loose.

Pandora heard tiny voices whispering from inside the box. 'Let us out, let us out!' the voices said. She lifted the lid, and out burst a swarm of dark creatures.

Just then Epimetheus ran back inside. The tiny creatures stung them both, and the two children cried out. It was the very first hurt the world had ever known.

The creatures flew away, but the children still felt sad and sore. Pandora sat down by the box and cried. Then she heard a tiny tap, tap, tap from inside.

'Who is there?' asked Pandora, wiping her tears. A sweet little voice called from inside: 'Let me out! I am not like those stinging things. I will help you.'

Pandora called to Epimetheus, and together they lifted the lid. Out flew a bright figure with wings like a rainbow.

The bright figure touched Epimetheus gently, and all his hurt was gone. She kissed Pandora on the forehead, and Pandora's hurt was gone too. 'I am Hope,' she said, with a warm smile.

Hope floated near the ceiling, filling the cottage with soft golden light. She promised to stay with them always. And even now, hope is always near.