Cupid and Psyche: Part 2

Cont'd from Cupid and Psyche: Part 1 And so, the tricky goddess got sacks of different seed. She mixed them up completely and said: "Here's what I need. You have to sort the millet, the barley and the rye in neat and separate measures — by morning. Can you try?" Poor Psyche was discouraged. She muttered: "No I can't." But suddenly she noticed a tiny, wriggly ant. And then she spied another and still ten million more. They sorted seeds and put them in portions on the floor. When no seed was left over, she thanked them one and all. And then she slept till morning when Venus came to call. The goddess had been certain that Psyche was to fail. But Venus kept on scheming and thought she would prevail. She said: 'You have to bring me a bucketful of fleece from sheep that I will show you — the finest in all Greece. But do take care, my darling: they will put up a fight. They are as fierce as lions and will be sure to bite." When Psyche came up closer and saw the grazing sheep, she knew that they would kill her: their wool they meant to keep. A reed in nearby water exclaimed: "Do not despair. When they walk through those bushes, the sheep leave clumps of hair." So Psyche sat and waited until the sheep indeed left fleece on all the bushes, as promised by the reed. Then Psyche filled her bucket with wool right to the brim. When Venus saw her coming, the goddess looked quite grim. "Oh, you are swift, my pretty," the cruel Venus said. "Fulfill the final mission and Cupid you can wed. Not far from here there rumbles a giant waterfall. A cupful of its water I want to have — that's all." The waterfall was roaring with all its flowing might. The slippery rocks around it were such a scary sight. So Psyche started sobbing until her cries were heard by yet another helper. This one — a friendly bird. "Give me the cup; don't worry. I know just what to do," the birdie chirped and quickly up to the water flew. It filled the cup and brought it back to the grateful maid. And Psyche said: 'Oh, thank you for this much needed aid!" The cup made Venus livid! But now she had no choice. She said: "I give you Cupid" with fury in her voice. At once the happy Psyche had Cupid in her arms. What can be more enticing than love's eternal charms? Since then they've been together — forever in their bliss — united by two arrows, a goddess and a kiss.