At this point, Zeus suddenly shifted his tone and asked, "You are one of humankind's creators and their first teacher.
"Since humankind can now stand for all mortal beings, you may also stand for humankind.
"Now tell me: by what actions should humankind express their devotion and respect toward the gods?"
This was, in some respects, different from Prometheus's original expectations.
But he had prepared for this, with many contingency plans.
He knew very well that to expect His Majesty the God-King to shelter humankind for nothing, and to command the gods never again to harm them, on the strength of a few words just spoken—
that was wishful thinking indeed.
True equality between humankind and the gods was utterly impossible.
Mortals, speaking of equality with gods? The notion itself was laughable.
Now, to receive from His Majesty an open acknowledgment of a "father and son" bond and a promise of protection was already the best possible outcome.
The gods of the world were not limited to His Majesty alone.
His Majesty would surely punish any god who dared violate the sacred and righteous order.
But men and gods were different, in the end.
If it were only a god's small whim…
the punishment, however it fell, would not be too severe.
Yet a god's "small whim" often meant, for mortals, the most dreadful, unendurable catastrophe.
How to please His Majesty so that He would more strictly require the gods not to act on a whim against humankind?
And how to please the Olympian gods more broadly, so that they would value humankind and refrain from acting on a whim against them?
This was what mattered most, next.
A "father and son" relationship was the most fitting answer!
Yes, the "father" bears power and honor, but also responsibility and duty.
For mortals to regard gods as fathers is only natural—there is nothing wrong in that.
If with only a measure of reverent submission one could avoid harm from the gods and even gain their favor, that would be a bargain indeed!
As for how to provide for the gods?
Prometheus already had a plan.
Given the pitiful little that humankind possessed, even if it were all given away, the gods would not truly care.
And if all were given, how would humankind go on living?
Rather than the impractical notion of moving the gods with trifling material, better to change strategy at once!
Use humankind's reverence and obedience to move the gods!
By instituting a solemn form and specific codes of conduct, they could confer special symbolic meaning upon ordinary offerings and rites.
Let rites become the vessel and concrete expression of humankind's reverence and obedience, offered to the gods to please them.
In short—substitute the symbolic for the material.
In one respect the effect might be better; in another it would greatly reduce humankind's survival burden.
Only now His Majesty had tossed the question back—would He approve this idea?
Prometheus steeled himself, knowing he could do nothing but press on.
Since His Majesty had handed the problem back, it meant there was a chance of success.
He silently bucked himself up: It's already settled—what is there to hesitate about?
Do it!
He drew a deep breath, arranged a deliberately grave expression, and put on a look of strained reflection.
A flicker of confusion crossed his discerning eyes, then they suddenly lit, like clouds parting to reveal the sun, with the brilliance of "sudden enlightenment."
This "performance" was polished to perfection.
After "pondering" for a long time, he spoke in a tone of excited realization: "Honored Majesty! All rests upon Your far sight and careful thought! Your wisdom is the guiding light no being in the cosmos can do without!"
"Under the guidance of Your radiant wisdom, I… have a small idea I would humbly present to Your Majesty."
He paused; seeing Zeus listen quietly, he continued respectfully: "Great Majesty, when Epimetheus and I descended, by Your sacred command, to create life, we were so moved by Your holy virtues that we created several sacred lives to symbolize them."
"For Your unsurpassed majesty and kingly bearing, we created the lion."
"For Your limitless power and boundless mercy, we created the great whale."
"For Your towering responsibility and steadfast fidelity, we created the mighty bull."
Zeus nodded lightly and said nothing. He already knew this.
The two brothers had reported it when they last returned to Olympus to give account.
That was not all—they had, using authority He had granted, gone so far as to bribe Kelaunia, the "overseer" He had sent.
Kelaunia had reported those matters in full.
But the business was harmless, the beneficiary was His own trusted loyalist, and the brothers had accomplished their great task, so He hadn't bothered to quibble over trifles.
Seeing Zeus nod, Prometheus settled inwardly and found more confidence before going on: "Majesty, Your majesty brooks no affront, Your mercy no profanation, Your power no coveting."
"But! Your great 'responsibility' and 'fidelity' are what all beings in the cosmos should learn, cherish, and praise forever!"
His voice rose, ringing stronger: "Therefore, what could be more fitting than the bull—which represents Your great 'responsibility' and 'fidelity'—as the most sacred gift humankind should offer to provide for You?"
"I propose that within the great Twelve Sacred Cycles, on the 'first month' and 'final month' that mark Your supreme sanctity and honor, on their first and last days, humankind will lay aside all tasks and every person in each tribe will gather,"
"and with the grandest, most solemn rites, offer up the fattest bull to You! With that holy bull, we will provide for You and worship You! I call this rite 'sacrifice!'"
"Of course, humankind will likewise worship and sacrifice to the other great Olympian gods, to express their provision for and respect toward the gods!"
"Merciful Majesty! Great Majesty! Do You deem that such actions will sufficiently express humankind's most exalted and sincere respect and adoration for the gods?"
A faint smile tugged at Zeus's lips.
Well played, Prometheus—"substituting the symbolic for the material"! And "binding the bull to My virtues"!
A fine bit of moral blackmail!
He was forcing Zeus's hand—if He refused the "gift," He would be denying His own "responsibility and fidelity."
A cunning fellow.
Zeus found it amusing, though His face gave no sign. He nodded and smiled: "Very good, Prometheus. I am pleased with your proposal."
"I had no intent to exact harsh demands of humankind; the gods will not truly care for the scant offerings and sacrifices of mortals."
"But this 'attitude' of humankind is of utmost importance."
"Your metaphor is apt. Children love their father, and the father should, in turn, care for his children."
"So long as humankind devoutly offer to and revere Me and the gods; so long as they strictly uphold My sacred and righteous order; so long as they let Me and the gods see an attitude worthy of praise; so long as they truly honor the Father as children should—"
"then I will not be stingy in granting them their due reward."
Having laid out this chain of preconditions—each with all the interpretive power in His hands—Zeus paused, then went on with solemn words, though with a faint hint of dry humor.
"The bull you created represents My 'responsibility' and 'fidelity.'"
"In that case, let this offering be divided in two."
"Let humankind keep 'fidelity,' and I will shoulder 'responsibility.'"
"From this day, the exalted and sincere fidelity and reverent longing that humankind bear toward the gods shall be called 'faith.'"
"Humankind will offer faith to the gods; the gods will respond with shelter and care."
"This is the fairest way to dwell together."
It worked! His Majesty had approved!
Prometheus was overjoyed; he could barely contain his excitement!
He bowed again and cried with all his strength, "Praise Your Majesty! None more loving than Your Majesty! None more merciful than Your Majesty! None more magnanimous than Your Majesty!"
"Great Majesty! Your merciful radiance lights the whole cosmos! And the whole cosmos is filled with endless hope by Your utmost goodness and beauty!"
Zeus smiled lightly, lifted a hand to bid him rise, and continued:
"So be it. On the first day of the first month of the next sacred Twelve-Cycle, I will personally lead the Olympian gods down to the mortal world. Then we will formally establish this 'covenant' between gods and men."
"At that time, please have the bull that seals the covenant pre-divided into two portions. They will stand as tokens of the covenant between gods and humankind."
Zeus smiled slightly, with a hint of deeper meaning. "Prometheus, go now to the mortal world and prepare. Put everything in good order. Show me the sincerity and devotion of humankind—do not disappoint me."
The heaviest stone in Prometheus's heart finally dropped completely.
He felt both relief and joy, at last laying down his burden.
All but skipping for joy, he replied, "Prometheus obeys! Thank You for Your merciful favor, great Majesty! I will return to the mortal world at once to prepare, and do all as You have instructed!"
"Go. I look forward to that day," Zeus said with the faintest of smiles, full of meaning.
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