SKOPEO CHRONICLES #31
May 2006
(A bimonthly newspaper from the Skopeo Literary Society)
Curtius Plunges over the Abyss!
Read all about it in our feature story
.
Feature Story
Curtius, A Hero Of Rome
This following story is but an old legend and we cannot say whether there be any truth to the tale, but it seems very unlikely. The tale goes that one day, for no particular reason as far the Romans could tell, a great chasm opened up in the center of the city. The superstitious Romans were terrified and instantly went to consult the oracle as to how this undesirable ravine could be disposed of. The oracle gave them this answer "The chasm will not close until that which is most precious to Rome be cast into it." Women threw their jewels and ornaments, men, their swords and weapons, children, their playthings but the chasm remained despite all their efforts. At length, however, a brave young man named Curtius, reasoned that Rome most valued her young men, for in them and in their strength and fighting skills, lie hidden all of Her power and wealth. With this thought in mind, he dressed himself in gorgeous battle array, mounted his trusty steed and unsheathed his sword. Then, with a victory shout, he plunged over the edge of the yawning chasm and into the abyss. The crack immediately closed over him and never opened again. So goes the tale.
-R.C.
The Sacred Geese
The Gauls had long been making plans to capture Rome and they thought of a clever plan to take the city with ease. In the dead of night, they sent a company of men to climb up the steep cliff and attack the city unawares. All would have gone well for them and in a few hours the great city of Rome would have been burnt to the ground, had not the sacred geese in the temple of Juno detected the presence of the invaders and set up such a ruckus of cackling and flapping that the Romans awoke to see what was the matter. When they saw the invading Gauls, they made an attack and as they far outnumbered the barbarians, they drove them entirely from the city. So was Rome saved, by cackling geese.
The Story Of Dido
Aneas and his companions thus continued on their travels until they reached the city of Carthage. Here Dido, the queen of the realm, hospitably greeted them. She and her people had come to Carthage years back and asked of the natives, a piece of land only as big as a cows hide. This they had been granted and, by her wisdom, Dido cut the hide into strips and surrounded a plot of the best land with it. Thus she was able to have, in her possession, enough land to build a magnificent castle and city and she and her people were prosperous and happy.
During the feast, which she held in the honor of Aneas and his companions, she asked him to give an oratory of his quest, which he gave, and Dido fell in love with him when his hardships were made known to her.
Aneas also loved Dido and proposed marriage to her. When she accepted the two were wed and Aneas felt that there was no happier man on the earth than himself. Aneas remained long in Carthage and the gods were soon displeased at the delay of their wishes, therefore, Jupiter sent Mercury to warn Aneas and advise him to be gone. This, in haste and fear, he did, deserting Dido in his consternation.
She pleaded with him long, but all in vain for naught would sway him from his wishes. Finding that all of her begging and crying did no good, she stabbed herself and was cremated on her funeral pyre. Aneas, fleeing the city, saw the flames and was soon aware of the sad fate of his wife.
From the Latin
Unhappy, Dido was thy fate
In first and second married state.
One husband caused thy flight by dying
The other caused thy death by flying.
- R.C.
DID YOU KNOW?
-That your bones are made up of two substances, collagen and minerals. The collagen provides flexibility and the minerals provide strength. -A.H.
Jump, run, dash,
That`s Polly girl!
She`s away in a flash
Like a lightening swirl.
She is vicious as a tiger,
She is gentle as a lamb
When she runs she is a cheetah
As she clouds up the sand.
She is gentle as a lamb
With those she knows
But if she sees another dog
On the chase she goes!
We found her as a puppy
When the cold winds blow
And she will be a grown doggy
With the next winter snows.
- C.V.
Gold may be costly,
Jewels may be precious,
But gold is cold,
And jewels are speechless,
Better is the sun if gold you seek,
Take flowers over jewels,
For flowers can speak.
-C.V.
The rain is a delicate flower, trying to push its way through the world.
Striving against the elements. Gentle, meek, timid rain.
It comes; its wily innocence deceives the sun.
It pushes through and then we find that the rain is a tyrant.
It calls the wind and blows itself against the world.
It is wild, gushing torrents of wrath.
Then there is a lull in the fury,
The slow methodic sounds abates and we find the rain a gentle,sweet breeze,
A hoop of color, a rainbow.
-R.C.
Augustus Caesar
He said, " and though the world fall
Ash on fire,
My house will rule them all!"
And that was his desire.
He said "and though the nations quake,
For mercy at my hand,
Until I my house rules them all
I fight to rule this land!"
He said "and should I die today
Grasping with my last breath,
My house will rule them all
Or I go not to my death."
He said "The world shall never forget,
When I ruled and how,
For my house shall rule them all
Forever starting now."
They made him a god when they heard him
A god over the people of Rome
But only a wise man knows
That a house is not a home.
And never can houses rule the world
But with an iron hand
To pass away as iron rusts
And sink into the sand.
And Great Augustus Caesar,
Boasting of his dreams
Little thought of Life or Love
What kind of a God was he?
R.C.
JOKES and RIDDLES ROOM
Knock-knock.
Who's there?
Dishwashing
Dishwashing Who?
Dishwashing the way I ushed to shpeak before I losht my two front teesh.
R.C.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Special announcement! The birthday of one of our most beloved members: Troy Snapdragon is tomorrow, May 19th! Here's from our society to Troy Snapdragon: Happy 8th Birthday!
-The Editor, (for all of us)
ADVERTISEMENTS
- C.V. plays Fur Elise on request! Get your tickets today to hear the beautiful old song played in a variety of voices and beats.
- Stratego takes the month's most popular game award! An exciting game of strategy, wit, and clever bluffing, Stratego is fun for young an old alike. Even three-year-olds will find it incomparable!
- "SwordsEowyn", as she likes to be known, is challenging all brave warriors worth their salt to prove their courage! She is defeating them right and left and has earned her name as "Mistress of the sword." Only Strider as yet has been able to match her amazing skill. So, if you think you are a hand at the sword, think twice!
-R.C.
EVERYONES HELPFUL HINTS
Will M.A. please refrain from sticking out his tongue at his older sisters when he is irritated at them?
Will people please stop putting the salt and honey in the refrigerator?
- Editor
SPECIAL FEATURES
This is the third part of our five-part community serial. Troy Snapdragon, who, at the age of seven is one of our youngest members, wrote it.
The king gave Agathorn a sword and a shield saying, "Go and fight the wicked enchanter."
Agathorn replied, "I will try." Then he left the king.
"Jerathon shall also fight the wicked enchanter."
Then the king also gave Jerathon a sword and shield. He gave them two gold pieces and ten diamonds as well as two crowns also made of diamonds.
Then they went on through the tunnels and soon came out of the mountain on the other side. As they began to climb down they came mouth of another cave with three creatures guarding it and one shouted as they approached, "Who goes there?"
"We do" said Agathorn boldly and then the creature said
Who are 'we'? They replied,
"We are Jerathon and Agathorn."
Then one of the creatures said `Do you come in peace to his majesty Gorian's Palace" Jerathon said, "Majesty indeed, and come in peace? Surely not; we come to fight the wicked enchanter."
"Well, then you shall not pass." One of the creatures growled and then a terrible fight began. One of the creatures knocked Jerathon down so suddenly that Agathorn could not save him from death so he fought his way through. Finally he stepped into the great palace and the enchanter looked hard at him with beady eyes and Agathorn could not say anything........
- Troy Snapdragon
Superstars and Heroes
Over the past month, I have been reading about the life of Winston Churchill in an excellent book called "Never Give In" by Stephen Mansfield. Churchill was a political leader in Britain during World War II and his bold speeches of freedom are famous today. I will write more about him later but for now I wanted to copy something that Henry Kissinger said about Churchill and how it applies to leaders today. Mr. Kissinger said "Our age finds it difficult to come into grips with Churchill. The political leaders with whom we are familiar generally aspire to be superstars rather than heroes. The distinction is crucial. Superstars strive for approbation; heroes walk alone. Superstars crave consensus. Heroes define themselves by the judgment of a future they see it as their task to bring about. Superstars seek success in a technique for eliciting support. Heroes pursue success as the outgrowth of their inner values." So what does all that mean? It means that in our world, people often confuse superstars with heroes. It's all very well to be a superstar but most superstars rely on popularity, fame, good looks and being cool. We can't trust to these things because they don't last long and they don't give us enough. Heroes are different. They stand alone if nobody else will stand with them. They rely not on the crowd but on their beliefs that they value and fight for. Of course, it's easier and more exciting to be a superstar but in the long run, heroes win!
- R.C.
Word Origins
Today I learned something simply fascinating: The origin of another word that we use commonly today, in fact, it is one of my favorites: companion. Here is how it works. You all know, I assume, the Latin word, "cum" meaning "with" or "together." Well, in the word companion, this "cum" is changed to "com". The second part of the word "companion" is "panion", derived from the Latin word "panis," meaning "bread." Well, does it make sense or have I baffled you? What do "bread" and "together" possibly have in common with each other? Well, it's actually very simple: a companion is one with whom you share your bread, especially while traveling or on a journey. What a clever word combination!
Here is another interesting expression derived taken from the Roman traditons that we still use today: Worth One's Salt. Where on earth (or off of it) did we get such a ridiculous phrase? Again, it's quite simple. Here is the explanation as worded in Calliope Oct 1995 edition: "Because the Romans prized salt as much for it's flavor as for it's preservative qualities, they made it a rule that, as part of their pay, Roman soldiers would receive an allowance of salt or money to buy a specified amount of salt. This salt or money was called "salarium". In time, salarium became the root of the English word, "salary" and thus the expressions "to earn one's salt" and "worth one's salt" developed."
Well, I have three or four more of these to write about next time but I think that two is enough for today so see you next month!
-R.C.
Letters
Dear W lions Society,
We really enjoyed your last paper. Keep it up!
S.R.O.L.s worm farm sounds interesting. Is it still operating?
-The Skopeo Literary Society
Its Good To Remember
"There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse even though the end may be dark." - Aragorn
Comments
Friday - Untitled Comment
Posted by Eyebright
Hello, I really like you putting quotes from charachters from the Lord of the Rings in your newsletter. It helps me to remember parts of the story I don't other wise think of. I also liked your matching game, that was kind of neat.
Keep up the good work!
Friday - Untitled Comment
Posted by ritatubbs
I really like your site and your newsletter. Giving lessons and tips concerning Latin roots are a real plus for readers since most people no longer study the romance languages. Aren't they vital to our languages today? Keep up the good work!
Wednesday - In which we respond to the Lady Eyebright
Posted by Inklings
We wish to express our extreme gratitude for your polite and uplifting comment on our newsletter. We are glad to know that there is someone enjoying our paper.
Respectfully Yours,
The Inklings
Wednesday - Untitled Comment
Posted by Mrs. Beaver
We have a C. S. Lewis Quiz on our Pevensygirls site.
I thought yall might be interested.
~ Mrs. Beaver
Sunday - Your tagged!
Posted by Striker
Your tagged!
Here are the questions(Each of you get to answer!):
Q. Six favorite super heroes.
Q. Six favorite foods.
Q. Six random things about you.
Q. Six favorite movies.
Q. Six favorite books.
Thursday - !
Posted by Curufinwe
Nice Roman stories at the begining!
Curufinwe ;-)
Tuesday - Untitled Comment
Posted by Inklings
got tagged by STRIKER
Six favorite super heroes: None
Six favorite books: The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien,
The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis,
Treasure Island, by Stevenson
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, by Howard Pyle
Old Yeller, by Fred Gipson
King Arthur and his Knights, by Howard Pyle
Six favorite movies: The Lord of the Rings
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Ten Commandments
The Princess Bride
Kidnapped! BBC version
Jason and the Argonauts
Six random things about you: I am the president of the society
I am the fourth eldest
I read the paper aloud to the society
I speak Turkish
I always wear a tie at society meetings
I announce the beginning of the meeting with a gavel.
Six favorite foods: Sarma a Turkish dish made of grape leaves
Mantύ a Turkish meat and dough soup
Lahmacun a Turkish pizza type dish
Tacos
Tortillas
Tomato Soup
- Claudio Versiaan