The Legend of Pandora

In the mythology of ancient Greece, Pandora was the first woman created on earth.  She was made by Hephaestus by request of the chief of the gods, Zeus.  Zeus had been wondering what to do, in order to minimise the giving of fire to the humans by Prometheus.  Giving them woman seemed to be ample punishment!

She was given every attribute of beauty, grace and elegance and Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus, accepted her gladly as his wife.  However, the gods had also given Pandora a box and had told her she must never, ever open it.  Pandora was, of course, curious and one day, she could not resist the temptation to have a peek at what the box might contain.

As soon as she opened the lid, just the merest sliver, out flew innumerable plagues, evils and sorrows, sweeping past her and out into the world.  Poor Pandora was horrified at what she had done.  But as she sat, weeping, a tiny, silvery voice sounded from the bottom of the box.  Once more, Pandora lifted the lid, and out flew a beautiful, delicate spirit.  This was hope, who remained to comfort humanity.

Another version of the tale says that the box contained thousands of blessings.  And that they never would have come into the world if Pandora had not defied the gods.