The Curse of Europa (Published on Amazon)

The Mythological story of Europa

By Brian P. Kayser

Calm waves gently washed over the sandy beach of Tyre, on that warm summer morning, a very long time ago in ancient Greek Mythology. The cool water was soothing to the feet of Princess Europa and her three girl friends, as they played in the glistening sea water.  She and her friends, had gathered handfuls of beautiful flowers in the fields near the seashore, where her father, the Phoenician king of Tyre, kept cattle that grazed among the sweet clover.  All of the brown bovine were very tame, and Europa had given all of them names.

The girls took the daisies and buttercups they picked, and adorned their long hair with them and also weaved them into chains.  All of the girls were beautiful, but Europa was the absolute epitome of feminine beauty, from her long flowing hair, to her tall slender body, down to her toes. Her pale white face seemed to glow, highlighting her high cheekbones and subtle dimples.  She was wearing a simple, but lovely, purple flowing tunic, that nicely showed off her ample bosom, while hiking it up much farther than a Phoenician Princess should, as she splashed along the shoreline. 

The image of such exquisiteness certainly caught the eyes of many men, desiring to be with her. The herdsman, laying in the shade under a large tree, was always happy to watch from afar, while trying to make music on a flute made of straw.  However, on this day, she also caught the eye of Zeus, the King of the Gods.  Zeus was so captivated by her playful innocence, and virgin beauty, that he instantly fell in love with the mortal.  His desire to possess her was so overpowering, that he immediately devised a plan to abduct her and ravish her.

As the girls were giggling and frolicking through the salty water, they felt a quick cool breeze, instantly giving them all goose bumps.  They looked to the sky to reveal no signs of adverse weather and continued their fun, jumping, splashing, and playfully pushing each other into the water.  Suddenly, Europa’s three friends gasped, and their eyes widened, as they gazed behind her, now pointing.  As Europa quickly turned around, her heart jumped and she became paralyzed with fear.  Appearing amongst the herd of the cows she knew so well, was a magnificent snow-white bull, with gem-like horns that glistened in the rising sunlight.  The huge bull gently walked towards the sea shore, seemingly unaware, or unconcerned, by the presence of the four beauties. 

“Europa… let us take leave of this place.  We know not of this Bull!” one of her friends whispered, in a shaky voice.  But Europa didn’t move.  The bull gently turned his head, as if looking directly at her, with soft brown eyes that made him look very gentle and kind, and it almost seemed as if he had a hint of a smile.  Europa was taken aback by this. 

“Europa, what art thou doing, let’s take leave!” another one of her friends blurted out.  They looked for the herdsman, but he was asleep under his tree, and they were afraid to yell. 

“Wait.  Tis a curious feeling I have about this wonderful creature,” she replied, never taking her eyes off the magnificent animal. 

The great bull walked gently over to where Europa was standing and lowered its head.  The appearance and movements of the bull were so gentle, and so surreal, that she was instantly drawn to it.  She gently reached out and touched his head, then quickly pulled back, then reached out again and began to softly stroke his head, as her fear began to subside. 

“Good-Morning!” she said, in a soft voice. The bull’s head looked up slightly, meeting her eyes, and he gently blinked a few times in succession, as if saying good morning back. 

Her friends were still not very comfortable, being that close to such an unknown and strange bull.  One of them exclaimed, “What art thou doing Europa!  Don’t touch that beast!” 

She paid no attention to their pleas as she stroked his head and neck, and the bull seemed very pleased. She demanded the rest of the flowery wreaths and gently placed one around the bull’s neck.  The majestic bull gently turned in a circle, and proceeded to kneel down on the beach, by Europa’s sand covered feet. 

Europa, fashioned a long wreath of daisies, then climbed on the bull’s back to twine them around his glistening horns.