Will Orpheus ever play music again?

Mariam Hello again. I’m Mariam. It’s time to continue the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus and Eurydice had been blissfully married when Eurydice was bitten by a snake and died.

So Orpheus, a remarkable musician, could no longer bear to play his lyre. Then his father, Apollo god of the Sun told him: “Orpheus, go to the Underworld. Ask Hades, who is ruler there, to let Eurydice return to Earth.” “But how will I persuade him?” said Orpheus. “No one returns from the Underworld.” “Your music will speak for you,” said Apollo, who knew the mission would be a long shot .

Orpheus’s journey was treacherous. He hypnotised Charon, the ferryman, with his playing, to get across the River Styx, which separated Earth from the Underworld. Then he had to charm Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guarded the gates of the Underworld.

At long last he arrived in the dark Underworld and found Hades on his throne with Eurydice beside him. “Why should Eurydice be allowed back to Earth?” asked Hades. But Orpheus just played his lyre again and Hades’s gloomy face softened. “Go, Orpheus, take Eurydice.” Orpheus stepped forward but Hades stopped him. “Just one condition. Eurydice must follow you. You must not look back until you have both reached Earth’s light. So long as you don ‘t look, Eurydice will return.”

Orpheus set off with Eurydice following. He longed to turn round but remembered Hades’s words. As he stepped into Earth’s light, panic came over him. What if Hades was lying? He quickly turned his head. Eurydice was on the point of stepping into the land of the living. “Orpheus, what have you done!” she cried. She reached out her hand but quickly faded back into the Underworld, gone forever.

Oh what a sad ending - but I suppose Orpheus didn’t do what he was told - I’m sure there’s a message in there somewhere. Well, that’s all for now, but I’ll see you again soon. Bye for now.