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Archiver > GENBRIT > 2001-07 > 0994016128


From: Liz <>
Subject: Re: Classic quote
Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2001 20:35:28 +0100
References: <200107011140_MC3-D7BC-B839@compuserve.com>


> FUNNILY enough, just before they strapped me into the straight-jacket and
> chucked me in the padded cell, I heard one of the assistants say to his
> mate: "And now for that woman who lives in a box. Isn't it time we got her
> out of there and into one of ours?" <b.g.>

Time to lay to rest the misconceptions about Pandora ...who never lived
in a box....

Pandora was the first woman. In my preferred version of the legend she
was sent by Jupiter to bless man (naturally) and furnished with a box of
wedding gifts into which each god had placed a blessing. She opened the
box incautiously and all the blessings escaped ...except Hope ...

So far, so Bullfinch. But I like to think of Pandora as the first
genealogist. Driven by curiosity we open the box of our family history
and let loose all those traits and adventures of our ancestors, our
inherited blessings, if you will .... and pursue with a passion, as we
may, they are forever escaping us in the mists of time ..... but what
keeps us going is Hope .... hope that we will satisfy that curiosity ...
<VBG>

Liz (Greenwich UK)

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