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Ariadne/Chapter One: Girlfriends

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«I, Pythagoras, am reopening My School on the Earth! Here and now and with your help, My friends, — this is the beginning!

I would like to attract the attention of the youth to the laws of existence and to the meaning of life!

I would like to direct people′s love to the Wisdom!

And to glorify the beauty of the Earth!

I would like to make the law of Kindness — the foundation of life for the community of people

And to open widely doors into the World of Divine Love, Peace, and Bliss —
for those who will rush to It strongly!»

(Pythagoras: in «Classics of Spiritual Philosophy and the Present»)

Chapter One:
Girlfriends

Ariadne took a bath. The slaves smeared her body with incenses and expensive oils and combed her luxurious hair. She was dressed in an outfit of fine expensive fabric with gold thread embroidery along the edge. She looked like the very embodiment of grace!

She came up to the silver mirror, which reflected the splendor of her body in all its glory.

One of the slaves — with a low bow — handed her a casket filled with ornaments. Out of the numerous expensive and exquisite jewelry, Ariadne took only a beautifully made diadem. She touched up her hair and fastened it with this ornament in the form of a thin golden twig with pearls.

Ariadne gestured for the slave to retire.

“What else do you need?” — she mentally said to her reflection in the mirror.

Everything in her life was an exquisite luxury: the house, decorations, the outfits…

The wealth given by her father was great. Both her father and mother now lived in Athens and did not pester her with parental care. The most beautiful and wealthy of suitors asked for her hand, and she could choose…

Her thoughts flowed smoothly, as if the dialogue with the beautiful reflection that Ariadne saw in the mirror, continued:

“What more do you want? Marriage? Children? All you have to do is simply choose one of the admirers — and this will become a reality.

“So, what is missing in your life?

“Fate has fondled you like a warm sea. So, why is there such emptiness inside you?

“Or do you need to understand — what is all this for?

“Perhaps, in one or two decades all this beauty will fade, and what will remain then? What will happen to this beautiful Ariadne?”

Ariadne dismissed the thoughts of old age and death…

Today she was waiting for her friend Ferenika, who promised to visit her.

* * *

Ferenika, a beauty with fiery reddish curly hair, as if flew into the house of Ariadne and brought into the surrounding space all the irrepressible liveliness of her nature, enthusiastic and amazed exclamations, and giggling laughter.

The girlfriends embraced each other tenderly. Exquisite treats accompanied and delighted their conversation. They discussed Ariadne’s suitors for a long time, but no one was given preference.

Ariadne sighed:

“All this is good, but my heart does not burn with love for any of them… And what’s next, marriage, birth of children, and afterwards — old age, death?… All this — for what?! Why should beauty fade and go to the grave?! Why did it bloom?! There must be a meaning to life!” — Ariadne, at last, expressed vocally all the thoughts that clouded her morning that day.

“You argue like a philosopher. Have you heard this term already, signifying a sage who loves wisdom above all else? Have you ever been to his lectures? And have you heard his speeches?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“So, you have not heard of Pythagoras? He arrived here recently. And he is organizing a school for the ethical education of the youth or something like that. The speeches he gives are admired by many! And they say that he is handsome, like Apollo, and that he has the power of Zeus!

“It is said that he possesses the Divine Knowledge, received from above! Perhaps, from the Gods Themselves!

“And they say that he is called Pythagoras, because, even before his birth, Pythia, in the Delphic temple, had already prophesied to his parents the great destiny of their son!

“They also say that he became a priest in Egypt, and that he studied the magic and mathematics of the Chaldeans in Babylon. And now he has decided to disclose what he knows — openly.

“He speaks again tomorrow! You should go and listen to his speech! Moreover, many worthy men will be there too, and you can shine with your beauty!”

“And you — will you go?”

“No… I would die of boredom there! I’m not like you, and reasoning about the meaning of life puts me to sleep. I want to live — but not talk about life’s meaning!

“If youth and beauty now shine in me — I really want to enjoy it and not ponder old age and death!

“Well, it’s time for me to say goodbye: my ardent admirer is already waiting for me! And today, he and I will have fun all night long until morning! I’m not ready to change this date — not even for the speech of even the best of sages! You will tell me about this Pythagoras later!

“Forgive me, friend, but I am like that! See you soon, dear!”