The Tithonus Myth: Life is More than Living
Rosy-fingered Aurora, The Goddess of the Dawn, fell in love with Tithonus a handsome mortal destined to die. Aurora begged Zeus to grant her lover immortality, but she forgot to ask that Tithonus remain forever young. Zeus made Tithonus immortal, but did not give him eternal youth. Tithonus lived year upon ceaseless year as battering days wrecked siege upon him. His mind gone with the strength of his body, he babbled endlessly. Finally, Zeus, taking pity on this dried husk of a man, turned Tithonus into a locust. If one listens carefully on the warm nights in summer pastures, Tithonus can be heard chirruping ceaselessly these words: Live lively, live lively, live lively.
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