Pygmalion, a talented sculptor, had vowed never to marry, for women were a great disappointment to him. He actually hated them. One day he decided to create a woman who could not possibly disappoint him, for she would be made from marble.
He worked passionately, day after day. and, little by little, his work grew into the statue of a beautiful woman. Not just any beautiful woman, but one who seemed filled with warmth and vitality and intelligence. Never had he seen such a woman. His work of art was so lifelike that Pygmalion fell hopelessly in love with his own creation.
He kissed her marble lips, but there was no response. He held her graceful hand, but it did not grasp his. He took her in his arms and talked to her, but she did not answer. How unhappy he was!
Ans so he pretended that his statue was alive and his own wife to love. He dressed her in a silken gown, put a string of pearls around her neck, and gave her other presents-bright flowers and shining shells. He gave her a name, Galatea, and tucked her into bed every night. Pretending helped him for a while.
But one day he said, “Oh Galatea! If only you would come to life and be my bride, how happy I would be! For I cannot go on like this. I am wretched and miserable, loving a lifeless statue.”
He continued in this state until a special day, the festival of Aphrodite, goddess of love. On this day unhappy lovers flocked to the temple, praying to Aphrodite that their love would be returned. Pygmalion was among them, and he prayed to the goddess that his statue would come alive and return his love.
Pygmalion hurried home, filled with hope. He touched his statue. She was warm! Was he imagining things? Or was she really alive? He kissed her lips, which were suddenly soft. Then she hugged him back and smiled at him, and her eyes shone with love and joy.
And then at last she spoke to him. “You see, I am alive, and I am yours, for I love you every bit as much as you love me.”
Aphrodite had granted his wish! And so Pygmalion and Galatea were married. Aphrodite blessed their union, and soon they had a son, named Paphos, and they all lived happily together.
From Greek Gods and Heroes by Alice Low
Illustrations by Arvis Stewart
Simon and Schuster, Books for Young Readers 1985
Macmillan publishing Company New York