Calliope made the decision to head into Sicily. If she could find her friends that would be wonderful, but if not, she was confident that she could make her way without them.
Sicily was beautiful. There was not a single sign of the ship or her friends. She found a bite to eat and a place to stay. She had enough pirate booty to pay for each.
That evening Calliope made a plan. She would purchase a ticket on the next ship leaving and make her way towards the Chukchi Sea. She had always daydreamed of visiting the arctic land and she felt like she had nothing to lose.
She had grown emotionally and felt confident that she could make the journey on her own.
Early the next morning she made her way to the dock and made the arrangements necessary for her next adventure. The ticket was purchased and she would be on her way in hours. It was then that she felt a bit nervous. She started to second guess her decision.
Could she do this? Will everything go as planned? Calliope began to talk herself out of the trip. She was on her way to find out if she could get her money back in exchange for the ticket when the captain of the ship she was to set sail with approached her.
“Hi, miss,” he said to her with a strong Italian accent. "Ready to board?”
The captain’s voice broke the temporary spell she had fallen under. She shook her fear and followed him to the grand ship.
A month passed and the ship neared its destination.
Calliope had made some acquaintances on board, but mostly stayed to herself. She spent much of the time reflecting over her past adventures. She had learned so much about life and most importantly about herself. She felt that positive things would come from this next adventure.
The ship arrived in the evening. The sky was as light as it would be in the daytime. It was summer and Calliope had heard that the sky never went dark in summer.
She found a place to stay. It was a hut with small quarters for visitors. The woman who showed her the room was very old and kind. She spoke a language that Calliope had not heard before. They seemed to communicate well despite the great difference in language. Calliope fell fast asleep and did not stir until morning.
When she awoke the sky was a bit brighter. Calliope was ready to explore this amazing land. She left her room and expected to be greeted by the old woman. Instead she was greeted by a young man.
Calliope felt herself blush when he looked at her.
“Hello,” he said to her in broken English.
Calliope could not understand why she suddenly felt so shy. He was a very handsome young man. His hair was jet black and his eyes seemed to match. She felt an instant connection to this stranger.
She responded to him in a quiet voice and introduced herself.
His name was Omelak. He and his mother owned the hut. He had been traveling all over the world until recently.
They ended up spending many hours together sharing their adventures.
Hours turned into days and days into weeks. The two became close.
One day Omelak asked her about the future and if she saw them together.
Calliope’s reaction was an unexpected one. She suddenly felt all of those worthless feelings sneak up on her.
Omelak noticed this uneasiness and wanted to give her some time.
Calliope took a walk along the shore.
She found herself on an old, wooden dock and sat to take in the beautiful arctic water.
She tried to shake the negative thoughts that were flooding her mind.
All of the sudden the wind began to blow and the calm water began to rage. The old dock she was on began to rock and creak. A strong gust came charging at her and Calliope felt the dock collapse underneath her.
Calliope was plunged into water. The icy water immediately caused her to go numb. She felt herself sinking and blacked out.
When she awoke she had no idea where she was.
A soothing voice called out to her and Calliope was struck by her beauty.
Calliope found herself at the bottom of the sea and was staring into the face of the most beautiful woman.
“Do not worry, Calliope. I am Sedna, the goddess of the sea. I used to be a beautiful Inuit girl. I was of marrying age and dated many handsome hunters. I felt I was too beautiful for these men. One day I met another hunter, yet I was drawn to him. I would not agree to marry him, though. I could not shake the thought that I was better than him. My father grew impatient with me. If I did not marry soon we would starve. One day a man dressed in the nicest of furs came to the camp and asked for my hand. Although I protested, I found myself in the hunter’s kayak and on my way to my new home. He brought me to a desolate island and revealed his true identity to me. He was a raven! Our home was a nest full of animal fur and feathers. I was so sad. I cried and cried for my father. My father heard my cries and came to rescue me. We paddled away from the horrible island and headed for home. I turned around after some time had past and saw a dark spot high in the sky behind us. It was my husband looking for me.
The angry raven caught up with us and swooped at the kayak. The strong gust of air from his giant, flapping wing nearly turned the kayak over. My father, fearful for his life, pushed me into the icy water. I began to go numb as I swam back to my father’s kayak. I tried to pull myself into it, but my father used the oar to beat my hands away. My frozen fingers broke and fell into the sea. My broken fingers turned into seals, whales and other large mammals. I could try to save myself no longer and sank to the bottom of the sea.”
Calliope was crying at this point. Sedna’s story was so sad.
“No, do not cry Calliope,” Sedna said. “These great mammals of the sea are my companions. I have told you my story to encourage you to look beyond your negative feelings. Instead focus on the strong woman you have become. Trust your instincts, Calliope.”
Calliope found herself on the shore near the broken dock. The wind and waters had calmed.
She heard her name and looked up to see Omelak running towards her.
“What has happened? You all right?” he asked.
“Yes, Omelak, I am all right. Everything is all right” she assured him.
There was so much going through Calliope’s head at that moment, but only positive thoughts of all that she had learned and experienced. She found her confidence once more, never to lose it again.
Bibliography:
Sedna, the Inuit Sea Goddess
Website: Welcome to the Sedna Homepage
Weblink: Sedna is the Inuit Goddess of the Sea.
Author's note:
This is a fabulous story. I found many versions of the legend of Sedna. It is so worth the time to check out the whole story at the link above.
I left a bit out and also changed the story a bit. Sedna was very vain and would not marry. Instead she spent her time looking at her reflection and brushing her black hair. She did not meet a hunter that she felt a connection with.
After sinking to the bottom of the sea, she did not perish. According to legend, Sedna's anger towards man causes great and violent storms. Hunters treat her with respect. The Inuits believe that Shamans from the above must swim down to her and comb her long, black hair to calm her. She then offers up her mammal companions for the Inuit to eat. Hunters offer the seals they catch a drop of water, a gesture to thank the sea goddess Sedna.
Image Information: Drawing by Rita Lee based on an Inuit mask depicting the sea goddess Sedna