FREE ESSAY ON DAMON AND PYTHIAS

DAMON AND PYTHIAS

After reading Damon and Pythias, I realized that the value of friendship portrayed in the
story is also relative to me. As Damon had faith trust and honor, I remember such a
friend who had faith, trust and honor in me. Such a friend is incomparable to all wealth
and power this life offers.
From what I remember, it was back in 1993 -- I was on one of my expeditions in the misty
jungles of Africa. I befriended a native there who spoke English fairly well. We drove
through the jungles in my Jeep, searching for ancient pieces of art. I was an art
historian looking for further roots that influenced Egyptian art. We began to know each
other pretty well as time passed. I learned his name was Mutopa.
He had so much faith in me; he was willing to take my place in the time of deep trouble.
It was only couple months after my arrival to Africa. Immediately, I set out to work. I
was anxious to discover hidden truths of the ancient world. Due to my careless wandering,
I strayed into the Uzulu territory. The Uzulu was a fierce tribe that sometimes practices
cannibalism for sacrificial rites. I accidentally knocked over a statue of their goddess
as I backed up with the Jeep. It was a beautiful piece of art carved from diorite.
Luckily the idol did not break but the stones set in the eyes fell out and broke as it
hit one of the rocks lying on the ground. I held the broken pieces in my hands examining
them closely against the sun. It was nothing exquisite, just semiprecious lapis-lazulis;
I had a couple at camp myself. Then suddenly as I looked up, the Uzulu members were close
upon me. They spoke in an unusual language I could not recall. Fortunately, Mutopa
understood a little. He said, "They are saying their goddess, Ishtar, will bring great
wrath upon them unless either the eye is replaced or they provide a human sacrifice."
"What do they want?" I asked.
"They can't replace the stone so they want to sacrifice the one responsible for this
dilemma. They say it is you," he said with an uneasy tone.
I felt the tribe members begin to bind my hands. "Wait!" I yelled. "If you need
lapis-lazulis, I have several at camp. Tell them that, Mutopa!"
He translated for me.
"They say they cannot trust you -- you may not come back," then he said something else in
their language.
"What was that about?" I asked.
He said, "I told them to let me take your place so you can go to camp to get the stones.
But they say the stones must be replaced before sunset, if not they must sacrifice
someone. I will wait here, go quickly and bring the stones."
Before he finished speaking, the Uzulus unbound my hands and started to bind his. "You
have so much faith in me Mutopa, I'll be back, I promise you!" I exclaimed.
"I know, you are my friend," he replied calmly.
Never have I realized that Mutopa also had great faith in me. As I was returning with the
sacred stones, my tires exploded. I didn't have enough spares so I had to go on foot. I
could feel the time pressure against my back. The sun began the emit its distinct glow
when it's about to set. Ancient Egyptians believed this was the hour before Re, their sun
god, entered into the realms of Osiris, the god of death. If I don't get back in time,
Mutopa will be entering the same. I arrived before the last streak of the sun plunged
into darkness. I could see the Uzulus tied Mutopa to the altar. The high priest was ready
to offer his body and soul to Ishtar. I made it, barely by a second. I gave them the
stones and they set him free. We embraced with tears in our eyes. I asked him, "Why
didn't you try to escape?"
"Because, I had faith in you. You are my friend, I know you will never betray me."
What he said later touched and surprised me so much. He honored me like no one has ever
done. He said, "I thought to myself, if you do not come, it was not by your will. You are
an honorable person, unless a great power holds you back, you are true to your words."
From hearing this, I drove the rest of the way with teary eyes.
Never have I known anyone who showed such trust, faith and honor in me. Since then, I
knew the true meaning of friendship.