The Egyptian myth of Isis and the seven scorpions – Alex Gendler

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The Egyptian myth of Isis and the Seven Scorpions tells the story of Isis, who, while hiding from her brother Set, seeks refuge in a kind woman’s cottage after being rejected by a wealthy woman due to her appearance. The scorpions, sent to protect her, take revenge on the rude woman by stinging her son, but Isis uses her magical powers to save him, teaching the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and understanding others’ struggles. Ultimately, the tale highlights the value of compassion and the lessons learned from helping those in need.

The Egyptian Myth of Isis and the Seven Scorpions

Once upon a time, a woman wearing torn clothes came out of a swamp. She wasn’t alone; seven big scorpions were with her. Holding a baby, she walked to a nearby village to ask for food. First, she went to a big, fancy house. But the lady there saw her dirty clothes and the scorpions and quickly shut the door. The woman didn’t give up. She kept walking until she found a small cottage. The kind woman living there felt sorry for her and offered her a simple meal and a bed made of straw.

What the kind woman didn’t know was that her guest was not just any beggar. She was Isis, the most powerful goddess in Egypt! Isis was hiding from her brother Set, who had done terrible things. He had killed her husband and was trying to harm her baby son, Horus. Set was a strong god, and he was looking for them. To stay safe, Isis had to keep her identity a secret and couldn’t use her magical powers. But she wasn’t alone. Serket, the goddess of venomous creatures, had sent seven fierce scorpions to protect Isis and her son.

The Scorpions’ Revenge

As Isis and Horus settled into their new home, the scorpions were angry at the rich woman who had been rude to their goddess. They decided to teach her a lesson. The scorpions combined their venom and gave it to one of them, named Tefen. Late at night, Tefen sneaked into the mansion. He crawled under the door and found the rich woman’s young son sleeping. Tefen stung the boy with a powerful sting.

Isis Saves the Day

Isis and her kind hostess woke up to the sound of crying. They looked outside and saw the rich woman running through the street, holding her son and crying. Isis realized what her scorpions had done. She took the boy in her arms and began to chant a powerful spell to remove the poison.

With each magical word she spoke, the poison disappeared. The boy started to wake up, and his mother was so thankful. She cried and said she was sorry for being unkind. She even offered all her wealth to Isis to make up for it. The kind woman who had helped Isis watched in amazement, realizing who her guest really was. From that day on, people learned how to make a special medicine to treat scorpion bites, using magical words just like Isis did.

Learning from the Myth

This story teaches us about kindness and the power of forgiveness. It shows that helping others, even when they seem different or strange, can lead to wonderful things. It also reminds us that everyone has their own struggles, and being kind can make a big difference. Plus, it’s a cool way to learn about ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses!

  1. How does the myth of Isis and the Seven Scorpions illustrate the importance of kindness and empathy in our daily lives?
  2. Reflect on a time when you helped someone who seemed different or in need. How did that experience impact you?
  3. What lessons about forgiveness can be drawn from the actions of Isis in the story?
  4. How does the story challenge or reinforce your perceptions of wealth and generosity?
  5. In what ways does the myth highlight the idea that appearances can be deceiving?
  6. Consider the role of the scorpions in the story. How do they contribute to the overall message of the myth?
  7. How might the story of Isis and the Seven Scorpions be relevant to modern societal issues?
  8. What aspects of ancient Egyptian culture and beliefs are reflected in this myth, and how do they compare to modern values?
  1. Create a Comic Strip

    Draw a comic strip that illustrates the story of Isis and the Seven Scorpions. Use your creativity to show the key events, like Isis arriving in the village, the scorpions’ revenge, and Isis saving the boy. Share your comic with the class and explain why you chose to depict certain scenes.

  2. Role-Playing Activity

    Work in small groups to act out the story. Assign roles such as Isis, the kind woman, the rich woman, and the scorpions. Focus on expressing the emotions and lessons of the story. Perform your skit for the class and discuss what you learned from stepping into the characters’ shoes.

  3. Write a Diary Entry

    Imagine you are the kind woman who helped Isis. Write a diary entry describing your experience with the mysterious guest and the events that unfolded. Reflect on how this encounter changed your perspective on kindness and forgiveness.

  4. Design a Scorpion Protection Amulet

    Create a design for an amulet that could protect someone from scorpion stings, inspired by the story. Use symbols and colors that represent protection and safety. Present your design to the class and explain its significance.

  5. Research Ancient Egyptian Gods

    Choose another Egyptian god or goddess to research. Create a poster that includes their name, powers, and a brief story about them. Compare and contrast your chosen deity with Isis, highlighting their roles and importance in Egyptian mythology.

A woman in tattered clothing emerged from the swamp, accompanied by seven large scorpions. Carrying a baby, she made her way to the nearest village to ask for food. She approached a grand mansion, but the lady of the house took one look at her dirty clothes and unusual companions and shut the door. Undeterred, she continued down the road until she reached a cottage. The woman there felt compassion for the stranger and offered her what little she could: a simple meal and a bed of straw.

Unbeknownst to her host, the guest was no ordinary beggar; she was Isis, the most powerful goddess in Egypt. Isis was in hiding from her brother Set, who had killed her husband and sought to harm her infant son, Horus. Set was also a formidable god, actively searching for them. To maintain her disguise, Isis had to be very careful and could not risk using her powers. However, she was not without support. Serket, the goddess of venomous creatures, had sent seven of her fiercest servants to protect Isis and her son.

As Isis and Horus settled into their modest surroundings, the scorpions were incensed by the wealthy woman’s disrespect towards their divine mistress. They combined their venom and entrusted it to one of their own, Tefen. In the dead of night, Tefen stealthily approached the mansion. Crawling under the door, he saw the owner’s young son sleeping peacefully and delivered a powerful sting.

Isis and her hostess were soon awakened by the sound of wailing. Peering out of the cottage, they saw a mother running through the street, crying as she held her son. Upon recognizing the woman who had turned her away, Isis understood what her scorpions had done. She took the boy in her arms and began to recite a powerful spell to neutralize the poison.

With each name she invoked, the scorpion’s venom was dispelled. The child stirred, and his mother wept with gratitude, lamenting her earlier unkindness and offering all her wealth to Isis in repentance. The woman who had taken Isis in watched in awe, realizing the true identity of her guest. From that day on, the people learned to create a poultice to treat scorpion bites, using magical incantations just as the goddess had done.

IsisIn ancient Egyptian mythology, Isis is a goddess known for her magical powers and her role as a protector of children and the dead. – In the story, Isis used her magical abilities to help her son, Horus, defeat his enemies.

ScorpionsScorpions are creatures often mentioned in myths and stories, sometimes symbolizing danger or protection. – In the tale, the goddess used scorpions to guard the sacred temple from intruders.

EgyptEgypt is a country in northeastern Africa, known for its rich history and ancient civilization, including the pyramids and pharaohs. – Many fascinating myths and legends come from ancient Egypt, including stories about gods and goddesses.

KindnessKindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate, often highlighted in religious and moral stories. – The story taught us that showing kindness to others can lead to unexpected rewards.

GoddessA goddess is a female deity worshipped in various religions and mythologies, often associated with specific powers or aspects of life. – In the myth, the goddess of wisdom helped the hero find his way through the dark forest.

MagicalMagical refers to having special powers or qualities that seem beyond the ordinary, often found in myths and fairy tales. – The magical book could reveal secrets from the past when read under the moonlight.

PoisonPoison is a substance that can cause harm or death if ingested or absorbed, sometimes used in stories as a plot device. – The villain tried to use poison to stop the hero, but the hero’s courage and wisdom saved the day.

ForgivenessForgiveness is the act of pardoning someone for a mistake or wrongdoing, a common theme in religious and moral stories. – The tale showed that forgiveness can heal old wounds and bring people closer together.

MythA myth is a traditional story, often involving gods or heroes, that explains natural or social phenomena. – The myth of the sun god explained how the sun travels across the sky each day.

HorusHorus is an ancient Egyptian god, often depicted as a falcon, associated with the sky and kingship. – In the legend, Horus bravely fought to reclaim his father’s throne and restore peace to the land.

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