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Narrator: In Ortygia, an isle which formed part of Syracuse, the greatest city of Sicily, there is a sacred spring called Arethusa. Once, however, Arethusa was not a water or even a water nymph, but a fair young huntress and a follower of the goddess of hunt, Artemis, who was often associated with the moon. Like her beloved goddess, Arethusa would have nothing to do with men. She favored a life of hunting and took happiness in basking in the great freedom of the woods. Arethusa: (Hunting) Artemis: (Looking at Arethusa) A young lady with so much skills. I, even, cannot help but amazed to what she can possibly be in the next days. Your name Arethusa means the blooming orchid. Narrator: When the days have passed, Arethusa grew up. While shes taking a rest after hunting, Artemis appeared in front of her. Artemis: How are you my dear child? Arethusa: (Shocked) Who are you? Artemis: Dont you remember who has given your name? Arethusa: (Thinking) Im sorry my dearest goddess Arethusa. I didnt mean to disrespect you. Artemis: Its okay my dear. I came here to bless you with gifts. Arethusa: But Goddess, I do not deserve your gifts. I am a huntress who is willing to serve you and please you. Artemis: Youre such a good girl my young huntress. Arethusa: Thank you my Goddess. Artemis: I am here to warn you that in spite of the gifts I have given on to you. Humans are not the only ones who will fall for your gorgeousness. Narrator: One morning, weary and hot from the chase, she came upon a translucent river deeply shaded by silver willows. Arethusa, having no will to oppose the fresh delicious water, Arethusa leisurely stepped in and tenderly immersing her body into the stream. Arethusa: (Bathing herself onto the water) Narrator: For a moment, she swam idly to and fro in thorough silence; owing to this the long calmness of the quiet river came to its end and awoke Alpheus, the great god of the river. Alpheus: (Entering)

Arethusa: Is anybody there? Narrator: Alpheus witnessed the magnificence bestowed upon this fair maiden and at that very moment he fell in love and longed her to be his wife but Arethusa has this opposite feeling to his; when she sensed something wrong in depths beneath, her fear crept out of her and hurry as fast as she could. Arethusa: (Running away from the water) Alpheus: Why such rushed fairest maiden? Arethusa: (Without looking back- Shouting) I wish not to be with any man, so I beg you sir to just let me be. Narrator: She gives all her strength to flee away from Alpheus and ran with all the speed her fear gave her. Arethusa was hotly pursued and by one stronger if not swifter than she. On the next day... Alpheus: With regret I cannot do as you desire, oh thy precious, come to a halt. I am the god of the river with no intensions of hurting you and only wishes for you to accompany me in my midst of loneliness and sorrow, please know that I love you. Arethusa: (Exhausted from the long and painful run) My beloved Artemis, please hear me out. Help me, your loyal servant to contempt this man. And for I believe that you can understand and take pity on me. Artemis: I am with you my loyal huntress, so hide your fear. I shall give you a clever mask so that you may be free of Alpheus and his unwanted thoughts. But why dont you appreciate him? Arethusa: I do not wish for a man. I want freedom, freedom to hunt and explore the forest of Syracuse. Artemis: As you wish. Forests that protect this land from harm help this lady in her misery. Help me as we aid this scared woman. Narrator: But it said that even so she was not free of Alpheus. The god changed back into the river, followed her through the tunnel and that now their waters mingle together, intertwined for miles under the earth through a secret tunnel, known only the immortal. The god left clues though, they say that often Greek flowers are perceived coming up from the bottom and that for many say that if an object is thrown into Alpheus in Greece, it will reappear in Sicilys Arethusa. Alpheus and Arethusa: (Mingling to each other) Narrator: Alpheus makes his way far under the deep with his waters, travels to Arethusa with bridal presents, blooming leaves and flowers. THE END!