Ivan Yefremov: The Land of Foam

“Eupalin, did you see that cameo cut on a stone the colour of the sea — it is the most perfect work of art in Oeniadae, or rather, if the truth be told, in all Hellas?”

Eupalin did not answer immediately. Listening attentively to the strident neighing of his favourite horse, held by a strong slave, he wrapped himself more closely in a cloak of fine wool. In the shade of the stable the spring wind had a tinge of cold in it, although the grey slopes of the stony hills were already covered with blossoming trees. Down below, the almond groves stretched in delicate pink clouds; above them, higher up the slopes, patches of dark rose, almost violet, colouring marked the thickets of dense shrubs. The cold breeze from the hills carried with it the fragrance of almond blossoms, the herald of a new spring in the valleys of Oeniadae. Eupalin took a deep breath and tapped with his finger on a wooden post.

“I’ve heard,” he began slowly, “that it was carved by the adopted son of Agenor who’s been wandering abroad for many years. He was believed dead, but recently returned from some very distant land.”

“And Agenor’s daughter, the beautiful Thessa… You’ve heard of her, of course?”

“I’ve heard that she refused to marry for six years in the firm belief that her lover would return. Her father, the artist, allowed her…”

“I know that he not only consented to her waiting, but himself also awaited the return of his adopted son.”

“This is one of those rare occasions when things turn out according to expectations. He did not die, but became Thessa’s husband and a great artist. It’s a pity you did not have an opportunity to see the cameo; you are a connoisseur and would have appreciated it!”

“I’ll do as you wish and go to see Agenor. He lives on Cape Achelous which is no more than twenty stadia from here…”

“Unfortunately, you’re too late, Eupalin. The artist who carved the cameo made a present of it — just imagine! — to a friend of his, some Etruscan vagabond. The man fell sick on the journey home and he took him to Agenor’s house, looked after him until he was well again and then gave him a jewel that would have made all Oeniadae famous. The Etruscan rewarded him with the skin of a disgusting beast, a horrible thing that has never been heard of before…”

“A beggar he left and a beggar he has returned. Didn’t he learn anything from his wanderings that he can make a valuable gift to anybody he meets?”

“It’s hard for you and me to understand a man who has lived so long in strange lands. Still, I’m sorry the cameo has gone from us!”