Cristina Cornejo

3/28/06

LA/SS

Draft 4

the Legend of the clothed runner

 

I am no Homer but merely a poet looking for someone to hear my story. Actually that is not true either. I am not very good with making words rhyme. Wait, I know what I am; I am a storyteller! That’s it! A storyteller! And I am here to tell you a story, about the first time that Japanese culture collided with Greek culture. I am here to tell you the story of the Clothed Runner.

Some people say that the Clothed Runner was merely made up, and that she never existed. Others say that she is the reason why we have trade today with the Japanese. I will allow you to believe whatever you want, but, you must first listen to my story.

It begins in the island of the rising sun, Japan. There in the mist of the all the people, is a palace. That is where the emperor lives. He is the head of everything and he has two sons and five daughters. Their names are Satoshi, Daichi, Keiko, Mieko, Mayuko, Mamiko, and Mimiko. They all look like there father (tall and skinny) except for Mimiko. They all fit in very well in this lifestyle considering that they are all posh snobs, except for Mimiko. Their first word was Papa except for Mimiko. They all live happily in the palace, except for Mimiko. In fact people said that Mimiko was probably adopted and if were not for her mother Mimiko would probably have not been considered part of the royal family. Mimiko, also known as Mimi, is short and sort of round in the middle. You could compare her to a nikuman. On the outside she is a bit plain, but on the inside she a great person. Just like a nikuman. However in court life people do not really look on the inside. She looks a lot like her mother and her first word was Mama. So as you can see Mimi does not really fit into the royal family stereotype.

Mimi was very unhappy because she felt that she could fit into the court life. She had many plans to leave the palace, she called them plan B’s. She never had a plan A or a plan C. This was because she believed that she could try as many times as she wanted. So she did not need a plan A or a plan C. I wouldn’t really consider that a reason but then again I just tell the story, I didn’t make it. Anyway Mimi is in the middle of another Plan B. Actually this is the 360^th Plan B. This time she plans on stowing away in a crate on a cargo ship. This ship is heading for China. She was not planning on going to China she was going to become part of the ship crew. That was her plan and she was positive it would work.

Right now she is on her way to the cargo ship. She is already in the crate and she is in the emperor’s section of the cargo. She is not very comfortable. Wait……… what is that she is telling me………….oh she wants to tell her own story. Ok well I will let her continue.

“Hello I am Mimi. I will now tell you my story. Right now I am in the process of my 360^th plan B. I am very positive that this will work. I have worked everything out. I even have food provisions. This plan will work. Wait….here we are at the port. At the moment I am in a crate. It is quite comfortable and it says fragile on the side.”

Wait a minute I am the narrator here and you are not fragile.

“I am to. In any case you cannot change that. Anyway I am now being loaded on a boat. I personally do not believe that I am heavy although this guy seems to think I am. Oh well. Oops they heard me. Narrator you may continue my story for now.”

Well onward! Little did Mimi know what would happen. First of all, this ship was not heading for China. It was on a secret mission. The Emperor himself had ordered that this ship would sail farther than China and as far as it could go so that the crew could establish trade with the people that it encountered. So far China controlled all trade between the West and the East. But if this mission went as planned that would all change.

Mimi has just been put in the cargo hatch and the ship is off to the open sea. Mimi is extremely bored and seasick even though they have only been out for 2 hours.

“I will continue now. Thank you. Anyway I believe that we will reach China in 3 days. In two days time I will jump out of my hiding spot and tell the crew that I would like to be part of their team. Then I will never have to go back to the palace again.”

Well it looks like Mimi has it all figured out. However something went terribly wrong on that journey and it changed her destination forever. Well first of all Mimi is not very outgoing so instead of jumping out in two days time she waited……and waited…….and waited for the right time. Then after weeks of sailing on a very strange night there was a storm. Not one of those storms that you could just sail through Oh no this was a big storm. This storm was so big that the ship was blown off course completely. Not that it really had a course but still. The water was pouring in from all sides. What were they to do? The ship was sinking, slowing but surely they were sinking.

“All heavy cargo overboard,” yelled the captain. Mimi began to get worried they might throw her off too.

“No, of course not, I am fragile it says so on the box and I am in the emperor’s section of the cargo,” said Mimi. Then Mimi calmly went to bed, in the crate of course. But to the men on the ship it did not matter if you were fragile or not what mattered was their lives so they threw an threw with all their might all the cargo off their ship. Until finally all that was left was Mimi’s crate. It took two men to carry her crate over the ship. So off bobbed Mimi through the open sea and by the morning she reached a shore. Little Mimi has just woken up.

“Excuse me I would like to make an interruption I, Mimi am not little.”

Right, yes, of course. Anyway little did she know that she was in Athens one of the most beautiful cities in the world. She woke up to the sound of a lyre being played by a young girl. She was wearing a white dress that looked coarse and not at all like silk. It was only one layer and was held by a brooch over her shoulder. It was not at all like her kimono. Mimi sized her up for a few moments before deciding that she was okay. Her mother had taught her that. The girl was spontaneously beautiful. Her eyes were not pulled back but they were rather rounded. Mimi had seen people of her kind before but never this close. Her hair was frizzy and was brown and rode on the breeze. Her eyelashes were very long and her eyes were the color of the sky. The music that she was making was very sweet sounding and melodious however when she noticed Mimi she stopped playing. Mimi began to get worried when the girl would not stop staring at her.

“What do I have something in my teeth?” and she brushed off the sand from her kimono. Unfortunately that did not help much; she was still a disheveled wreck. But the Athenian girl continued to stare at her. It did not appear to Mimi that she understood Japanese. Well of course not Mimi. She was not in Japan any longer. With some signs Mimi managed to communicate to the girl that she was hungry. The Athenian girl took her to her home and gave her something to eat. Then Mimi helped her go to the market for some fish. There the girl showed her the Acropolis. Mimi was amazed at the majestic building as it gleamed in the sun up on the hill. It was nothing like the Shinto shrines back in Japan. She also showed her the Parthenon and she saw the statue of Athena by Phidias. The girl showed her everything that was beautiful in Athens. After their walk Mimi went to bed because she was exhausted. Many days passed similar to the first one. But their sign language improved with every passing day until finally Mimi was able to tell the girl where she was from and how she had gotten there. The girl’s name was Kalyca. It meant rosebud, many people believed she was very beautiful. Mimi thought that it suited her well.

Meanwhile back in Japan Mimi’s father was hysterical! Because after the ship had left one of Mimi’s maids realized that she was gone. The emperor had a massive search all around Japan looking for her. Then he found a copy of Mimi’s plan B in her bedroom and when he went to the port to look for the ship the crew told him that they had thrown all of their cargo overboard. The Emperor was devastated! But he would not give up. He took Mimi’s Plan B (which contained a picture of the crate she used) to the court wise men and they told him that it might have been possible for her to survive if they were near land. So the Emperor got his best crew and army and went out to the open sea to find his daughter.

Meanwhile on the 5^th day of her stay Kalyca took her to another market that even Kalyca rarely went to. This market was special because it was where the King (his name being Alcibiades) would bring his finest wheat and sell it to his people for a very special price. This market was only open once a year.

As they were walking they passed a poor beggar. He was shaking a pot and asking for money. With Kalyca’s help Mimi managed to ask the beggar why he was begging. He simply replied that it was because the gods had been mean to him. Then Mimi asked whether he always blamed his problems on the gods. When he replied yes she again asked him whether he had ever considered praying to the gods and asking for forgiveness for anything he did. He said he did it many times. Then Mimi asked him whether he was sure the gods even existed? When he did not answer Mimi asked what his name was. He replied Socrates. She then told Socrates to always question what was questionable and then take action to make it right. Then before she left she gave him one myna.

At the market Mimi was amazed at what she saw. There were thousands of beautiful pots and sculptures. There were foods that she had never seen before. There were so many people and they were all yelling out prices for their products. Mimi was amazed.

Then just as she was going into a jewelry shop a man dressed nicely rode into the middle of the market on his horse. He got up on the podium and announced the following, “The King Alcibiades would like to announce that the Olympic Games will be starting in three days time. Those who wish to compete please arrive at sunrise so that you may be counted and sorted. That is all!” Then he rode off.

Mimi’s head was racing with questions and poor Kalyca could hardly sign fast enough to keep up. There conversation went some what like this:

“What are the Olympic Games?” said Mimi.

“Well they are a series of athletic competitions in order to honor the god Zeus,” said Kalyca.

“Well what kind of athletic competitions?” said Mimi.

“They are mostly running.” replied Kalyca.

“Running? I am great at running! In fact I am the fastest at the palace. I am going to join that competition!” exclaimed Mimi.

“I am afraid you can’t.” said Kalyca.

“Why not?”

“Because it is only for men. Women are not allowed to compete.”

“Oh I will compete even if they have to change the rules of the Olympic Games I will compete in that competition if it is the last thing I do.”

“Excuse me Narrator I would like to continue my story. Tonight I, the Incredible Mimi, have spent hours conjuring up a plan of pure genius to enter the Olympic Games. I will dress as a man with a long white beard. Just like Socrates the poor beggar I saw at the market. I will then walk in like I was meant to be there and wait to be sorted and counted. Then I shall run and after the race I will tell Kalyca how smart I was. I will show all of them what I, the Incredible Mimi, can do! (This is the part where I would probably do an evil laugh or something but unfortunately I am not good at that) Hahahahaha keh keh keh, you may continue Narrator.”

While Mimi is choking I will continue the story. So as you can see Mimi had her whole plan worked out. Of course she forgot something, runners here in Greece run naked! This is a very important obstacle that Mimi must face. Of course Mimi will not find this out until the day of the race.

Meanwhile the Emperor with some help from the other crew was getting very close to Athens. In fact he could see it. He estimated that he would get there in two days time. In fact that was the day of the race! Now I will fast forward my story until the part where it is the day of the race. It will just take a minute now. Drum roll please….

“IT IS THE DAY OF THE RACE! And it looks like a great day to have the Olympics don’t you think Aeneas?”

“Yes I agree with you Cletus! And look here come the runners now.”

“Ooh how come one of them is clothed Aeneas.”

“I do not know Cletus although rumors are going around that he is new to the city.”

“Yes I did hear that Aeneas although it does bring some questions to mind about his loyalty and his hmmm behavior.”

“Yes that is quite right but you know the rules Cletus anyone can compete in the Olympics.”

“Except women, foreigners, slaves etc Aeneas.”

“Yes I mean citizens Cletus.”

“Yes citizens Aeneas.”

“We will keep you updated with the Olympics and we will be watching that Clothed Runner so stay here.”

Meanwhile Kalyca is frantically looking for Mimi. Where could she be? Of course Mimi is at the Olympics and managed to get passed with her clothes on. In a few moments Kalyca will realize where Mimi is. Just a moment now……. Ping.

“Oh dear Mimi has gone to the Olympics what am I supposed to do?”

Uh Oh! Kalyca is getting one of those crazy ideas. Of course her ideas will never be as crazy as Mimi’s but still. She is going to dress up as a man in order to get into the Olympics and to watch Mimi run. There she goes now rushing off to the stadium. Oh boy! Oh and the race has just begun. It is 1600 meters so about a mile. It will probably take Mimi 7-9 minutes.

“I, Mimi, huhuhuhu would like to continue, although I might pause huhuhu to catch my breath. I am running my heart out next to some naked men. I cannot believe I made it this far. I can feel the adrenaline rush through my body. I feel so free! Oh dear there is a man on the stands and he is waving to me. Am I that famous? Wait that is not a man that is Kalyca.”

Yes, Kalyca had made it in just as Mimi was starting and she was cheering as hard as she could. Meanwhile let’s get back to Aeneas and Cletus.

“Aeneas look at the Clothed Runner go. Wow he is fast!”

“Yes it is quite impressive the way he runs. Some people are saying he is a descendant of Hercules, Cletus.”

“Wow I really would not want to be racing against him he is at the head of the group Aeneas.”

“Yes I believe this is his last lap.”

“Wow look at him go it looks like he has saved a bunch of energy for the last lap.”

“He is 50 meters from the end point…….30 meters…….20 meters…….10 meters…. Oh but what is this? His beard just fell off!”

Yes, it was true just as Mimi was winning her beard fell off. Mimi continued running until she reached the end and then she realized her beard was gone. What was she to do? They were all looking at her angrily. It was all like a bad dream. Then Kalyca ran to her side. Somehow Mimi managed get all of the courage she had inside her and she began signing, as she was signing Kalyca translated to the crowd. Mimi said this,” Yes, I am a woman. But does it really matter? I mean just a second ago you were cheering for me. Now just because I am a woman you completely deny me. I am still a fast runner even if I am a woman. I just won your race. I deserve the prize and just because I am a woman does not mean I cannot get it.”

Right at that moment the Emperor arrived on his horse with all of his men. He quickly grabbed his daughter and held her close to him.

“Did they do anything to you? Are you hurt? Did they torture you?” he said.

“No father everything is ok the Athenians welcomed me into their country.”

“They did? Oh really? Hello I am the Emperor of Japan and you must be the King.” With some help from Kalyca and Mimi they managed to carry on a conversation that went somewhat like this:

“Yes, I am King Alcibiades. And you are the Emperor of Japan? Japan? Where is that?”

“Japan is the Island of the Rising Sun. And where are we exactly?”

“Welcome to Athens my island friends! I must ask you though, where did you get such decorated cloth. It is so soft and fine!”

“This is my Yukata. We where this in the summer! It is made of silk however where did you get such beautiful pottery?”

“Oh this is what we the Athenians make in our spare time. I would trade you a few pots for a Yukata like yours.”

“Oh that would be wonderful in fact I am sure I have other things that might interest you.”

And that was how the trade began between Japan and Athens. Of course the Emperor never told anyone of his discovery. He wanted Athens to be Japan’s “special trading partner”. He would frequently go on “trips to China” (which were really trips to Athens) and come back with beautiful pottery etc. However because he never told anyone of his secret trips and he never wrote any record on them, after he died all trade with Athens was lost for hundreds of years.

Then just to make matters worse a war began between Athens and Sparta. The King Alcibiades had no allies and because of this Athens lost the war. Many people blamed him for the loss of the war and he died soon after that. Athens was ruled by the Counsel of 30 from Sparta. There were dark times in Athens but Kalyca and Mimi kept in touch and they kept hope alive in Athens.

Even though Mimi made many efforts for women in Athens, they were never quite recognized until hundreds of years later. Kalyca continued Mimi’s legacy in Athens but when she died all was forgotten. Because of Mimi though, Kalyca was very highly respected in the court and while Kalyca was alive women were somewhat recognized.

As for Mimi she went back to Japan. However she made frequent trips to Greece and kept in touch with Kalyca until she died. Since Kalyca helped Japan become trading partners with Greece she was well respected by the people in Athens and her family was given a nice home and she was considered a high advisor to the King himself.

Mimi passed on her story to her children and to the people of court. And her children passed on her story to their children and it went on like that until now I, Mimi’s great, great, great grandson am telling it to you. The Legend of the Clothed Runner has not been lost but has been rediscovered and I am telling it to you so that you may pass it on to your children and so that the Legend of the Clothed Runner may not be lost again. For even though the Clothed Runner is dead, her legend lives forever.