[THE LESSON OF THE LEAVES]
Roman
In a cave by the seashore lived an old, old woman. This very old woman was also very wise.
She remembered everything that had ever happened and she knew almost everything that was going to happen in her country.
She lived in Italy and was called the Sibyl.
One day a man named Aeneas came to her cave to question her. She was very kind to him. She even took him far down into the center of the earth, Pluto's kingdom, to see those whom Pluto had carried away.
When they came back, Aeneas said he would build a temple to her and have gifts brought to her. She had so much power and was so wise he felt sure she must be more than mortal. But she would not let Aeneas build the temple. Instead she told him her story. It was this:
"Apollo saw me when I was young, and told me to ask him for any gift I would have. We were standing on the seashore. I stooped down and filled my hand with the white sand at our feet.
"'Give me as many birthdays as there are grains of sand in my hand, O Apollo!' I said.
"'It is granted,' said Apollo. But, in my foolishness, I forgot to ask for everlasting youth.