Demitrius, the Snails, and the Garden

Created and written by @m4deline

There was once a man named Demitrius from a very long time ago in Greece. He gardened for a living and sold his crops. He was graceful with his work and cared for all living things. He mourned when a plant died and cried when his insects of the garden passed away. He truly respected nature. Each day he prayed to his favorite god Artemis for luck for his crops to grow strong and well and for the animals of his garden to live long non-painful lives. Artemis would always hear his prayers and granted him what he asked for due to her being the goddess of nature and him being to kind to her grandmother Gaea's creations.

Life went on until Demitrius became very sick and was left in his bed alone. He couldn't care for the plants and animals and was paralyzed in his bed. Artemis realized he hadn't been praying lately so she flew from the sky to see what was causing him not to pray after Artemis would hear his prayers daily. When she came down she saw the frail man and rushed to his side. She summoned her brother Apollo and he gave her a medicine which would make him better eventually. Until then no one could care for the garden and its creatures. Artemis then saw snails going by while sitting in the garden and came up with an idea. She zapped the 4 snails and they began to talk aloud.

"You four snails will take after the garden until Demitrius gets better. What are your names?" said Artemis sternly. The blue snail spoke " I am Cy and the red one is my brother Dennis. The yellow one is my sister Cadie and the green is my other sister Falana. We would love to care for the garden. Demitrius treated us kindly and we wish to repay him." "Cy, you will water and tend to the plants. Dennis, you will feed and tend to the animals. Cadie, you will clean the property. Falana, you will tend to Demitruis." Artemis said. "I must leave and trust you with the jobs I gave you. If you do so you will be re-paid."

The four snails started immediately and soon grew Demitrius better and better. The snails did great and everything was perfect. One night the snails were glad the old man was getting better. He was opening his eyes and talking. He still didn't know the snails were doing all this. The snails decided that when he was able to move his body they would
surprise him with song.

The day came when Demitrius could move. He woke and lifted his arms and twiddled his thumbs. He was joyus and so were the animals of the garden. After he fell asleep Falana brushed his teeth and gave him water and the snails prepared for the morning. When Demitrius awoke the snails were sitting on his bedside stand and they began to sing. Cadie sang of nature and Dennis of the gods. Falana played the lyre and Cy played the flute. After they ended there concert Demitrius was flabbergasted. "How? Wha? Um. Are? Snails?" Demitrius mumbled. Animals had popped there heads through the windows and looked delighted.

Cadie began to speak when Artemis burst through the door " Hello Demitrius, glad to see you are better. Before you ask your garden and the animals of it are fine and healthy. You are healthy as-well. While you were sick these garden snails cared for your home and property. They do deserve a thank you." said the goddess. Demitrius turned to the snails spoke "Thank you so so very much. I appreciate is dearly. And thank you Artemis for , I do believe, setting them to it?" the old man said.

The man finally got to the point where he could care for himself and the garden. The snails then called for Artemis "Our job is done, you promised us we would be re-paid." shouted the snails. Artemis heard the call and once again flew down to Earth from the sky. " Your reward is to live eternally until you wish to be claimed by death." Artemis said. The snails accepted and decided when the old man died they would take after the garden. And so they did take after the garden and they lived on and the garden thrived and was called Demitrius' garden.

This is not a myth, story, or folktale that existed

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed! If you liked this upvote, is you liked this follow me!

@m4deline

Look up the greek meaning of Demitrius, Cy, Dennis, Cadie, and Falana. They represent how there character is like in the story.
Demitrius- lover of the Earth
Cy- proud
Dennis- wild
Cadie- pure
Falana- adoring

I looked up greek names and I named the characters off of the meaning of there name.