WHO WAS MR. TUMNUS OF THE FILM NARNIA

PAN

          The world is full of mysterious mythical creatures. Greek mythology is the biggest specimen of these mythical creatures. Today we will be talking about Pan. You must be thinking that what is Pan? So let me make it easy for you. How many of you watched the movie Narnia? It is one of the biggest blockbusters. Many of you might have seen it. Do you remember the character of Mr. Tumnus?

         He was the first mythical character to whom we were introduced to. He became the first friend of Lucy in Narnia. He had reddish skin, curly hair, brown eyes, a short pointed beard, horns on his forehead, cloven hooves and goat legs. So this is the picture of Pan.

          We can find very few stories about Pan. The actual parentage of Pan is debatable. But it is said that that he is the son of Greek god Hermes and an Arcadian nymph. Pan was accepted as a deity who presided over rural life. He had special care over the animal kingdom. In ancient times the shepherds worshipped pan for the protection of their flocks and herds.

          Pan’s principal abode was the wild and lonely forests. He was supposed to be attended by wood spirits called Panisci. He was the inventor of a musical instrument named Syrinx. This has a beautiful story behind it. Pan was madly in love with a nymph named Syrinx. But Syrinx was not in love with Pan. One day she fled from him. Syrinx was transformed into river reeds by one of the goddesses so that Pan could never find him. But the love of Pan for Syrinx was so intense that he identified Syrinx even in that condition. But there were several reeds beside the river. He could not make out which reed was his love Syrinx. So he cut unequal portions from each of the seven reeds. He joined all the seven pieces to form a musical instrument from it. He named the instrument after the nymph he loved. He named it Syrinx.

          There is one more incident associated with Pan. We all have read the story "Midas Touch" in our childhood. It was one of my favourite stories of childhood. But do you know that this story is associated with Pan? Yes, this story is associated with Pan.

          Pan was a very good musician. One day he ventured to challenge Apollo to a trial of musical skill. King Midas, who was the king of Phrygia, decided in favour of Pan. This made Apollo very angry. As a punishment Apollo gave king Midas ears of an ass. Midas told this to his wife as a great secret but his wife was unable to remain silent. So she whispered the words to the reeds. But as the air passed the reeds repeated the words, "King Midas has the ears of an ass". This news spread all over the place. In compensation, God gave him the power of the golden touch. They gave him the power of turning into gold whatever he might touch. This power became a curse to him and he started to pray to the god for relief. Gods suggested him to wash his hands in the river Pactolus to get rid of this power. Finally, he obtained relief by washing his hands in this river. It is said that because King Midas washed his hands in the river, the river has golden sands.

          These were all the stories related to Pan. If you like the stories please let me know. It will motivate me to bring new stories to you every day. Thanks a lot.