Posted by Constantine on January 01, 2001 at 15:40:24:
In Reply to: Alexander and the Mermaid posted by Liza on January 01, 2001 at 08:31:18:
Dear Liza:
According to the legend, the Mermaid is Alexander's sister. She asks sailors who are on board ships that travel in the Sea if Alexander the Great is alive. If the sailor responds by saying that Alexander is alive and well and ruling the world, then the Mermaid is happy and makes sure that the ship has a safe voyage. If the sailor responds that Alexander the Great has died, then the Mermaid overpowered by her sorrow makes the Sea ruff and the voyage difficult if not impossible by sinking the ship.
What is interesting about this story is that the Mermaid never seeks revenge. It is her sorrow that sinks the boat.
I believe that the story was created during the years of Turkish occupation. The Mermaid's question was the question of the Greek Nation which was strugling to keep its memories alive. The "lesson" is that a Nation dies only when it gives up on its own and forgets its history.
I hope that this is of assistance.