Long, long, ago, down the twisted stream of time, there was a town. A town that is now ruled by moss and ivy. Once, this village was unseen; unheard of even. But little did it know that one of it’s sons would soon make it very well known indeed.

In this town lived a poor yet humble man who went by the name of Nikkos. Nikkos was always very kind and considerate and loved entertaing the childeren in his village. He would constantly be putting on puppet shows for them. Through these shows, Nikkos taught the kids about their culture, history and religion. Furthermore, he encouraged them to worship the gods. Nikkos would would always put aside part of his day so he could pray. He would thank the gods and ask them for success.

The years past and Nikkos’confidence grew: he began to write longer, more complex plays. He soon realised that he had to be where the best playwrights were: Athens.

With one last look at his beloved home town, Nikkos set on his way – next stop Athens.

Once in the great city of Athena, Nikkos entered the prestigious Great Dionysia. He somehow managed to win with a few plays from home that were once mere puppet shows. As a prize for his success, Nikkos was given the oppurtunity to get a job as a professional playwright. Of course, Nikkos took this chance without hesitation.

From then on, Nikkos put on plays every night and each evening the roar from the audience got louder and louder.

One evening, after a show – which had gone better than perfect – a man came backstage to meet the star himself. At first the man was speechless – astounded at the sight of Nikkos, but he soon found his voice and stuttered, “That was amazing. So inspiring. My daughter wants to be like you. The whole of Athens does – never has it had such a good entertainer! Have you ever considered charging for these plays? You would be rich by next week!”

Nikkos thought about this for a moment. Would charging make a difference? It would, yes! This could change his life for good. So many thoughts were brewing in his mind, it was all he could do to say, “Thank you, Thank you! Thank you for coming tonight.” And the man went on his way, still in awe of Nikkos.

The next night, the prices were increased and the audience was just as big. Even a few fellow playwrights turned up – for ideas – and Nikkos began to realise just how good he was. Nikkos really could not improve any more – he was as good as he could be. He was famous…

Whilst Nikkos was relaxing one day, just thinking about how his life has dramatically changed in the last month, he started questioning himself.

Does he really need to be worshiping the gods anymore?

Is it mandatory for him to thank them any longer? Why?

He did all the work to get this far. Didn’t he?

He shouldn’t be asking for success when was the one who earned it. And so it was that from that day forward that Nikkos no longer prayed to the gods and goddesses.

Oblivious, Nikkos’ pride was growing, and fast. Something had changed in his head and the next play that was shown was one that mocked Athens and the whole of Greece. By the next week everything had transformed: all Nikkos’ plays were either mocking Athens or teasing the gods. The gods were disturbed by this and organised for him to have a subtle little warning…

One day, his Mother came up from his home town to watch one of his plays and to visit him; after all, she hadn’t seen him for a good six months. On the journey to the theatre, Mother and son were discussing the play: “So what’s it about?” His Mother asked tentatively – her son wasn’t the same son she knew back home.

“Ha-ha! Well that’s for me to know and you to find out” Nikkos replied, gently tapping the right side of his nose.

By now they were at the theatre and Nikkos showed his mother to her seat.

The standing ovation had ended and Nikkos was searching through the crowds for his mother.

She was no where to be found.

Nikkos started to panic.

She could be anywhere.

He made his way home with his shoulders slouched trying to think of all the possible places she could be.

When he arrived home, the first thing he heard was sobbing. Curious, he opened the door and found his Mother kneeling on the floor. Her face was in her hands which were now soaked in tears. She looked up and saw her son: “What has become of you?” His mother whispered, “I can’t believe what I have just witnessed, my own son mocking the gods? How can you think that you will get away with this?” Tears blocking sight she continued: “What you are doing is so offensive and extremely inappropriate. You have disturbed the gods and they won’t let you get away unpunished…”

Nikkos was furious, how dare his own mother talk to him like that! “Nonsense! They’re not scary! I’m the greatest playwright Greece has ever seen. Trust me, they won’t want to mess with me!”  His mother – now even more shocked –  stood up and abruptly left. Not a single word, just angry footsteps…

The next evening, Nikkos was making his way to the theatre preparing himself for that night’s show. When he reached the auditorium it seemed that there was another show on that evening: a show about him. Usually this would please Nikkos – he loved having the spotlight on his face – but this play was different. All the seats were full and there was even people queuing on the streets for the next showing. Nikkos pushed his way passed the crowds, who were chanting his name and jeering at him aggressively, and in to the front row.

What he was watching was unbelievable. The actor on stage looked exactly like him and every time he caught his eye he glared at him.  If looks could kill.

The play consisted of many of Nikkos’ bad deeds – from small lies he told back home to the plays he publicised in Athens. No one but him knew about those secrets… Then he realised: this was the gods doing.

How dare they tease him so.

Nikkos had had enough.The anger and regret inside him rose as he realised that his mother had been right all along!

Nikkos’ gut instinct was to run away, run far away from everything  that had happened. So that is what he did. he packed up his few precious belongings and set on his way. Through the mountains and across streams, he travelled as far as his legs could carry him. Eventually, he reached a small village where he could start a-fresh. Surely no one would know who he was here?

He found a empty hut that would do for tonight. The next morning, a kind gentle man came to see who and how he was,” Who are you, And are you Ok?” he asked him. Nikkos tried to reply but all he could parrot were the  insults from his plays, he was  forever doomed to make a bad impression….