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Short Story

The Philosopher’s Stone

by Geoffrey Scarre

In the 4,769th year of the punishment of Sisyphus, son of Aeolus, the gods set up a judicial committee to review his sentence. This was at the instance of Aphrodite, who had always had a soft spot for Sisyphus, and considered it very silly that anyone should spend so many centuries pushing a heavy stone up a hill just to have it roll down again.

“Call the meeting to order,” said Zeus to Hermes, lowering himself rather stiffly onto his throne. Hermes banged his caduceus several times on the ground and demanded silence for Zeus, the All-Seeing, Cloud-Gathering Hurler of Thunderbolts.

“Thank you for coming, everyone,” said the Father of Gods and Men.

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