Week 6 Story: The Name Game

Depiction of Egyptian god Ra as a man

The sun beat down on the ancient kingdom that Ra had watched over since the creation of this planet. Ra could feel the age in his bones with every step he took in this human form he had taken on so long ago to live among his creations and rule. Ra knew this form was weak but it held too deep of an emotional connection after the years that he had grown fond of it. Isis, a fellow god and creation of Ra, took the form of a powerful sorceress when joining the humans, but became annoyed with them rather quickly. Ra's love for the humans as well as his superior power, drove Isis to begin planning a sinister plot against him. Isis had heard that apparently Ra had been given a secret name from the ancient god Nu that granted him such tremendous power. Isis began trailing Ra to try and obtain something from him until finally Ra's humanly form's age began to show by drooling in his sleep. Isis, filled with malicious delight, hurried back to her lair and prepared a spell from this and created a viper that was to strike Ra while being invisible to humans and the gods alike. Isis quickly sent the viper out to attack Ra, who was walking alone in a quiet garden. Ra cried out after being bitten and injected with the viper's deadly venom. Ra cried out to his children, the gods, and pleaded for help as he could feel his strength fading quickly. Isis stepped forward among the gods and asked Ra to tell him his ancient name so that she could save him. Ra held out for as long as he could before he could feel the venom reaching further through his body that he caved to Isis' demands. Ra leaned in to Isis as he uttered,

"Ra"



Author's Notes:
Tweaked the ending of the original legend between Ra and Isis as Isis is victorious in getting Ra's secret name which didn't make sense as it seems like her plot is obvious once she asks for Ra's name. Ra being the creator (or father) of the world and gods I thought it would be funny to give him a dash of "dad," by taking Isis' inquiry literally.

Bibliography:
Ancient Egyptian Myths and Stories Unit from the UN-Textbook
(http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/myth-folklore-unit-ancient-egyptian.html)

Reading Notes: Ancient Egyptian Myths and Stories, Part B

Ancient Egyptian Myths and Stories Unit from the UN-Textbook
(http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/myth-folklore-unit-ancient-egyptian.html)

The legend begins with the creation, when the world was only water and known as "Nu," that a shining egg came upon the waters and thus came Ra the strongest of all the gods. Within Ra was "Khepra" at dawn and "Tum at eventide" when Ra commanded the lands to rise above the waters and they obeyed. After creating several gods, with Shu and Nut being the most prevalent, Ra then created all living beings including man and went in their form to live among them for many years. Ra was given a powerful name at the beginning of the creation by Nu as it blessed Ra with his power and if any other being were to know it they would be able to become as powerful as Ra himself. This name went unknown for many, many years as the gods lived both in their heavenly domain and among the humans. One of the gods living among the humans was the god Isis, who disguised herself as an enchantress to disguise herself to fit in with the humans. Meanwhile, Ra still led over the kingdom of Egypt as he had created all of the land and its many bounties, especially the mighty Nile River. While Ra was seen as the absolute king, Isis was envious of Ra and his superior power. Isis wanted to learn of Ra's secret name as she knew it would be an instant way to become as powerful as the great god Ra himself. She concocted a plan and managed to capture a sample of Ra's saliva as in his old age he began to not use the best manners. After obtaining the sample of saliva, Isis created a magical serpent that was invisible to man and gods alike as it was made from the strongest of gods own saliva. Isis sent the serpent after Ra and it struck him with a menacing blow instantly. Ra went down in shock as the venom began to run its course. Ra began to cry out at what could have attacked him so lethally and calls for his children (the gods that is) to gather to witness and potentially aid him. After arriving, most of the gods grieved as they knew their creator was in grave danger, but Isis stayed composed and began to ask Ra if she could know of his ancient name so that she could "become as powerful as you to heal you." This was all part of Isis' plan as she watched Ra struggle and make more decrees about how much he did for the world. Isis inquires again and Ra is finally desperate enough to make the deal and tells Isis his ancient name. Isis becomes extremely more powerful and feels it, then returns the venom from Ra and cheers at the crowd of her devious plan to become the equally-most powerful god.

The Egyptian goddess Isis