Nightmare of all writers!
I wrote this story out directly onto the ‘Submit a Story’ page. I won’t be doing that again!
This is a story I remember from my childhood. I am not the original author.
From Pixabay
I don’t recall the hero’s name so let’s call him Jason (from the Argonauts fame).
Jason had to venture into Hades to complete a task he’d been set (I don’t recall the task, let’s assume he had to steal something.)
Charon, the ferryman took the souls of the dead across the river Styx (or Acheron) for the price of an obol, the coin placed on or in a dead person’s mouth upon burial.
Charon was a bad-tempered being and justifiably so, stuck with his task of getting the dead to Hades, no change of scenery, no day off, no chance of lively conversation…
Charon’s only entertainment was when he threw one of the souls into the river for either not being buried correctly in the world of man, or for not having the correct fare.
Jason, our hero knew Charon wouldn’t ferry him, a mere mortal (and a live one at that) across the river for free and he didn’t want to go robbing the dead for the obol so he had to use his head.
Jason found a way of freeing Charon from his onerous task and hoped the knowledge would be enough of a bargaining chip to get him across and back safely.
Jason wandered over to the ferry waiting on the ‘living side’ of the river. The River Styx is notorious; its waters are pure poison and the legend is that Alexander the Great died from drinking some of the River Styx water.
Hamburg architecture - Pixabay
Jason acted nonchalant until Charon told him, in no uncertain terms, to get gone.
“Well, all right, if you want to be tethered to those oars throughout eternity…” Jason said and made as if to wander off.
“Wait!” Charon said.
Jason paused, turned around and smiled. And the deal was made.
Charon would ferry Jason across the River Styx – and back safely – and Jason would tell him how to get free.
Half way across the river crossing, Charon stopped rowing. “Tell me how I free myself,” he said.
Jason shook his head slowly and gave a grim smile. “Not until I’m safely back on that side of the river,” he said.
Charon continued to row Jason across the river and allowed him to disembark.
“Remember our bargain,” he called to Jason.
Jason went off to steal whatever it was he needed from Hades and came back at a dead run with a terrible demon chasing him.
Charon ferrying Dante and Virgil’s spirit
“Charon, get ready!” Jason called to the ferryman.
Jason hopped onto the boat, narrowly escaping the demon’s claws.
Half way across the river, Charon stopped rowing.
“Tell me how I rid myself of these oars,” he said.
“Not until I get across the river,” Jason said, keeping his nerve.
Charon carried on rowing.
As Jason stood to leap from the boat, Charon stopped rowing again. The distance was too far to jump and landing in the water meant instant death for the mortal.
“Tell me how,” Charon said.
Jason whispered to him and as the light of realisation lit his eyes, the boat drifted close enough to the bank and Jason leaped for freedom. He knew there was no hope of outrunning the demon, but he had to try.
from the British Library Archives
Jason turned back as Charon took the next passenger onto his boat. The demon was beside itself with fury and began berating Charon as soon as it could. Demands for Charon to row faster, and put his back into it rang in Charon’s ears and yet he smiled to himself.
Half way across the river, Charon stopped rowing. Jason turned again to watch. The demon screamed at Charon to carry on rowing and threatened all kinds of horrible tortures that awaited Jason once it got hold of him.
Jason saluted Charon and the ferryman nodded once.
At the other side of the river, just before the demon had chance to leap from the boat, Charon followed Jason’s instructions and thrust the oars into the demon’s hands, setting himself free and enslaving the demon.
Charon leaped from the boat, leaving the demon stuck with the boat for the rest of eternity.