CLYTIE
by Jean Lang · from A Book of Myths
Adapted Version
Once upon a time. A nice garden grew. The sun shone bright there. A little water fairy lived. Her name was Clytie. The sun was warm. Flowers grew big. Bees hummed. Birds sang. All was happy.
Clytie was a gentle water fairy. She lived by a cool stream. She liked quiet, shady spots. The big, bright sun felt too strong. She hid from its strong, hot light. She liked the cool shade best.
One day, Apollo looked down. He was the great Apollo. His bright, golden face shone in the water. Clytie saw his nice face there. She felt a special, strong liking. She thought he was great and good. She liked him very much.
From that day, Clytie watched Apollo. She looked at the bright sun always. She watched from morning light. She watched until night came. She followed his path in the blue sky.
Apollo drove his fiery sun chariot. He was very busy. He did not see little Clytie. He did not look down. He rode across the wide sky. He had much work to do.
Clytie felt very, very sad. Apollo did not see her. She watched him each day. She grew weak and very tired. She hoped for one kind smile. She wanted him to notice her. But he did not look.
Other gods saw sad Clytie. They saw her great sadness. They felt much pity for her. She was so weak now. She was so alone. They wanted to help her.
The gods wanted to help Clytie. They made a special plan. They changed Clytie's form. She became a nice flower. This flower would look at the sun. Always, just like her wish.
Clytie changed into a flower. She became a tall sunflower. Her face was bright yellow. It looked at the sun. It followed the sun all day. From morning until night came.
Now Clytie is happy. She is a bright sunflower. She looks at her friend, the sun. Her special love never ends. She found her own new way. She shines brightly now. She is always happy.
Original Story
CLYTIE
The sunbeams are basking on the high walls of the old garden—smiling on the fruit that grows red and golden in their warmth. The bees are humming round the bed of purple heliotrope, and drowsily murmuring in the shelter of the soft petals of the blush roses whose sweetness brings back the fragrance of days that are gone. On the old grey sundial the white-winged pigeons sleepily croon as they preen their snowy plumage, and the Madonna lilies hang their heads like a procession of white-robed nuns who dare not look up from telling their beads until the triumphal procession of an all-conquering warrior has gone by. What can they think of that long line of tall yellow flowers by the garden wall, who turn their faces sunwards with an arrogant assurance, and give stare for stare to golden-haired Apollo as he drives his blazing car triumphant through the high heavens?
“Sunflowers” is the name by which we know those flamboyant blossoms which somehow fail so wholly to suggest the story of Clytie, the nymph whose destruction came from a faithful, unrequited love. She was a water-nymph, a timid, gentle being who frequented lonely streams, and bathed where the blue dragon-flies dart across the white water-lilies in pellucid lakes. In the shade of the tall poplar trees and the silvery willows she took her midday rest, and feared the hours when the flowers drooped their heads and the rippling water lost its coolness before the fierce glare of the sun.
But there came a day when, into the dark pool by which she sat, Apollo the Conqueror looked down and mirrored his face. And nevermore did she hide from the golden-haired god who, from the moment when she had seen in the water the picture of his radiant beauty, became the lord and master of her heart and soul. All night she awaited his coming, and the Dawn saw her looking eastward for the first golden gleams from the wheels of his chariot. All day she followed him with her longing gaze, nor did she ever cease to feast her eyes upon his beauty until the last reflection of his radiance had faded from the western sky.
Such devotion might have touched the heart of the sun-god, but he had no wish to own a love for which he had not sought. The nymph’s adoration irked him, nor did pity come as Love’s pale substitute when he marked how, day by day, her face grew whiter and more white, and her lovely form wasted away. For nine days, without food or drink, she kept her shamed vigil. Only one word of love did she crave. Unexacting in the humility of her devotion, she would gratefully have nourished her hungry heart upon one kindly glance. But Apollo, full of scorn and anger, lashed up his fiery steeds as he each day drove past her, nor deigned for her a glance more gentle than that which he threw on the satyrs as they hid in the dense green foliage of the shadowy woods.
Half-mocking, Diana said, “In truth the fair nymph who throws her heart’s treasures at the feet of my golden-locked brother that he may trample on them, is coming to look like a faded flower!” And, as she spoke, the hearts of the other immortal dwellers in Olympus were stirred with pity.
“A flower she shall be!” they said, “and for all time shall she live, in life that is renewed each year when the earth stirs with the quickening of spring. The long summer days shall she spend forever in fearless worship of the god of her love!”
And, as they willed, the nymph passed out of her human form, and took the form of a flower, and evermore—the emblem of constancy—does she gaze with fearless ardour on the face of her love.
“The heart that has truly loved never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close;
As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets
The same look that she turned when he rose.”
Some there are who say that not into the bold-faced sunflower did her metamorphosis take place, but into that purple heliotrope that gives an exquisite offering of fragrance to the sun-god when his warm rays touch it. And in the old walled garden, while the bees drowsily hum, and the white pigeons croon, and the dashing sunflower gives Apollo gaze for gaze, and the scent of the mignonette mingles with that of clove pinks and blush roses, the fragrance of the heliotrope is, above all, worthy incense to be offered upon his altar by the devout lover of a god.
Story DNA
Moral
Unrequited love, even when constant, does not guarantee reciprocation or kindness.
Plot Summary
Clytie, a shy water-nymph, falls deeply in love with Apollo, the sun-god, after seeing his reflection. She dedicates her life to watching him, but her unwavering devotion only irritates Apollo, who scorns her. Wasting away from unrequited love, Clytie's suffering moves the Olympian gods to pity. They transform her into a flower, either a sunflower or a heliotrope, so she can eternally turn her face towards the sun, forever gazing upon her beloved.
Themes
Emotional Arc
devotion to sorrow to eternal constancy
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a retelling of a classical Greek myth, often associated with Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'. Jean Lang's version emphasizes the emotional aspect and the garden setting.
Plot Beats (10)
- The story opens with a vivid description of a peaceful garden and the sun's presence.
- The narrator introduces Clytie, a shy water-nymph who avoids the harsh sun.
- Apollo's reflection appears in Clytie's pool, instantly captivating her and making her fall deeply in love.
- Clytie dedicates herself entirely to watching Apollo's journey across the sky, from sunrise to sunset.
- Apollo is irritated by Clytie's constant gaze and unrequited love, refusing to acknowledge her.
- Clytie, heartbroken and neglected, wastes away for nine days without sustenance, longing for a single kind look.
- Diana and other gods on Olympus observe Clytie's suffering and feel pity for her.
- The gods decide to transform Clytie into a flower so she can eternally gaze upon her beloved sun-god.
- Clytie is transformed into a sunflower (or heliotrope), forever turning her face towards the sun.
- The story concludes by emphasizing her eternal constancy and the enduring symbolism of the flower.
Characters
Clytie ★ protagonist
Originally a lovely, gentle, and timid being, her form gradually wasted away, becoming whiter and more frail due to unrequited love and lack of sustenance. Before her transformation, she was slender and delicate.
Attire: Simple, flowing garments made of natural fibers, perhaps a sheer, light blue or white chiton, draped loosely, suitable for a water-nymph who frequents streams and lakes. No specific details are given, but it would be unadorned and ethereal.
Wants: To gain Apollo's love and attention; to gaze upon his beauty and be acknowledged by him.
Flaw: Her unrequited love for Apollo, which consumed her entirely, leading to her physical and emotional destruction. Her humility and lack of self-preservation.
Transforms from a timid water-nymph into a flower (either a sunflower or heliotrope), eternally gazing at the sun, embodying constancy in love.
Faithful, devoted, timid, gentle, unexacting, humble, persistent in love, self-sacrificing.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman with a slender, delicate build, fair skin, and a pale, drawn face. Her long, flowing light brown hair is unadorned. She wears a simple, draped white chiton made of sheer linen. Her posture is one of deep longing, head tilted slightly upwards, eyes wide and fixed on an unseen point above. Her body appears frail and somewhat translucent, as if wasting away. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Apollo ⚔ antagonist
Radiant and beautiful, described as 'golden-haired' and driving a 'blazing car'. He is a powerful and imposing figure, a 'Conqueror'.
Attire: As a Greek god, he would wear a chlamys or himation, perhaps in gold or crimson, over a tunic, indicative of his status and power. His attire would be regal and flowing, possibly adorned with solar motifs.
Wants: To fulfill his divine duties of driving the sun chariot across the sky; to maintain his freedom and avoid unwanted affections.
Flaw: His arrogance and inability to feel empathy or pity for those who love him unbidden. His pride prevents him from acknowledging Clytie's devotion.
Remains unchanged throughout the story, serving as the catalyst for Clytie's transformation through his indifference.
Arrogant, scornful, indifferent, powerful, unfeeling towards unrequited love, self-absorbed.
Image Prompt & Upload
A powerful, muscular young man with radiant, golden-blonde hair that flows around his face. His eyes are bright and commanding. He wears a flowing golden chlamys draped over one shoulder, revealing a muscular chest, and a simple white tunic underneath. His expression is one of serene arrogance and indifference. He stands with a confident, upright posture, one hand resting on an unseen chariot's reins. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Diana ◆ supporting
As a goddess, she would possess divine beauty and grace. No specific physical details are given, but she is referred to as 'fair nymph' in a mocking tone, implying beauty.
Attire: As the goddess of the hunt and moon, she would wear a short chiton, suitable for movement, perhaps in silver, white, or forest green, possibly with a quiver and bow. Her attire would be practical yet elegant.
Wants: To comment on the situation between her brother and Clytie; to observe the dynamics of love and suffering.
Flaw: Her tendency towards mockery, though it inadvertently leads to a compassionate outcome.
Plays a minor role, her comment serving as a catalyst for the other gods' intervention.
Sarcastic, observant, somewhat detached, capable of mockery, but also capable of stirring pity in others.
Image Prompt & Upload
A graceful young woman with a slender, athletic build. Her dark, wavy hair is pulled back in a practical style, perhaps a braid or bun. She has sharp, intelligent eyes. She wears a short, silver chiton made of fine linen, allowing for freedom of movement, with a simple border design. Her expression is one of wry amusement and slight detachment. She stands with a confident, upright posture, one hand gesturing subtly as if making a remark. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Old Walled Garden
A sun-drenched, ancient garden with high stone walls, where fruit ripens, bees hum around purple heliotrope and blush roses, and white-winged pigeons preen on a grey sundial. Madonna lilies hang their heads, and tall yellow sunflowers boldly face the sun.
Mood: Peaceful, fragrant, vibrant, yet with an underlying sense of unrequited longing embodied by the sunflowers.
The setting for the framing narrative, where the sunflower's legend is recounted and Clytie's transformation is contemplated.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sun-drenched, ancient Greek walled garden with high, weathered stone walls partially covered in climbing vines. Ripe pomegranates and golden quinces hang from espaliered trees against the warm stone. In the foreground, a bed of vibrant purple heliotrope and blush-pink roses releases a sweet fragrance, with bees buzzing lazily. A moss-covered grey sundial stands centrally, where white doves preen their feathers. Tall, bold yellow sunflowers line a distant wall, their faces turned towards the bright, clear sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Lonely Stream and Pellucid Lake
A secluded, tranquil body of water where blue dragonflies dart over white water-lilies. The banks are shaded by tall poplar trees and silvery willows, offering a cool respite from the sun.
Mood: Serene, peaceful, secluded, initially safe and then becoming a place of longing.
Clytie's original dwelling place, where she first sees Apollo's reflection and begins her unrequited devotion, and where she later wastes away.
Image Prompt & Upload
A secluded, tranquil Greek stream winding into a pellucid lake, its surface dotted with white water-lilies and alive with darting blue dragonflies. The banks are lush with tall, slender poplar trees and weeping silvery willows, their leaves shimmering in the gentle breeze, casting dappled shadows on the cool, dark water. The ground is soft earth, with scattered smooth river stones. Overhead, the sky is a clear, bright summer blue, with soft light filtering through the canopy. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
