Hear me out.
Sysiphus was punished by having to push a rock up a hill, only to have it roll back down again. I think he's still doing this to this day.
Let's say that Santa was actually force to live in this artic cavern.
He's alone, watching little people make toys, and listening to them speak without comprehension. None of the elves would even look at them as they work.
Every year, the elves miraculously stop time for just a moment so they can force Santa (screaming and shooting) to take these invisible toys to every house in the world and place them beside every child's bed.
The stoppage of time is just a tick of a clock to us, but Santa calls this the "endless night"; remember, every household in the WORLD!
You think Sysiphus had it bad?
Santa's punishment is worse....
2006-12-22 02:04:34 · 4 answers · asked by The Mac 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
I can see your point, but every traditional description of Santa Claus includes the word "jolly" and "shaking with laughter like a bowlfull of jelly." Doesn't sound like a Sysiphian slave to me.
2006-12-22 02:44:24 · answer #1 · answered by Rachel M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Based on the tradition of the real Saint Nicholas who received joy from giving I don't think it is a punishment.
Now, when Santa gets waterboarded for invading US airspace he will know what punishment is.
2006-12-22 10:42:01 · answer #2 · answered by Billy Dee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know, the Sysiphusean angle had never occurred to me before. Perhaps you should compose a short story on this and submit it to Harpers or New Yorker magazine. Pretty twisted take on another old fable. Kudos.
2006-12-22 10:13:38 · answer #3 · answered by dem4six 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i didn't read your long story but did u know that if u change the letters in santa around u get....satan
2006-12-25 23:38:15 · answer #4 · answered by lize 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋