Story challenge: Alexander, Hephaistion and small fishes
How about a short story on the following?
From Plutarch's "Life of ALexander":
"And another time, when it thundered so much that everybody was afraid, and Anaxarchus, the sophist, asked him if he who was Jupiter’s son could do anything like this, “Nay,” said Alexander, laughing, “I have no desire to be formidable to my friends, as you would have me, who despised my table for being furnished with fish, and not with the heads of governors of provinces.” For in fact it is related as true, that Anaxarchus seeing a present of small fishes, which the king sent to Hephæstion, had used this expression, in a sort of irony, and disparagement of those who undergo vast labors and encounter great hazards in pursuit of magnificent objects, which after all bring them little more pleasure or enjoyment than what others have."
The challenge is to write a story where Alexander sends a gift of food to Hephaistion. When does this happen? Why are they not dining together? (Since it's fish, then Hephaistion can't be too far away.) Do other diners laugh at him? Did he do this on a regular basis? I hope some of you talented people can whip up something short and sweet on food and love!
From Plutarch's "Life of ALexander":
"And another time, when it thundered so much that everybody was afraid, and Anaxarchus, the sophist, asked him if he who was Jupiter’s son could do anything like this, “Nay,” said Alexander, laughing, “I have no desire to be formidable to my friends, as you would have me, who despised my table for being furnished with fish, and not with the heads of governors of provinces.” For in fact it is related as true, that Anaxarchus seeing a present of small fishes, which the king sent to Hephæstion, had used this expression, in a sort of irony, and disparagement of those who undergo vast labors and encounter great hazards in pursuit of magnificent objects, which after all bring them little more pleasure or enjoyment than what others have."
The challenge is to write a story where Alexander sends a gift of food to Hephaistion. When does this happen? Why are they not dining together? (Since it's fish, then Hephaistion can't be too far away.) Do other diners laugh at him? Did he do this on a regular basis? I hope some of you talented people can whip up something short and sweet on food and love!