Postcard from... Tbilisi
Plus the story of Jason and the Argonauts, Georgian dumplings (YUM!) and much more...
Postcard from... Tbilisi
Greetings readers! Today we write to you from...Georgia. No, not the state in America. Georgia the country. It’s next to Azerbaijan. (Also, you should totally say the word “Azerbaijan.” It’s super fun to say!)
This Georgia, the country, is on the other side of the Black Sea. We’re in the capital city, Tbilisi. (Also fun to say!)
We’ve actually been here for a whole month. Why did we come here, you ask? We came because of the food and the history, including Jason and the Argonauts. More about that in a second...
First, my favorite food. Here in Georgia they have a really yummy kind of dumpling called khinkali. You eat them by grabbing the top little handle, like a bunch of grapes, and stuffing them in your face. They’re really juicy and delicious. I like the potato and meat ones, made with special Georgian herbs.
I also like the deserts here. Right now I’m eating a cream cake with strawberries. I’m imagining the strawberries are little mountains and the whipped cream is snow. Delicious!
But enough about food... (I could go on about that forever!) Back to Jason and the Argonauts...
Many, many years ago, when people wore togas as clothes, there was a child named Jason. His evil uncle was so wanting for power he killed his brother, Jason’s father. Jason was sad and had to leave the kingdom. On his way out, he said to himself, “I will have my revenge on you, toilet head uncle!”
When he was older, Jason returned to the king and demanded his rightful place on the throne. At first, the king rejected Jason. But then he said, “If you can bring me the golden fleece, the throne is yours.”
Although it seemed impossible, Jason agreed.
Jason invited friends. Fortunately, he knew all the most famous heroes in Greece. He sent them messages through the god Hermes and they all came to join his team. Their boat was named The Argo, so they called themselves The Argonauts. (Like astronauts, I guess… but in a boat.) They sailed past Greece and Turkey and landed in Georgia, where we are right now, in the Kingdom of Colchis.
King Aeetes of Colchis told Jason he could have the golden fleece… only if he passed three impossible challenges.
“Brilliant,” said Jason, sarcastically. “More challenges. Just what I need!”
In order to get the golden fleece, Jason had to tame the fire-breathing bulls, use them to plough the fields and plant dragons teeth there, then grab the golden fleece from the sleepless dragon.
Fortunately, the king’s daughter, Medea/my favorite character, gave him a tiny cup with a magical ointment. This was to protect him from the bulls’ fire. And it worked!
Next, she told him, “When you plant dragon’s teeth in the ground, soldiers will grow out of the soil instead of plants. Throw stones at them and they will fight each other… and be banished from your sight.”
Jason did as Medea told him. Again, it worked!
Finally, Jason had to trick the sleepless dragon. “But how?” he wondered.
Medea read his thoughts and said to him, “Listen carefully. The king is going to trick you tomorrow night. He’s going to give you a magic potion to make you fall asleep, then he’ll kill you. You must not drink the poison. Keep it hidden in your room...”
The following morning, Jason ran with Medea to the sleepless dragon and together they threw bottle after bottle of sleeping potion into his mouth. And then...
“Zzzz... Zzzz... Zzzz... plus some dragon snoring here, too...”
The dragon was fast asleep, probably dreaming of a giant pink sloth in a bikini!
Jason and Medea escaped with the golden fleece and got married.
And now... you might be wondering, is the golden fleece real? Well...
Here in Georgia, a long time ago, there was an ancient tradition of using sheep’s wool to scoop the gold out of the rivers, catching it like a fly caught in a spider’s web. This would make the fleece turn golden. So maybe, the golden fleece actually was real after all. What do you think?
Well, that’s the longest postcard we’ve ever done. Thanks for reading! I’m off to do some more puppet shows. Owly has a special puppet suit on and is waiting for me. Bye!
Frida
P.S. Our last Classical Wisdom Kids Club activity involved plenty of fun games and activities involving another classical personality: the wild, snake-haired Medusa. Our Little Learners sent in their own crazy pictures. Here, a few of our favorites…
Classical Wisdom Kids Club Members can access the games and activities here…
Medusa Games and Crafts!
If you’re not already signed-up to receive all our quirky lessons, activities and fun games, consider joining the Classical Wisdom Kids Club here. Or better yet, get a group together and join in the fun with friends!
I like the long form... carry on Owley!