Apollo

Essay Prompt: Discuss a situation that posed a significant challenge and explain what you learned from it

To be perfectly honest, I know that I am spoiled. From being the son of Zeus to having immensely good looks, I was pretty much the star at Olympus High. Whether it was being the captain of the archery team to performing the lyre as part of the Olympus Youth Symphony, I have constantly showed off my "god-given" talents. Just ask my twin sister Artemis. While she was off at rallies advocating for women's rights, I was in activity after activity. Sure my dad was really eager to see me prosper, but it soon became too much for me living up to the leader of Olympus. Nevertheless, I have grown my challenges, specifically my battle with the mighty Python.

I am no one without my mother. My mom, Leto, means everything to me and has always been the one thing I can rely on in my life. Yet, despite all the care and nurturing, I sometimes felt something was wrong with her. As I grew older and reached my teenage years, I would notice every few moments or so, she would quickly scan our surroundings as if she was expecting some one to be there. Artemis and I were dumbfounded. Why was our mother acting so worryingly? I could not handle it any longer, and immediately set out to find the source of her worry.

My search for answers took me to my uncle Hephaestus. He was quite the busy man, crafting weapons and tools for the gods throughout Olympus, but I was sure that he would make time for his nephew. Little did I know that my mother's situation was far graver than I had imagined. My uncle described to me the jealousy of Hera, my not so kind aunt, for my mother's relationship with Zeus. She could not bear to see Zeus give birth to divine beings from another woman. Hera became so corrupt with jealousy that she traveled to the powerful Python in hopes of seeing my mother killed before she gave birth. Python was known throughout the heavens as guardian of the oracle of Delphi. His monstrous appearance quickly turned back any person or god who tried to meet the oracle. Yet, Hera persuaded him to pursue my mother so that my sister or I would never see the face of Olympus.

I began to query my uncle more and more, but my revelations did not bring me peace. Python, following the orders of Hera, followed my mother until my uncle Poseidon hid her in an island among the waves where, sitting near an olive tree, my mother gave birth to my sister and me. Soon after Hephaestus finished his story, I was overcome with emotion. Now it had all made sense. All of this worry and concern my mother had shown was real. She was only looking out for our family. In spite of these emotions, I began to feel a sense of responsibility to my her. I could not bear to see my mother having to constantly be worried about Python potentially taking away her family. With the blessings and hand-made arrows of Hephaestus, I took matters into my own hands.

Thanks to my half-brother Hermes, I quickly arrived to the oracle of Delphi where Python stood, guarding the entrance. His sharp teeth began to menacingly scowl at my presence. As I approached him, an intense fear began to spread through my body. Who was I, a mere teenage god to challenge such a mighty beast? Python was notorious for his fighting ability, but I knew I had a duty to my mother and Artemis. Taking one of the iron forged arrows of Hephaestus from my quiver, I gripped my bow and arrow and set aim. This was my time. Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto, taking on Python himself. With a sudden breath, I let go of the arrow and watched as it pierced through the heart of Python. A sudden roar erupted from the mighty beast, but soon no more came from within as he slammed into the ground with a tremendous force. No longer would my mother have to worry.

Reflecting on this experience as a senior in high school has brought many lessons that have shaped me in more ways than I can imagine. Defeating Python instilled in me a sense of self-worth that has propelled me to succeed in all of my activities. It also gave me a new perspective on the people I hold dearly to me. I know that living in this crazy world of gods nothing in life is for certain. Even while I was performing my archery competitions or performing the lyre, I always knew in the back of my head that there is an alternate reality where Python did get my mother, and I was not born. Thus, I take each day as a new opportunity to improve and challenge myself to be better. I will not let my mother's actions be in vain. As a college student, I will take my experiences that I have had in high school and early on and put forth myself to accomplish new challenges as I did with Python.

Preferred Major: Sports Management

Author's Note: My version of Apollo and Python adds much to the background of the plot than can be found in the original story. The original story is set shortly after Apollo is born, but my version of the story portrays Apollo as a teenager. I thought it would be more interesting and easier to understand if he was a little older rather than a baby who immediately set out to kill a monster. As such, I added many elements such as Apollo's conversation with Hephaestus to match this timeline. However, I did try to stick to the basic plot of the story from Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 140. Like with the original, Leto, Apollo's mother, is chased by Python because of Hera's orders. Posiedon also saves Leto by hiding her among the waves. The original story describes Leto clinging to an olive tree while my rendition has her near an olive tree as she gives birth. Notably, there is almost nothing describing how Apollo killed Python. It also references how he is given arrows from Hephaestus which is why I included the detail in my story, but the actual fight is completely of my own narration. I felt it was appropriate to have Apollo kill Python with a bow and arrow as he is known for his skill in archery. I did not believe a full on battle would have been suited for Apollo's characterization. With this being a college essay, it was important for Apollo to reflect on his battle and see what he can take from his experience. Thus, it explains why in the last paragraph Apollo details his reflections.

Bibliography: Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 140.

Apollo and Python Image