By Bella and Jinny, Jeju
On the quiet edge of a mountain, a beautiful girl named Syrinx was loved by many powerful gods in vain. Alas, her only passion was hunting. Her hunting outfit was so beautiful and resembled Artemis’s in such a way that it was hard for the people to distinguish between the two. However, it was not a blessing; it was a curse.
Pan was a god who was always singing. He was lustful, approaching any beautiful woman or nymph he saw. One day, while Syrinx was hunting, she met Pan. He became infatuated with Syrinx and persistently pursued her. However, Syrinx, refusing to listen, ran away from him. Pan followed, in hot pursuit. Syrinx had to stop at a river, and she begged the river nymphs to save her from Pan.
When Pan grabbed Syrinx, she changed into a reed. As he sighed, the air went through the reed and made a plaintive sound. Upon hearing the beautiful sound, he broke the reed and made it into a flute, saying, “Syrinx, I will always honour you by playing this beautiful instrument.”
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