Albrecht 1

Andrew Albrecht
Ms. Holt
Eng. 1P; Per. 6
14 March 2016
An Original Greek Myth: The Origin of Oxygen
Have you ever wondered how plants came into existence or why human need oxygen to stay
alive? This is all explained by a few Greek gods, some you may have never heard of. It all started one
day in none other than Zeus's palace. This is where our story begins.
At eight a.m. in the morning, Zeuss alarm clock went off. He was a very tall guy, ruler of the land,
and had a tendency to be a bit grumpy. Today was going to be an interesting day. Today was the final
conference finalizing the creation of the world. Everything was there except a source of energy. Oxygen
was to be added which later became the source of energy for humans. Every responsibility had been
assigned to other gods. For example, Poseidon was offered a job to create the sea. Candidates were
running thin for the remaining few tasks at hand and Zeus did not like the remaining candidates that were
still left without a job. For one, he had kicked Oxogenis out in a previous meeting because he had spilled
apple juice on his expensive wooden table.
Oxogenis woke up at 5:50 a.m. that morning. He was a god too, but he couldn't control anything.
Today was his last chance at getting a job. He had heard earlier that there was a job opening and this was
his last chance to get a major role in the world. He had been jobless for a few decades and he was really
bored with doing nothing in life other than wait for a job opportunity, which doesn't come around that
often.
Oxgenis arrived at the palace at 6:27 a.m. He enjoyed being early. In fact, he was two hours and
thirty three minutes early. The conference was to start at 8:30. He sat there for the remaining two hours
and thirty three minutes and read his favorite book How to be Like Zeus. He wanted to be the god of
time for the new world but that responsibility was given to Chronus. As he sat there, he remembered all of
the previous conferences, which had not gone well for him. At the first conference, he didn't even get a

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chance to represent himself because all of the gods were there and they did not have enough time to ask
him interview questions. At the last conference, he had lost the job to be god of the plants to Plutus and
she was the only other candidate left.
Finally after two hours and thirty three minutes of waiting, Zeus opened the door to his palace.
Everyone went inside, to be more specific only he and Zeus went inside. The other candidate was late. He
wanted to become the god of sleeping in, no wonder why he was not there yet.
The two entered the large meeting room. They sat down at the table he had spilled apple juice on
in the past. He hoped that wouldn't ruin his remaining chance at getting a job.
Zeus then stated loudly, The meeting has begun. Lightning flashed all around and hit the table.
He probably did this for effect. Probably to show off that he had given himself the ability to create
thunderstorms. He had nominated himself for many things before like the Leader of Land and the Leader
of the Sky. Oxgenis had always had wondered why he would allow lightning to strike his table. There
were many burn marks from previous meetings and bolts. Another one was from the new God of Fire who
wanted to test out his new abilities. They did not kick him out. Oxgensis wondered why because he had
set the whole table on fire, spilling apple juice seemed a lot less of an offense to him.
Today we are deciding who shall be the God of the Oxygen and how shall oxygen be created.
The word oxygen was in Oxgensiss name. He felt very confident that he was going to get the job. Zeus
looked down the list of candidates and sighed, which really wasn't a list any more because Oxgenis was
the only one on it.
Tell me more about yourself Oxgensis and why you believe you are actually qualified for this
job.
I believe I am qualified for this job because I am always on time. Just this morning I was here
two hours and thirty three minutes early. I am also very responsible and ....
But you spilled apple juice on the table and that was not very responsible. Zeus argued.
I did not mean to.

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Don't try to beg me now. After all I could give this job to myself. You know you aren't the only
candidate in this room. His statement proved even more true when another candidate ran through the
door. His name was Carl. He was late to almost all of the other meetings. Oxgenis wondered why he
didn't get the job of being the god of sleeping in.
I am sorry that I am late, I really am, Carl said as he stood by the door.
You did not even register for this opening or for any other of the openings or show up on time so
get out.
But I am more qualified than Oxgesis.
I can't believe you are trying to run against the guy that showed up two hours and thirty three
minutes earlyy when you are already an hour late. He was used to being late so he just continued on.
Oxygenis is very childish. This prompted a new argument.
No I am not, said Oxgenis in a whining tone that was coincidentally very similar to that of a
child. However, this argument did not last long because Zeus called security on Carl and just as quickly as
he had come, he was removed. Once again, it was just the two of them in the room.
He said I was childish, Oxgnis said in disbelief.
Zeus put his head on the table. He had had to endure enough between all of the other conferences.
After a few minutes, he finally broke the silence.
That's a surprise, he said sarcastically. Anyway I guess I have to give the job to you since you
are the only one left. Oxgenis was very excited after decades of doing nothing in life. Now was his
chance. He decided that humans should require to breathe a molecule he named oxygen after himself to
stay alive.
A few days later he got a letter in the mail. It was the waiver stating all the punishments Zeus had
set up specially for him if he did something wrong. It was three hundred and fifty seven pages long. Why
did he count all of those pages? It was either that or get a job as a math teacher. He signed it, sent it back,
and the next day he was regulating the flow of oxygen in his brand new job.

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And that is the end of the story. Now you may be wondering why no one knows of Oxgensis. This
is because in the contract that he signed, it stated that no one should know his name. Probably because
Zeus though he would be an embarrassment to the rest of the gods. We will never know for sure.

Three of the four characteristics included:

X Explains a natural phenomenon (i.e. earthquakes, thunder, etc.) or creation of something
X Depicts a struggle between good and evil characters
X Show a relationship between mortals and the supernatural
Sometimes depicts a heros quest to accomplish a great feat
30/30 pts.
Includes at least one Olympic god and an accurate depiction of him or her.
5/5 pts.
Labeled characteristics and Olympic god
5/5 pts.
Total
40/40 pts.