Of how the Gods Whelmed Sidith
In a valley plagued by pestilence, famine, and the threat of war, the people of Sidith suffer greatly. For three years, they endure hardship while the priests of the Temple of All the gods save One pray fervently for relief. Despite their efforts, the gods remain unresponsive, leading the desperate populace to confront the High Prophet, Arb-Rin-Hadith. They demand he personally deliver their plea to the gods, threatening to cease their offerings if he does not. Reluctantly, Arb-Rin-Hadith agrees to approach the gods, fearing their wrath. He ascends the mountain Aghrinaun, where the gods are believed to dwell. Upon his return, he reports that the gods' faces are cold and unyielding, offering no hope for Sidith. The people then suggest he seek out Māna-Yood-Sushāī, a god to whom no one can pray, believing he may have forgotten the plight of Sidith. Compelled by the people's insistence, Arb-Rin-Hadith climbs Aghrinaun once more, determined to reach the summit and address Māna-Yood-Sushāī. As he ascends, he is seen by the people, but when he raises his arms in supplication at the peak, he vanishes without a trace. The valley of Sidith, once filled with life, becomes a memory, marked only by the absence of its high priest and the enduring silence of the gods. The tale concludes with the transformation of Sidith into a fierce tribe that conquers the weakened remnants of the valley's former inhabitants, leaving behind the temple dedicated to the indifferent gods.
By Lord Dunsany · First published 1917 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction · 982 words
First lines
There was dole in the valley of Sidith. For three years there had been pestilence, and in the last of the three a famine; moreover, there was imminence of war.
Throughout all Sidith men died night and day, and night and day within the Temple of All the gods save One (for none may pray to Māna-Yood-Sushāī) did the priests of the gods pray hard.
What this Textopian page supports
Of how the Gods Whelmed Sidith is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lord Dunsany, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Lord Dunsany
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Allegory
- Length: 982 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Of how the Gods Whelmed Sidith by Lord Dunsany
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Of how the Gods Whelmed Sidith?
- How does this short story by Lord Dunsany fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Stone Of The Wise Men by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Reward by Lord Dunsany
- After The Fire by Lord Dunsany
- How The Enemy Came To Thlunrana by Lord Dunsany
- The Chaunt Of The Gods by Lord Dunsany
- The Tomb Of Pan by Lord Dunsany
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves gods, a mythical setting, and supernatural elements, characteristic of the fantasy genre.
- Mythology — The story incorporates themes of divine intervention and the relationship between mortals and gods, reflecting mythological elements.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores existential themes regarding faith, the nature of deities, and the human condition in the face of suffering.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and evocative, focusing on character introspection and thematic depth, typical of literary fiction.
Tags
Fantasy · Mythology · Adventure · Magic · Gods · World-building · Imaginary world · Quest · Hero's journey · Coming of age · Self-discovery · Mystery