Evarra and his Gods

Name: Evarra and his Gods
Author: Rudyard Kipling

Evarra, a man of various circumstances, creates gods in different settings, reflecting his life experiences and the societal conditions around him. In a prosperous city, he crafts a magnificent idol from gold and pearls, gaining the admiration of the king and the populace. However, his pride leads him to inscribe a declaration that only he can create gods, which ultimately contributes to his downfall. In a contrasting scenario, faced with poverty and danger, Evarra carves a god from living rock, again receiving praise but succumbing to arrogance. He repeats his claim about the creation of gods, leading to his demise once more. In a simpler village, he fashions an idol from a fallen tree, earning the villagers' respect and offerings. Yet, the overwhelming adulation drives him to madness, prompting him to assert his belief in his unique ability to create gods, which again results in his death. Evarra's final creation emerges from a place of isolation and madness, where he constructs a grotesque god from refuse. Despite the horror of his creation, he continues to proclaim his authority over god-making, leading to his inevitable end. Upon reaching Paradise, Evarra encounters the gods he made and questions the nature of his labor and the law he established. God reveals that Evarra's creations are valuable, and his unique perspective has enriched the divine realm. Evarra realizes that his flawed understanding of god-making was essential, and he ultimately rejects his gods, acknowledging the complexity of creation and the interplay between human ambition and divine will.

By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1891 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction · 936 words

First lines

_Read here: This is the story of Evarra -- man -- Maker of Gods in lands beyond the sea._ Because the city gave him of her gold, Because the caravans brought turquoises, Because his life was sheltered by the King, So that no man should maim him, none should steal, Or break his rest with babble in the streets When he was weary after toil, he made An image of his God in gold and pearl, With turquoise diadem and human eyes, A wonder in the sunshine, known afar, And worshipped by the King; but, drunk with pride, Because the city bowed to him for God, He wrote above the shrine: "_Thus Gods are made, And whoso makes them otherwise shall die._" And all the city praised him. Then he died.

What this Textopian page supports

Evarra and his Gods is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1891 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Rudyard Kipling
Date: 1891 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Allegory
Length: 936 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fantasy — The story involves the creation of gods and explores themes of divinity and human creativity.
Mythology — It reflects mythological elements through the character of Evarra and his interactions with gods.
Philosophical Fiction — The narrative delves into existential themes regarding the nature of creation and the relationship between man and the divine.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and reflective, characteristic of literary fiction.