Introduction
On August 15th each year, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God, that is, the death of the Virgin Mary. One of the oldest churches in the world, the Panagia Ekatontapyliani on Paros, was involved in a remarkable series of events on this day in 1931.
ONE August evening in 1931, three fishermen put into a tiny harbour in Piso Livadi, on the Greek island of Paros.
Wine flowed freely, and the next day’s feast of the Virgin Mary, a day when the whole island honoured the Mother of God, drew their coarsest wit.
But as they laughed and drank, the sky darkened, and the sea began to rise like a hill. The wind picked up their little boats, and splintered them on the shore.
The storm passed as quickly as it had come. Presently, a boat came in from neighbouring Naxos. “What happened here?” asked the captain as he made fast. “Our crossing was smooth as glass!”
“It was a miracle of the Virgin” replied one chastened fisherman, but Gregory Liákouras was all derision.
“Mary doesn’t trouble herself about the likes of us fishermen” he said, spat on his shattered boat, and went to bed.
Précis
Three fishermen on the island of Paros in Greece got drunk, and shockingly abused the Virgin Mary. A storm immediately arose, and destroyed their boats. Some of the fisherman learned their lesson; but one declared that Mary took no interest in the lives of common fishermen, and refused to mend his ways. (52 / 60 words)
Three fishermen on the island of Paros in Greece got drunk, and shockingly abused the Virgin Mary. A storm immediately arose, and destroyed their boats. Some of the fisherman learned their lesson; but one declared that Mary took no interest in the lives of common fishermen, and refused to mend his ways.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: besides, despite, just, must, otherwise, since, until, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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