There are those who get very excited about Greek words.
They can mean many things, you see: and when one translates Greek one has to be a master at reading context to work out what the Greek writer meant in the first place.
Take agape.
We call it love. That’s the only one-syllabled alternative our language will provide.
The Greeks chose this word to mean a love of a father for his child; and of the child or their parent. It is love without strings, unselfish, voluntary love which does not ask for anything in return.
It is altruism: Wikipedia’s author of its agape entry uses many fine brushes to paint its meaning: “divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful love”.
I wonder at three syllables with such a sophistication of meaning. It is incredibly seductive, as is the concept it embodies.
Greek words. A world of meaning in a few syllables.
What an achievement, then, to encapsulate an underworld of meaning in the same way.
The journey to the underworld is named in Greek: it is called Katabasis.
It can signify a walk in the valley of the shadow of death. But katabasis can also mean moving downhill; it can be the sinking of the sun, or the abating of wind. It can signify a military defeat, or even a journey to the coast from central regions.
Katabasis is part of the cycle of rise and fall on which the universe turns.
The word has shades. At its darkest it is rather final, but moving in a gentle gradient downwards is an alternative reading.
I love this because I have had a small descent over the last few days, across a very minor river to weigh a few organs and see if I have been found wanting.
It is nothing beside those who lose those they love, or lose their health; it has not been a cataclysm on the scale of a lifetime.
It has just been about five very grim days, and I managed to gather my skirts and flee this little Underworld without looking back.
The original Orpheus was a poet and musician of breathtaking talent. He made it past the gates of death with a firm grip on life and played and sang in front of Hades and Persephone, and even made the guardian of the gates, that three-headed dog Cerberus, cry and cover his great big doggy ears.
His talent was enough to secure passage out of the darkness, not only for him, but also for his wife, had he not looked back.
From classical to topical: today, as auditors watched, I and a group of small children grappled with the katabasis of a bouncy ball.
Yes: in the epic adventure “Little Pig’s Bouncy Ball”, by Alan Baron, we tackled the story of Little Pig, who threw a ball over Dan Dog’s head. The ball bounced down the hill and far away, and Dan Dog ran after it.
Little Pig waited. And when Dan Dog didn’t come back, she became distraught: Tabby Cat came along and Little Pig burst into tears and informed him that Dan Dog had taken her ball; Tabby Cat just hugged Little Pig. And he cried too.
And so it was with a procession of friends who heard the news and joined the commiseration.Five of them in all. They cried. They bawled. they screamed. There’s this great picture at the climax of the story of this bunch of animals bawling inconsolably, because Dan Dog allegedly stole Little Pig’s ball.
And then Dan Dog came back. Phew, he said, that ball went a very long way.
And there’s a moment when all the friends realise they have been looking at this whole thing the wrong way.
And then, everyone falls about laughing.
The final moments of the story see Dan Dog throwing the ball over the animals’ heads: and the ball bounces down the hill and far away….
Now that’s what I call katabasis.
Because with this descent there is a Dan Dog to retrieve the situation; and a group of friends to hug the anxious. The perfect recipe for handling the descent with equanimity.
While I’m not sure who my Dan Dog is, I can tell you who the friends are. They are the friends in my life: those I see every day, and those who come to see me here in cyberspace, to pass the time of day and talk.
Your words and gestures have helped me walk through my small, temporary underworld.Thank you. I find myself buoyed up by the wave of goodwill; and elated by the idea of that big bouncy ball, bouncing down the hill and far away.
Kate Shrewsday 
Kate, I’m so pleased it it over for you! The stress…..
When will you hear how extremely well you have done?
I like ‘Katabasis’: the see-saw of life’s trials and tribulations, successes and joys all in one word.
‘it is’ !!
It’s nice to have it behind rather than in front, Pseu 🙂
Love this post!
Glad to hear it, Tilly. Just tumbled out this evening, like Little Pig’s ball…
Wonderful, Kate. I may use the big bouncy ball notion the next time I’m feeling lost, overwhelmed, bereft etc. It makes me laugh 🙂
Glad you have survived intact, and with humour. Not that I doubted it for a minute!
Thanks so much, Fiona. Hope that bouncy ball comes in handy 🙂
Thanks for a moment of warmth and laughter..Bless You
paul
And you, Paul: loved your story!
Hope all is well indeed and I would be happy to serve as a Dan Dog Deputy.
I shall alert Dan Dog immediately 🙂
English is hard to learn because of shades and multiple meanings of same word while other languages would have a precise term for what is being expressed. Just think of the dozens of meanings for the word run as a n or v.
I know: generalisation seems to be the name of the game in the English language, Carl!
Follow the bouncing ball, Kate . . . 😀
😀 I shall, Nancy.
Lovely post Kate and yes follow that bouncing ball!
Thanks Susan. I wonder where it will lead?
Bouncing balls always bring happiness, don’t they? Somehow. They seem so unfettered and are fun to watch. I am so glad to hear that you’re through it and am relieved the getting through didn’t hurt you.
Thank you for all the support, Andra, can’t tell you how much it meant. It has been exhausting and a bit harrowing here and there but it’s good to have it over with.
Happy that you’ve gotten beyond the dread, unscathed and smiling again. 🙂
Thanks Karen 😀 The worst thing is not having the time to write! Lovely to be at the keyboard again.
Lovely – we’ve missed you, welcome back 🙂
Thanks Linda – and thanks also for all your support, here and elsewhere. It meant a great deal.
I hope that if the ball heads downhill for you again, this time everyone will know Dan will return it!
I feel sorry for the poor dog the first time. Unjustly accused and reviled in his absence!
Good point, Col: it would be nice to give Dan the benefit of the doubt 😀
Wonderful post, Kate, and I’m so glad to hear your five days are done with, over, kaput! I don’t know the book, but with your telling feel I do and may have to find it for a little someone I know.
Rest.
Meh agape (with love), Penny
Kezzie is going to LOVE Little Pig’s Bouncy Ball, Penny. Some authors just have a talent for distilling a funny moment into a few words, And Alan Baron is one of them.
This is the UK Amazon but I am sure the US site has it too: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Pigs-Bouncy-Ball-Giggle/dp/0763601268
Goodbye underworld and welcome back Kate.
Thanks Rosemary. It’s good to squint at the sunlight.
It’s such a warm post – your words have away of giving so much beauty.
Thanks, Belle: as an admirer of your writing, which always brings so much infectious humour to the business of life, those words mean a great deal 🙂
I get excited about Greek words – haha – I love all things Greek 🙂 Glad your week is improving Kate. Wonderful writing as usual – love the way you pull so many seemingly disparate things into the one theme.
Thanks Gabrielle 🙂 Oooh, do take a look at WonderingPilgrim’s latest post, Gabrielle: it’s another Greek word post… http://wonderingpilgrim.com/2012/01/30/exousia/
Kate it’s a pleasure to be here amongst the cyber-friends, huddled and waiting for your Dan to come back with the beach ball, and I am glad for you that your trip out of the Underworld is underway.
Thanks Cameron 🙂 I’m back in the sunlight, and Dan Dog’s brought the ball back, and all is well. My day with Big Al today. Kids keep your feet on the ground, don’t they?
It’s beautiful, the story of the ball, and the meaning you gave the word ‘katabasis’. It’s certainly an idea that can see one through many a crisis. I am happy for you that you are out of your ‘underworld’.
Thanks Banno. It’s funny how a little incidental story can weave in among all the moments in a day and accord it meaning. Hope you and Teja are well 🙂
Dear Kate,
I’ve been away from your blog for several weeks because of health problems and then trying to catch up. So I’m not sure what led you into the underworld. But I am glad to hear that you have ascended up its slopes and entered the light of day again. And I’m glad your friends were filled with agape for you.
Peace.
Dee, hello 🙂 No big deal: my school has just had the inspectors in for three days: only the third inspection of which I have ever been part, and my department is in a state of flux so I felt very worried indeed about the whole thing. It was tough: but it’s over. Lovely to see you!
those journeys to the underworld are tough, but we come out strengthened in some way, even if wearied by the trip.
so glad you have emerged again, apparenty doing well despite the trials faced (and defeated?)
Yes, we have come out of the inspection holding our head high, Sidey, thanks 🙂
I am so glad to no longer be part of this system.
I am like an inmate of Colditz. I am always working on some loopy escape plan.
Kate, as ever, you have relayed your story with “exousia” 🙂
A true compliment, WP 🙂 Thank you. Loved that post on one of your favourite Greek words.
Kate, so glad your detour throught the Underworld was brief and has a happy finish. Welcome back to the sunshine, you and your bouncing ball!
Cheers Elizabeth!
I add my comments to those of others and say that I do hope the worst of this “particular stress” is behind you. There is something quite unique and remarkable about the sense of community that exists in the blogosphere. If a few months ago someone had told me how much I would enjoy “relationship” in cyberspace I’d have said they surely didn’t know me very well. I’m just glad that you sensed the genuine concern we had for you…and I still think it’s great you shared it with us! Debra
Thanks, Debra 🙂 And thanks once again for all your words. A much more peaceful weekend ahead!
Good to see that you have bounced back, Kate!
Thanks BB 🙂