From the Roman and Greek ancient stories comes the tale of Deadalus and his son, Icarus.
Deadalus, being known for his skill and craftmanship, is tasked with creating an inescapable maze to contain King Minos of Crete’s fearful creature, the Minotaur.
Once the maze was constructed, the king, fearing Deadalus could not keep secret his creation, imprisons Deadalus and Icarus within. Since Deadalus knows there is no way out of the maze by foot, he plans for their escape by air.
Deadalus warns his son, “Do not go too close to the sun, it will melt the wax on your wings. Do not fly too close to the sea, lest you be pulled down by the spray.”
The two launch to their freedom but Icarus quickly becomes distracted by the joy of flight and forgets his father’s teachings. The sun soon sends Icarus seaward to his death.
How this story illustrates the relationship between parent and child. The parent’s actions create the world inhabited by the child. With all the love and wisdom parents nurture them only to set them aloft and discover that there are unseen currents that shift the course of their child’s life. One’s helplessness manifests. There is no other resolution than to accept the outcome whether flight or fall.
