| Isis, with Horus and the scorpions in tow, came upon a village, in need of food and shelter. The first house that she tried belonged to a wealthy noblewoman who promptly slammed the door in the face of the entire party. Isis contiued unshaken, and soon found the dilapidated home of a poor peasant girl who was only too happy to offer the goddess hospitality. The scorpions, however, were enraged by the rich woman's brusque treatment of the goddess and her son, and so they prepared to avenge their mistress. Six of them passed their venom into the tail of the seventh, who crept into the noblewoman's house and stung her young son. As the boy lay dying, hs mother ran around the town crying for help, but in payment for her earlier inhospitality, no one came to her aid. Isis, however, took pity on the young boy, whom she felt should not be punished on his mother's account, and so she cast a powerful spell over him. By reciting the names of the seven scorpions, she neutralized the poison, so that they child recovered at once. His mother, truly repentant, gave all her belongings to Isis and the poor peasant girl. This story was incorporated into one of the most potent spells to give protection against venomous stings. |
