The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1897-04-02
OTHER JoNAHs.
Many Legends in Ancient Times Reseu
bIfne, the BfbIs Narratives.

Hany Legends in Ancient imes Resem-
bling the Bible Narratives.
The familiar story of Jonah and the
whale, recently SO widely discussed on
account Of DR.. Lyman AbbOt's recent
lecture, and the numerous comments
which it has aroused, has many appar-
ent counterparts in the legends and
folklore of the past. Some of these are
surprisingly like the Biblical story Of
Jonah aud are not generally known.
There is a legend preserved to US by
BeFossus (33O-26O B. c. as current
among the Babylonisns of a certain
-Oaunes, who taught the people the arts
of agriculture and civilization. He is
described as being part man and part
fish, aud picture of him has been
found on one of the ancient mOnu-
ments which is now in the British Mu-
scum.
1t is related that he was possessed Of
human voice by which he cOmmuni-
Gated with men. He taught them how
to write, how to build temples and
cities, how to make laws, and how to
SOW, reap, pillow and drain the land.
He only appeared at daybTeak, and, as
the sun set, plunged into the sea, re-
appearing at intervals whenever men
needed him most.
The BabylOdian story of the crea-
ton, which bears certain resemblances
to the first chapters of Genesis, is at
tributed to Oaunes, who described
how the chief god, Bell, created the
other gods, the good and the evil spir-
its, animals, man, the planets and
stars, sun, moon, etc.
Students of folklore do not hesitate
to call the story of Oaunes a sun myth,
finding the key to the legend in his
daily disappearance at sunset.
The Phoenecians and Philistines
worshipped Dagon one of the gods, in
the shape of figure half man, half
fish, or sometimes as a man just CON-
ing out of the mouth Of a fish. The
fact that the sun is called Jawnah by
the Persiaus, aud in Troy was known
as iona, is proof positive to Prof. Gold
ziher, an eminent German scholar, that
the origin of the story lies in the sun
being swallowed up by storm clouds OF
by the sea at setting.
Among the Persians Jemshid gives
Iran all of the benefits of civilization
invents all the fine arts, especially mu
sic, and, being swallowed by the drag
ons of the storm and night, sfterward;
rises to continue his benefactioDs tC
the human race.
! The Hindoos have a fable in the $50
madeva Bliatta" that the kings daugh
ter had made VOW to marry no one
but the man who had seen the "goldeI
city" Her sutton, Saktideva, embarki
upon ship bound for Utsthala, where
the skiing of the fisherman" lived. A
terrific storm breaks over the ship
which goes to pieces, Saktideva being
swallowed by a huge fish,
The kings servants catch the fish
cut it open and Saktideva comes fOrtl
alive. He is taken to Utsthala, see
the golden city" and returns to MARI,
the princess.
The story appears in various form
among the Greeks. Hercules rescue
| Hesione from the sea monster by leap
Jog into its jaws, where he remains 70
three days aud nights, tearing at its en-
trails. Another version has it that b.
was swallowed by a whale, at Joppa
and when be was thrown out, tire
| days later, his head was bald.-Ne7
| York Herald.