There was then but one season in the year , and that was the delightful summer ; and but one age for mortals , and that was childhood . '' `` I never heard of that before , '' said Primrose . `` Of course , you never did , '' answered Eustace . `` It shall be a story of what nobody but myself ever dreamed of , -- a Paradise of children , -- and how , by the naughtiness of just such a little imp as Primrose here , it all came to nothing . '' So Eustace Bright sat down in the chair which he had just been skipping over , took Cowslip upon his knee , ordered silence throughout the auditory , and began a story about a sad naughty child , whose name was Pandora , and about her playfellow Epimetheus . You may read it , word for word , in the pages that come next . THE PARADISE OF CHILDREN . Long , long ago , when this old world was in its tender infancy , there was a child , named Epimetheus , who never had either father or mother ; and , that he might not be lonely , another child , fatherless and motherless like himself , was sent from a far country , to live with him , and be his playfellow and helpmate . Her name was Pandora . The first thing that Pandora saw , when she entered the cottage where Epimetheus dwelt , was a great box . And almost the first question which she put to him , after crossing the threshold , was this , -- `` Epimetheus , what have you in that box ? '' `` My dear little Pandora , '' answered Epimetheus , `` that is a secret , and you must be kind enough not to ask any questions about it . The box was left here to be kept safely , and I do not myself know what it contains . '' `` But , who gave it to you ? '' asked Pandora . `` And where did it come from ? '' `` That is a secret , too , '' replied Epimetheus . `` How provoking ! '' exclaimed Pandora , pouting her lip . `` I wish the great ugly box were out of the way ! ''
`` O come , do n't think XXXXX it , any more , '' cried Epimetheus .
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