The Ruby: July's Birthstone Promises Wealth and Good Fortune

by Angela Magnotti Andrews Haven't most of us harbored dreams for our children, convictions that lead us to take tremendous risks despite the pressing ache of limited resources? The only thing that keeps us going is the innocence in their eyes and the emergence of their life's true gifts. Such was the case for Heraclea, a young Greek widow whose debts threatened to crush her convictions. "The gods have given you a great gift, my son. Some day my Glaucon will be a famous sculptor; we must keep these hands for their true work," she exhorted her boy, who begged her to send him to work to pay her debts {2}. She knew not what to do about her dead husband's vexing 'friend', who had just threatened to take her baby, Phorion, as a slave for his own son, in lieu of payment for her debts. But she did not want to see her son abandon his studies. It would be the chivalrous act of a grateful crane that would change the course of Heraclea's fate and imbue the ruby with the aura of good fortune and ensured success.

The Crane's Astonishing Gift

Here's how it went down: Just as Heraclea entreated her son to stick with his studies and allow her to handle the problem of her debts, a flock of cranes flew overhead. It was the custom of this family of cranes to alight in her garden and eat their fill. As the cranes began to descend, a wild commotion broke out. A cacophony of beating wings and desperate squawking came to an abrupt end as one of the birds landed unceremoniously at the widow's feet. The crane lashed out in fear as Heraclea reached out to soothe it. "Nay, Master Crane, it is a friend; do not glare so fiercely," she told the great white bird {2}. She noted at once that the crane's leg was broken, so she and Glaucon set to work affixing it with a splint. As summer passed, the bird's leg healed so that he was able to return with his flock to their southern home for winter. Neither winter's sleep nor spring's promise brought comfort to Heraclea's heart. She finally decided to tell Glaucon of Phorion's awaiting fate. "I will go in his place, Mother," Glaucon declared valiantly. "Nay, my Glaucon, you are your father's eldest son and head of the home. It is as the gods have willed. The luck has departed from the house; even the cranes have not returned to us," Heraclea lamented {2}. Though the cranes returned a week later, Heraclea remained despondent. "It is too late. What good fortune can they bring?" she sobbed {2}. Startled by a gentle touch upon her shoulder, she lifted her head to greet her visitor. "Master Crane!" she cried. "Why, Master Crane! Did no one welcome you back, poor bird? Oh, it is a sad house to which you come, Master Crane," she declared forlornly {2}. Allowing her a dignified moment to stroke his neck, the crane stood regally before dropping a gift into her lap. He no sooner left his gift, then abruptly took flight to return to his nest. "Let no one say that a bird does not have a grateful heart," she exclaimed as she gazed upon the 'pretty red glass' lying in her lap {2}. Soon after, Glaucon returned from town with an announcement, "Mother, I have found work in the market. To-morrow I leave the school," he said tiredly {2}. Heraclea held her disappointment near to her breast and, as a diversion, showed her son the beautiful gift. "Why, Mother, in the dark corners it shines like a lamp. One could almost see by its light," he exclaimed {2}. "Is it the work of demons?" she cried {2}. Glaucon ran to fetch the goldsmith in Athens. Heraclea prepared for Old Cleon as she would prepare for a distinguished guest. Not until after his feet were washed and his appetite assuaged with bread and fruit did she place the red stone into his hands. "I know not how you came by this," he said, "but there is none such in all Athens. If it is yours, you are favored of the gods. Never but once have I handled such a ruby" {2}.

So The Story Ends

So the story ends, leaving the reader to imagine how the next scenes played out. However it went for the little family by the sea, we know that Glaucon went on to study the art of sculpture, and Phorion was free to fly in the calling of his own life. These two would never see the backside of a master's hand, and I imagine that if ever they became lenders, they were softer, kinder, and more gracious than their father's vile 'friend'. Because of the kindness of a great white bird, this family had a chance at the greatness endowed to all of us, and the ruby has come to promise wealth and good fortune to all who own one.

Bibliography

1. “De Natura Gemmarum.” The Southern Review, Volumes 12-14, April 1873, pp. 445-459.
2. Mitchell, Mary E. “The Stone of Success,” St. Nicholas Magazine, July, 1906, pp. 833-838.