A Mesopotamian myth The story of Gilgamesh is an epic narrative from ancient Mesopotamia and recounts the adventures of the King of Uruk. It is one of the oldest surviving literary works.
Everybody loved to hate Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk, though they dared not say so. The King was big trouble, for he was a giant of a man. You could not call him a man, for the gods had crafted him after their own selves and had granted him superman-like qualities.
He was tough as nails and could win a fight bare-handed any time. But he was a ruthless ruler and treated his people like slaves, torturing or killing them at whim. So his subjects prayed long and hard at the ziggurat, (their place of worship) every day to be kept from incurring the wrath of their ruler.
The gods looked down from above and saw Gilgamesh circling the ziggurat himself, deep in thought. He had no worries — no one dared attack Uruk for he could vanquish an entire army single-handedly. The monsters who lived in the forests near his kingdom lived in fear of Gilgamesh for he would just wander into the forest and kill them for sport. So they dare not terrorise his people.
What shall we do to keep this man busy and out of trouble, the gods thought to themselves. He is torturing his own people for the want of a distraction. Now we just have to create one. So they created a wild man whom they named Enkidu who was as strong and powerful as Gilgamesh himself. That would keep him busy, thought the gods, and proceeded to attend to other more important matters.
Enkidu descended from the skies and approached Uruk with a mighty roar. People fled in terror when they chanced upon this wild creature. Enkidu entered the city gates still roaring like a lion. Gilgamesh, who was standing on the ramparts of his fort, saw him and was surprised. But pleasantly so. For here was a challenge. He engaged the newcomer in a wrestling match.
Enkidu grabbed Gilgamesh’s throat and wouldn’t let go. But Gilgamesh was least affected for he could hold his breath for as long as he wished. Tearing his opponents hand off his throat, Gilgamesh twisted it and held him in a tight grip. But Enkidu managed to escape and threw Gilgamesh to the ground with a loud thud. But Gilgamesh was back on his feet in a whiz. Lifting Enkidu effortlessly like he did with trees, he swung him round and round and then dropped him to the ground. But Enkidu, like his tormentor got up and resumed the wrestling with renewed vigour. As the two giants knocked each other about, whole buildings and castle walls collapsed. It was sundown and it looked like no one would lose.
Gilgamesh looked at his adversary. Now here was a man, a mirror image of him; who had the same power, the same brute force and the same strength.
“Hey Stranger! I don’t think either of us is going to win. We are equals! I think it would be best if we become friends. For there’s none in the world quite like us and as a team, I get the feeling we could have a lot of fun,” said Gilgamesh who had never ever met a kindred spirit all these years.
Enkidu looked at him and smiled. “Yes! And the name is Enkidu...” The two embraced each other and became friends for life. The people of Uruk breathed a sigh of relief and also the gods above. Some respite, at last! Together Gilgamesh and Enkidu would have many adventures but those are tales we’ll save for another day.