When I was a child in England my mother always had a tin of Lyle’s Golden Syrup in her kitchen, she used it in her baking and desserts and also for spooning into my mouth when I was too raucous or running in circles craving sweetness. I remember it looking similar to honey although not tasting as good.
But it was the drawing on the tin and the words under the drawing that really fascinated me. Was the lion dead or only sleeping? Was the cloud of insects a swarm of flies or bees or what? Were the insects real or was the lion dreaming them? And what could the words possibly mean?
And what, oh what , you foodies out there, do the words, “Partially Inverted Refiner’s Syrup” mean?
I hadn’t thought of this for decades but in putting this series of posts together and exploring lion connections it emerged again from the deep caves of memory.
Wikipedia informs me that, “Out of the strong came forth sweetness” is a reference to the Biblical story in chapter 14 of the Book of Judges in which Sampson was traveling in search of a wife. During the journey he killed a lion, and when he passed the same spot on his return he noticed that a swarm of bees had formed a comb of honey in the carcass. Samson later turned this into a riddle at a wedding: “Out of the eater came forth food and out of the strong came forth sweetness”.
Now, I know and love riddles but to call this a riddle is sweetly unfair. A true riddle needs to be able to be solved by wit and intelligence. However; the answer to Sampson’s ‘riddle’ could only come from someone who was with him when he found the honeyed lion, and, as far as I know, he was alone. Any other riddlers out there? If so – am I right about this one?
If you want to know why Abram Lyle used this as a slogan on his syrup tin you’re just going to have to Google or guess it.
If you want to know why I have used photos of mother lions with cubs – read the words on the tin again…”Out of the strong…”
Now here’s a real riddle, easy-peasy but the answer is appropriate to my sun sign : Give me food, and I will live; give me water, and I will die. What am I? Can you solve this?
What’s your favorite riddle? – send it in and see if we are able to solve it…
This series of posts are a repeat celebration of my astrological sun sign, Leo, in words, images and music…Please see #1 for more detail.
“She’s alright with me…”
All photos credit to Wikipedia and Google Images. First Lioness and cub photo thanks to lightworkers.org / Lioness licking cub photo thanks to amazinganimalphotos.com / Third lioness with cub photo thanks to aurich.com / Final lioness and cub photo thanks to animalpictureplace.com
I do hope it is fire 🙂 I hope you enjoyed your bd! 🙂 x
LikeLike
Fire it is Ina, you guessed right last year and the answer remains the same ;). And thank you, Yes, I enjoyed….my birthday was a perfect combination of decadent celebration, nostalgia, soul searching and playing chess with Time…x
LikeLike
I remembered the riddle but forgot the answer… 🙂 Ah, decadent sounds good! 🙂 x
LikeLike
My guess at
Your riddle is fire, John.
Another great post– most blessed of solar returns to you
LikeLike
Thank you Gary, your guess is correct and your reward is a slice of my chocolate, raspberry birthday cake…oops, sorry, I ate it 😦
LikeLike
darn :(…. well will have some chocolate mousse cheesecake in your honour my friend
LikeLike
Aren’t lions afraid of mousse? Ah no…it’s the mighty heffalump I’m told…well, enjoy anyway…I am honoured by your sweetness…
LikeLike
What a fun post! (Dare I say a sweet post?) I enjoyed the photos and video too. Will have to work on the riddle.
LikeLike
Yes, you may dare and I thank you for it! If you want to keep working on the riddle DON’T read the other comments 🙂
LikeLike
I love this post. From Lyle’s Golden Syrup to lions to Van Morrison via your mother, your childhood, riddles, Sampson, and the sign of Leo. I’m sure I left something out. The label is rather Blakean, it feels like such another time. Almost like a children’s storybook of old nursery rhymes. I can just see you as a child fascinated by it and as well your mother spooning it out for you.
We had ‘sorghum’ in large tins in Southwest Missouri. A grain, like molasses, used for sweetening. Later, ‘up north,’ we had ‘Karo’ Golden (corn sugar) Syrup. But yours was I think actual cane sugar syrup.
Sampson looking for a wife and making the discovery he made. What a story. I need to reread this.
Thanks for this post. It was really energizing and touching.
LikeLike
It is somewhat Blakean isn’t it, didn’t see that before…and yes, also so very, very retro story book, the ones that always ended in dark morals. ‘Sorghum in large tins’ is a wonderful image and no doubt a Missouri story exists along with a moral warning small children with a longing for sweet not to reach in for fear of drowning!
The Sampson story is another ‘fairy tale’ I think…
I’m so glad you were energized and touched by this post and I am always inspired and rewarded by your insights and perceptions. Thank you for all of your thoughtful comments on my past posts today and I do hope you have recovered from your recent physical challenges…Salud my friend…
LikeLike