Sources:   Bulfinch's Mythology, Encyclopedia Mythica

Major Characters:  Pyramus, the handsomest youth in Babylonia
                                               Thisbe, the most beautiful maiden in Babylonia

Summary:
    This is a story told by Ovid.  Pyramus was the handsomest young man and Thisbe, the most beautiful maiden in all of Babylonia.  Their parents lived in adjoining houses, and they eventually fell madly in love.  The two longed to be married, but their parents forbade it.  The lovers would whisper to each other through a crack in the wall, and arrange secret meetings.  One day, while the lovers were at their secret meeting place, they decided to run away together that very night.  They would meet outside the city walls at the Tomb of Ninus, one waiting for the other at the foot of the white mulberry tree rooted by a cool spring.
    Thisbe was the fist to arrive, having stolen away from home with her head veiled (this veil was a love gift from Pyramus).  While she waited for Pyramus, a lion approached, jaws still bloody from a recent kill.  Thisbe fled to a nearby cave.  With his bloody jaws, the lion tore up her veil, left behind in her haste to escape.  Thisbe huddled in fear, not daring to return until certain that the lion had left.
    After being delayed, Pyramus arrived.  Seeing the lion's tracks and the bloody, torn veil, he assumed the worst.  Blaming himself for having encouraged Thisbe to venture out during the dangerous nighttime and not being present to protect her, Pyramus brought the veil to the tree, drew his sword (her love gift to him) and slew himself.  In his despair, Pyramus said that he hoped his blood would stain the white mulberries, and his blood did spatter them.  His blood then soaked into the earth where it was drawn up through the tree roots and into the mulberries, turning them red.
    Thisbe finally returned from her hiding spot, and gasped as she saw Pyramus.  With his dying breaths, Pyramus explained all that had transpired.  Angry at herself for running away from the lion and not being brave enough to return more quickly, she stabbed herself with the sword.  As she died, she made two pleas.  Both of her requests were granted: her parents buried the lovers in the same tomb, and the mulberries are forever red.

Natural Phenomenon:
     This etiological myth explains why mulberries are red.

Mythic Mores:
     This myth conveys ideas about the undeniable power of love through the lovers' constant attempts to be together.  Pyramus and Thisbe's love was so strong, that the gods forever changed the mulberry's color as a monument to them.  It also intimates the sacrifices and pain involved with true love.  Sadly, the lovers finally were together only in death.  The myth also warns that hastiness and rashness can bring disaster when Pyramus' assumptions that Thisbe was eaten by a lion lead to his death.  If Pyramus had delayed a few moments, neither would have died.

Modern Evaluation:
     This is a mythic story with a timeless theme that appeals to all who have ever loved and felt the pain involved with love and loss.  People can relate to the lovers' troubles and sadness at losing the other.  Although today there are no bloody jawed lions to destroy a gift of love, there are many dangers that are equally as perilous.  On the other hand, the myth does seem rather simplistic in its message that young people who do not obey their parents will be destroyed.  Also, it is stereotypical that the young people are rash and highly dramatic in their reactions.