I think they are parables for men : look beyond the facade to the woman beneath. Never lose your gentlemanly demeanor regardless of her whims and your rewards -- well!Not being mislead by appearances is, of course, an excellent parable for
everyone. I remember an episode of
Lost in Space (showing my age here
)which summarised it in as basic a manner as you can get. The ugly looking, slightly cantankerous alien was actually the goody, whereas the good-looking, reasonable-sounding human was the baddy. Of course it took the (errm) Robinsons a little while to see beyond appearances.
I remember being obliged to visit an old woman when I was a schoolboy. She was full of fascinating stories and obscure knowledge. I learned a lot, even if she never did change into a goddess.
And why, do you think, that Anu made a woman of Irish descent his High Priestess? Indeed. But in that case she was
already a goddess.
