What is in Pandora's Box?

While reading “My Sister’s Keeper” I discovered the original story behind "What is in Pandora’s Box?" In a passage that discusses the connection between fire and home Jodi Picoult’s character recounts the following story: the way the Greeks told it, Zeus put Prometheus and Epimetheus in charge of creating life on earth. Epimetheus made the animals, giving out bonuses like swiftness and strength and fur and wings. By the time Prometheus made man, all the best qualities had been given out. He settled for making them walk upright, and he gave them fire.

Zeus pissed off, took it away. But Prometheus saw his pride and joy shivering & unable to cook. He lit a torch from the sun and brought it to man again. To punish Prometheus, Zeus had him chained to a rock, where an eagle fed on his liver. To punish man Zeus created the first woman - Pandora - and gave her a gift, a box she was forbidden to open.

Pandora's curiosity got the best of her, and one day she opened that box. Out came plagues and misery and mischief. She managed to shut the lid tight before hope escaped. Hope is the only weapon we have left to fight the others.