The myth tells about the story that took place in the third dynasty approximately in the reign of Zoser. It is narrated that the Egypt was cursed with the lack of water and the stop of flood for seven successive years. To know the main reason for this problem, the king went to the god of the Nile river who responsible for allowing the flood to cover the lands or prevent it, the main source from which the Nile river stems. He found the doors guarded by the god Khnum.

Knom and Heqet

The king presented many sacrifices for Khnum and asked about the reason for this curse. Khnum replied angrily saying that he was enraged by the negligence of humans of him and his temple, while presenting many sacrifices and paying a great attention to the temples of other minor gods. He assured also that he was the creator of all human beings, the father of all gods including Shu, and the processor of earth. In an attempt to regain the satisfaction of Khnum, the king imposed new taxes on the people in order to restore the Temple of Khnum. As a result the god forgave the mortal creatures, allowed the water to flood and returned life to the dead lands.

That’s why the many historians argue that the king and his priests made up this myth and that god in order to convince people to pay more taxes willfully.