Rabbit was always boasting about how fast he was. One day Turtle said to him, "Rabbit, I can beat you in a race!" Rabbit laughed, but Turtle was serious. They decided to race over four hills.
Rabbit was so confident that he said, "I'll give you a head start. You can skip the first hill. That means I will have four hills but you will only have three." Turtle thanked Rabbit for his kindness and then went home to tell his wife and son what he needed them to do for him to win the race.
On the day of the race, Rabbit started from the foot of the first hill, while Turtle started from the second hill. Rabbit hopped ahead with confidence, but he was surprised when he saw Turtle cresting the top of the second hill at the same time as he reached the top of the first hill.
When Rabbit got to the top of the second hill, he saw Turtle ahead of him, already cresting the third hill, with just one more hill to go.
Rabbit was now leaping as fast as he could, but as he reached the third hill, he could see Turtle already cresting the fourth hill, heading down towards the finish line. Rabbit ran and ran, but Turtle finished first.
Can you guess what happened? To a rabbit, all turtles look alike. So while Turtle waited at the top of the fourth hill, his wife had waited at the top of the second hill and his son had waited at the top of the third hill. Rabbit thought he saw Turtle racing from one hill to the next, but the family of turtles had fooled him, and Rabbit never figured out just how Turtle had run so fast.
Cherokee: The Rabbit, the Wildcat, and the Turkey
One day the wildcat had caught the rabbit and was about to eat him.
"Wait!" shouted the rabbit. "I'm very small, without much meat on my bones. If you let me go, I will bring you a whole flock of turkeys. Their leader is a big tom turkey, a gobbler who would make a perfect meal for you."
The wildcat knew that a turkey would make a much better meal than a rabbit, so he agreed. The rabbit led the wildcat into the woods and then said, "You lie down here and pretend to be dead. Don't move, no matter what happens. Then, when I give the word, jump up and grab the gobbler."
With that, the rabbit ran off to find the turkeys. "Turkeys," he announced, "I have found our enemy, the wildcat, lying dead in the woods. Let's go celebrate by dancing over his body."
At first the turkeys were hesitant, but they finally agreed to go with the rabbit. They found the wildcat lying dead there, just as he had promised. The rabbit said, "I'll sing the song while you dance around him." The rabbit then started to sing, beating time with a stick, while the turkeys danced around the wildcat.
"Pick out the gobbler!" sang the rabbit. "Pick out the gobbler!"
The turkeys were dancing so hard that they did not hear the words of the song. The rabbit then stopped singing and said to the turkeys, "Now go up closer and hit him." The turkeys got closer and the rabbit began singing again, "Pick out the gobbler!"
Finally, the gobbler got close enough to the wildcat to kick him. That was when rabbit sang in his loudest voice, "PICK OUT THE GOBBLER!" At that moment, the wildcat sprang up and caught the gobbler while the other turkeys ran away as fast as they could.
"Wait!" shouted the rabbit. "I'm very small, without much meat on my bones. If you let me go, I will bring you a whole flock of turkeys. Their leader is a big tom turkey, a gobbler who would make a perfect meal for you."
The wildcat knew that a turkey would make a much better meal than a rabbit, so he agreed. The rabbit led the wildcat into the woods and then said, "You lie down here and pretend to be dead. Don't move, no matter what happens. Then, when I give the word, jump up and grab the gobbler."
With that, the rabbit ran off to find the turkeys. "Turkeys," he announced, "I have found our enemy, the wildcat, lying dead in the woods. Let's go celebrate by dancing over his body."
At first the turkeys were hesitant, but they finally agreed to go with the rabbit. They found the wildcat lying dead there, just as he had promised. The rabbit said, "I'll sing the song while you dance around him." The rabbit then started to sing, beating time with a stick, while the turkeys danced around the wildcat.
"Pick out the gobbler!" sang the rabbit. "Pick out the gobbler!"
The turkeys were dancing so hard that they did not hear the words of the song. The rabbit then stopped singing and said to the turkeys, "Now go up closer and hit him." The turkeys got closer and the rabbit began singing again, "Pick out the gobbler!"
Finally, the gobbler got close enough to the wildcat to kick him. That was when rabbit sang in his loudest voice, "PICK OUT THE GOBBLER!" At that moment, the wildcat sprang up and caught the gobbler while the other turkeys ran away as fast as they could.
Cherokee: The Turtle's Whistle
Long ago, the turtle had a whistle which he carried with him always, whistling a happy tune. The partridge did not have a whistle and was jealous of the turtle, who was always bragging about the whistle and showing it to all the other animals.
One day the partridge met the turtle walking along a path in the woods and said, "Turtle, would you loan me that whistle so I can try it?"
At first the turtle was reluctant to surrender the whistle even for a moment, but the partridge was insistent. "I'll give it back right away," the partridge promised. "I just want to hear what the whistle sounds like when I use it. You'll be right here next to me, so there's nothing to worry about."
The turtle agree and handed the whistle to the partridge, and the partridge blew the whistle loudly. "How do I sound?" the partridge asked.
"You play very well," said the turtle, expecting that the partridge would now give back the whistle.
"How does it sound now?" asked the partridge, running ahead and whistling even faster than before.
"Very nice," said the turtle, who could barely keep up with the partridge. "But you need to slow down. I cannot walk so fast!"
"And how about now?" asked the partridge as he spread his wings, whistled loudly, and soared up into the top of a tree.
The poor turtle was left behind on the ground, unable to chase the partridge who was whistling up in the tree. That is why, even today, the turtle does not whistle. He is also ashamed of having been tricked, so he sometimes hides inside his shell and won't come out.
One day the partridge met the turtle walking along a path in the woods and said, "Turtle, would you loan me that whistle so I can try it?"
At first the turtle was reluctant to surrender the whistle even for a moment, but the partridge was insistent. "I'll give it back right away," the partridge promised. "I just want to hear what the whistle sounds like when I use it. You'll be right here next to me, so there's nothing to worry about."
The turtle agree and handed the whistle to the partridge, and the partridge blew the whistle loudly. "How do I sound?" the partridge asked.
"You play very well," said the turtle, expecting that the partridge would now give back the whistle.
"How does it sound now?" asked the partridge, running ahead and whistling even faster than before.
"Very nice," said the turtle, who could barely keep up with the partridge. "But you need to slow down. I cannot walk so fast!"
"And how about now?" asked the partridge as he spread his wings, whistled loudly, and soared up into the top of a tree.
The poor turtle was left behind on the ground, unable to chase the partridge who was whistling up in the tree. That is why, even today, the turtle does not whistle. He is also ashamed of having been tricked, so he sometimes hides inside his shell and won't come out.
Brer Rabbit: Hey, House!
One day Brer Wolf decided he would trap Brer Rabbit inside the rabbit's own house. He watched and waited until he saw Brer Rabbit leaving the house in the morning, and then he hid himself inside the house, chuckling to himself. "Brer Rabbit will never guess that there's a wolf hiding in his very own house," he said.
When Brer Rabbit came home later that day, something just didn't feel right. He noticed the door was open just a crack, but he knew he had closed the door tightly that morning. He saw some tracks in the ground that didn't look like at all like rabbit tracks. "Well," he thought to himself, "this is a mystery. Let me see if I can find out just who is in my house without going inside there myself."
"Hey, my house!" Brer Rabbit shouted. "House! Can you hear me?"
The wolf was confused, but he decided just to keep quiet until he figured out what was going on.
"HEY, HOUSE!" shouted the rabbit again. "I am talking to you! Why don't you answer?"
Now Brer Wolf started to get nervous. "What does that crazy rabbit expect?" he thought to himself.
"House, are you sick today? Or have you just forgotten your manners? I can't remember ever coming home without so much as a hello from you."
Brer Wolf knew he needed to say something. "Hello," he said, very quietly.
"What's that?" asked Brer Rabbit. "I didn't hear you."
"Hello!" howled the wolf, very loudly this time.
Brer Rabbit recognized the voice at once. "Hello to you too, Brer Wolf," said the rabbit. "And goodbye!" he added as he hopped quickly away into the safety of the woods. Brer Rabbit waited there, well hidden, and watched until he saw Brer Wolf give up and go away, looking very embarrassed.
The rabbit had won again!
When Brer Rabbit came home later that day, something just didn't feel right. He noticed the door was open just a crack, but he knew he had closed the door tightly that morning. He saw some tracks in the ground that didn't look like at all like rabbit tracks. "Well," he thought to himself, "this is a mystery. Let me see if I can find out just who is in my house without going inside there myself."
"Hey, my house!" Brer Rabbit shouted. "House! Can you hear me?"
The wolf was confused, but he decided just to keep quiet until he figured out what was going on.
"HEY, HOUSE!" shouted the rabbit again. "I am talking to you! Why don't you answer?"
Now Brer Wolf started to get nervous. "What does that crazy rabbit expect?" he thought to himself.
"House, are you sick today? Or have you just forgotten your manners? I can't remember ever coming home without so much as a hello from you."
Brer Wolf knew he needed to say something. "Hello," he said, very quietly.
"What's that?" asked Brer Rabbit. "I didn't hear you."
"Hello!" howled the wolf, very loudly this time.
Brer Rabbit recognized the voice at once. "Hello to you too, Brer Wolf," said the rabbit. "And goodbye!" he added as he hopped quickly away into the safety of the woods. Brer Rabbit waited there, well hidden, and watched until he saw Brer Wolf give up and go away, looking very embarrassed.
The rabbit had won again!
Brer Rabbit: The Fox and the Well Bucket
Brer Rabbit was feeling thirsty one day, so he was delighted to find a well by the side of the road. "Perfect!" he exclaimed. He hopped up into the bucket which then plunged straight down into the well. The rabbit drank all the water he wanted, but then he realized that he had no idea how to get back out. He looked up and saw that this well had two buckets: when one bucket was up, the other bucket was down. For the rabbit to get back up out of the well, somebody needed to send the other bucket down.
Luckily for Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox had seen the rabbit disappearing down into that well and it had made him curious. It wasn't long before Brer Fox peeked down into the well and shouted, "Hey there, Brer Rabbit! What are you doing down there?"
"I'm fishing," the rabbit replied. "In fact, I've got me a whole mess of fish, more than enough for my dinner."
That got Brer Fox's attention. "I like fish," he said, "and I could do with some fish for my dinner."
"There's plenty of fish for us both!" Brer Rabbit shouted back. "Just jump in that bucket and come on down!"
Brer Fox did exactly that, and as his bucket went down, Brer Rabbit's bucket came up. When they passed each other midway, Brer Rabbit smiled happily at Brer Fox, and Brer Fox smiled back, thinking about all the fish he would catch.
Imagine his surprise when he reached the bottom of the well and found nothing there but cold water and darkness. "Where are the fish?" shouted Brer Fox. Silence. "Brer Rabbit, are you there?" he shouted once again.
Somebody must have helped Brer Fox get out of that well sooner or later, but it wasn't Brer Rabbit, that's for sure!
Luckily for Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox had seen the rabbit disappearing down into that well and it had made him curious. It wasn't long before Brer Fox peeked down into the well and shouted, "Hey there, Brer Rabbit! What are you doing down there?"
"I'm fishing," the rabbit replied. "In fact, I've got me a whole mess of fish, more than enough for my dinner."
That got Brer Fox's attention. "I like fish," he said, "and I could do with some fish for my dinner."
"There's plenty of fish for us both!" Brer Rabbit shouted back. "Just jump in that bucket and come on down!"
Brer Fox did exactly that, and as his bucket went down, Brer Rabbit's bucket came up. When they passed each other midway, Brer Rabbit smiled happily at Brer Fox, and Brer Fox smiled back, thinking about all the fish he would catch.
Imagine his surprise when he reached the bottom of the well and found nothing there but cold water and darkness. "Where are the fish?" shouted Brer Fox. Silence. "Brer Rabbit, are you there?" he shouted once again.
Somebody must have helped Brer Fox get out of that well sooner or later, but it wasn't Brer Rabbit, that's for sure!
Brer Rabbit: Mr. Jack Sparrow
Mr. Jack Sparrow was a little bird with a big mouth. He was always spreading gossip. He had seen Brer Rabbit stuck to that Tar Baby, for example, and told all the animals how foolish Brer Rabbit had been. This made Brer Rabbit angry, and he decided to get his revenge, but sneakily. He went to the house of Brer Fox and started banging on the door.
"Brer Fox! You better come out here right now!" he shouted.
Brer Fox opened the door and peeked out.
"I heard what you said about how you were going to beat me up, and then beat my wife up, and then beat my children up, and then beat us all up all over again!"
Brer Fox was shocked. "Where on earth did you hear that, Brer Rabbit?"
"You mean it isn't true?" Brer Rabbit replied. "Mr. Jack Sparrow told me!"
"Not true at all," Brer Fox insisted. "Somebody has got to stop that bird and his gossiping!"
Brer Fox then went running out of his house into the woods. Jack Sparrow saw him and flew up eagerly. "Brer Fox, I have some good gossip for you!"
"What?" said Brer Fox. "You know I'm kind of deaf. You better sit on my tail and tell me."
"Is that better?" asked the bird, settling on the fox's tail.
"What? I still can't hear you. Hop up here on my head!" said Brer Fox.
The bird quickly jumped up on the fox's head. "How's that?" he asked.
"What? I still can't hear you. You better hop on my nose."
The bird jumped on the fox's nose and started chattering away.
"I still can't hear you," said Brer Fox. "Hop into my mouth and see if that will work."
Brer Fox opened his mouth and in jumped Jack Sparrow. Brer Fox swallowed him whole, putting a stop to the bird's gossip forever.
"Brer Fox! You better come out here right now!" he shouted.
Brer Fox opened the door and peeked out.
"I heard what you said about how you were going to beat me up, and then beat my wife up, and then beat my children up, and then beat us all up all over again!"
Brer Fox was shocked. "Where on earth did you hear that, Brer Rabbit?"
"You mean it isn't true?" Brer Rabbit replied. "Mr. Jack Sparrow told me!"
"Not true at all," Brer Fox insisted. "Somebody has got to stop that bird and his gossiping!"
Brer Fox then went running out of his house into the woods. Jack Sparrow saw him and flew up eagerly. "Brer Fox, I have some good gossip for you!"
"What?" said Brer Fox. "You know I'm kind of deaf. You better sit on my tail and tell me."
"Is that better?" asked the bird, settling on the fox's tail.
"What? I still can't hear you. Hop up here on my head!" said Brer Fox.
The bird quickly jumped up on the fox's head. "How's that?" he asked.
"What? I still can't hear you. You better hop on my nose."
The bird jumped on the fox's nose and started chattering away.
"I still can't hear you," said Brer Fox. "Hop into my mouth and see if that will work."
Brer Fox opened his mouth and in jumped Jack Sparrow. Brer Fox swallowed him whole, putting a stop to the bird's gossip forever.
Greek Myth: Orpheus and Eurydice
Orpheus was the most famous musician of ancient Greece, and the lovely Eurydice was to be his wife. On the day of their wedding, however, Eurydice stepped on a poisonous snake. The snake's bite was fatal, and Eurydice was dead within just a few minutes. Orpheus was heartbroken, unable to believe that his beautiful bride had died on their wedding day.
As he mourned for Eurydice, Orpheus played on his lyre the saddest song anyone had ever heard. All the wedding guests began to weep, and even the gods of heaven could not stop themselves from weeping. One of the wedding guests then thought of a way to save Eurydice. "Orpheus," she said, "you should go to the underworld and see if your sad song can persuade King Hades to allow Eurydice to return to life."
Orpheus bravely went down into the underworld and played his funeral song for King Hades. "O Hades," Orpheus said, "I beg you to let my beloved Eurydice return to the land of the living."
Moved by Orpheus' music, Hades agreed, but he added one condition: Orpheus was not allowed to look back as Eurydice followed him out of the underworld. If Orpheus turned back to look at her, he would lose her forever.
Orpheus then began his journey along the path that led to the land of the living, confident that Eurydice was following behind him. With each footstep, though, he began to doubt. "Is she there?" he wondered. "Is she really there?"
Finally, Orpheus could not resist and turned around just to make sure that Eurydice really was there. He saw her, but only for a moment. As soon as he looked at her, she vanished back into the depths of the underworld, and Orpheus thus lost his beloved Eurydice forever.
As he mourned for Eurydice, Orpheus played on his lyre the saddest song anyone had ever heard. All the wedding guests began to weep, and even the gods of heaven could not stop themselves from weeping. One of the wedding guests then thought of a way to save Eurydice. "Orpheus," she said, "you should go to the underworld and see if your sad song can persuade King Hades to allow Eurydice to return to life."
Orpheus bravely went down into the underworld and played his funeral song for King Hades. "O Hades," Orpheus said, "I beg you to let my beloved Eurydice return to the land of the living."
Moved by Orpheus' music, Hades agreed, but he added one condition: Orpheus was not allowed to look back as Eurydice followed him out of the underworld. If Orpheus turned back to look at her, he would lose her forever.
Orpheus then began his journey along the path that led to the land of the living, confident that Eurydice was following behind him. With each footstep, though, he began to doubt. "Is she there?" he wondered. "Is she really there?"
Finally, Orpheus could not resist and turned around just to make sure that Eurydice really was there. He saw her, but only for a moment. As soon as he looked at her, she vanished back into the depths of the underworld, and Orpheus thus lost his beloved Eurydice forever.
Greek Myth: Pandora
Long ago, Zeus, king of the gods, decided to create a beautiful woman, the most beautiful woman of all time. He enlisted the help of the other gods to create this woman. He commanded the god Hephaestus to shape the woman's body using clay from the earth, and he then ordered Athena and the other goddesses to give the woman lovely clothing and jewels. Athena also taught the woman many skills such as weaving and sewing. Zeus named the woman Pandora.
Zeus then gave Pandora a special jar and commanded her never to open the jar. "Heed my words, Pandora," he said. "You must never - NEVER - open this jar." Zeus did not tell Pandora what was in the jar. Instead, he expected her to obey his command without ever knowing why she was forbidden to open the jar. (Some say it was a box rather than a jar.)
At first, Pandora found it easy to obey the command of Zeus. Over time, however, she became more and more curious. In the end, Pandora could not resist and opened the jar. She was horrified when she saw all sorts of evil things - Death, Suffering, Hunger, Thirst, Pain, Fear - come flying up out of the jar, and all those evil things are still part of human existence since Pandora let them loose into the world. When she realized what was happening, Pandora closed the jar as quickly as she could, but there was only thing still left in the jar: Hope.
Pandora wept when she realized what she had done, but she was glad that at least she still had hope. "This must be part of Zeus' plan," she said to herself, "so that human beings will always possess hope, even when we experience pain and suffering in our lives."
Zeus then gave Pandora a special jar and commanded her never to open the jar. "Heed my words, Pandora," he said. "You must never - NEVER - open this jar." Zeus did not tell Pandora what was in the jar. Instead, he expected her to obey his command without ever knowing why she was forbidden to open the jar. (Some say it was a box rather than a jar.)
At first, Pandora found it easy to obey the command of Zeus. Over time, however, she became more and more curious. In the end, Pandora could not resist and opened the jar. She was horrified when she saw all sorts of evil things - Death, Suffering, Hunger, Thirst, Pain, Fear - come flying up out of the jar, and all those evil things are still part of human existence since Pandora let them loose into the world. When she realized what was happening, Pandora closed the jar as quickly as she could, but there was only thing still left in the jar: Hope.
Pandora wept when she realized what she had done, but she was glad that at least she still had hope. "This must be part of Zeus' plan," she said to herself, "so that human beings will always possess hope, even when we experience pain and suffering in our lives."
Roman Legend: The Rock of Tarpeia
Long ago, the Romans were at war with the Sabines. Romulus, the king of Rome, appointed a general named Tarpeius to defend the city.
Tarpeius, meanwhile, had a daughter named Tarpeia who loved nothing more than pretty jewelry made of silver or, even better, gold. One day, Tarpeia was watching the battlefield from the city's walls and she noticed that the Sabine soldiers wore beautiful golden bracelets on their left arms. "Oh," she sighed, "I would do anything to have a bracelet like that!"
Desperate to get one of the bracelets, Tarpeia snuck out of the city and entered the enemy camp. She met with the Sabine king and offered to betray the city of Rome in exchange for a reward. The king was delighted. "Just name your price," he said. Tarpeia smiled and replied, "I want what the Sabine soldiers wear on their left arms," by which she meant their bracelets. The king agreed and arranged for Tarpeia to let the Sabine army into the city that night.
As soon as it was dark, Tarpeia went to one of the city's gates and opened the door to the Sabines as promised. "But before you enter the city," she insisted, "you must give me what you are wearing on your left arms!" The Sabines laughed and tossed their bracelets to Tarpeia, but then they crushed her with their shields, which they also carried on their left arms, thus punishing her for having betrayed her own people.
The Romans later found Tarpeia's body and realized what she had done, so they took her corpse and hurled it from a high cliff which they named "The Rock of Tarpeia." For ever after, traitors were punished by being hurled to their death from that same rock.
Tarpeius, meanwhile, had a daughter named Tarpeia who loved nothing more than pretty jewelry made of silver or, even better, gold. One day, Tarpeia was watching the battlefield from the city's walls and she noticed that the Sabine soldiers wore beautiful golden bracelets on their left arms. "Oh," she sighed, "I would do anything to have a bracelet like that!"
Desperate to get one of the bracelets, Tarpeia snuck out of the city and entered the enemy camp. She met with the Sabine king and offered to betray the city of Rome in exchange for a reward. The king was delighted. "Just name your price," he said. Tarpeia smiled and replied, "I want what the Sabine soldiers wear on their left arms," by which she meant their bracelets. The king agreed and arranged for Tarpeia to let the Sabine army into the city that night.
As soon as it was dark, Tarpeia went to one of the city's gates and opened the door to the Sabines as promised. "But before you enter the city," she insisted, "you must give me what you are wearing on your left arms!" The Sabines laughed and tossed their bracelets to Tarpeia, but then they crushed her with their shields, which they also carried on their left arms, thus punishing her for having betrayed her own people.
The Romans later found Tarpeia's body and realized what she had done, so they took her corpse and hurled it from a high cliff which they named "The Rock of Tarpeia." For ever after, traitors were punished by being hurled to their death from that same rock.
Roman Legend: The Founding of Rome
The brothers Romulus and Remus, together with their friends and followers, decided that they would found a new city, but they argued about who would be king.
"I will be king," insisted Romulus, "and I will name the city after myself."
"No!" protested Remus. "I will be king and the city will be named after me."
The brothers also argued about where to build the city. Romulus wanted to build the city on the Palatine Hill, while Remus preferred the Aventine Hill. In order to resolve their dispute, they decided to ask the gods. Romulus and Remus each went to their hill and then prayed to the gods to send them sacred birds as signs of divine favor.
On the first day, no birds were seen, but at the dawn of the second day, sacred vultures appeared in the sky. From the Aventine Hill Remus was able to see six sacred vultures, but Romulus then saw twelve vultures from the Palatine Hill. Remus claimed that the gods favored him because his birds had appeared first, but Romulus claimed that he had won because he had seen more birds.
The brothers asked their friends and followers whom they supported, Romulus or Remus. Romulus was the popular favorite, and so he was the one who began to build the city.
As Romulus started building the city's outer wall, Remus laughed and said, "What kind of city will this be with such a ridiculous little wall to defend it?" Remus then leaped over the wall. Romulus was infuriated and killed his brother. "So may every man perish," he shouted, "who dares to violate the wall of my city." Later, Romulus regretted the death of his brother and buried him with great honors.
Finally, in the year 753 B.C.E., Romulus completed the city and named it Rome.
"I will be king," insisted Romulus, "and I will name the city after myself."
"No!" protested Remus. "I will be king and the city will be named after me."
The brothers also argued about where to build the city. Romulus wanted to build the city on the Palatine Hill, while Remus preferred the Aventine Hill. In order to resolve their dispute, they decided to ask the gods. Romulus and Remus each went to their hill and then prayed to the gods to send them sacred birds as signs of divine favor.
On the first day, no birds were seen, but at the dawn of the second day, sacred vultures appeared in the sky. From the Aventine Hill Remus was able to see six sacred vultures, but Romulus then saw twelve vultures from the Palatine Hill. Remus claimed that the gods favored him because his birds had appeared first, but Romulus claimed that he had won because he had seen more birds.
The brothers asked their friends and followers whom they supported, Romulus or Remus. Romulus was the popular favorite, and so he was the one who began to build the city.
As Romulus started building the city's outer wall, Remus laughed and said, "What kind of city will this be with such a ridiculous little wall to defend it?" Remus then leaped over the wall. Romulus was infuriated and killed his brother. "So may every man perish," he shouted, "who dares to violate the wall of my city." Later, Romulus regretted the death of his brother and buried him with great honors.
Finally, in the year 753 B.C.E., Romulus completed the city and named it Rome.
Roman Legend: Romulus and Remus
Before the city of Rome was founded, the people of Italy were ruled by a king named Numitor. Numitor was a good and worthy king, but his brother Amulius was a cruel and wicked man. Amulius seized the throne and killed Numitor's sons. He spared the life of Numitor's daughter Rhea Silvia, but only under the condition that she never have children of her own.
By a miracle, however, Rhea Silvia gave birth! She was visited by Mars, the god of war, and thus conceived two children, twin boys whom she named Romulus and Remus. Amulius was furious and commanded that the two babies be drowned in the river Tiber. He ordered one of his servants to throw the twins into the river, but the servant could not bring himself to kill the children. Instead, he put the children in a basket and set the basket adrift in the river's waters which carried the boys to safety.
After the basket had washed up on the shores of the river, a she-wolf found the boys and raised them as her own. Nourished by the milk of the she-wolf, Romulus and Remus both flourished. There was also a friendly woodpecker who fed the boys on solid food.
Later, a shepherd named Faustulus found Romulus and Remus and took them into his home, raising them as his own sons. Faustulus and his wife Acca both loved the boys and so they spent a happy childhood with their adopted parents. Later, when they learned about the secret of their birth, Romulus and Remus killed Amulius and restored their grandfather Numitor to the throne. They then set out to found a city of their own: Rome.
By a miracle, however, Rhea Silvia gave birth! She was visited by Mars, the god of war, and thus conceived two children, twin boys whom she named Romulus and Remus. Amulius was furious and commanded that the two babies be drowned in the river Tiber. He ordered one of his servants to throw the twins into the river, but the servant could not bring himself to kill the children. Instead, he put the children in a basket and set the basket adrift in the river's waters which carried the boys to safety.
After the basket had washed up on the shores of the river, a she-wolf found the boys and raised them as her own. Nourished by the milk of the she-wolf, Romulus and Remus both flourished. There was also a friendly woodpecker who fed the boys on solid food.
Later, a shepherd named Faustulus found Romulus and Remus and took them into his home, raising them as his own sons. Faustulus and his wife Acca both loved the boys and so they spent a happy childhood with their adopted parents. Later, when they learned about the secret of their birth, Romulus and Remus killed Amulius and restored their grandfather Numitor to the throne. They then set out to found a city of their own: Rome.
Greek: Daedalus and Icarus
Daedalus had built the labyrinth for King Minos of Crete, but the king refused to let Daedalus leave the island, holding him prisoner there together with his young son, Icarus. Daedalus, however, was determined to escape. Using his skills as a craftsman, he built two pairs of wings out of wax and feathers.
"My son," he said, "we will use these wings to make our escape."
Icarus was amazed. "Father," he exclaimed, "do you mean that we will fly in the sky like birds?"
"Yes," Daedalus replied, "but you must not fly too high! If you get too close to the sun, the wax will melt. Just stay close to me, and we will reach the mainland together safely."
Next, Daedalus bound the wings tightly to his son's body and then attached his own pair of wings. Without delay, they leaped from a high tower and found themselves soaring up into the sky. Icarus shrieked with delight. Flying was the most exciting thing he had ever done! At first, he tried to stay close to his father, but he could not resist the temptation to fly higher and higher, testing the power of his wings.
Then, just as his father had predicted, the heat of the sun started to melt the wax of the wings. It all happened so quickly that Icarus had no time to react. One minute he was soaring like a bird high in the sky, and the next minute he was plunging downwards. With a loud splash, he hit the water and drowned, while his poor father screamed out his name, "Icarus! Icarus!"
Sadly, Daedalus flew onwards to the mainland, but he cursed the sun above and the waters below which had so cruelly deprived him of his son.
"My son," he said, "we will use these wings to make our escape."
Icarus was amazed. "Father," he exclaimed, "do you mean that we will fly in the sky like birds?"
"Yes," Daedalus replied, "but you must not fly too high! If you get too close to the sun, the wax will melt. Just stay close to me, and we will reach the mainland together safely."
Next, Daedalus bound the wings tightly to his son's body and then attached his own pair of wings. Without delay, they leaped from a high tower and found themselves soaring up into the sky. Icarus shrieked with delight. Flying was the most exciting thing he had ever done! At first, he tried to stay close to his father, but he could not resist the temptation to fly higher and higher, testing the power of his wings.
Then, just as his father had predicted, the heat of the sun started to melt the wax of the wings. It all happened so quickly that Icarus had no time to react. One minute he was soaring like a bird high in the sky, and the next minute he was plunging downwards. With a loud splash, he hit the water and drowned, while his poor father screamed out his name, "Icarus! Icarus!"
Sadly, Daedalus flew onwards to the mainland, but he cursed the sun above and the waters below which had so cruelly deprived him of his son.
Rome: Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi
Cornelia was the daughter of Scipio Africanus, a famous Roman general. She married a Roman political leader, Tiberius Gracchus, and their two sons, Tiberius Gracchus and Gaius Gracchus, later became famous political leaders as well, even more famous than their father.
After Cornelia's husband died, she devoted all her time and attention to raising her three young children; she had a daughter in addition to her two sons. Suitors sought her hand in marriage, but she refused them all. King Ptolemy VIII of Egypt even asked her to be his wife, but she would not take the crown that he offered. Instead, she gave all her affection and energy to her children.
One day Cornelia had gone shopping in the forum together with her two sons and her daughter. As they strolled among the crowds, she noticed some women whom she knew. "Greetings, my friends," said Cornelia.
The women replied, "Greetings to you, Cornelia." They smiled at her, while also discreetly inspecting her appearance. As usual, Cornelia was wearing plain and simple clothing with no adornments of any kind. Although she was a wealthy and powerful woman, she did not wear jewels or other signs of wealth. The other women, however, were wearing expensive clothes and jewelry which glinted and flashed in the sun.
One of the women could not restrain herself and had to comment on the dramatic contrast in their appearances. "Excuse my boldness, Cornelia," she said, "but I am curious why it is that you wear no jewelry of any kind."
The quick-witted Cornelia laughed and then embraced her children, pulling them close to her as she replied, "These are my jewels."
("Cornelia Rejects the Crown of the Ptolemies" by Laurent de La Hyre and "Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi" by Angelica Kauffman)
After Cornelia's husband died, she devoted all her time and attention to raising her three young children; she had a daughter in addition to her two sons. Suitors sought her hand in marriage, but she refused them all. King Ptolemy VIII of Egypt even asked her to be his wife, but she would not take the crown that he offered. Instead, she gave all her affection and energy to her children.
One day Cornelia had gone shopping in the forum together with her two sons and her daughter. As they strolled among the crowds, she noticed some women whom she knew. "Greetings, my friends," said Cornelia.
The women replied, "Greetings to you, Cornelia." They smiled at her, while also discreetly inspecting her appearance. As usual, Cornelia was wearing plain and simple clothing with no adornments of any kind. Although she was a wealthy and powerful woman, she did not wear jewels or other signs of wealth. The other women, however, were wearing expensive clothes and jewelry which glinted and flashed in the sun.
One of the women could not restrain herself and had to comment on the dramatic contrast in their appearances. "Excuse my boldness, Cornelia," she said, "but I am curious why it is that you wear no jewelry of any kind."
The quick-witted Cornelia laughed and then embraced her children, pulling them close to her as she replied, "These are my jewels."
("Cornelia Rejects the Crown of the Ptolemies" by Laurent de La Hyre and "Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi" by Angelica Kauffman)
Nasreddin: The Scholar in the Teahouse
Nasreddin was very impressed when a great scholar began to frequent the same teahouse that Nasreddin liked to visit. "Surely we will all become wise from listening to this great scholar," Nasreddin exclaimed.
Yet things did not turn out as Nasreddin had hoped. The scholar was always talking about things that Nasreddin simply could not understand. Sometimes the great scholar would speak about history, but the things he said made no sense at all to Nasreddin. Sometimes the great scholar discussed scientific matters, and none of that made any sense to Nasreddin either. Sometimes the scholar even offered advice about daily life, yet Nasreddin was sure that the words of this scholar were utter nonsense.
One day the scholar brought a copy of his latest book with him to the teahouse. Nasreddin politely asked if he could take a look at the book. "Of course," replied the scholar, handing the book to Nasreddin. "I would be delighted to know what you think of it."
Nasreddin eagerly took the book and began to read, but he held the book upside down. He turned page after page, nodding his head vigorously up and down, smiling with delight. The scholar was indignant. "My good sir, surely you realize that you are holding the book upside down."
"Yes," said Nasreddin, "I am reading it upside down on purpose. I realized that if I never understand what you are saying, then it might make more sense if I considered your words from a different perspective."
Yet things did not turn out as Nasreddin had hoped. The scholar was always talking about things that Nasreddin simply could not understand. Sometimes the great scholar would speak about history, but the things he said made no sense at all to Nasreddin. Sometimes the great scholar discussed scientific matters, and none of that made any sense to Nasreddin either. Sometimes the scholar even offered advice about daily life, yet Nasreddin was sure that the words of this scholar were utter nonsense.
One day the scholar brought a copy of his latest book with him to the teahouse. Nasreddin politely asked if he could take a look at the book. "Of course," replied the scholar, handing the book to Nasreddin. "I would be delighted to know what you think of it."
Nasreddin eagerly took the book and began to read, but he held the book upside down. He turned page after page, nodding his head vigorously up and down, smiling with delight. The scholar was indignant. "My good sir, surely you realize that you are holding the book upside down."
"Yes," said Nasreddin, "I am reading it upside down on purpose. I realized that if I never understand what you are saying, then it might make more sense if I considered your words from a different perspective."
Nasreddin: Then and Now
One day in the teahouse a man asked Nasreddin, "How much older are you than your brother?"
Nasreddin sat in thoughtful silence for almost a minute before he finally answered, "I must now be three years older than he is."
"I do not understand your hesitation in answering the question," the man commented. "What took you so long?"
Nasreddin answered this question without hesitation. "I had to calculate, of course! Last year, I heard my brother tell someone that I am two years older than he is. So, since I was two years older last year, and I am one year older this year than I was last year, then I must now be three years older than he is."
Nasreddin paused to drink a sip of his tea. "At this rate," he added reflectively, "I will eventually be old enough to be his grandfather!"
Nasreddin sat in thoughtful silence for almost a minute before he finally answered, "I must now be three years older than he is."
"I do not understand your hesitation in answering the question," the man commented. "What took you so long?"
Nasreddin answered this question without hesitation. "I had to calculate, of course! Last year, I heard my brother tell someone that I am two years older than he is. So, since I was two years older last year, and I am one year older this year than I was last year, then I must now be three years older than he is."
Nasreddin paused to drink a sip of his tea. "At this rate," he added reflectively, "I will eventually be old enough to be his grandfather!"
Nasreddin: You Are Right!
Nasreddin had been appointed to serve as judge in a court of law. During his very first trial, the prosecutor made such a forceful case that Nasreddin loudly proclaimed, "You are right!"
The clerk of the court then shouted, "Honored Judge, you have not even heard the defense yet. You cannot pronounce your judgment yet."
Next, the defendant spoke with great eloquence, rejecting all the claims of the prosecutor. Nasreddin loudly proclaimed, "You are right!"
Once again, the clerk of the court cautioned Nasreddin, saying, "Honored Judge, please reconsider. They cannot both be right."
Nasreddin then looked at the clerk and loudly proclaimed, "You are right!"
The clerk of the court then shouted, "Honored Judge, you have not even heard the defense yet. You cannot pronounce your judgment yet."
Next, the defendant spoke with great eloquence, rejecting all the claims of the prosecutor. Nasreddin loudly proclaimed, "You are right!"
Once again, the clerk of the court cautioned Nasreddin, saying, "Honored Judge, please reconsider. They cannot both be right."
Nasreddin then looked at the clerk and loudly proclaimed, "You are right!"
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