Myths and folk tales
Myths are stories that offer explanations about the natural world. They can explain why theweather changes, and how humans came to exist. These stories often feature gods and monsters. Myths give us clues about how to live a good life.
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Folk tales were told by everybody. These stories often focus on human and animal characters, rather than gods. They also give us tips so that we can make smart choices in life.
The myths and folk tales in this book come from around the world. The stories reflect the different ways that people felt about the seas and oceans.
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Chapter 1: Odysseus and the Sirens
This tale comes from ancient Greece. It tells of the events that prevent the hero Odysseus (say: oh-di-see-uss) from getting home after a long war. It was written down around 2,700 years ago.
Things had not been going well since wise Odysseus and his Greek soldiers defeated Troy.
Odysseus invented a cunning plan that helped his fellow Greeks to gain victory over their enemies. The Greeks left Troy burning, and prepared to return home, after ten long years of conflict.
But the moment Odysseus set sail, his good fortune disappeared. Storms arrived and surrounded them.
Odysseus and his soldiers took shelter in a cave on a rocky island, but they were not alone in there …
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A Cyclops named Polyphemus was resting inside. When he saw them, Polyphemus imprisoned Odysseus and his men.
They managed to escape only after jabbing the Cyclops in his eye with a sharpened log. The wounded Polyphemus roared the name of his father, begging for help and revenge.
Odysseus gulped when he heard this name.
Polyphemus was the son of Poseidon, the almighty God of the Seas!
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Poseidon swore to punish Odysseus for hurting his son. With crashing swoops of his trident, the God of the Seas whipped the waves into a frenzy.
Poseidon’s howling storms swirled and crashed into Odysseus’s ships.
Odysseus and his soldiers were thrown around in the storm and shipwrecked on a small island. On the island, Odysseus met a goddess of magic. She tried to persuade him to stay with her on the island. She loved him, and Odysseus was very happy with her, too. His soldiers begged him to leave, as they wanted to get home.
After a whole year of begging, Odysseus finally accepted their argument. His soldiers repaired the ships and they prepared to leave.
The goddess was heartbroken. As Odysseus left, she gave him a warning.
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“Danger is coming. You must sail alongside the rocks where the Sirens wait. Their bewitching song lures men to their deaths. You must block your soldiers’ ears with wax, so that they cannot hear the song as they pass by.”
The goddess added an extra piece of advice, just for Odysseus.
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Walker
Martin Bustamante
