BY: KATHERINE WILCOX

 One day Zeus met a fine maiden and fell in love with her. The maiden became pregnant with Artemis and Apollo. But after 8 months of being pregnant Hera noticed this maiden and was very mad at both her and Zeus. Hera said that if any place allowed this maiden to have Artemis and Apollo that place would feel the wrath of Hera. She said she would put plagues on that place and make terrible natural disasters. The poor young maiden was traveling from place to place looking for a place to have Artemis and Apollo. For 5 years people wanted to help her but were afraid of Hera so for 5 years this poor maiden was pregnant. Zeus took pity on her though, so he went to Poseidon for help. Poseidon had been keeping an island under the water by keeping a golden chain attached to it and anchoring it to the bottom of the sea. Poseidon cut the chain and the island went above the surface. The maiden found this island. No one lived there so no one minded her having Artemis and Apollo there. But Hera Would not let the birth goddess come down to her. The gods took pity on the maiden and offered Hera a 3 mile long golden necklace if she let the maiden have her children. Hera could not resist. She let the birth goddess go down to the maiden. The maiden had Artemis and Apollo. They were both born 5 years old.

 Cassandra, a Trojain princess was very beautiful. So beautiful Apollo came down to earth and asked her to marry him. Apollo said if she did he would give her the gift of prophesy. She promised she would. Apollo gave her the gift of the prophesy. But going back on her promise she didn’t. Apollo was sad and angry so he cursed Cassandra. Her curse was that no one would believe her. It was the time of the Trojain war when this happened. The time when the Greeks had left the wooden horse. Cassandra warned them that they should leave it there. But thanks to Apollo’s curse no one believed her. So her city let in the horse, and she watched her city fall.

 One day Zues met yet another maiden and fell in love yet again. And soon the maiden was planning to have child. And yet again Hera was not pleased. Hera decided that she would make sure this maiden could not have her child. So she disguised herself as a normal mortal and went down to earth. She found the maiden and asked if she was pregnant. The maiden told her yes. Hera asked “Who is the father?” The maiden said “well, I don’t know him well but we are deeply in love so I am bearing him a child.” “Do you know who this man is?”Hera asked. “No, he never told me what he does to make a living.”The maiden said. “Well, make him show you who he is, and I’m sure you’ll be very surprised at how powerful he is.”Hera said. This got the maiden interested so she told Zues to meet her at a randevous point. When they met she asked him to promise to do her a favor. Zues quickly said yes. When the maiden asked him to show how powerful he was his faced darkened. “ Don’t ask that of me, please don’t.” Zues pleaded. But the maiden thought it was just a fancy costume with ruffles and reminded him of his promise. Zues was forced to, and unleash his full power at the sight of his true form. The maiden turned to ash. But Zues saved the baby who was to be Dionysus. Zues had Hermes carry Dionysus to Olympus.

 But now enjoy some pictures!

 GREEK MYTHS  BY: KATHERINE WILCOX  SOURCES: ANTONY SOFIANOS, MRS. ALTCHEK, MRS. MCENANY AND INTERNET