15 Pegasus and Bellerophon

CHAPTER 15 Pegasus and Bellerophon In the great Greek city of Corinth lived a young man named Bellerophon. His mother was a mortal. But she was equal in wit and wisdom to any goddess. And Bellerophon was so bold, clever, and handsome. Everyone believed he was the son of Poseidon. As Bellerophon grew up, he heard much talk of a horrible beast, the Chimera. The Chimera was a winged creature of great strength and speed. She was a lion in front, a goat in the middle, and a serpent in the back. Her breath was an unstoppable

flame. It would burn anyone who came before her. She traveled from city to city. All humans were terrified of her. Every city lived in fear of the Chimera's arrival. The people of Corinth learned that the Chimera was on her way. There was much panic throughout the city. "What shall we do?" murmured one of the city residents. "We need a hero," another said. "Bellerophon!" someone shouted. The rest of the crowd started chanting his

name. "Bellerophon! Bellerophon! Bellerophon!" Bellerophon appeared to the crowd after hearing his name called. "My people, what do you want from me?" he asked. "The Chimera is on its way. You must save us. You must kill it!" the crowd shouted. Bellerophon knew of the terrible Chimera. The monster would float in the sky. She would breathe fire upon the city until it burned to the ground. Bellerophon knew it was almost impossible to get near this monster. But he also knew he could not let his people suffer. "I will do my best," Bellerophon said. Still, he wondered how he was going to defeat this monster. No other mortal had been able to kill the Chimera. Bellerophon thought of the great and

mighty winged horse, Pegasus. The magical horse lived near the famous spring in Corinth. If only he could tame and ride Pegasus, he might have a chance against the Chimera. But how would he do it? No one had ever been able to capture Pegasus. So Bellerophon went to see a prophet, the Wise One. Every Greek hero has turned to the Wise One for answers to tough questions. "To capture the great winged horse and defeat the Chimera, you need two things," the Wise One said. "A pair of soft slippers and a golden harness." "How will these things help?" Bellerophon asked. But the Wise One would say no more. Bellerophon asked his mother for a soft pair of slippers. She gladly gave them to him. Next, he went to the temple of Athena and asked her for a golden harness. He waited, but none appeared. He waited so

long that he fell asleep in front of the goddess's temple. He dreamed of a golden harness. Athena saw the beautiful boy asleep at her temple. She looked into his dream and saw the golden harness in his thoughts. Athena took pity on Bellerophon. She decided she would help him. While he slept, Athena made a golden harness that would fit Pegasus perfectly. When Bellerophon awoke, a golden harness lay beside the boy. Bellerophon was sure now that the gods were with him. He set out to capture Pegasus so he could defeat the terrible Chimera. When Bellerophon arrived at the spring, he saw the wonderful winged horse. She was drinking quietly. Bellerophon walked right over to Pegasus. His footsteps were too loud, though. Pegasus became frightened and flew

straight up in the air and far away. Bellerophon hid behind a bush until Pegasus grew thirsty again. Once again, the winged horse settled down to drink at the spring. This time, Bellerophon took off his shoes. He put on the soft slippers his mother had given him. Bellerophon crept softly until he was just behind the winged horse. Quickly he slipped the golden harness over Pegasus's head. The flying horse did not try to fly away this time. Instead, Pegasus calmly turned to Bellerophon and gazed at him. "There you go," Bellerophon whispered, petting Pegasus. "You are a beauty," he added. Pegasus seemed to understand his words. She bowed her head and knelt before him. Bellerophon leaped onto the winged horse's back. Off they flew.