8 Jason and the Golden Fleece

CHAPTER 8 Jason and the Golden Fleece There once was a young prince named Jason. He was handsome, with blond curly hair that flowed down his back. He was tall and strong. All who met him were impressed. In Greece, where Jason lived, King Pelias ruled. A great prophet had spoken to the Oracle in Delphi. The Oracle was where people would go when they had a question for the gods. The prophet then told Jason that he was supposed to rule Greece with King Pelias. Jason went to speak with King

Pelias about this prediction. "The Oracle has said that you and I should rule this land together," Jason said. King Pelias had no interest in sharing his kingdom. Jason was practically still a boy! But he knew that Jason was a favorite of Hera, the queen goddess. "If that is so," King Pelias replied, "you will have to prove yourself worthy." "What shall I do?" asked Jason. "You must go on a quest. Bring back the Golden Fleece that was taken from our kingdom long ago. I am an old man, and too old to go on this quest. But if you succeed, it will bring honor back to our kingdom. Bring back the Golden Fleece from King Aetes of Colchis," King Pelias told him, "and half my kingdom shall be yours." Jason was delighted by the idea of this great adventure. He announced that he

would sail from Greece on the great ship Argo. He welcomed men to join him. The best warriors from all over Greece wanted to come along on his quest. Jason put together a great crew. They were known as the Argonauts. Hera watched from Mount Olympus and smiled. She sent Jason and the Argonauts flasks of courage potion to drink. This potion would make them fearless against the dangers they would face along the way. Jason and his fellow Argonauts set sail to search for the Golden Fleece. After traveling for many days, they came to a land called Lemnos. A group of fierce and war-like women lived there. The women saw Jason at the wheel of the great ship. He looked so strong and brave that the women became gentle and peaceful at once. They offered the Argonauts food and

drink. They also offered newly woven clothing to replace the torn clothes they wore. Then they sent the men on their way. Jason and the Argonauts sailed night and day in their quest to bring back the Golden Fleece. One night while the ship glided over the dark waters, a terrible smell filled the air. Without warning, frightful creatures attacked the men from the sky. The bird-like things had hooked beaks and sharp claws. "Harpies!" Jason shouted to his crew. "Take cover!" The men covered their heads and faces with their shields. The Harpies were nasty bird-like creatures that attacked humans. They were created by Zeus to torment an old man named Phineas. Phineas had been given the gift of truth- telling by Apollo. But he had used his powers to reveal the gods' plans on Earth to too many people. So Zeus sent the Harpies to

punish Phineas. Every time Phineas would eat, the Harpies would arrive to steal his food. Then they would leave him with foul smells. Jason and the Argonauts sailed closer to land. When they arrived on the shore, they found Phineas, half starved. He begged Jason for help. "Of course I will help you, old man. What shall I do?" Jason said to Phineas. The old man told Jason that only the sons of the North Wind could free him from the Harpies. Jason went to the sons of the North Wind and asked for help. They were impressed by Jason's confidence and grace. So they agreed to help Phineas. When the Harpies appeared again, the sons of the North Wind struck the horrible creatures with their swords. The Harpies began to fall from the sky. Iris, the rainbow

messenger from Zeus, appeared. She convinced the sons of the North Wind to allow the Harpies to live. Iris promised that the creatures would never trouble Phineas or the Argonauts again. To thank Jason and the Argonauts for their help, Phineas told Jason the secret to his next obstacle: the Clashing Rocks. These rocks were large boulders that crashed against one another. The sea boiled up around them. "You must send a dove to fly between the rocks. Notice the speed with which the dove flies. Notice the path that the dove takes. If the dove survives, the Argo shall pass safely through. If it does not survive, you will never make it past the rocks. Then you must return home to Greece and give up all hope of finding the Golden Fleece," Phineas warned. The next morning, the Argo reached the