The Story of Phaeton
Part I
In the sunny plains of Greece there once dwelt Clymene, a fair nymph. She was not alone; however, for her golden-haired little son phaeton was there to gladden her heart with all his childish graces. Early in the morning, when the sun's bright orb first appeared above the horizon, Clymene would point it out to her boy, and tell him that his father, Apollo, was setting out for his daily drive. Clymene so often entertained her child with stories of his father's beauty and power, that at last Phaeton became conceited, and acquired a habit of boasting rather loudly of his divine parentage. His playmates, after a time, became tired of his arrogance and wanted him to show them some proof of his divine origin. Phaeton hastened to his mother, and begged her to direct him to his father so that he could obtain the desired proof. Clymene immediately gave him all necessary information, and bade him make haste if he would reach his father's palace in the Far East before the sun chariot passed out of its portals to accomplish his daily round. Directly eastward Phaeton journeyed, nor paused to rest until he came in view of the golden pinnacles of his father's palace. It was a radiant place. It shone with gold and gleamed with ivory and sparkled with jewels. Everything without and within flashed, glowed and glittered. Darkness and night were unknown.

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Apollo, from his golden throne, had watched the boy's approach and, as he drew nearer, recognized him as his own child. Apollo addressed him graciously, called him his son and asked him? "What brought you here?" He answered: "I have come to find out if you are my father or not. My mother said you were, but the boys at school laugh when I tell them I am your son. They will not believe me. "Smiling Apollo said: "Come here, Phaeton, you are my son. I expect you will not doubt my word too? But I will give you a proof. Ask anything you want of me and you shall have it. I call the Styx, the river of the oath of the gods, to be witness to my promise.

With a flash of triumph in his dark eyes, Phaeton, hearing this oath, begged permission to drive the sun chariot that very day, stating that all the world be sure to notice his exalted position. When the god heard his request, he startled back in dismay and said: "You are Clymene's son as well as mine .You are mortal. You couldn’t drive my chariot. In deed, no god except me can do that. The ruler of gods cannot. Consider the road. It rises up from the sea so deeply that the horses can hardly climb it, fresh though they are in the morning. To guide the horses is a perpetual struggle. You will have to pass beasts, fierce beasts of prey and they are all that you will see.

 

to be continued...