A Story from Long, Long Ago

A long, long time ago, even before your grandparents’ grandparents were born, people told amazing stories. These stories are called myths. One famous set of myths comes from a place called Greece. Today, we’re going to learn about a very surprising family from those Greek myths.

In these stories, the world was ruled by powerful beings called Titans. The king of the Titans was named Cronus. Cronus was told a scary prophecy. A prophecy is like a prediction about the future. He was told that one day, one of his own children would grow up to become stronger than him and take his place as king. This made Cronus very afraid and very unkind. He decided to stop this prophecy from coming true.

Every time his wife, the goddess Rhea, had a baby, Cronus did a terrible thing. He swallowed the baby whole! He did this five times. He swallowed three daughters and two sons. Rhea was heartbroken. She loved her children and wanted to save them.

When Rhea was about to have her sixth baby, she had a clever plan. She wanted to trick Cronus. As soon as her youngest son was born, she hid him away on a secret island to keep him safe. His name was Zeus. Then, she wrapped a large stone in a baby blanket. She gave the blanket to Cronus. Cronus, thinking it was the new baby, swallowed the stone without looking!

Little Zeus grew up strong and healthy on the secret island, cared for by kind nymphs and a magical goat. He did not know about his father’s mean actions. When Zeus became a young man, he learned the truth about his family. He knew he had to help his brothers and sisters.

Zeus prepared a special potion and tricked Cronus into drinking it. The drink made Cronus feel very sick, and he threw up all the children he had swallowed! First came the stone, and then out came his five older brothers and sisters! They were all alive and well, and now they were all grown up.

Zeus, the youngest son who was saved by his mother’s love and clever plan, freed his family. He and his brothers and sisters became a new group of rulers called the Olympians. They were known for being wiser and fairer. Together, they fought a big battle against Cronus and the Titans. In the end, Zeus won. He became the new king of the gods, and the prophecy from long ago came true.

This exciting story from Greek mythology teaches us about cleverness, bravery, and how love can find a way to protect others, even in very difficult times.

Vocabulary Words

Myths: Old, old stories that people told to explain the world and its mysteries.
- （神话：人们讲述的非常古老的故事，用以解释世界和其中的奥秘。）
Prophecy: A prediction or a guess about what will happen in the future.
- （预言：对未来将要发生的事情的预测或猜测。）
Swallowed: Took something into your stomach through your mouth.
- （吞下：通过嘴巴把某物送进胃里。）
Trick: To fool someone or make them believe something that is not true.
- （欺骗：愚弄某人或让他们相信不真实的事情。）
Freed: To let someone go so they are no longer trapped or captured.
- （解放：释放某人，使他们不再被困或被俘。）

Comprehension Questions

Choose the best answer for each question.

Why did Cronus swallow his babies?
A. He was very hungry.
B. He was playing a game.
C. He was afraid a prophecy said they would take his power.
D. He did not like children.
What was the name of Cronus’s wife and the mother of the children?
A. Athena
B. Hera
C. Rhea
D. Aphrodite
What did Rhea give to Cronus instead of her baby Zeus?
A. A toy doll.
B. A loaf of bread.
C. A stone wrapped in a blanket.
D. A baby goat.
Where did Zeus grow up safely?
A. In a big palace with Cronus.
B. In a deep, dark forest.
C. On a secret island.
D. In a mountain cave.
What did Zeus do after he grew up?
A. He ran away and hid forever.
B. He tricked Cronus and freed his brothers and sisters.
C. He became a farmer.
D. He forgot all about his family.