Myths allow people to understand and enjoy all the mysteries of nature around them. This story shows that everything has its place in the world. The next story comes from ancient Greece. It teaches us that there is a difference between using the forces of nature and being the forces of nature.

Once there was a man named Phaeton. He was the son of the Sun god, Apollo. One day, he decided to drive his father's chariot that held the sun across the sky. Apollo tried to warn him that it was a difficult job but Phaeton did not listen. He climbed into the chariot and started to go. It was fun at first but soon became too fast and dangerous. Phaeton was not able to control the horses that pulled the chariot. The sun raced too close to the earth and set it on fire. Phaeton screamed for help.

Zeus, the ruler of all the gods, heard Phaeton's screams. He threw a large lightening bolt at the chariot to make it stop. The chariot fell into the ocean and the waves put out the fire. But Phaeton was killed. From then on, no one but Apollo could drive the chariot across the sky.

Another Greek story tells about getting the gifts from nature but not forgetting where you belong.

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Last modified: Tue Jul 1 13:27:19 PDT 1997