The newest volume in the popular Read-Aloud series, this engaging collection features the most exciting myths and legends to read to children in under ten minutes - a great way to introduce the wonderful world of literature to young ones before they can read. The narratives are faithful adaptations of the oral and written stories passed down through the centuries. Intriguing tales of classic Greek and Roman adventures, full of controlling gods and mystical beasts, are sure to excite and enthrall both readers and listeners. Myths and legends from Native American culture, Scandinavia, the British Isles, Japan, Africa and other areas give children a multicultural view of ancient traditions. This book offers the perfect bed-time - or any other time - activity for parents, grandparents, siblings or babysitters.

Trouble and Hope: Pandora's Box The Great God Zeus was the most powerful God in the Greek pantheon, or family of gods that ruled the universe. Despite his wisdom and compassion for his creations, Zeus could be jealous, petty, cruel. He punished his wife Hera for plotting to dethrone him, and was equally harsh with his sons and daughters. When the god Prometheus angered Zeus by giving the gift of fire to humans on earth, Zeus had him chained to a cliff where an eagle would viciously attack him each day. But even this punishment did not satisfy Zeus, for he wished to inflict more pain on the humans, who now owned the secret fire. Zeus thought of a very clever way to get revenge on the mortals and teach them a lesson. He asked his son, the god Hephaestus, who was an artisan to the gods, to sculpt a woman from clay. When Hephaestus had finished, Zeus took the sculpture to the goddess Athena and asked her to breathe life into it. Zeus called his creation "Pandora," or "all-endowed." From every god of Olympus, Pandora received many favorable gifts, such as the ability to sew, to entertain, and to cook. She was given beauty, grace, and charm. Her wardrobe was woven from precious metals and jewels, and flowers adorned her long blond hair. Zeus was involved in a long-standing feud with the old gods of Greece, or Titans. Part of his plot to teach the humans a lesson included taking revenge on the brother of Prometheus who was a Titan. Epimetheus was dim-witted and easily flattered, unlike his brother. Zeus instructed Hermes, the messenger god, to deliver Pandora to Epimetheus. Before he sent her, however, he gave the beautiful woman a box, or a "dowry," which contained untold wealth. "Do not open this box, Pandora," Zeus told her. "It is your dowry, which contains many, many treasures." Pandora excitedly took the box from Zeus. She wondered what magnificent things it contained. Hermes led Pandora to Epimetheus. When he first saw her, Epimetheus was overcome by Pandora's many charms. He could hardly take his eyes away from her. He lost all sense of logic. He forgot that he had been warned by his brother, Prometheus, not to accept gifts from Zeus. He even forgot that it was Zeus who held his poor brother in captivity, bound to the jagged cliffs above the sea. Epimetheus was too overtaken by the beauty and grace of Pandora. Pandora was briefly occupied with all the attention she received from Epimetheus. She enjoyed the flattery and the compliments that he gave her, but the thrill of his advances did not remain with her for long. Soon she tired of it all. She began to think of the box that Zeus had given her. She wondered what it contained and why she was not allowed to open it. After all, it was her dowry. Didn't she have the right to show Epimetheus what was inside? Innocently Pandora began to play with the lid of the box, gently prying it loose with her fingers. She wiggled the lock. Nothing happened. Finally, in frustration, she gave the lid a strong tug. It popped open. Strange sounds and smells filled the air. Black-winged creatures poured forth from the b ox like a swarm of locust. They filled the land and sky and spread across the water until the earth was darkened with their presence. The creatures were called "agony" and "pain," suffering everywhere. Children cried, and husbands and wives quarreled bitterly. When Pandora realized what was happening, she tried to close the lid of the box. It was difficult to do, but after hours of struggling with it, she managed to slam it shut. Unfortunately, it seemed that all the ills of the world had escaped. Epimetheus was horrified when he realized what Pandora had done. "Now no one will remember me as the brother of Prometheus who gave the world the gift of fire! They will only think of me as your husband - the husband of the woman who gave the world all of its pain and misery!" Epimetheus was no longer charmed by Pandora. He left her alone. However, Pandora looked closely at the box. One thing was not released from its contents. Just inside the lid a glimmer of hope remained imprisoned in the box. Pandora knew that it was important that she keep the lid sealed so that humans would never lose the gift of hope. Looking down at her from his home with the gods, Hephaestus took pity on his lovely creation. He traveled to the earth and took Pandora back with him to Olympus. Excerpted from One-Hundred-And-One Read-Aloud Myths & Legends. Copyright (c) 1999 by BD&L. Reprinted with permission by BD&L.

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Excerpted from One Hundred One Read-Aloud Myths and Legends: Ten Minute Readings from the World's Best-Loved Literature by Joan C. Verniero, Robin Fitzsimmons
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.