Spider and Turtle's Feast

1One day long ago, greedy Spider was roasting yams for dinner. The tempting smell made Turtle hungry, and he knocked on Spider's door. Spider didn't want to share his meal, so he made a plan. "Hurry and wash your hands, Turtle," said Spider. "Dinner will be ready soon."

2Turtle crawled to the creek to wash. When he returned, the yams were gone.

3"You should have been more prompt, " said Spider.

4Turtle thanked Spider and said, "You must come to my home for a meal soon."

5A few days later, when Spider smelled something delicious cooking at Turtle's pond, he hoped Turtle would invite him to dinner.

6"Of course you can join me, friend," Turtle said. "Follow me!" Turtle dove into the pond and swam to the bottom. Spider jumped in after him, but he couldn't stay underwater. He tried and tried, but he couldn't get to the bottom. He finally gave up.

7Later, when Turtle came to the surface, he asked, "Where have you been, Spider? Dinner is over. You should have been more prompt."

8Spider never tricked Turtle again.

Prometheus Gives Fire to Man

9In ancient times, Zeus was god of lightning and king of the gods on Mount Olympus. He didn't want to share the gods' power with humans. However, Prometheus was more thoughtful than Zeus and wanted to be helpful to the humans.

10When Prometheus learned that the humans were living in cold, dark caves, he knew that fire would improve their lives. Prometheus went to Zeus on Mount Olympus and requested fire for the humans. But Zeus refused, fearing that fire would give humans power. Prometheus needed a plan.

11Prometheus found a reed that was filled with fiber that would burn slowly. He returned to Mount Olympus, stole a spark from Zeus's lightning, and hid it within the reed. Prometheus brought the reed to the humans and showed them how to build fires. The humans were happy and gratefu