Long ago the earth was filled with flowers and trees, rivers and mountains, and animals of every kind. But there were no human beings. In time the gods decided that a special creature must be made for so beautiful a place as earth. They gave the great task of creating this being to one of the Titans, Prometheus (pru mee' thee us). Out of the soil of the earth, Prometheus molded a figure in the image of the gods. He called this figure Man.

Prometheus went to Epimetheus (ep u mee' thee us), his brother, and asked him to give a special gift to Man. Epimetheus was the guardian of all the animals on earth. He had given the beasts of the world their unique qualities. Prometheus asked his brother to give Man a gift that would set him above the animals. But Epimetheus had already given his best gifts away. He had given feathers and wings to the birds. He had given a long neck to the giraffe. He had given cunning to the fox and strength to the lion. Epimetheus had nothing of value left to give to Man.

Prometheus then went to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. "Athena, will you help me find a gift that will separate Man from all the other creatures of the earth!" Prometheus asked. Athena agreed to help him. She carried Prometheus high into the sky, above the mountains, above the clouds, closer and closer to the sun. As Apollo's radiant chariot passed, Prometheus thrust a stick into its fiery, hot rays. He then returned to earth with the blazing torch.

Prometheus gave the fire to Man. This was his special gift. With fire, Man could heat metals to make weapons and tools. He could warm his home and cook his food. The gift of fire made Man the most powerful creature on earth.

All the other gods were outraged when they learned what Prometheus had stolen from Apollo. They felt that only the gods should have fire. They were afraid that Man might soon begin to think of himself as a god! In his anger, Zeus ordered Prometheus to be punished. He chained him to a rock on the top of a mountain. Each day a huge vulture pulled and tore at Prometheus's liver. Each night the wound healed itself. The next day the torture would begin again.

Prometheus did not complain. He knew that he had taken something valuable from the gods. He deserved punishment. But he was not sorryfor what he had done. He was extremely pleased that he had been able to give such a great gift to the creation he loved so well, Man.

Write what these sentences from the story mean.

1. Out of the soil of the earth, Prometheus molded a figure in the image of the gods.



2. Prometheus asked his brother to give Man a gift that would set him aboue the animals.



3. Prometheus was extremely pleased that he had been able to give such a great gift to the creation he loved so well, Man.



4. Why do you think Prometheus wanted to give Man such a special gift?



5. Do you think that fire is really a special gift? Why? Can you think of a gift that might have been more useful?



6. Prometheus felt that Man should be the strongest, most important creature on earth. Do you think that this has turned out to be true? Are human beings of greater importance than other creatures? Give reasons for your answer.



7. What are some of the good things that human beings have done with fire? What are some of the harmful things? Have human beings always used their "special gift" wisely?



8. Many of the Greek myths attempt to explain things that happen in nature. Name two things that the story of Prometheus and the First Man tries to explain.



9. What do you think of the punishment Prometheus had to suffer? Was it fair? Explain your answer.