King Midas, who was a very greedy king, had gold. He had gold jewelry and gold clothes. The more gold he received, the greedier he became. A visitor came and strangely said, “You may have one wish.” The king said, “Whatever I touch will become gold.” He touched a table, rug, and chair. They all turned to gold! Even his bed turned to gold! At that point, he started to WORRY, a lot.
      His food, which turned to gold, was inedible. His daughter came to him to give him a hug, and he forgot about the spell. He hugged her, and she turned to gold right in front of his eyes. He despairingly cried, “No! No! No! No! Why did I ever make that stupid wish?” He regretted what he did, which made him think, “I should repent,” so he did.
      The mysterious man came and said, “Come and wash your hands in the Pactolus River!” When he washed his hands in the river, the golden touch magically went away. When he went home, everything was the same again, and his people loved him because he was no longer greedy. The End.

      Damon and Pythias were best friends because they grew up together. Damon and Pythias lived in a small village on the coast of Sicily. In that time, Dionysius, who was an evil tyrant, was king. Pythias, who was proud, commented, “The king can’t fight well.” Some of the king’s soldiers were nearby. They heard Pythias and immediately told the king. When the king heard this, he was furious. He yelled to the guards, “Now find this treacherous being, and bring him before me!’’ And with that, the guards left to arrest Pythias. The soldiers brought him before the evil king, and he sentenced Pythias to death by hanging.
      Because Pythias was to be hung in two weeks, he begged the king to let him inform his family that he was going to be executed. Finally, Dionysius gave in. “You can leave, but on one condition. You must find someone who is willing to take your place while you’re gone,” Dionysius commanded. Pythias quickly rode home. That night he told Damon what had happened. Surprisingly, Damon agreed to take Pythias’ place. While Damon slept, Pythias tossed and turned in his sleep. The next day they rode off together to the king’s court. As Damon was being presented to the king, Pythias was riding away to catch a ship sailing to Greece.
      Days passed. It was the day of the execution, and Pythias was still not there. Damon became thoroughly worried. He quietly followed the soldiers through a crowd of people to the gallows where he was to be hanged. As the soldiers securely fastened the rope around his neck, Damon heard a trumpet blast. A few seconds later he glimpsed the king sitting on a golden chair carried by four servants dressed in fine white silk. Just then, Pythias burst through the crowd and into Damon’s strong arms. Pythias was later than he expected because his ship was late getting docked in the harbor. The king, who was moved by Pythias and Damon’s friendship for one another, declared, “You are released, Pythias.” In the end Pythias was heartily forgiven, and they had changed the heart of the evil king.

      In China where the enormous mountains rise, a fine craftsman, who was named Bian He, was hiking. While he was hiking, he spotted a rock and knew it was treasure. Instinctively, he walked up to it and prudently examined it. The rock was a phoenix. This phoenix was a very precious stone, and Bian He quickly knew its worth. With great haste he began to hike down the mountain while thinking about the stone.
      Bian He took the rock to King Li, who was one of the most important men in that country, as a gift to show his great loyalty to China. Unfortunately, this king was foolish. “This is just an ordinary rock!” he shouted angrily. He was so mad! The king had Bian He’s left foot cut off since he became enraged! After a few years King Li died, and his son Wu took the throne. Bian He traveled once more to the palace to present his gift to the new king. Just like his foolish father, King Li, King Wu also noticed no value with this stone. He, too, angered quickly and sliced off Bian He’s right foot. Bian He was sad and miserable that both of the kings scoffed at him and looked upon his stone as having no value. Therefore, he headed back to the mountains. After a while King Wu died, and his son became king. This king was King Wen.
      King Wen heard about the old craftsman who cried day and night and sent his guards to bring him to the palace.
      Through the rugged mountains, Bian He traveled. When he arrived at the palace, King Wen asked, “Why do you cry out day and night?”
       “It is not that I lament the loss of both of my feet. It is that no king has noticed the value of my precious stone,” he answered.
      Interestedly King Wen examined the stone and commanded his workman to grind off the outer layer. When this was quickly completed, the magnificent stone glowed extremely brightly and lit up the room. Bian He was thrilled that King Wen accepted the gift, and it carried on to many, many kings after him who ruled China.

      In 1775 a 14-year-old named John was strutting around his family farm. Together the family consisted of his little brother named Tim, his dad, who was also named John, and his mom, whose name was Sarah. That afternoon was a sunny but chilly day. John, who was off by himself for the first time, went to milk their cow, Betsy. Because he was finally old enough to be able to milk Betsy by himself, he was filled with pride. It was a long day, but he was extremely elated. Considering it was dinnertime, he found himself depleted after a day’s work on the farm.
      Later that night, he was awakened from his weariness. From the village over, he heard banging pots and clattering pans piercing the quiet of the night. His dad burst through the door in such a hurry, saying “Quick! Fetch your coat; we are heading to Lexington.” Without wavering, he got ready as quickly as he could. Jennifer, who was his black mare, was saddled to be ready for the long journey ahead. They rode to Lexington all night. When they arrived, seventy Minutemen were lined up ready for battle. Because his father wanted to protect him, he told John to hide with the small musket.
      Searching around, he found a barrel and crawled inside to find the horrific smell of fish. A minute passed when the British demanded the men to disperse, to no avail. It was painstakingly quiet; no one moved. While John waited, he tried to get comfortable and shifted around in the barrel. To his horror, the gun slipped from his hand and dropped to the bottom of the barrel. John tried to catch it, but it was too late. The pistol had gone off letting out a loud crack. Because of the shot, gunshots went off filling the air with the smell of gunpowder. The British, who charged with their bayonets raised high, broke through the small line of Minutemen. John was horrified to think that he had started the Revolutionary War.

      Odysseus’s eyes fluttered open. He and his comrades had shipwrecked on the edge of an island. Odysseus slowly got onto his feet and was joined by his comrades to explore the island. They were surprised to spot giant Cyclopes, who walked around with their sheep and had one eye in the center of their foreheads. Odysseus and his friends crept towards them and on the way found a huge cave. Odysseus, who was both clever and curious, quietly signaled for his men to follow him into the hollow. Polyphemus, a Cyclops, was the owner of the cave. He too was a shepherd and brought his sheep into the cave with him. Then he pushed a boulder to block the entrance. He made a fire, sat down, and noticed the men in the far corner of his cave.
      Odysseus and his comrades peeked out from behind a rock and spied Polyphemus looking at them. “Are you pirates?” Polyphemus boomed. Odysseus, who cautiously got to his feet replied, “No, we are soldiers who fought in a war.” Polyphemus was unimpressed by the story, devoured two of the men, and fell into a deep slumber. Odysseus knew he could not kill the giant Cyclops while he slept, for they needed him to move the huge boulder. Thus, Odysseus told his crew about his plan, and they took a large pole from the corner of the cave, shaped it, and hardened it. The next night, when Polyphemus came back, Odysseus offered him wine. Polyphemus liked it so much he told Odysseus that he would give him a gift if he gave him more wine and told him his name. So Odysseus gave him more wine and explained that his name was No One. “Now my gift?” Odysseus questioned. “Your gift is that you will be eaten last!” laughed Polyphemus as he devoured two more men. While Polyphemus slept, Odysseus and his men lifted up the pole and plunged it deep into the eye of the Cyclops.
      Polyphemus awoke immediately and screeched, “Help! Help!” The other Cyclopes responded, “Are you okay? Who is attacking you?” “No One is attacking me!” Polyphemus screamed back. Assuming that no one was attacking him, the Cyclopes walked away. The next morning when Polyphemus was bringing his sheep out, he touched the backs of the sheep to make sure the men did not escape. Little did he know, there were men hanging on the underside of the rams. Once the men were out of the cave, Odysseus led them to the boats that were near the shore. They all jumped on and started sailing away. Odysseus, who could not help but brag, tauntingly shouted at Polyphemus, “We escaped, you evil beast! May the gods make you suffer!” Polyphemus, outraged by his defeat, hurled a rock at the ship but narrowly missed. Odysseus then yelled, “I am not No One! I am Odysseus of Ithaca!” As they sailed away from the island, the blinded beast silently fumed.

      Dewy, pale light from the moon flowed through the window of a little house in Canada, casting sparkles in the eyes of a boy about seven. The boy begged his grandpa repeatedly to read one last story before going to bed. Finally, the grandfather nodded solemnly and picked up a book and began to read it. 
      A lowly miller and son trotted down the long road that was headed to town. They were taking their donkey to sell him at an auction, for they were very poor and in desperate need of some money. The boy’s name was Lucas, and he helped his father a great deal with the mill. Lucas, who was almost thirteen years old, was a boy of great joy. His father’s name was Jacob; he was a good-natured man. Although they were very poor, they were content with what they had.
      As they strolled past a group of women who sat by the side of the road, the women called out. ‘Why walk when you could ride?” they questioned. The miller took this into consideration, hoisted his son onto the back of the donkey, and then resumed the trek into town. After some distance they came upon an old man. “Get down boy, and let your old father rest his weary limbs,” he hollered. Lucas instantly hopped off the donkey and helped his father up onto the donkey’s back. After some time, someone yelled at them from a nearby crowd, “Why, you lazy fellow, how can you ride while the lad there can hardly keep up?”  he squawked. Because of this the miller picked his son up and sat him down next to him on the donkey and continued on the road.
      They were near the town’s entrance when a man, noticing the donkey’s weariness, stated, “You might as well carry him as he carries both of you!” Flustered by this remark, the miller and his son leaped off the donkey and began to tie rope around its legs. To help carry the donkey on their shoulders, they also used a pole. Lifting the donkey onto their backs, they tried with great effort to carry it over the bridge leading into the town. Alas, when the people saw what was occurring, they began to laugh uncontrollably at them. The donkey, not liking what was happening, began to flinch and shake violently against the rope until snap! Tumbling into the river, the donkey was swept away and tumbled over into a pit of rocks at the bottom. The miller and son looked down in horror as they shook all over with sadness while the townsfolk, who whispered quietly to each other, looked on in astonishment at what had just occurred. 
      The grandfather closed the book and looked at the boy fast asleep on the bed. Smiling, the grandfather tucked him all the way in and hoped he would always remember this story, take note, and remember the moral: In the process of trying to please everyone, you will please no one.

      Many moons ago in a beautiful forest filled with large oaks and prickly pines, something new and exciting happened for all the animals. That new and exciting thing was that cold, crisp snow had slowly started to fall from the sky. All the animals adored the snow. They played games and had fun, but there was one animal who loved it the most, and her name was Rainbow Crow. Rainbow Crow was a beautiful bird, and she had a voice like an angel.
      Sadly, the snow became unbearable, and the wind grew bitter and biting. The animals wanted to kill this spirit that had brought the freezing winter. Soon they realized that someone needed to visit the Great One and ask him to kill the spirit. Rainbow Crow, who volunteered herself to make the journey to find the Great One, traveled for three days until finally she found him. Once she found him, she happily performed a beautiful song for him. The Great One loved the song. Rainbow Crow then asked if he could kill the cold spirit.
      The Great One answered that he could not kill the spirit but that the frigid spirit needed to live as well. Although he could not kill winter, he gave Rainbow Crow something which would keep the animals warm. That something was fire. Rainbow Crow took the fire back to the forest, but the fire grew hotter and smokier. She returned, and all the animals rejoiced because they could be warm except Rainbow Crow. Rainbow Crow’s feathers were singed black with ashes, and her angel-like voice was hoarse from the smoke, which made her sad. Luckily, the Great One visited her and mentioned that he did that to protect her from man so that she would not be eaten.

      I paced the red oak crow’s nest of the Cursed Trident, taking in the nervous energy of the part of her eager crew that still remained on board. We were a crew which was made up of young men who were enraptured with the romanticized stories of pirate life, and we were excited about our first catch as pirates. Focusing on the tall, majestic ship we had just intercepted, I made my way toward the boarding party, who returned with a young man with golden curls and a proud stature, followed by humble figures that must have been the man’s servants. As I approached them, I could hear my captain demand something of the young man, who responded indignantly, “Do you know who I am?! I am worth at least fifty talents!” Wisely, and never one to turn down wealth, my captain agreed, and the man sent his servants away swiftly.
      Immediately, I was ordered to show the haughty youngster to his quarters, and as I led him on, I glanced at his startling brown and blue eyes. That night I could not stop laughing when every time my friends’ games and songs became too loud, our prisoner, who roomed near me, would send up orders for them to silence themselves. As the weeks dragged on, I was impressed by the authoritative attitude of my neighbor, who often participated in our games, and sometimes he would burst out in loud poems and speeches that I could not bring myself to appreciate. “You are just a simple-minded, illiterate barbarian!” he declared when I shared my opinion. His boldness knew no bounds, and one night as I passed the captain’s quarters, I overheard him declare, “Someday, I’ll have you all crucified.” He claimed this determinedly, and although the rest of my friends laughed, I felt the brutal cold of fear gnaw at the edges of my heart for the first time since I had joined this crew when he was released a few days later.
      I could bring myself to feel no regret as I watched the village go up in majestic, smoldering flames, which flickered a red that contrasted beautifully with the starry night, and the ghost of metallic clash of swords rang like sharp bells in my ears. Standing as I picked out my portion of our newly gained valuables, I felt euphoria and adrenaline-induced weightlessness. Suddenly my heart dropped, becoming unendurably heavy when I made out a whole fleet of stark white sails, which were unfamiliar to me, billowing in the wind. When they landed, I perceived the young hostage we had held a few weeks ago emerge, proud and triumphant. I remembered his promise when his men subjugated us easily and we were huddled into the dank hold of the ships. After arriving at Pergamus, we were led to the authorities, who agreed to the man’s demand to crucify us. Only now that it was too late did I realize how important it was to consider the consequences of my actions before I carried them out.