40 Nature Myths and Stories

Phaethon gladly and bravely climbed the unused
path which led to the palace of the sun.

At last he came in sight of the throne. He had
never seen anything so beautiful. On one side
were Standing the days, months.and the old years.
On the other side were the seasons; Spring, covered
with flowers; Summer, with her baskets of fruit and
grain; Autumn, ina many-colored dress: and Young
Winter, with a crown of icicles.

As Phaethon came nearer to the throne, the light
was greater than his eyes could bear. Its wonder-
ful colors dazzled him.

Helios saw the brave youth and knew that it was
Phaethon, his son. He took his glittering crown
from his head and went forward to meet him.

Phaethon cried, “Great Helios, if you are my
father give me and others proof that it is so.”

Helios took him in his arms and kissed him.
“You are indeed my son,” he said. “I will put an
end to your doubts. Ask any gift you will, and it
Shall be yours.”

Phaethon had always had one wish in his heart
and said, “O, my father, let me drive the wonderful
golden chariot of the sun for just one day.”

Helios shook his head sadly and said, “That is
the one thing which you must not ask to do.

“You are my son, and I love you. For your own
sake, I cannot let you do this. You have neither
the strength nor the wisdom for the great work.