Writing a Myth or
Legend
This week we will write our own
myth or legend, step by step
Lets just remind ourselves what features are
common to these genres
• Checklist for a myth
• Story about gods and
goddesses;
• Includes magical elements and
powers;
• Features heroic characters;
• May explain a
strange/important happening in
nature;
• Features danger and violent
acts;
• Includes attack/revenge;
• Set in ancient times;
• Uses powerful imagery;
• May mention strange creatures
• Checklist for a legend
• Story about people;
• Little mention of
gods/goddesses;
• Possible basis of truth;
• Features heroic characters;
• Emphasis on bravery and
daring deeds;
• Battles or confrontations likely;
• Distinction made between
honour and dishonour;
• Good defeats evil;
• Features a traditional ending.
Long ago, near the beginning of time, there existed an exquisite
Greek island which lay in the middle of the glorious Mediterranean
Sea. Every day the sun would blaze down upon the idyllic island,
making the calm waves shimmer and sparkle like precious gems.
One islander, was a remarkable man called Lucas. He lived with
his gentle mother and was well liked by everyone who lived on the
island. He had a generous and caring nature, however he was also a
strong athlete and had won all sporting contests held on the island.
Little did he know but his real father was none other than
Hephaistos, an Olympic god. His mother was at pains to keep the
secret of his true parentage hidden for fear of the wrath of
Hephaistos’ own wife, the goddess, Aphrodite.
You would imagine, that on such island of perfection, Lucas and
all the people who lived there would have been desperately
content.However a great danger lay over the people like a thick
black cloud.
A few years earlier and much to their immense delight and pride of the
King, the Queen of the island give birth to a much longed for baby girl.
To them, she was both sun and moon. The incredible jealousy, the King’s
own sister, felt for their happiness, was like a vicious cancer feeding
upon her so she put a enchanted curse on the newly born princess. The
curse meant that when the princess turned eighteen, the ferocious beast
of the island, Crocodon, would kidnap the princess and take her prisoner.
Eventually this day arrived. The King’s sister kept to her word and the
princess was captured by Crocodon. The King and Queen were
distraught. They knew there was nobody who could stand up to the
power of Crocodon. He was a formidable beast, half human and half
reptile, with poisonous skin and with a whip-like, powerful forked
tongue. He was a mortal enemy to all humankind and attacked all who
came near him. His dark and dismal cave, just off the island, was
virtually impossible to reach. Many had tried before to slay the scaly
skinned brute but their attempts had always ended in fatal tragedy.
The king held an emergency royal meeting, where
it was suggested the young, brave athlete,could be
the one to rescue the captivating princess from the
evil Crocodon.
Immediately the king’s guards went to summon
Lucas. Lucas was to be their brave champion and
only hope in their desperate world. He accepted
the quest bravely as he was always so keen to help
others. Before leaving, the king gave Lucas his
own magic sword. The only thing Lucus had to
worry about was getting close enough to
Crocodon, to kill him as the poisonous fumes the
creature emitted from his mouth and the highly
toxic reptilian skin he was covered in meant if any
human came into direct contact with him, their
own skin would burn and smoulder, bubble and
blister and result in an agonising death.
Early the following morning, Lucas embarked on his adventure. He
launched his boat into the sea and headed for Crocodon’s cave.As the
journey went on, the weather became worse the result of the evil sister’s
black magic, the sea became stormier and Lucas began to get an uneasy
feeling in the pit his stomach. Would he ever return to his beloved
island?
Just then, Lucas saw the open mouth of the cave on the horizon and
he sailed as fast as he could to get there. Upon his arrival on the shore
littered with festering human remains, he was greeted by the formidable
sight of Crocodon, who was not pleased to see the hero, with his magic
sword in hand.
Little did the boy wonder know that the very sword, he brandished had
been intricately fashioned in the strongest metal by his own father, God
of all Blacksmiths. No physical harm would come to the holder of this
miraculous sword and instant death to anyone wounded with it.
At once Crocodon launched himself at Lucas,
however Lucas was to quick for the
huge,bulky monster and he quickly dodged
out of the way. Now, Crocodon was fuelled
with rage and his ear piercing roar could be
heard for miles. Lucus was not afraid, he
swiftly ran to the back of Crocodon, raised
his sword and plunged it into Crocodon’s
slimy, scaly spine. Instantly the monster let
out a blood curdling wail and slowly
stumbled to the ground. He collapsed at the
feet of Lucus, simmering and writhing until
at last everything was silent and still.
Crocodon was dead!
Suddenly, out of the silence, Lucas could hear a quiet whimpering
sound. He realised at once, it must be the princess and dashed into the
cave. Before him, was the most amazing sight he had ever seen. The
beautiful princess sat as helpless as a kitten, chained to a marble pillar.
Amazingly she was physically unharmed by the beast. He immediately
untied her, covered her with his cape and carried her as if she were a
delicate glass treasure, to his humble boat and then to safety, all the
way back to the royal palace.
When Lucas and the princess arrived back,
the king and queen were overwhelmed.
Their joy was the breeze in a scorching
Greek summer. They could not thank Lucas
enough. They gave him a reward of money
which meant he was able to live like a king
for the rest of his days and the hand of the
fair princess, who could love no other. Also
the king allowed for Lucas to keep his
magic sword, so Lucas hung it on his wall
as a constant reminder of his courage and
bravery. As for the evil sister, she spent the
rest of her venomous days exiled on the
very same bay where the Crocodon had
lived his short but blood thirsty life.
From Mount Olympus, his father shone
proudly on his heroic son. He was well
pleased with the exploits of his secret son.