The Three-Headed Beast

N1: Long ago in ancient Greece, there was a young man named Bellerophon.

N2: He lived in a kingdom called Lycia (LIH-shuh).

N3: His mother, Eurynome, was very wise. She loved her son.

N1: And his father was Poseidon, the god of the sea!

N2: People expected big things from Bellerophon.

N3: After all, most children of gods did great things!

N1: But Bellerophon was happy just riding horses, fishing—that kind of thing.

N2: He rarely thought of his father, up there on Mount Olympus with the other gods.

N3: But soon, all that would change. Trouble was brewing.

N1: Iobates is the king of Lycia. And he is in a mood.

N2: He’s feeling nervous that someone might try to steal his throne. Also, he’s bored.

N3: It’s a terrible combination.

Royal Adviser: Here’s an idea, sir. Our kitchens are full, but the people of Lycia are hungry. Let’s give them food! They’ll be so grateful. It’ll keep them in line. 

King Iobates: What? That food is mine! 

Royal Adviser: Of course, sir. My mistake.

King Iobates: We could chop someone’s head off. It’s not original, but it sends a message. Ooh! how about Bellerophon? He’s way too popular with the people. 

Royal Adviser: Sir, killing him will anger the gods.

N1: Just then, the royal messenger bursts in.

Royal Messenger: I bring bad news from the kingdom of Caria (KEHR-ee-uh)!

King Iobates (excitedly): Wonderful!

Royal Messenger: A horrible monster is burning their fields and eating their sheep. None of Caria’s soldiers can defeat it!

King Iobates (stroking his beard): Interesting . . . 

N2: The adviser and the messenger look at each other with dread.

King Iobates: Bring my people to the town square! Especially Bellerophon!

N3: The people gather in the square. King Iobates steps onto the stage.

King Iobates: People of Lycia! A beast attacks our neighbors! And I have chosen one of our own to defeat it—or die trying. The lucky winner is . . . Bellerophon!

N1: All eyes turn to Bellerophon.

Bellerophon: Ummm . . . Mom?

Eurynome (worriedly): What is this beast you are sending my son to defeat, sir? 

King Iobates: The Chimera (kye-MIHR-uh)!

N2: The crowd gasps.

Villager 1: The Chimera is impossible to kill!

Villager 2: It has three heads—a lion’s, a goat’s, and a snake’s!

Villager 1: It breathes fire! And it can fly!

N3: Bellerophon gulps.

King Iobates: Don’t worry, Bellerophon. We’ll give you a glorious funeral!

N1: Once they’re back home, Eurynome tries to calm her hysterical son.

Bellerophon: I can’t defeat a three-headed, fire-breathing, flying beast!

Eurynome: Don’t forget, you have the gods on your side. Your father is Poseidon!

Bellerophon: So what should I do?

Eurynome: Gather your bow and arrows and go see my friend Polyidus. He can see the future. He’ll know what to do.

N2: Bellerophon hikes to Polyidus’s cave.

N3: He finds him leaning against the cave entrance.

Polyidus: Bellerophon! You look just like your father! 

Bellerophon: How did you know—

Polyidus: I knew you were coming before you did! Sadly, I’ve got some bad news. The Chimera burns you to a crisp.

N1: Bellerophon gasps.

Polyidus: Kidding! I can’t see everything in the future. I don’t actually know what’s going to happen to you.

N2: It doesn’t help. Bellerophon is still shaking.

Polyidus: Sorry! Bad joke. Anyway, here’s what I do know. You need Pegasus.

Bellerophon: The magical flying horse that can’t be tamed?

Polyidus: That’s right! Want to defeat a flying monster? You need some wings!

Bellerophon: But how do I tame Pegasus?

Polyidus: Go to the Temple of Athena. 

Bellerophon: But doesn’t Pegasus live—

Polyidus: Bye now! Off you go! Good luck!

N3: At the temple, Bellerophon waits. And waits. 

N1: Nothing happens—no horse, no Athena. So he drifts off to sleep.

N2: Meanwhile on Mount Olympus, Poseidon walks up to Athena.

N3: He’s nervous. They have never really gotten along.

Poseidon: Athena! Nice weather, eh? How is the family? 

Athena (rolling her eyes): What do you want?

Poseidon: My son is being forced to fight the Chimera. He needs to tame Pegasus.

Athena: Ha! If you’re asking me for help, you must be in trouble. I’ll see what I can do.

N1: Athena heads to her temple. She finds Bellerophon sleeping.

Athena: Poor kid. It’s not his fault his father is annoying.

N2: She waves her spear. A sparkling golden bridle appears out of thin air.

N3: As she leaves, Bellerophon wakes up.

Bellerophon: Weird! I dreamed I was taming Pegasus with a . . . hey! 

N1: He spots the golden bridle and picks it up.

Bellerophon: Maybe the gods are on my side . . .

N2: Bellerophon arrives at the fountain where Pegasus lives.

N3: Pegasus looks up, alarmed—and stomps the ground.

Pegasus (angrily): Neigh!

Bellerophon: Whoa, buddy! I come in peace.

N1: Bellerophon throws his hands up to protect himself.

N2: That’s when Pegasus sees the golden bridle in his hand.

N3: The horse relaxes.

Pegasus (gently): Neigh.

N1: Bellerophon puts the golden bridle on him.

Bellerophon: It fits!

N2: Pegasus kneels, and Bellerophon climbs on.

Bellerophon: To Caria!

N3: They come upon the Chimera.

N1: Villagers call out.

Crowd: Help! Help!

N2: The Chimera spins around and spits fire.

N3: Bellerophon shoots arrows at the monster.

N1: They bounce off the Chimera’s thick skin.

Bellerophon: It’s no use! I can’t defeat this monster. 

Pegasus (hopefully): Neigh!

Bellerophon: You’re right. I can’t give up. We must lure the monster away from the city! But how? 

N2: Suddenly, Bellerophon gets an idea.

Bellerophon: To the water!

N3: As Pegasus flies to the ocean, the Chimera follows.

Bellerophon: Circle the beast as fast as you can!

N1: As Pegasus picks up speed, the Chimera spins.

N2: It gets very dizzy and falls toward the sea.

N3: Then, poof! In a cloud of black smoke, the beast dissolves into the ocean.