Sitting next to a beautiful statue of Athena in the city of Athens, Demetri and his parents discussed his upcoming fifth birthday. Demetri learned that at age seven he would have a pedagogue to mentor him into his teenage years. His parents told him that they were expecting a baby and he was going to be a big brother. They explained that over the next two years he would teach the baby all the things it needed to know about Greek mythology and the Gods.
“You will teach the baby to be a noble and trustworthy person,” Celina told her son.
“You will teach the baby all about the magical powers and adventures of the gods,” Lysander told his son.
As his parents walked away, Demetri stared in amazement as the statue of Athena cracked and began walking and talking.
“No time to be afraid Demetri, we have much to discuss. I am Athena, goddess of wisdom. I am here to teach you things you must teach the baby,” Athena said.
“Um, I’m not sure what to do,” Demetri said.
“You just listen, dear boy, I will guide you. First, you must be a good role model for the baby to teach it how to make good choices. In Athenian society much is expected of its citizens,” Athena explained.
“Ok, make good choices, I understand,” Demetri said.
“Now you must also teach the baby logic and you can do this through good role modeling and problem solving,” Athena stated.
“Ok, I need to be a good role model, teach the baby how to make good choices and logic,” Demetri said.
“You are going to be a great big brother, Demetri,” Athena said and then quickly transformed back into a statue.
Demetri walked down a narrow pathway and suddenly a cloud of smoke blinded him. When the smoke cleared Demetri saw Artemis standing in front of him.
“I am Artemis, goddess of war. I am here to teach you things you will need to teach the baby,” Artemis said. Demetris blinked many times, thinking he was having a dream.
“It’s no dream dear boy. Our time is short, keep your ears open and I will teach you much,” Artemis said.
“I am ready to learn,” Demetris stated.
“You must teach the baby that if you must fight, fight fair and honorably so you may be remembered as a noble soldier,” Artemis explained.
“How can I, a boy of only five years, do such a huge task?” asked Demetri.
“It is quite simple Demetri, with your words speak of honor for those who defend your city. In your arguments with your sibling, remember to fight fair and honorably. In your actions and words you will teach the baby many things,” Artemis explained and then vanished.
Demetri began walking again and noticed that a bush of flowers was shaking and moving about. Demetri walked toward the flower bush to get a closer look. Suddenly a beautiful woman crawled out from behind the bush. “Oh my dear Demetri, I have been waiting for you,” Aphrodite said.
Demetri wanted to be afraid of this stranger, but she was so gentle and loving that he felt like he had known her for a long time. He wanted very much to hear what she had to say.
“I am Aphrodite, goddess of love. I am here to remind you to teach the baby about love. Just as your parents have shown you love, you must love the baby in all things,” Aphrodite explained and then disappeared behind the flower bush. Demetri was sad to see Aphrodite leave, although knew he must continue on his journey.
Demetri sat under an old tree and thought about all he had learned today. He gazed to his left and felt a breeze on his right shoulder. Demetri turned and saw Hephaestus holding a small box made of twigs and then noticed a small fire burning. “I am Hephaestus, god of fire and crafts. I am here to teach you things you must teach the baby,” Hephaestus said as he began gathering twigs. Demetri learned from Hephaestus how to make a fire and how to build the small wooden box.
“Teach the baby how to make fire and how to make crafts and surely the baby will make a fine citizen of Athens,” Hephaestus stated and then swiftly disappeared
As Demetri watched the flames dance in the fire, a salty wave of water put the fire out. “Huh? What happened?” Demetri wondered aloud.
“It was I, Poseidon, God of the sea. I will now teach you what the baby needs to know about the sea. You will teach the baby to swim. When you respect the sea by learning how to swim, you will not fear water,” Poseidon explained.
“I can teach the baby to swim. I am a great swimmer!” Demetri stated with excitement. Poseidon left Demetri sitting under the tree.
The sound of flutes filled the air and Demetri began walking to find out where the music was coming from. He saw Apollo waving his arms up and down. “Who is making that music?” asked Demetri.
“It is I, Apollo, God of music and healing. I am here to tell you how to make music,” Apollo explained.
“I do not know how to play an instrument,” Demetri said.
“Your voice is a powerful instrument I have heard many times. Sing little Demetri, sing!” Apollo demanded. Demetri began signing and Apollo began flapping his arms up and down demanding the boy to sing louder. Demetri sang as loud as he could until he had no more energy left. As he fell onto the grass, he looked around and found that he was once again alone.
Demetri heard a female’s voice state, “I am here to tell you how to prepare the baby for marriage.”
“Marriage,” Demetri laughed, “The baby is not even born yet.”
“As citizens of Athen, your preparation for marriage begins early. Family is an important part of Greek society. If you have a brother he will spend his day working and will be the head of his family,” Hera explained “I am Hera, Goddess of marriage. You must know if you have a sister, she will need to be prepared for marriage in her teens. She would need to know her role is in the home. As her brother you can teach her this by doing your male roles, which will help her learn her roles.”
“That doesn’t sound too hard,” Demetri said.
“You are close to knowing what you need to know. Continue on this path until you meet Zeus,” Hera explained.
“Zeus – the supreme God? Why would he want to help me?” Demetri questioned. He waited for a response and then realized Hera was already gone.
Demetri started walking down the pathway again. He was filled with excitement and fear about meeting Zeus. He wondered if the supreme God would find him worthy of the important job of being a big brother. He wondered if he was living like a noble citizen of Athens. He wondered if he was making Zeus happy. Demetri saw a tiny bird with a wounded wing lying on the pathway. He bent down towards the bird and softly picked it up. He found a large leaf and tore it into strips to make a bandage for the bird.
“Demetri, I Demeter, God of agriculture, came here to teach you to respect nature. In helping the injured bird you have shown that you have respect for nature and all of its creatures. The earth relies on its entire species to keep the cycle of life going. Teach the baby that which you already know boy. You will surely make the Gods happy with your respect for nature,” Demeter stated and then quickly disappeared.
Demeteri continued to carry the injured bird in his arms as he continued on his path. He gently stroked the bird’s feathers as he walked. He hummed a soothing song to the bird. “It is going to be alright little bird.”
Suddenly Demetri felt a chill in the air. He covered the bird up with his vest. Daylight quickly faded from the sky and nighttime fell on Demetri. He wondered where he would sleep for the night. He thought of returning to the safety of his parents. Demetri remembered that he was a citizen of Athens and had been given an important task by his parents. He wondered whether or not he was brave enough to complete his task. Then he looked down at the little bird in his arms. He realized that if he continued on his journey he would meet Zeus who could heal this bird’s wing.
“Can you feel the chill in the air? I bring this to you Demetri. It is I, Hades, the God of death,” said Hades. Demetri began to shake at this. He felt afraid and his body began shaking. He knew it was noble to die for your city, but he couldn’t stop his body from showing its fear. He thought of his city, his parents, his task and the helpless bird that was relying on him. Then he wondered if the God of death was here to take this bird. He knew he could not go against the wishes of the gods and would have to sacrifice the bird if that is what the gods demanded. Still scared Demetri laid the bird down on the ground on top of a tiny pile of leaves that would serve as an alter.
“I give you this bird,” Demetri said with a shaky voice.
“Demetri, I am here to teach you what you must know to teach your sibling. You must teach the baby to be noble while alive so not to be given a hard task in the underworld. Do you understand?” Hades asked.
“Yes. Do you want the sacrifice of this bird”, Demetri asked.
“No, Demetri. You may do with the bird as you wish,” Hades replied and with that was gone.
Demetri quickly picked up his little bird and continued walking. His legs grew tired and he began to wonder where he might sleep for the night. He noticed a small pile of leaves and began to make a bed for the bird. After getting the bird comfortable on the leaves Demetri lay next to the bird on the hard, cold ground. Suddenly, the sky was filled with thunderous lightening. Demetri again felt afraid and sheltered the bird’s body with his own. Demetri felt sharp pains in his ribs and arms as the bird tried to free itself. He tried to soothe the bird, only to be struck hard by the bird’s beak.
Suddenly the bird was no longer under Demetri, he was being lifted up by a bright light. Demetri was placed gently on the ground and surrounded by bright lightning bolts across the sky. Demetri heard a loud powerful voice and then everything was still. “I am Zeus, Supreme God. I have watched you Demetri. You found me injured on your journey and rescued me. You were noble, little Demetri. For a boy of so few years you have shown the courage and bravery of an experienced soldier. You know all that you need to know to teach the baby the many things it will need to know. Return home Demetri, surely your parents are worried about you. You will be a wonderful big brother,” said Zeus.
Demetri quickly began running toward his home. He smiled the whole way.
“Demetri, it is time for you to wake up. We have much work to do today,” Celina told her son as she tugged on his arm.
“Mother, I just had the most wonderful dream. I now know all that I need to know about our city, our Gods, our myths and I will be able to teach all of it my sister or brother. I met so many of the Gods and they told me all about how I can teach a baby important things. I even met Zeus! Yes, mother Zeus. See he was pretending to a bird and I saved him and then he made lightning and then he told me I was awesome. It was amazing!” Demetri relayed this to his mother.
“Dear boy, how active is your imagination. It sounds like you learned a lot of things. Did you know that the Gods don’t actually speak to us, if we have concerns for the Gods we can go to the oracles and they will give us advice from the Gods,” Celina explained to her son who was already running out the front door to tell his father his adventure.
“You will teach the baby to be a noble and trustworthy person,” Celina told her son.
“You will teach the baby all about the magical powers and adventures of the gods,” Lysander told his son.
As his parents walked away, Demetri stared in amazement as the statue of Athena cracked and began walking and talking.
“No time to be afraid Demetri, we have much to discuss. I am Athena, goddess of wisdom. I am here to teach you things you must teach the baby,” Athena said.
“Um, I’m not sure what to do,” Demetri said.
“You just listen, dear boy, I will guide you. First, you must be a good role model for the baby to teach it how to make good choices. In Athenian society much is expected of its citizens,” Athena explained.
“Ok, make good choices, I understand,” Demetri said.
“Now you must also teach the baby logic and you can do this through good role modeling and problem solving,” Athena stated.
“Ok, I need to be a good role model, teach the baby how to make good choices and logic,” Demetri said.
“You are going to be a great big brother, Demetri,” Athena said and then quickly transformed back into a statue.
Demetri walked down a narrow pathway and suddenly a cloud of smoke blinded him. When the smoke cleared Demetri saw Artemis standing in front of him.
“I am Artemis, goddess of war. I am here to teach you things you will need to teach the baby,” Artemis said. Demetris blinked many times, thinking he was having a dream.
“It’s no dream dear boy. Our time is short, keep your ears open and I will teach you much,” Artemis said.
“I am ready to learn,” Demetris stated.
“You must teach the baby that if you must fight, fight fair and honorably so you may be remembered as a noble soldier,” Artemis explained.
“How can I, a boy of only five years, do such a huge task?” asked Demetri.
“It is quite simple Demetri, with your words speak of honor for those who defend your city. In your arguments with your sibling, remember to fight fair and honorably. In your actions and words you will teach the baby many things,” Artemis explained and then vanished.
Demetri began walking again and noticed that a bush of flowers was shaking and moving about. Demetri walked toward the flower bush to get a closer look. Suddenly a beautiful woman crawled out from behind the bush. “Oh my dear Demetri, I have been waiting for you,” Aphrodite said.
Demetri wanted to be afraid of this stranger, but she was so gentle and loving that he felt like he had known her for a long time. He wanted very much to hear what she had to say.
“I am Aphrodite, goddess of love. I am here to remind you to teach the baby about love. Just as your parents have shown you love, you must love the baby in all things,” Aphrodite explained and then disappeared behind the flower bush. Demetri was sad to see Aphrodite leave, although knew he must continue on his journey.
Demetri sat under an old tree and thought about all he had learned today. He gazed to his left and felt a breeze on his right shoulder. Demetri turned and saw Hephaestus holding a small box made of twigs and then noticed a small fire burning. “I am Hephaestus, god of fire and crafts. I am here to teach you things you must teach the baby,” Hephaestus said as he began gathering twigs. Demetri learned from Hephaestus how to make a fire and how to build the small wooden box.
“Teach the baby how to make fire and how to make crafts and surely the baby will make a fine citizen of Athens,” Hephaestus stated and then swiftly disappeared
As Demetri watched the flames dance in the fire, a salty wave of water put the fire out. “Huh? What happened?” Demetri wondered aloud.
“It was I, Poseidon, God of the sea. I will now teach you what the baby needs to know about the sea. You will teach the baby to swim. When you respect the sea by learning how to swim, you will not fear water,” Poseidon explained.
“I can teach the baby to swim. I am a great swimmer!” Demetri stated with excitement. Poseidon left Demetri sitting under the tree.
The sound of flutes filled the air and Demetri began walking to find out where the music was coming from. He saw Apollo waving his arms up and down. “Who is making that music?” asked Demetri.
“It is I, Apollo, God of music and healing. I am here to tell you how to make music,” Apollo explained.
“I do not know how to play an instrument,” Demetri said.
“Your voice is a powerful instrument I have heard many times. Sing little Demetri, sing!” Apollo demanded. Demetri began signing and Apollo began flapping his arms up and down demanding the boy to sing louder. Demetri sang as loud as he could until he had no more energy left. As he fell onto the grass, he looked around and found that he was once again alone.
Demetri heard a female’s voice state, “I am here to tell you how to prepare the baby for marriage.”
“Marriage,” Demetri laughed, “The baby is not even born yet.”
“As citizens of Athen, your preparation for marriage begins early. Family is an important part of Greek society. If you have a brother he will spend his day working and will be the head of his family,” Hera explained “I am Hera, Goddess of marriage. You must know if you have a sister, she will need to be prepared for marriage in her teens. She would need to know her role is in the home. As her brother you can teach her this by doing your male roles, which will help her learn her roles.”
“That doesn’t sound too hard,” Demetri said.
“You are close to knowing what you need to know. Continue on this path until you meet Zeus,” Hera explained.
“Zeus – the supreme God? Why would he want to help me?” Demetri questioned. He waited for a response and then realized Hera was already gone.
Demetri started walking down the pathway again. He was filled with excitement and fear about meeting Zeus. He wondered if the supreme God would find him worthy of the important job of being a big brother. He wondered if he was living like a noble citizen of Athens. He wondered if he was making Zeus happy. Demetri saw a tiny bird with a wounded wing lying on the pathway. He bent down towards the bird and softly picked it up. He found a large leaf and tore it into strips to make a bandage for the bird.
“Demetri, I Demeter, God of agriculture, came here to teach you to respect nature. In helping the injured bird you have shown that you have respect for nature and all of its creatures. The earth relies on its entire species to keep the cycle of life going. Teach the baby that which you already know boy. You will surely make the Gods happy with your respect for nature,” Demeter stated and then quickly disappeared.
Demeteri continued to carry the injured bird in his arms as he continued on his path. He gently stroked the bird’s feathers as he walked. He hummed a soothing song to the bird. “It is going to be alright little bird.”
Suddenly Demetri felt a chill in the air. He covered the bird up with his vest. Daylight quickly faded from the sky and nighttime fell on Demetri. He wondered where he would sleep for the night. He thought of returning to the safety of his parents. Demetri remembered that he was a citizen of Athens and had been given an important task by his parents. He wondered whether or not he was brave enough to complete his task. Then he looked down at the little bird in his arms. He realized that if he continued on his journey he would meet Zeus who could heal this bird’s wing.
“Can you feel the chill in the air? I bring this to you Demetri. It is I, Hades, the God of death,” said Hades. Demetri began to shake at this. He felt afraid and his body began shaking. He knew it was noble to die for your city, but he couldn’t stop his body from showing its fear. He thought of his city, his parents, his task and the helpless bird that was relying on him. Then he wondered if the God of death was here to take this bird. He knew he could not go against the wishes of the gods and would have to sacrifice the bird if that is what the gods demanded. Still scared Demetri laid the bird down on the ground on top of a tiny pile of leaves that would serve as an alter.
“I give you this bird,” Demetri said with a shaky voice.
“Demetri, I am here to teach you what you must know to teach your sibling. You must teach the baby to be noble while alive so not to be given a hard task in the underworld. Do you understand?” Hades asked.
“Yes. Do you want the sacrifice of this bird”, Demetri asked.
“No, Demetri. You may do with the bird as you wish,” Hades replied and with that was gone.
Demetri quickly picked up his little bird and continued walking. His legs grew tired and he began to wonder where he might sleep for the night. He noticed a small pile of leaves and began to make a bed for the bird. After getting the bird comfortable on the leaves Demetri lay next to the bird on the hard, cold ground. Suddenly, the sky was filled with thunderous lightening. Demetri again felt afraid and sheltered the bird’s body with his own. Demetri felt sharp pains in his ribs and arms as the bird tried to free itself. He tried to soothe the bird, only to be struck hard by the bird’s beak.
Suddenly the bird was no longer under Demetri, he was being lifted up by a bright light. Demetri was placed gently on the ground and surrounded by bright lightning bolts across the sky. Demetri heard a loud powerful voice and then everything was still. “I am Zeus, Supreme God. I have watched you Demetri. You found me injured on your journey and rescued me. You were noble, little Demetri. For a boy of so few years you have shown the courage and bravery of an experienced soldier. You know all that you need to know to teach the baby the many things it will need to know. Return home Demetri, surely your parents are worried about you. You will be a wonderful big brother,” said Zeus.
Demetri quickly began running toward his home. He smiled the whole way.
“Demetri, it is time for you to wake up. We have much work to do today,” Celina told her son as she tugged on his arm.
“Mother, I just had the most wonderful dream. I now know all that I need to know about our city, our Gods, our myths and I will be able to teach all of it my sister or brother. I met so many of the Gods and they told me all about how I can teach a baby important things. I even met Zeus! Yes, mother Zeus. See he was pretending to a bird and I saved him and then he made lightning and then he told me I was awesome. It was amazing!” Demetri relayed this to his mother.
“Dear boy, how active is your imagination. It sounds like you learned a lot of things. Did you know that the Gods don’t actually speak to us, if we have concerns for the Gods we can go to the oracles and they will give us advice from the Gods,” Celina explained to her son who was already running out the front door to tell his father his adventure.
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