The Deadly Riddle (Aidan)

~The Deadly Riddle~

An Ancient Egyptian Myth

                This story begins in Egypt where a problem hung over them like a storm cloud. A creature called the Sphinx, who had the head of a woman, the wings of an eagle, and the body of a lion haunted the people of the town. The people were puzzled by a practically impossible riddle. They feared the Sphinx’s towering figure sitting in the distant sands. A hero would later travel to the city and defeat the Sphinx. His name was Oedipus. For now, the Sphinx terrorized the townspeople by gorging himself on their bravest and wisest men. The Sphinx would ask the impossible riddle, and one after one, the men would have to admit that they could not solve it. The Sphinx would pounce on them and devour them, in front of the townspeople. As the townsfolks’ hope was destroyed, alongwith their best men, a stranger entered the city. His name was Oedipus. He challenged the Sphinx and bravely left the city and all safety behind him. The Sphinx licked its lips as the tasty looking man walked right into its terrible reach. The Sphinx stifled a laugh as Oedipus said he would solve the impossible riddle. The Sphinx told the man its riddle. After some thought, Oedipus answered the riddle. The Sphinx roared a terrible roar of defeat. The cloud that had caused so much trouble was dispersed.  

 I think this story is a very classic Egyptian story. It is very interesting and tells us what some Egyptians told their children thousands of years ago. It is a very exciting story, but I would like to find out a little bit more of the background of the Sphinx. This story is like many other ancient stories, but is very unique as well. The main theme of the story is that the Sphinx is a cunning and crafty villain. The people of the town need a hero, and Oedipus fills that role. He outsmarts the villain and saves the townspeople. This story shows us how many Egyptians were entertained, and to this day this story is interesting.
Aidan
Grade: 6 Age: 11