The story of Pandora was a favorite of the Greeks. They thought it told how trouble and hope came to the world. They learned a lesson from Pandora, too. Pandora was a beautiful girl. Jupiter, the king of the gods, sent her to Epimetheus. Epimetheus was Prometheus' brother. Jupiter had punisher Prometheus for stealing fire.

Had they not taken Prometheus' gift? Prometheus did not trust Jupiter. He warned his brother to be careful of Jupiter and not to trust the girl. Epimetheus was often lonely. He would not listen. The first thing Pandora saw in Epimetheus' house was a big box. Almost the first thing she said to him was, "Epimetheus, what do you have in that box?"

Everyone knew that Juno, queen of the gods, was jealous. Jupiter was the only one who was not afraid of her. He often liked other women. This always made Juno angry. She could not punish Jupiter. She always punished the one he thought beautiful. This happened to a young girl named Io. Jupiter said he thought Io was beautiful. Someone told Juno.

She lifted the lid wide and looked inside. Out of the box flew Troubles of all kinds -- sickness, greed, hate, and many others. "Oh, I am stung!" cried Epimetheus. Pandora let the lid fall. Then something stung her, too. Epimetheus and Pandora were both sorry. Never had they felt so unhappy.

The ugly things flew out the windows. They flew all over the earth. They would bother people forever. Jupiter's plan had succeeded. But there was still one thing more in the box. Pandora and Epimetheus heard a soft tap from inside. A sweet voice spoke, "Let me out. I am not like the Troubles. You need me. I can help you. "Shall I left the lid again?" asked Pandora.

Wild animals were frightened away. The people on earth were happy with the fire. They were very thankful to Prometheus. Prometheus was happy, too. But not for long. Jupiter soon saw the fires burning on the earth. He was very angry.

Wild animals were frightened away. The people on earth were happy with the fire. They were very thankful to Prometheus. Prometheus was happy, too. But not for long. Jupiter soon saw the fires burning on the earth. He was very angry.

Vulcan did not want to make the chains. But Jupiter was the king of the gods. Everyone obeyed him. The chains were made. Vulcan dragged them to the rock. Jupiter already had Prometheus waiting there. "I am sorry, Prometheus," said Vulcan sadly.

Jupiter was king of the gods. Usually the gods and goddesses did what he told them to do. But once a god did not obey Jupiter. His name is Prometheus. This is his story. Prometheus was very much interested in the earth. He loved its people. Often he sat on Mt. Olympus and watched them. When winter came he saw that they were unhappy. The people had no way to keep warm.

Jupiter was king of the gods. Usually the gods and goddesses did what he told them to do. But once a god did not obey Jupiter. His name is Prometheus. This is his story. Prometheus was very much interested in the earth. He loved its people. Often he sat on Mt. Olympus and watched them. When winter came he saw that they were unhappy. The people had no way to keep warm.

Jupiter was king of the gods. Usually the gods and goddesses did what he told them to do. But once a god did not obey Jupiter. His name is Prometheus. This is his story. Prometheus was very much interested in the earth. He loved its people. Often he sat on Mt. Olympus and watched them. When winter came he saw that they were unhappy. The people had no way to keep warm.

Jupiter was king of the gods. Usually the gods and goddesses did what he told them to do. But once a god did not obey Jupiter. His name is Prometheus. This is his story. Prometheus was very much interested in the earth. He loved its people. Often he sat on Mt. Olympus and watched them. When winter came he saw that they were unhappy. The people had no way to keep warm.

"My dear Pandora," he answered, "that is a secret. You must not ask me about it. The box was left here for me to keep. I do not know what is in it." "But who gave it to you?" asked Pandora. "That's a secret, too," said Epimetheus. "I don't like secrets," said Pandora. "I wish the old box weren't here."

"What can it be?" thought Pandora. "Is there something alive in the box? Well -- I'll take just one peek." At this moment, Epimetheus entered the house. He saw Pandora about to open the box. He could have cried out and stopped her. But he did not. As Pandora raised the lid, the house grew dark. She paid no attention.

Even though Pandora let Troubles into the world, people would have Hope to help them. And as long as people have Hope, they cannot always be unhappy.

"Don't be afraid, Pandora. It won't hurt to open the box. Never mind Epimetheus. You are wiser than he. Open the box! See if you don't find something very pretty!" Pandora walked closer to the box. She tried to lift it. It was heavy -- far too heay for her to lift. She raised one end a few inches from the floor. She let it fall.