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.

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 punished Prometheus for stealing fire. Now he had a plan to punish the people, too.

"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.

"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."

He walked down the road. If only Mercury had left the box somewhere else! The box, the box, nothing but the box! The worst of it was he wondering about it, too. After Epimetheus was gone, Pandora stood looking at the box. "Why won't he listen to me?" she said. "I don't know why we can't open it. Mercury wouldn't care."

The great Jupiter did not listen. Thoughtfully he smoothed his beard. "She is almost as beautiful as a goddess," he said. This made Juno really angry. Jupiter was not even listening to her. "I'll keep him from seeing her again," Juno said to herself.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"Oh, come, Pandora!" he said. "Don't think about it. I don't want you to be unhappy." But Pandora could not forget the strange box. Every day she thought about it. "Where did the box come from? What could be in it?" she kept saying. "Always talking about the box!" Epimetheus said at last. "I wish you would try to talk about something else. Let's go for a walk."

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.