here is an old myth of a winged horse. Would you like to hear
it? Listen.

This wonderful horse was under the care of the nine Muses. These nine
fair daughters of Jupiter taught men all that is known of music, poetry,
history, and the stars. It was said and believed that they helped people
to remember what they taught.

And now even their names are forgotten except by the few who love to
remember the things others forget.

One beautiful summer morning this winged horse appeared at the fountain
of the Muses on Mount Helicon. The laughing Thalia, the Muse of Comedy,
saw him as she dropped from the sky. Dancing Terpsichore tried to take
him by the mane, but the white wings flashed in her face and the
wonderful steed was gone before she had touched him.

Urania, the Muse who loved the heavens, believed that he was from some
star world.

Clio, the Muse of History, knew that no such creature had ever lived on
earth before.

They all watched for his return. The next morning he was seen again at
the fountain; after that he came every day. The Muses named him Pegasus.

"We know that there is a work for all created things. What can his be?"
the sisters asked one another.

Sure enough his work came at last.

In a distant land was a brave young soldier named Bellerophon. He was so
bold, so fearless, and so handsome that those who ought to have been his
friends became jealous of him. That means trouble, you know.

Bellerophon wished to travel. His king gave him letters on parchment to
take to King Iobates of Lycia.

The king did not read the letters for ten days after Bellerophon came to
Lycia. During those ten days there was feasting and dancing in honor of
the new guest.

After the feasts of welcome were over, King Iobates read the letters and
found that the one who sent them wanted Bellerophon punished for certain
misdeeds which people said he had done.