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Theseus and the Minotaur

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Theseus and the Minotaur
Theseus and the Minotaur

Long, long ago, there was a king named Minos. This king lived on a remarkable island called Crete. King Minos had every single thing any king could ever want. Sometimes, King Minos would send his navy to the tiny village of Athens, which was across the sea.

The king of Athens didn’t have a clue what to do. He was so desperate. He thought if he had some time, he too would build a strong navy, and send King Minos packing the next time he attacked. Then the king of Athens decided to make a deal with King Minos. If he would stop attacking Athens for 9 years, Athens would send 7 boys and 7 girls to be eaten by King Minos horrible monster, the dreaded Minotaur, on the island of Crete.

This Minotaur lived in the heart of a maze on the island. King Minos loved his Minotaur so much, and only attacked when he was bored. He actually didn’t want anything. This way, his Minotaur could look forward to a yummy special treat every 9 years or so. So King Minos did take the deal.

Even though Athens did build up a navy, King Minos kept his word and didn’t attack Athens. Now it was time for Athens to keep their word, this made everyone cry of terror.

The Prince of Athens, Prince Theseus knew how important it is of keeping your word. He knew the deal was secure, but he also knew it very wrong to send small children to be eaten by a monster. Prince Theseus told his father, the king of Athens, that he would go to Crete as the seventh boy and kill the Minotaur.

His father was disgusted, "The Minotaur is a terrible monster! What makes you think you can kill it?" exclaimed his father. "I'll find a way," Theseus replied softly. "The gods will help me."
His father hated to see his son go, but Theseus took his place with the other tributes, and they sailed away towards Crete.
When they arrived on the island of Crete, King Minos and his beautiful daughter Princess Ariadne greeted them. Even though she didn’t say anything her eyes told that she
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