Pegasus, the Flying Horse
Ancient Greek Myths for Kids
Pegasus was a flying horse. He was the son of Poseidon, the Lord of the Sea. His mother was the dreadful monster, Medusa. She had snakes for hair and hated everyone, including her son, Pegasus.
Pegasus did not mind that he was born a horse. In fact, he rather liked the power and speed it gave him. People kept trying to kidnap him. After all, he was a horse that could fly. Anyone could see the value of that. Wheneven people tried to kidnap him, the gods always got involved.
So Pegasus was safe, but lonely. He couldn't live with his father under the sea because Pegasus could not breath underwater. He did not want to live with his mother. The other horses shied away from him. They knew he was different. He belonged nowhere. He kept himself busy saving others, especially Greek soldiers wounded in battle. But it was not the same as having a family or a friend to do things with.
One day, Zeus noticed that Pegasus was very depressed. That was the day Zeus and Pegasus became best friends. Zeus took Pegasus to live with him on Mount Olympus. Zeus and Pegasus were soon a familiar sight, flying through the stars. Zeus had a friend he could count on and a horse he could ride. And Pegasus had a friend and a home. Their friendship made them both very happy.
When Perseus, another god, killed the dreaded monster, Medusa, Perseus was worried that perhaps Pegasus, the flying horse, would be upset. By association, that meant Zeus might be upset. But Pegasus was delighted his horrible mother was dead. From that day on, Perseus and Pegasus were friends, not best friends like Pegasus and Zeus, but good friends indeed. They remained friends all their days.