A long time ago there was a young maiden named medusa.

She lived in a place called Athens in

Greece. Medusa was very proud of her beauty and boasted about it to everyone around her. One
day she would brag about her beautiful skin, which was as fair milk. Another day about her
flowing hair and yet another day about her pretty green eyes and red lips. She would not miss
any chance to admire herself while she brushed her hair, or when she passed the bedroom
window, or when she drew water for her father’s horses. She would always daydream and all her
chores would be forgotten. People around her were around her were tired of her boastful nature
and gave her the cold shoulder.

One day, she paid a visit to the Parthenon with her friends. The Parthenon was the largest temple
of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. People were grateful to Goddess Athena for inspiring them
and watching over Athens. Everyone except Medusa was awed by the beauty of the temple and
the amazing sculptures and paintings that decorated it. Medusa thought she would have made a
better subject for the sculptor than Goddess Athena. When Medusa passed the hallway and
reached the altar she sighed and said, “It is a beautiful temple. It is a shame it was wasted on
Goddess Athena for I am much prettier than she is. Perhaps someday people will build a grander
temple to my beauty.” Medusa’s friend grew pale and the priestesses gasped when they heard
her. People began to leave the temple as they feared what might happen if the goddess had
overheard Medusa’s rash remarks. All this while, Medusa was busy gazing proudly at her
reflection in the large bronze doors. Suddenly, her reflection wavered and the face of Goddess
Athena appeared in front of her. Goddess Athena said angrily, “You foolish girl. You think you
are prettier than I am ! I doubt it and even if it were, there is more to life than beauty alone.
While others work, play, and learn, you do nothing but boast and admire yourself. You should
have your heart in the right place.”
“but my beauty is an inspiration to others and I made their lives better by simply looking lovely,”
Justified Medusa.

goddess Athena silenced her with a frustrated wave “Nonsense,” retorted Goddess Athena, “
beauty does not comfort the sick, teach the unskilled or feed the hungry. and by my power, your
beauty shall be stripped away completely. this will be a reminder for others to control their
pride.” As soon as Goddess Athena had uttered these words, Medusa's face changed to that of a
hideous monster. Her hair twisted and thickened two horrible snakes that hissed and fought with
each other a top her head. “Medusa this is the result of your pride. your face is so terrible that
any man who sees you shall turn into stone,” Proclaimed Goddess Athena. “Even you shall turn
into stone if you see your reflection “. and with that goddess Athena left, leaving Medusa
weeping and in shock.