Once upon a time, there lived in Methymna a musician named Arion.

He was a great singer and

wandered about the country singing songs. His voice was so sweet that wherever he sang. People
stopped to listen to him.
When the king of Corinth heard his music he invited him to live with him in the royal palace.
So Arion lived in the royal palace and entertained the king with his music.
One day Arion received an invitation to compete at the music festival in Sicily
"You must go," advised the king to Arion, "for I am sure you will win competition and the
prize is a bag of gold."
"The gold does not interest me," said Arion, "but I would like to compete course I hope to
win!"
"You may go in one of my ships," said the king, "but before you leave, promise me that you'll
return otherwise I will miss your music”.
Arion promised to return and away he sailed in the king's ship over the sea to the island of
Sicily
All the best musicians of the world were there to compete. One by one, they played their
instruments with their songs and then it was Arion's turn
He sang so charmingly that the king of Sicily awarded him the first prize; a bag of gold, and all
his admirers also gave him wonderful gifts of jewels and other treasures. They wanted him to
stay on in Sicily but Arion refused.
“I have promised the king of Corinth, I shall return," said he, "and his ship is waiting there in
the harbor to carry me home."
So the king of Sicily and all his friends and admirers saw him off and waved him farewell
Arion stood on the prow waving to them until they were out of sight and then he returned to his
cabin. But as soon as he entered into the cabin he found himself surrounded by the captain and
an angry crew. They had seen the gold and treasures Arion had carried on board, and had plotted
among themselves how they could take it from him.
"You must die," said the captain, "It is the wish of the entire crew"
"Why, what have I done to hurt you?" asked Arion.
"You are too rich," said the captain
"Please spare my life, I promise you to hand over the bag of gold and all the other treasures that
were given to me," pleaded Arion.
"No, we cannot do that, for when you reach Corinth you may change your mind, regret your
gift, and make us return it" said the captain, "No, it is too dangerous. You must die!”
"Very well," said Arion, I see that your minds are made up. But please grant me my last wish.
Allow me to sing one more song before I die."
 "You may do that," said the captain, "But, when the last note has been sung, you leap overboard
into the sea."
Arion promised to do that and dressed in his finest clothes. He stood on the prow of the ship
and sang more sweetly than he had ever sung. Then he took a great leap into the sea and the ship
sailed on.
Now, a school of dolphins had gathered around to listen to Arion's songs, for dolphins are very
fond of music.
When he leapt from the sea, one of the dolphins swam under him, caught him on its back and
saved him from drowning. Then the dolphin swam with Arion on its back and reached Corinth
long before the ship.
The king was delighted to see Arion but when he heard how the ship's crew had treated him, he
was very angry indeed. "I am astonished my sailors could behave so rudely," he said.
When at last the ship arrived in the port, the king sent for the crew.
"Where is Arion?" he asked pretending he did not know anything.
"He stayed in Sicily," said those cunning fellows. "He was enjoying himself so much; he
refused to return with us although we waited several days for him."
"Is that so?" asked the king frowning with anger
Then he called one of his servants and told him something. The servant went away and soon
Arion himself came into the room. He was wearing the same clothes in which he had leapt from
the ship.
When the captain and the crew saw him, they were terrified. "Ghost! Here is a ghost!" they
cried out. "Arion was drowned and this must be his ghost!” And in their fright they confessed to
the king all that they had done to Arion
The king punished them and ordered them to leave his country forever. As for Arion, he stayed
in Corinth and became one of the greatest musicians.

QUESTIONING
1. Who was Arion?
2. How did he entertain the king of Corinth?
3. What invitation did Arion get from Sicily?
4. What promise did Arion make to the king before leaving?
5. What was the first prize for the winner of the competition?
6. Who won the first prize?
7. Why did the crew of the ship want to kill Arion?
8. What was Arion's last wish before death?
9. Why did the school of dolphins gather around Arion?
10. What was Arion wearing when he come into the room?
11. Why were the captain and the crew terrified to see Arion?
12. What punishment did the king give to the captain and the crew?