a n d ora’s

P Bo
x
A long time
time ago,
ago, in
in ancient
ancientGreece,
Greece,
there lived
there lived two
two brothers
brothersnamed
named
Epimetheus and
Epimetheus and Prometheus.
Prometheus.They
They
were Titans
were Titans with special
special gifts
giftsand
and
very kind
kind hearts.
hearts.Zeus,
Zeus,the
theking
kingofofthe
the
gods, had
gods, had refused
refusedto
togive
givehumankind
humankind
fire that
fire that would
would allow
allowthem
themto
tomake
make
tools or
tools or cook
cook their
theirfood.
food.Having
Havingformed
formed
humans himself,
himself, Prometheus
Prometheusthought
thought
that this
this was
was unfair.
unfair.

On the Isle
Isle of
of Lemnos,
Lemnos, Zeus
Zeushad
hadallowed
allowedthe
thegod
godofoffire,
fire,
Hephaestus, to
Hephaestus, to use
usefire
firetotomake
makeweapons,
weapons,tools
toolsand
andgifts
gifts
for the
the gods.
gods. Prometheus
Prometheustravelled
travelledtotoLemnos,
Lemnos,stole
stole
the
the
fire
fire
from Hephaestus
Hephaestusand
andgave
gaveitittotothe
thehuman
humanrace.
race.He
Healso
also
taught humans
taught humans civilising
civilisingarts,
arts,such
suchas
aswriting,
writing,medicine,
medicine,
mathematics and
mathematics and science.
science.

Furious with Prometheus, Zeus punished him by

chaining him to the side of a cliff for many years. Zeus
decided that humankind also needed to be punished
for accepting the fire. With the help of Hephaestus,
he moulded a woman out of clay. The gods gave her
many gifts, including beauty, cleverness and kindness,
and called her Pandora. As Zeus knew that Epimetheus
was lonely, Zeus sent her to him.

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 Pand
ora’s Box

During a visit with his brother, Prometheus

had warned Epimetheus not to accept any gifts
from the gods. However, Epimetheus was so
charmed by Pandora that he thought she could
never really cause any harm and so they got
married. Zeus was pleased that his plan had
worked and he gave Pandora a small box as a
wedding gift.

When Pandora was given the box, she instantly became

curious. The box was locked but had a small key and a
note attached to it that said, ‘DO NOT OPEN!’ Pandora
promised Epimetheus that she would not open the box
but all she could think about was its contents. Tortured
by her curiosity, Pandora could no longer stand not
knowing what was in the beautiful box.

When she knew that Epimetheus was out of sight, Pandora placed the box on the floor,
closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she unlocked the box with the key. She opened
her eyes and slowly pulled the box open, expecting to see beautiful things. Instead, Zeus
had packed numerous terrible evils into the box and out poured sickness, death, poverty
and sadness in one horrible black mass. Frightened, Pandora screamed as she slammed
the lid shut but it was too late; the evil had already escaped into the world. Having
heard her scream, Epimetheus appeared, held her in his arms and asked her what was
wrong. All Pandora could do was cry.

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 Pand
ora’s Box

Despite her sobs, Pandora could still

hear a tiny voice inside the box that was
pleading to be released. Epimetheus and
Pandora thought that nothing could be
worse than the horrors that had already
been released so together they opened
the box. Out fluttered hope, in the form
of a beautiful gold dragonfly. Instantly,
it was able to heal some of the sickness
and sorrow. Even though Pandora had
released suffering and sadness upon the
world, she had also released hope. This
made all the difference in the world.

Glossary
poverty: The state of being extremely poor.
Titan: A god or a god’s descendant in Greek mythology.

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 Pandora's Box

Questions
1. What was one thing that humankind could use fire for in the story? Tick one.

building
hunting
cooking food
clearing forests

2. Number the events from 1-4 to show the order that they happened in.

Epimetheus was charmed by Pandora.

Zeus asked Hephaestus to mould a woman out of clay.
Prometheus warned Epimetheus not to accept any gifts from the gods.
Pandora was given a box as a wedding gift.

3. Where did Hephaestus live?

4. Look at the last paragraph.

Find and copy one word that means the same as ‘begging’.

5. Fill in the missing words.

Tortured by her , Pandora could no longer stand not knowing what was
in her box.

6. Do you think Prometheus did the right thing by giving fire to humans? Explain your
answer.




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 Pandora's Box

7. Imagine you are living in ancient Greece and Prometheus has just given you fire. How
would you feel? Explain your answer. 




8. Summarise what you have learnt about Pandora’s box in 25 words or fewer. 




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 Pandora's Box

Answers
1. What was one thing that humankind could use fire for in the story? Tick one.

building
hunting
cooking food
clearing forests

2. Number the events from 1-4 to show the order that they happened in.

3 Epimetheus was charmed by Pandora.

1 Zeus asked Hephaestus to mould a woman out of clay.
2 Prometheus warned Epimetheus not to accept any gifts from the gods.
4 Pandora was given a box as a wedding gift.

3. Where did Hephaestus live?

Hephaestus lived on the Isle of Lemnos.

4. Look at the last paragraph.

Find and copy one word that means the same as ‘begging’.

pleading

5. Fill in the missing words.

Tortured by her curiosity, Pandora could no longer stand not knowing what was in
the beautiful box.

6. Do you think Prometheus did the right thing by giving fire to humans? Explain
your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: Yes, I think he did the right thing. It wouldn’t be fair
for mankind to be cold, in the dark and unable to cook their food all of the time.

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 Pandora's Box

7. Imagine you are living in ancient Greece and Prometheus has just given you fire. How
would you feel? Explain your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think I would feel excited and happy to be able to
cook food and be warm at night. It would give me a sense of freedom to be able to
change the light, warmth and to cook my food.

8. Summarise what you have learnt about Pandora’s box in 25 words or fewer. 

Pupils’ own responses, such as: Pandora’s box is given to punish a god for stealing
fire. The box is too tempting not to open and unleashes evil on the world.

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 a n d ora’s
P Bo
x
A long time
time ago,
ago, in
in ancient
ancientGreece,
Greece,there
there
lived two
lived two Titans
Titans (Greek
(Greekgods
godsorortheir
their
descendants) who
descendants) whowerewerenamed
namedEpimetheus
Epimetheus
and Prometheus.
Prometheus. They Theywere
werebrothers
brotherswithwith
special gifts
special gifts and
andvery
verykind
kindhearts.
hearts.Epimetheus
Epimetheus
had created
created all
all of
of the
theanimals
animalson onEarth
Earthand and
Prometheus had
Prometheus had created
createdhumankind.
humankind.The The
king of
of the
the gods,
gods, Zeus,
Zeus,refused
refusedtotogive
givefire
firetoto
humans. Gentle
Gentle Prometheus
Prometheusthought
thoughtthatthatthisthis
was unfair
unfair and
and hatched
hatchedaaplan.
plan.

The god ofof fire,

fire, Hephaestus,
Hephaestus,lived
livedononthe
theIsle
IsleofofLemnos
Lemnosandandused
used fire
fire
to make
make weapons,
weapons, tools
toolsand
andgifts
giftsfor
forthe
thegods.
gods.Secretly,
Secretly,Prometheus
Prometheus
travelled to
travelled to Lemnos,
Lemnos,stole
stolethe
thefire
firefrom
fromHephaestus
Hephaestus and
andgave
gave
it it
to to
thethe
human race.
race. Now,
Now, people
peoplewere
wereable
ableto to use
use fire
fire in
in aa variety
variety of ways
ways
to make
make their
their lives
livesbetter:
better:for
forwarmth,
warmth,for forcooking
cooking and
andforfor
creating
creating
things made
things made outout of
of metal.
metal.While
While visiting
visitinghumankind,
humankind,Prometheus
Prometheus
also taught
taught them
them civilising
civilisingarts,
arts,such
suchasaswriting,
writing,medicine,
medicine,
mathematics and
mathematics and science.
science.

Enraged with Prometheus, Zeus punished him by chaining him to

the side of a cliff for eternity. Still seething, Zeus decided that the
people of Earth also needed to be punished for readily accepting
fire. Enlisting Hephaestus to help him, Zeus asked him to sculpt an
irresistible woman out of clay. Going along with Zeus’s scheme, the
other gods gave her many gifts, including beauty, cleverness and
kindness. Zeus decided to call her Pandora, which in Greek means ‘all
gifts’. Relying on Epimetheus’s loneliness, Zeus sent Pandora to him.

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 Pand
ora’s Box

During a visit with his brother, Prometheus had warned

Epimetheus not to accept any gifts from the gods for
he feared retribution. However, Epimetheus was so
enamoured with Pandora that he felt she couldn’t cause
any trouble and so they got married. Pleased, Zeus offered
the new bride a small, locked box as a wedding gift.
The box came with a small key and a note attached to
it that said, ‘DO NOT OPEN!’. Pandora’s curiosity was
instantly stirred.

Although she was desperately curious to see

what was inside, Pandora promised Epimetheus
that she would not open the box. However, soon
Pandora’s willpower failed and her curiosity got
the better of her.

Knowing that Epimetheus was out, Pandora gently placed the box on the floor, closed her
eyes, took a slow, deep breath and unlocked the box with the key. She opened her eyes
and slowly pulled the lid open. Expecting to see fine silk dresses and jewellery, Pandora’s
face contorted as she screamed in fear instead. Maliciously, Zeus had packed numerous
terrible evils into the box that now eagerly escaped in one twisting black mass. Out rose
many of the world's woes, such as sickness, death, poverty and sadness. They damaged
and injured all in their path as they escaped into the air.

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 Pand
ora’s Box

Frightened and hurt, Pandora screamed, “Oh

no!” as she slammed the lid shut but it was
too late. The evils were already long gone
and doing their worst. Epimetheus, having
just arrived home, heard Pandora’s terrified
weeping and ran swiftly into the room to
console her.

“What has happened?” he asked as he held

her close.

Raising her eyes to meet his, Pandora

confessed, “I opened the box. Oh, Epimetheus!
There were horrible, vicious things inside.
They’ve escaped!”

As she cried on his shoulder, Pandora

heard a tiny voice inside the box that was
pleading to be released. After talking it
over, Epimetheus and Pandora agreed that
nothing could be worse than the horrors
that had already been released so together
they opened the box. Shaped as a beautiful
gold dragonfly, out fluttered hope and
instantly, it was able to heal Pandora and
some of the sickness and sorrow nearby.

In her curiosity, Pandora had accidentally released suffering and sadness into the world.
Fortunately, she had also released hope and this made all the difference in the world.

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 Pandora's Box

Questions
1. What was one gift the gods did not give Pandora in the story? Tick one.

strength
beauty
kindness
cleverness

2. Number the events from 1-4 to show the order that they happened in.

Prometheus stole fire from Hephaestus.

Prometheus created humankind.
Zeus refused to give fire to the human race.
Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him to the side of a cliff.

3. What does the name Pandora mean?

4. Look at the fourth paragraph.

Find and copy one word that means the same as ‘payback’ or ‘punishment’.

5. Fill in the missing words.

she was curious to see what was inside,

Pandora promised Epimetheus that she would not open the box.

6. How do you think Hephaestus felt after Prometheus stole fire from him? Explain your
answer. 




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 Pandora's Box

7. Why do you think Zeus didn’t want humankind to have fire? Explain your answer.




8. Have you ever been told not to do something but you did it anyway? What happened?
Explain your answer. 




9. How do you think Epimetheus felt when he saw what Pandora had done? Explain your
answer. 




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 Pandora's Box

Answers
1. What was one gift the gods did not give Pandora in the story? Tick one.

strength
beauty
kindness
cleverness

2. Number the events from 1-4 to show the order that they happened in.

3 Prometheus stole fire from Hephaestus.

1 Prometheus created humankind.
2 Zeus refused to give fire to the human race.
4 Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him to the side of a cliff.

3. What does the name Pandora mean?

The name Pandora means ‘all gifts’.

4. Look at the fourth paragraph.

Find and copy one word that means the same as ‘payback’ or ‘punishment’.

retribution

5. Fill in the missing words.

Although she was desperately curious to see what was inside, Pandora promised
Epimetheus that she would not open the box.

6. How do you think Hephaestus felt after Prometheus stole fire from him? Explain
your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think he felt a bit cross with Prometheus for stealing
it from him and probably fearful of Zeus because he might be angry at him for not
guarding it better.

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 Pandora's Box

7. Why do you think Zeus didn’t want humankind to have fire? Explain your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think he didn’t want humankind to have fire so
they could still be considered less than a god. Having fire was exclusive to the gods
and special. Giving it to everyone would make humans a bit more powerful than
they were.

8. Have you ever been told not to do something but you did it anyway? What happened?
Explain your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: Yes, I once went to my friend's house after school
even though I had been told not to. I got in trouble and wasn’t allowed to watch TV
for a week.

9. How do you think Epimetheus felt when he saw what Pandora had done? Explain
your answer. 

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think that he was a bit shocked and scared because
she was frightened and crying. I think he might have been angry later on when the
evils of the world started doing their work.

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 a n d ora’s
P Bo
x
Long ago,
ago, in
in ancient
ancient Greece,
Greece,there
therelived
livedtwo
two
Titans (Greek
Titans (Greek gods
godsor ortheir
theirdescendants)
descendants)
called Epimetheus
called Epimetheus and andPrometheus.
Prometheus.They They
were brothers
were brotherswith
withspecial
specialgifts:
gifts:Epimetheus
Epimetheus
had created
created all
all of
of the
theanimals
animalson onthe
the
Earth (and
Earth (and had
had given
given them
themways
waysto toprotect
protect
themselves) and
themselves) and Prometheus
Prometheushad hadcreated
created
humankind. The
humankind. The king
king of
of the
thegods,
gods,Zeus,
Zeus,
absolutely refused
absolutely refusedto togive
givehumankind
humankindfire fire
that would
would allow
allow them
them totoprotect
protectthemselves.
themselves.
Gentle Prometheus
Gentle Prometheusthought
thoughtthat
thatthis
thiswas
was
unfair and
unfair and hatched
hatched aa plan.
plan.

oWorking
W rking ononthe theIsle
IsleofofLemnos,
Lemnos,the thegod
godofoffire,
fire,Hephaestus,
Hephaestus, used used
fire to
fire to make
make intricate
intricateweapons,
weapons,tools toolsand
andgifts
giftsforfor
thethe
gods.
gods.
Stealthily, Prometheus
Stealthily, Prometheus sailedsailed to Lemnos, found found Hephaestus’s
Hephaestus’s
workshop and
workshop and stole
stolesome
somefire fireininorder
ordertotogive
giveitittotohumans.
humans.Before
Before
Zeus could
could put
put aa stop
stop toto it,
it,the
thehuman
humanraceracewaswasusing
usingfire
fireinina a
variety of
variety of ways
ways to to make
maketheir
theirlives
livesbetter:
better:they
theywere
wereable
able
totouseuse
it to protect
protect themselves,
themselves,keep keepwarm,
warm,cook cooktheir
theirfood
foodand
andcreate
create
things made
things made out
out ofof metal.
metal.WhileWhile teaching
teachinghumans
humanshow howto touse
use
fire, Prometheus
fire, Prometheusalso alsotaught
taughtthem themcivilising
civilisingarts,
arts,such
suchasas
writing,
writing,
medicine, mathematics
medicine, mathematicsand andscience.
science.

Absolutely livid with Prometheus, Zeus captured him and chained

him to a cliff face indefinitely. Feeling that humankind also needed
to be punished for readily accepting fire, Zeus enlisted Hephaestus to
help him with his revenge. Zeus asked him to fashion the ideal woman
out of clay. Aiding Zeus with his scheme, the other gods endowed her
with their own gifts: beauty, cleverness and kindness. Zeus decided to
call her Pandora, which in Greek means ‘all gifts’. Using Epimetheus’s
loneliness to his advantage, Zeus sent Pandora to him.

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 Pand
ora’s Box

Before his capture, Prometheus had warned

Epimetheus that the gods might punish him as
well. However, Epimetheus was so enchanted with
Pandora that he ignored his brother’s warning and
married her. Delighted that his scheme was coming
together, Zeus offered Pandora a small, locked
box as a wedding gift. The box came with a small
key and a note attached to it that said, ‘DO NOT
OPEN!’ Pandora’s curiosity was instantly piqued.

Despite her intense desire to know the contents of the

box, Pandora promised Epimetheus that she would not
attempt to open it. As time went on, Pandora’s strength of
will failed her and she soon found herself waiting for the
perfect moment when she could end her internal torture.

One day, Epimetheus went out hunting with a group

of servants and friends. Pandora decided there would
never be a better moment of opportunity so she
grabbed the box and ignored her inner voice that was
reasoning with her to keep her promise.

Gently, Pandora placed the box on the mosaic floor, closed her eyes, took a deep,
deliberate breath and slowly turned the key in the lock. Hearing the soft click, she
opened her eyes and gradually pulled the lid open. Expecting to see fine silk dresses
and jewellery, Pandora’s face contorted as she screamed in fear instead. A vengeful
Zeus had filled the box with numerous terrible evils that now oozed out and escaped in
one menacing black mass. Out rose many of the world's woes, such as sickness, death,
poverty and sadness. They swirled about, injuring Pandora and then escaped into the air.

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 Pand
ora’s Box

Terrified and wounded, Pandora scrambled

to slam the lid shut but it was too late;
the evils were already too far away and
inflicting their worst on the world. Realising
what she had done, Pandora cried out in
despair, “Oh no! What have I done?”

Epimetheus, having just arrived home,

heard Pandora’s cries and ran swiftly into
the room shouting, “What has happened?”.
Looking over her shoulder his blood turned
to ice as he asked, “What have you done?”

As she cried on his shoulder and confessed, Pandora heard a tiny voice from inside the
box. It sounded like it was pleading to be released. After some discussion, Epimetheus
and Pandora agreed that nothing could be worse than what had already been released
so together they opened the box one more time. Shimmering beautifully, hope fluttered
out in the form of a gold dragonfly. As it flew around, Pandora’s injuries and some of the
damage caused by the others were healed. By releasing hope, Pandora had helped the
world cope with all of the horrors that now ran free.

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 Pandora's Box

Questions
1. Which civilising art was not mentioned in the story? Tick one.

writing
history
mathematics
science

2. Draw four lines and match each character to their description.

Zeus gave fire to humans

Prometheus created all of the animals

Epimetheus king of the gods

Pandora fashioned from clay

3. Who was the god of fire?

4. Look at the second paragraph.

Find and copy one word that means the same as ‘improving’ or ‘educating’.

5. Fill in the missing words.

A vengeful Zeus had filled the box with terrible evils that now
oozed out and escaped in one black mass.

6. How do you think Prometheus felt once he heard about what happened to Pandora and
Epimetheus? Explain your answer. 




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 Pandora's Box

7. Do you agree with Prometheus that humankind needed fire to protect themselves? Explain
your answer.




8. Expecting to see fine silk dresses and jewellery…

8.

If you had been given the box, what would you hope to see in it? Explain your answer.




9. Imagine you were one of the servants in Pandora and Epimetheus’s house. How do you
think you would have felt seeing the black mass of the Earth’s woes coming towards you?
Explain your answer.




10. Imagine you were Pandora, what do you think you would have said when you saw hope
in the box?




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 Pandora's Box

Answers
1. Which civilising art was not mentioned in the story? Tick one.

writing
history
mathematics
science

2. Draw four lines and match each character to their description.

Zeus gave fire to humans

Prometheus created all of the animals

Epimetheus king of the gods

Pandora fashioned from clay

3. Who was the god of fire?

Hephaestus was the god of fire.

4. Look at the second paragraph.

Find and copy one word that means the same as ‘improving’ or ‘educating’.

civilising

5. Fill in the missing words.

A vengeful Zeus had filled the box with numerous terrible evils that now oozed out and
escaped in one menacing black mass.

6. How do you think Prometheus felt once he heard about what happened to Pandora and
Epimetheus? Explain your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think he probably felt bad because they were only
punished because of his actions. I think he also probably felt a bit cross because he
had warned Epimetheus to be careful.

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 Pandora's Box

7. Do you agree with Prometheus that humankind needed fire to protect themselves? Explain
your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: Yes, I think that humankind did need fire to protect
themselves from animals that might hunt at night and from the cold, especially in the
winter when it is freezing.

8. Expecting to see fine silk dresses and jewellery…

8.

If you had been given the box, what would you hope to see in it? Explain your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think that (because it was a wedding gift) I would
like to see the keys to a new house where I could live and money to spend on furniture
and technology.

9. Imagine you were one of the servants in Pandora and Epimetheus’s house. How do you
think you would have felt seeing the black mass of the Earth’s woes coming towards you?
Explain your answer.

Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think I would have felt very frightened, especially if
none of these evils had ever been seen before. I wouldn’t know what they were and I
would probably see them hurting other people before they got to me.

10. Imagine you were Pandora, what do you think you would have said when you saw hope
in the box?
Award 1 mark for reference to Pandora commenting on what hope could do to
counter the evils she had released.

• Oh good! Hope will help everyone cope with what I have done.

• Hope can help those that suffer from the evils I’ve let go.

• Hope will help everyone.

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