Arion Sings

Part One

Arion was a singer. He lived in a big city by the sea. He played a lyre and sang songs.

People gave him gold for his songs. Soon he had a big bag of gold.

Arion sailed home on a big ship. The sailors saw his bag of gold.

The sailors wanted his gold. "Jump into the sea!" they said. Arion was afraid.

"Let me sing one last song," said Arion. "Then I will jump." The sailors said yes.

Arion stood on the ship and sang. His song was so lovely! The sailors sat and listened.

Then Arion jumped into the sea. Splash! He still held his lyre.

A dolphin swam up to him. Arion held on to its back. Off they went!

The dolphin swam and swam over the waves. It took Arion all the way home.

Arion told the king about the sailors. The king said, "I will ask them some questions."

"Where is Arion?" asked the king. "We do not know," said the sailors.

Then in walked Arion with his lyre! The sailors could not say a word.

The Greeks made a little bronze dolphin to remember Arion. It was a happy end for the singer.