Atalanta and the Three Apples

Part One · The Runner

In Greece, there was a girl named Atalanta. When she was a baby, a mother bear found her. Then hunters took her in.

In the woods, she learned to hunt with a bow. She also learned to run. She ran so fast that the deer paused to watch.

One day, Atalanta made a rule. "Beat me in a race," she said. "Then I will be your friend for life."

Young men came from towns near and far. They raced her, one at a time. Atalanta won every race.

Part Two · The Gift

A boy named Hippomenes came to watch. He saw Atalanta run, and he was amazed. "I will race her," he said.

Atalanta smiled at him kindly. "Go home, you will lose," she said. But Hippomenes stayed right where he was.

That night, he asked the goddess Aphrodite for help. "I cannot run as fast as she can," he said. The goddess heard him.

She gave him three apples made of gold. Each one glittered in his hand. "Drop them in front of her," she whispered.

Part Three · The Race

The next day, people lined the track. The two runners stood side by side. Then they were off!

Atalanta shot ahead. Hippomenes rolled the first apple. It flashed, and she stopped to get it.

Hippomenes ran past her. But Atalanta was so fast that she soon caught up. So he rolled the second apple.

Again she stopped. Again he ran ahead. Then he tossed the last apple into the grass.

Atalanta looked at the apple, and she looked at Hippomenes. Then she went to get it. Hippomenes crossed the line first.

Atalanta shook his hand. "Well run," she said, with a laugh. They became friends, and she kept on running.