Ra Sails the Sky

Part One

People in Egypt told a story about the sun. They said it was a golden boat.

A sailor named Ra sailed the boat. Each morning, it rose over the river.

Up, up, up went the boat. Ra sailed high in the blue sky.

Down below, farmers waved at the light. The corn grew warm and green.

Then the sky turned red. The boat slid down behind the hills.

Now it was night. Ra's boat sailed on, down a dark river.

It was very, very dark. But the golden boat had a bright glow.

Helpers pulled the boat with a long rope. Slowly, slowly, it moved on.

Then a huge snake rose up. His name was Apep, and he did not like light.

Apep curled across the river. "Stop!" he hissed. "No more morning for you!"

But Ra's crew was brave. They shouted, and the bright light shone on the snake.

Apep slid back into the dark. He was driven off, and nobody was hurt.

The boat sailed on and on. The sky turned pink and gold.

The sun came up! People in Egypt smiled. The night had ended, as it always did.