Long, long ago in ancient Greece, high above the clouds, there lived the most wonderful horse in all the world. His name was Pegasus, and he had great white wings that spread wide like an eagle's. Every morning, he flew across the sky, his silver hooves flashing in the sunlight.
Down below, a young hero named Bellerophon watched Pegasus soar and dreamed of riding him. 'If only I could fly on that magnificent horse,' he sighed. 'Together we could do anything!' But Pegasus was wild and free, and no one had ever touched him.
That night, the goddess Athena appeared in Bellerophon's dream. She held out a bridle made of pure shining gold. 'Take this golden bridle,' she said with a smile. 'Find Pegasus at the spring where he drinks at dawn, and he will let you ride him.' When Bellerophon woke, the golden bridle lay beside his pillow!
At first light, Bellerophon crept to the spring among the olive trees. There stood Pegasus, dipping his velvet nose into the clear water. His great wings were folded against his sides, and droplets sparkled on his white coat like diamonds.
Bellerophon held out the golden bridle gently. Pegasus raised his head and looked at the young hero with wise blue eyes. Then, to Bellerophon's amazement, the great horse stepped forward and lowered his head right into the bridle. The golden halter glowed softly, and Pegasus nickered as if to say, 'I've been waiting for you.'
Bellerophon climbed onto Pegasus's broad back, and with one mighty leap, they were in the air! Up, up they flew, above the treetops, above the mountains, into the bright blue sky. The wind sang in Bellerophon's ears, and Pegasus's wings beat like thunder. 'We're flying!' shouted Bellerophon with joy.
Together, Bellerophon and Pegasus became the greatest heroes in all of Greece. When a terrible fire-breathing monster called the Chimera frightened the villages, brave Bellerophon and swift Pegasus swooped down from the sky and chased it far, far away. The people cheered and celebrated.
'Hooray for Bellerophon! Hooray for Pegasus!' the people sang. They gave Bellerophon a golden crown and held feasts in his honor. Bellerophon's chest swelled with pride. 'I am the greatest hero who ever lived!' he thought. 'Even the gods on Mount Olympus should welcome me!'
One morning, Bellerophon tugged Pegasus's reins and pointed straight up. 'Take me to Mount Olympus, Pegasus! I belong with the gods!' Pegasus shook his great head — he knew this was wrong. But Bellerophon kicked his heels, and the faithful horse began to climb higher and higher into the sky.
Zeus, the king of the gods, looked down from his cloudy throne and frowned. 'That young man has forgotten his place,' he said. He sent a tiny fly to buzz around Pegasus's nose. The fly stung Pegasus, and the great horse bucked — and Bellerophon tumbled off, falling through the clouds all the way down to a soft field of flowers below.
Bellerophon landed with a thump but was not hurt. He sat up in the flowers and watched Pegasus fly higher and higher until he disappeared among the stars. 'I was too proud,' whispered Bellerophon sadly. 'I should have been thankful for what I had, instead of wanting more.'
And Pegasus? Zeus loved the noble horse so much that he placed him in the sky forever. If you look up on a clear night, you can still see Pegasus galloping among the stars — his silver wings spread wide, his mane streaming behind him, forever free and forever flying across the heavens.
