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When I was in fifth grade, I found it impossible to sit still during class. I fidgeted at my desk as the clock ticked slowly and loudly toward three o'clock and freedom. I didn't pay much attention to the teacher, except for the few minutes at the end of each day when she set aside math and science to read from The Odyssey.
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Apart from recess, this was my only moment of joy during the long school day. As my teacher read, the clock disappeared and the chalkboard vanished. Instead of fighting fractions and verbs in the classroom, I was on board a Greek ship, sailing mythical oceans, battling witch's one-eyed monsters, and demons—trying to find my way home with brave Odysseus, the wily hero of Homers' epic.
Don't Know Much ® About World Myths includes a wealth of these remarkable, ancient stories of gods and goddesses, spirits and supernatural monsters, great heroes and heroines. These myths include battles, quests and romances: like the tales we enjoy today, they are filled with excitement, danger, courage, loyalty, friendship and love.
Besides reading myths for entertainment, we can read myths to learn more about the past. Almost every culture in the world has a collection of stories about its origin, history, ancestors, gods and heroes. Some myths served as an early form of history. Others explained nature before science gave us reasons. This shaped how people lived every day for three thousand years. This book is mostly about the ancient stories behind those beliefs. But some of these ancient stories live in religions today, like Hinduism in India. It is important to remember that people have believed different things throughout history. Welcome to the wonderful world of mythology!
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