This myth is about a very brave young man named Cygnus and his friend Phaëton.
Phaëton was the young son of Helios, the god of the sun. Each day Helios drove his chariot across the sky, providing light and warmth to the Earth.
Phaëton’s older sisters constantly teased him, so he went to his father for help.
“Father, my sisters Prote and Clymene say that I am nothing but a little boy who will never measure up to you, our great father. What can I do to stop their taunting?”
“Phaëton, my son, to prove to your sisters that you are a fine young man, I give you my word to grant any request you desire.”
Phaëton’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Father, more than anything I want to drive your golden chariot across the sky.”
“My son,” said Helios. “That is far too dangerous a request. There must be something else you desire.”
“Father, if I were to drive your chariot, Prote and Clymene would finally give me the respect I deserve as your son.”
With great alarm, Helios realized that he had to grant Phaëton his wish, for Helios was a god and his word was law.
The next day, Phaëton and Helios looked on as the four fiery horses were hitched to Helios’ glorious chariot.
“Now Phaëton, you must hold on with all your might,” warned Helios. “These are horses like no others. They are wild and powerful beasts.”
Paying no attention to Helios’ advice, Phaëton quickly took the reins and started off. His joy of flying the mighty chariot quickly turned to panic as the horses realized that their master was not at the reins.
The horses sped out of control and dragged the fiery chariot down, scorching the Earth and creating vast deserts. The chariot wildly headed for the oceans where the intense heat began to boil the seas. Poseidon, god of the oceans, roared with anger at his now simmering oceans.
Frightened by Poseidon’s mighty yell, Phaëton pulled tightly on the reins and brought the horses so high into the sky that parts of the Earth began to freeze.
Zeus saw that the Earth would be ruined if Phaëton was allowed to continue. Zeus shot a powerful lightening bolt at Phaëton, hurling him down into the river below.
Looking on, Cygnus saw his best friend Phaëton fall into the rushing river and dove in to save him.
Zeus, so moved by Cygnus’s selfless act, turned him into a swan. Now Cygnus could easily dive beneath the river and save Phaëton. Zeus, impressed by Cygnus’s bravery, honored him by placing the constellation of the swan among the heavens.
