Epic of Gilgamesh

Before I had a name, I was a feeling—the gentle press of a reed into soft, wet clay. I was born in a sun-drenched land called Mesopotamia, thousands of years ago, around the year 2100 BCE. Scribes would sit in the shade and carve my words, which looked like little wedge-shaped pictures, telling a story of a mighty king, a wild-hearted friend, and amazing adventures. I am one of the first great stories ever told. I am the Epic of Gilgamesh.

My story is about a king named Gilgamesh. He was the ruler of a great city called Uruk, and he was so strong. But he was also a little lonely. So the gods sent him a friend, Enkidu, who grew up in the wilderness with the animals. At first they fought, but soon they became the best of friends. Together, they went on incredible journeys, like traveling to the Cedar Forest to face a scary monster named Humbaba. Their friendship made them both brave and kind. For many centuries, from Sumerian to Babylonian times, storytellers and scribes added to my tale. One famous scribe, Sîn-lēqi-unninni, gathered all my pieces together into one grand adventure around the year 1300 BCE.

For thousands of years, I was lost. The clay tablets I was written on were buried deep under the sand as cities crumbled and were forgotten. I slept silently, holding my story of friendship and adventure. Then, one day in 1853, explorers digging in the ancient city of Nineveh found the library of a king named Ashurbanipal. And there I was. They carefully brushed the dust off my clay pieces and began to fit me together like a giant puzzle. After so long, my voice could be heard again.

Today, you can find me in books all over the world. Even though I am thousands of years old, my story feels new because it’s about things that are still important: being a good friend, finding courage you didn't know you had, and going on adventures. I show that even from the beginning of time, people have always wanted to share stories that make them feel brave and connected. And I hope my tale of Gilgamesh and Enkidu reminds you that the greatest adventure of all is having a friend by your side.