Rhea

My name is Rhea, and I want to tell you a story from a time when the world was very new. I was a queen, a Titaness, and my home was high in the mountains where the air was crisp and clean. My husband, Cronus, was the king of everything, but he had a secret fear that made our beautiful world feel a little less bright. He was afraid one of our children would be more powerful than him, and it made him do something very sad and selfish. This is the myth the ancient Greeks told about how a mother's cleverness and love changed everything for the gods.

Every time I had a beautiful new baby, Cronus would take them away to a place where I couldn't see them. First Hestia, then Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon. My heart ached with sadness. I loved my children more than all the stars in the sky, and I couldn't bear to lose another. I just knew I had to do something, but what? I was a powerful queen, but Cronus was the king of everything. So when I knew my next child was coming, I decided I had to be brave and clever. I went to my own mother, Gaia, who is the Earth itself, and asked for her help. “Mother,” I whispered, “you must help me save this child.” She whispered a secret plan to me, a plan to save my last baby.

When my son Zeus was born, his cries were as soft as the rustling leaves. Following our secret plan, I hid him away immediately. I flew with him to a secret cave on a green island called Crete where the air smelled of flowers. Then, I found a big, round stone, about the size of a baby, and wrapped it in a soft, warm blanket. I brought the bundled stone to Cronus. He was in such a hurry that he didn't even peek—he just took the bundle and hid it away like all the others. He never knew his real son was safe and sound on Crete, being cared for by gentle nymphs and drinking milk from a magical goat. Zeus grew up strong, fast, and brave, with the power of the sky in his hands.

When Zeus was all grown up, he came back and rescued his brothers and sisters. I was so happy I could have cried a river of joy to see all my children together at last. They went on to live on the highest mountain, Mount Olympus, and became the famous gods and goddesses that the Greek people told stories about for thousands of years. They told this story to explain how a new age of gods began, led by my brave son Zeus. My story shows that love can make you brave enough to do amazing things. It reminds everyone that even when you feel small, a clever plan and a big heart can change the world.