Phaethon

Phaethon was born to Clymene and god Phoebus- Apollo- who was not a mortal man. Phoebus used to daily ride across the world in his Sun's dazzling chariot. The lad's friends used to mock at him when he talked about his high birth.One day under his mother's instruction he sought from the heavenly sire a boon through which he would be known as of divine race.

Before dawn he came to the golden palace of Phoebus,where the purple-mantled god sat on his ivory throne,amid a rainbow sheen of jewels. The hours, the Days, the Months and all his ministers and henchmen stood around him. The seasons were all there. Spring was covered with fresh blossoms. Summer was naked and had clothes of leaves and had crowns with ears of corn. Autumn was colored by the bunches of fruit he held in his sun burnt arms. Winter was shivering who had snow-white locks.Seeing this magnificent scene Phaethon's eyes were filled with ecstasy.He did not dare to move towards the throne, but waited till his father would call him by his name.

Phoebus laid aside his crown of sun rays which mortal being could not take a gaze. He welcomed his son to the halls of the heaven and enquired what brought him from earth.As soon he heard his father's words, the beardless boy went near with a hesitation and saw the god's smiling face. He complained that many of his friends would not believe him to be Apollo's son. Hence he requested that the god give him a promise or a boon that would enable the whole world to know about his birth.

God replied that even before the world comes to know he accepts him as his son. Since he asked for a proof of favour he will grant him . He says that he swears by the Styx[river] a oath that binds even the gods.

Hence Phaethon asks that his wish was to drive the chariot of the Sun for one day.

To this request Phoebus, head started to glow with anger. He charges that as a youth who is mortal cannot do a  feat as gods have not been able to do safely. He said that Jupiter himself does not take the reins of the Sun's coursers. He also said that among all the sons of Olympus, he alone could stand firm in the burning car. he had the courage to correctly ride the fiery spiritual horses on their sloppy and gruelling path.  Hence he said that he earnestly request him to take back this dangerous boon.he further tells him to ask any thing else that is in heaven and earth . he once again swears in the name of Styx.

To this the youth was steadfast on his request and would not budge under any circumstances . Phoebus realised that none of his fatherly counsellings would deter this youth. So the lord of the Sun finally gave up. as he was bound by his oath he consented,but feared what would the final outcome if he handed over the steeds to a weak hand.

Now the time came for the daily journey. Aurora began to draw back the rosy curtains of the East. Phoebus led his son to Vulcan's masterpiece- the golden chariot that was studded with sparkling gems. It was so rich and beautiful. The vanishing stars and the fading on the Moon's horns were signal to lead out the four coursers of the Sun.The swift horses were pawing and neighing showed as they were fed with ambrosia and refreshed by the night's rest and they were ready to accomplish their accustomed task. While the swift-fingered Hours fitted on their clanking and harnessed them to the chariot -pole. Phoebus with great fondness anointed the youth with a sacred balm so that he would be able to bear the heat of his glowing course. The impatient son would not hear to the  Gods warnings.

Phoebus started to give instructions to his son. he said that he should stick to the straight path which was marked with signs of beasts. He should watch or guard while going by the horns of the Bull and the mouth of the roaring Lion. Avoid the far-stretched claws of the Scorpion or the Crab. Stay away from North Pole and South Pole. Must hold the upper arch of the sky from east to West. The safest would be the middle way.Not to sink too far down as the earth might catch fire or rise too high that might scorch the face of heaven.To spare the goad, must draw the reins tight as the horses would fly by themselves and their job was to hold them. He now requested his son to mount the chariot and to think twice in time.This ride would not earn him honour but would get punishment and destruction.He told his son to leave the chariot to him and he should be content to sit and watch its course like any other normal being.

Then Thetis drew the bar of heaven , Phaethon let the angry horses which were bound, he bade farewell to his anxious father and thanked him.

Phaethon urged that mettlesome team through the morning mists, with east wind following  to sweep him on hid proud career. But soon the swiftness took away his breath. His head began to spin as the car under his light weight shook and swayed like a keel without a blast.The fiery coursers realised that their reins were in an unpractised hand. As he was not able to control the horses started to aside and they left their wonted way. Everyone in the earth were shocked to see the chariot of the Sun speeding crookedly overhead as a flash of lightening.

Even before he could travel some distance Phaethon started to repent for his ambition. Now he wanted to wish for a boon that would save his life from this perilous honour.It was too late and now he realised how wise was his father when he had warned him.His head started to whirl, his face grew white and his knees shook as he looked to the earth and the sea beneath and the sky above.AS he did not know the names of the horses he was not able to control them.They no longer was mindful of his hand and took their own course in the sky. They pranced at their will. As they soared upwards in the sky, the clouds started to smoke. The Moon looked in dismay to see her brothers chariot being strangely guided. As the horses came near to the sea to cool themselves, they passed very close to a mountain and immediately the mountain went up in flames.

Disaster fell upon earth. Today the Sun was not in the correct course. It seemed it was rushing down like a meteor, while burning the face of nature and works of man.The grass withered;the crops were burnt.The woods went up in fire and smoke.Then bare earth beneath cracked and crumbled and the blackened rocks started to burst under the heat.The rivers dried up and fled back to their hidden fountains. The lakes began to boil. The sea sank in its bed. The fishes lay gasping for breath on the shore.

Poseidon thrice raised his head and thrice plunged back into his waves unable to bear the deadly glow.Scythia was not shielded by its frosts. Caucasus was not shielded by its snows.Mighty Atlas let the red-hot world fall from his shoulders. It is said that on this day negroes were burnt to black. One stretch of land became a sandy desert where men nor animals could live.. The whole world was destroyed by the Sun's charioteer. Calamity fell on man.

Now Phaethon had given up all hopes to check or guide the chariot.As he was not able to hold the reins and guide, he threw the reins fell on his knees and started to pray to his father.His prayer went unanswered due to the cry that came from the earth and called upon the heaven to save mankind from destruction.

The cry was so powerful that all powerful Zeus who was sleeping during the noonday hour, quickly woke up and raised to see what had befallen. He snatched a thunderbolt which was ready in his hand and hurled at the smoky air  and struck the senseless Phaethon. As he was not able to control himself, he fell down with his dashing locks. It was like a falling star that would land on the river Eridanus. The horses of the Sun shook off their yokes and broke loose in their stalls in the sky. This indicated that night had set in.The earth was still flickering like fire because of the folly of Phaethon.

So on that fateful day the son of Phoebus-Apollo came to an end because he did not listen to his fathers warnings. But there were some who came to mourn for his loss. The nymphs of the Eridanus gave him a burial on its banks. His mother  who was struck with grief came to pour her hearts blood in sorrow. His three sisters wept bitterly and they pietyed. Gods changed them into trees that started to drop tears of amber upon the water. His friend Cygnus dived into the river to gather Phaethon's charred body parts,he pined in grief and finally he was granted to haunt the stream in the shape of a swan.