Once upon a time, a long time ago, there lived a talented artist. His name was Daedalus. He used his art to make buildings and castles. He was the best architect of his time.
King Minos invited Daedalus to the beautiful island of Crete.
The king wanted him to build a maze, as a home for the king’s pet, the Minotaur.
The Minotaur was a horrible monster, with the head of a bull on a human body. The king loved that monster and wanted him to have a good home.
Daedalus was surprised at the king’s pet, but a job was a job. Daedalus planned to make the maze so that people could not find the way out. They needed somebody’s help to go out.
The King liked that idea. Daedalus really was a fine architect. Daedalus brought his young son Icarus with him. He wanted the child to enjoy swimming and playing with the other children on the island. Both Daedalus and Icarus were happy to live on the island.

King Minos was happy with his maze. It was quiet and wonderful on the island.
One day, a group of Greek boys sailed to the island. They killed Minotaur and sailed away, taking with them the king’s daughter. King Minos was very unhappy. He did not know how the people could go out of the maze without help from someone. King Minos decided that Daedalus and his young son Icarus must stay on the island of Crete.
Daedalus tried to think of ways of how to go home. One day, Daedalus noticed birds flying in the sky. It gave him an idea. Wings! He needed wings.
Daedalus began to collect all the bird feathers he could find. He collected them together with wax. When two pairs of wings were ready, he told his young son not to fly too close to the sun or the wax could melt.
Daedalus fixed the wings to their arms. They opened their wings and flew to the sky. They left the island of Crete far behind them. Water was under them as far as they could see. The sky was blue. It was amazing!
Icarus flew higher and higher. He flew so high that the sun began to melt the wax on his wings.
Icarus was falling down. He worked with his arms faster and faster. But it was no use. Poor Icarus fell into the water. Sadly, Daedalus went on alone.