The story of Theseus and the Minotaur is well known. The following story is true to the myth, but is from Thesues' point of view.

Theseus and the Minotaur

by Daniel Rattner
The Minotaur was a half-man half-bull monster owned by King Minos. Twice a year people had to pay a tribute to feed the monster.

I stood on the stone balcony over looking the sea. I sighed and looked out at the water in front of him. I am at my father’s palace tomorrow I will venture to Crete. “You don’t have to do this son” said my father the king stepping out on to the balcony. “I know father but I must, I must liberate our city from this terrible tribute” I replied and walked inside and got into bed. Poseidon please give my son safe passage to Crete, the king prayed silently gripping the railing.

The next morning I boarded the ship. My father came to say goodbye and he told his son that if he returned successfully to raise a white sail. A tear stung at my eye but I didn’t cry. I was a day away from Crete, the other victims and me stared out at the water and the blank sky. I wondered what was to become of what was my fate? All of a sudden an island loomed in front of us, and a giant palace topped the land. Towers rose up to the sky with floors, piled on floors and scattered balconies and terraces. Scores of pillars shaped like bull horns held up the roofs. In the center was a courtyard and there were gardens and fields galore. Surrounding the beautiful palace were tiny houses with men working in the fields growing wheat and fruits. The graceful ship docked at the island as Eos was touching the sky with her rosy fingertips.

We entered the palace and were led to a room were a king sat on the throne he was no other than King Minos. So this is the terrible king I thought, I gritted my teeth and stared at the man. At his side were his beautiful daughters Ariadne and Phaedra. “So these are the little victims?” growled King Minos. “I am Theseus of Athens and I will kill the Minotaur!” I said my anger boiling up inside me. Ariadne turned to look at the owner of the voice and she saw a dark skinned strong and handsome young man and she fell in love with him. “You will go first brat!” King Mines spat at me.

That night I slept in the jail; I kept on waking up as I could not sleep. Just then a figure slid to my cell window. “I will help you Theseus of Athens.” The girl removed her hood and revealed herself. She was beautiful but then I realized that I had seen that face before. “You’re –“ I started. “Shhh!” she cautioned. “I am Ariadne, daughter of King Minos. Tomorrow you enter the labyrinth I will be there waiting for you.” And without another word she slipped away.

The next day I was awakened when two guards grabbed me and pulled me into the palace. We went down flights of stairs going through corridors and passageways until finally we reached a flight of stairs. The guards pushed me forward and then left. From the shadows out slipped Ariadne. “Theseus, Daedalus has given me this; it will help you find your way back I will hold on to one end and put the ball of thread in front of you, it will lead you to the Minotaur.” “Thank you.” I said gratefully and crept down the stairs following the ball of thread.

I went down and down, pools of water were scattered along the paths and bits of rock hung over me. I got down to an area that was completely grassy. As I pushed my way through the tall grass I stumbled upon the lair of the Minotaur. The hideous beast was sleeping. Mustering all my strength I yelled and charged at the monster. He woke and saw me charging him. I leapt on him stunning him and ripped a horn from his head. The brute slashed at my chest and threw me, I landed on the ground. Dazed I lay there. The half-bull half-man creature leapt up and was ready to finish me off. I rolled over and the monster smashed into the ground. I jumped on him and taking the horn I stabbed into his back. The monster hit me in the face. Blood was poring from my forehead and nose and there were deep scratches along my body. Blood poured from the Minotaur’s back. I jumped off him as he managed to stand and flew at him strangling him to death with my bare hands. Blood was pouring all over me. I don’t know how but I managed to escape the labyrinth where I fell into Ariadne’s arms. We escaped, taking the rest of the prisoners with us. We destroyed the evil King’s boats so they could not catch us.

Meanwhile at the palace King Minos had learned of the Minotaur’s death and was furious. “Get the prisoners!” “They’ve escaped sire!” informed a guard. Minos cursed under his breath and screamed, “Well follow them!” The boats could not sail and King Minos stood on the beach defeated.

I was extremely happy, I had a new bride, I had freed my city from the awful tribute, defeated Minos and was to become king. That night I slept out on the deck. In my dream Dionysus stood there. “You must leave Ariadne I have chosen her!” he demanded. In the morning when I woke up I remembered the dream. When I reached the island Naxos Ariadne was still sleeping. I set the sleeping Ariadne down on the island and sailed away, tears stinging at my eyes. In my grief I forgot to raise the white sail and my father jumped from the cliffs killing himself. I became a sad and lonely ruler. The two people dearest to me were gone, but I have always kept the ball of thread that was given to me by Ariadne.
THE END