Vulcan did not want to make the chains. But Jupiter was the king of the gods. Everyone obeyed him. The chains were made. Vulcan dragged them to the rock. Jupiter already had Prometheus waiting there. "I am sorry, Prometheus," said Vulcan sadly.

Mercury was the messenger of the gods. He wore a cap and shoes with wings. The wings carried him swiftly from one end of the earth to the other. We still use Mercury's name today in many ways. Another god was Vulcan, who made spears and shields with armor. He had a work shop underground. Great fires burned in his dark caves. Vulcan made things for the gods and people of the earth.

Prometheus did not like to see them suffer. "What can I do to help them?" he said. "Jupiter will not let man have fire. If something isn't done they will die. I know. I'll go ask Vulcan to see if he will help."

"I'll find out for myself," roared Jupiter. He rushed down to the earth. Straight to Vulcan he went. Breaking through the door he shouted, "Did you give those people fire? If you did I shall punish you!" Vulcan did not want to tell. He did not answer.

Wild animals were frightened away. The people on earth were happy with the fire. They were very thankful to Prometheus. Prometheus was happy, too. But not for long. Jupiter soon saw the fires burning on the earth. He was very angry.

Wild animals were frightened away. The people on earth were happy with the fire. They were very thankful to Prometheus. Prometheus was happy, too. But not for long. Jupiter soon saw the fires burning on the earth. He was very angry.

Turning, he whispered, "Thanks, Vulcan. You are a good friend." He ran quickly up the steps. He showed his friends on earth how to use the fire. They built fires to keep warm. They learned to cook their food.

"I cannot give you the fire, Prometheus. You know that. But why don't you stay awhile? You can look around. I must get back to work." He winked at Prometheus. Turning his back, he went to work. Prometheus knew what he meant. Vulcan would say nothing if Prometheus took some fire. But he could not give it to him.

Knocking on the door he called, "Vulcan, open the door. It's Prometheus." The hammering stopped. The door opened. Vulcan, wearing a leather apron, stood before him. "What do you want here, Prometheus?" You are a long way from Olympus. Can I do something for you?"

"Only the gods have fire!" he shouted. "It is not for people on earth. How did they get fire? Who gave it to them?" No one would tell. Each of the gods was asked about it. No one knew who had given the fire.

"I came to ask a favor. The people on earth are my friends. It is winter there. They have no heat. They will freeze to death if they don't get help. I know that fire belongs only to the gods. They will not give it to anyone else. That's why I came to you. Can I take some fire from your shop? No one will know."

Jupiter was king of the gods. Usually the gods and goddesses did what he told them to do. But once a god did not obey Jupiter. His name is Prometheus. This is his story. Prometheus was very much interested in the earth. He loved its people. Often he sat on Mt. Olympus and watched them. When winter came he saw that they were unhappy. The people had no way to keep warm.

Jupiter was king of the gods. Usually the gods and goddesses did what he told them to do. But once a god did not obey Jupiter. His name is Prometheus. This is his story. Prometheus was very much interested in the earth. He loved its people. Often he sat on Mt. Olympus and watched them. When winter came he saw that they were unhappy. The people had no way to keep warm.

Jupiter was king of the gods. Usually the gods and goddesses did what he told them to do. But once a god did not obey Jupiter. His name is Prometheus. This is his story. Prometheus was very much interested in the earth. He loved its people. Often he sat on Mt. Olympus and watched them. When winter came he saw that they were unhappy. The people had no way to keep warm.

Jupiter was king of the gods. Usually the gods and goddesses did what he told them to do. But once a god did not obey Jupiter. His name is Prometheus. This is his story. Prometheus was very much interested in the earth. He loved its people. Often he sat on Mt. Olympus and watched them. When winter came he saw that they were unhappy. The people had no way to keep warm.

...and it will then take me time to get back to where I was.