The Fall of Troy
The night sky glowed red over Troy. Flames leaped from building to building as Prince Aeneas ran through the streets. His heart pounded in his chest.
"Something is very wrong," he whispered.
Just hours ago, the Greeks had left a huge wooden horse outside Troy's walls. The Trojans thought it was a gift. They pulled it into their city to celebrate winning the long war. But it was all a trick.
Greek soldiers had been hiding inside the horse! While the people of Troy slept, the Greeks snuck out and opened the city gates. Now enemy warriors were everywhere.
Aeneas was a brave warrior prince. He had fought for Troy for many years. But now his beloved city was falling. He could hear screams and clashing swords in every direction.
"Father! Ascanius!" he called out. He had to find his family.
His young son Ascanius came running. "Papa! The Greeks are burning everything!"
Aeneas hugged his son tight. "Where is your grandfather?"
"At home! He won't leave!"
They raced through the burning streets to find Anchises, Aeneas's elderly father. The old man sat stubbornly in his chair.
"I'm too old to run," Anchises said. "Save yourselves!"
But Aeneas wouldn't leave without him. He was strong from years of fighting. He lifted his father onto his broad shoulders.
"Hold tight, Father. Ascanius, stay close to me. We must escape!"
A Divine Message
As they prepared to flee, something amazing happened. A bright light filled the room. It was Venus, Aeneas's mother! She was a goddess who watched over him.
"My son," she said in a voice like music. "You must lead your people to safety. The gods have big plans for you. One day, you will build a new city that will become the greatest empire ever known!"
Aeneas's eyes went wide. "But how, Mother? Troy is falling!"
"Trust in the gods. Now go! And take the sacred objects of Troy with you. They must be saved!"
The goddess vanished. Aeneas quickly gathered the special statues of Troy's gods. These would help protect them on their journey.
Racing Against Time
Carrying his father and leading his son, Aeneas ran through the burning city. More Trojans joined them – families trying to escape the Greeks.
"Follow me!" Aeneas called out. "We'll find safety together!"
They made their way to the city gates. The night was chaos!
- Burning arrows flew through the air
- Buildings crashed down around them
- Greek soldiers chased fleeing Trojans
- Smoke made it hard to see and breathe
But Aeneas was brave and strong. He protected his group, fighting off any Greeks who got too close. His sword flashed in the firelight.
"Stay together!" he shouted to his people. "We must reach the hills!"
As they fled into the dark countryside, Aeneas looked back one last time. Troy, the mighty city he loved, was disappearing in flames and smoke. Tears rolled down his face.
But he remembered his mother's words. This wasn't the end – it was a beginning. Somewhere far away, a new home waited for them. They just had to be brave enough to find it.
"Come," he said to his worried people. "We have a long journey ahead."
The group of survivors moved into the darkness, away from their burning city. They didn't know where they were going. But they trusted Aeneas to lead them to safety. A great adventure was just beginning!
Racing Through Flames
The stars were hidden by smoke as Aeneas led his people through Troy’s burning streets. On his back, his father Anchises held the sacred statues of their gods. Little Ascanius ran beside them, trying to keep up.
“Hurry!” Aeneas called to the group of survivors behind him. “We must reach the ships before dawn!”
His wife Creusa was somewhere in the crowd. He kept looking back, trying to spot her in the chaos.
The Desperate Escape
Fire was everywhere! The heat made their faces sweat. Smoke stung their eyes. But they couldn’t stop running.
“Papa, I’m scared,” Ascanius whispered.
“Stay close, my son,” Aeneas replied. “We’re almost to the city gates.”
More families joined them as they ran. Some carried babies. Others helped elderly relatives walk. Everyone was trying to save what they could from their homes.
- Some carried food for the journey
- Others brought warm blankets
- Many just had the clothes they wore
- A few brought family treasures
A Terrible Discovery
Finally, they reached the city gates. Aeneas counted heads, making sure everyone was there. But something was wrong.
“Where is Creusa?” he asked. “Has anyone seen my wife?”
No one had. In all the confusion, she had disappeared!
“Father, watch Ascanius,” Aeneas said. “I must go back!”
He ran back into the burning city, calling her name. “Creusa! CREUSA!”
The streets were dangerous now. Greek soldiers were everywhere. But Aeneas didn’t care. He had to find her!
A Ghostly Goodbye
Then, in a quiet courtyard, something strange happened. A soft light appeared. It was Creusa’s ghost!
“My dear husband,” she said gently. “Don’t look for me anymore. The gods have other plans.”
Aeneas tried to hug her, but his arms went right through her.
“You must go on without me,” Creusa’s ghost said. “Take care of our son. Lead our people to their new home. That is your special job now.”
Then she faded away like morning mist. Aeneas stood there, tears running down his face.
The Journey Begins
Aeneas returned to the gates. His people were waiting. They could see how sad he was, but no one asked about Creusa. They understood.
“We must reach the ships,” he said. “The journey ahead is long.”
Little Ascanius took his hand. “Where will we go, Papa?”
“Somewhere safe,” Aeneas answered. “Somewhere we can build a new home.”
As the sun rose, they walked down to the beach where their ships waited. Behind them, Troy burned. But ahead of them was hope for a new future.
They didn’t know it yet, but this was just the start of their big adventure. The gods had special plans for Aeneas and his brave Trojans. They would face many more challenges. But together, they would find their way to a new home.
Stormy Seas Ahead
The morning sun sparkled on the waves as Aeneas’s ships sailed away from Troy. But the calm weather wouldn’t last long!
Angry Juno
Up in the clouds, the goddess Juno was mad. She didn’t want the Trojans to find a new home.
“I’ll make their journey hard!” she said with a frown. She called her friend, the wind god Aeolus.
“Send your biggest storm!” she ordered.
The Big Storm
Dark clouds rolled in. The wind started to howl. Huge waves crashed against the ships!
“Hold on tight!” Aeneas shouted to everyone. “Stay brave!”
Little Ascanius hugged his father. “I’m not scared, Papa,” he said, but his voice shook.
The ships bounced up and down like toys in a bathtub. Rain poured down. Lightning flashed across the sky! ⚡
Working Together
The Trojans didn’t give up. They worked as a team:
- Some pulled on ropes to control the sails
- Others used buckets to scoop out water
- The strongest rowed against the waves
- Everyone helped each other stay safe
A Helper Arrives
Just when things looked worst, help came! Neptune, the god of the sea, saw what was happening.
“This is my ocean!” he said. “Juno can’t make storms here!”
He raised his magic trident. The waves got smaller. The wind calmed down. The clouds went away. ☀️
Finding Land
“Look!” someone shouted. “Land ahead!”
Everyone cheered. After the scary storm, they needed rest.
“We’ll stop there,” Aeneas said. “But remember, this isn’t our final home. The gods have bigger plans for us.”
As they sailed toward the beach, Aeneas thought about everything they’d been through. They’d lost their old home. They’d faced a terrible storm. But they were still together. Still strong.
“Maybe we’re stronger than we knew,” he said to himself.
Beach Camp
Soon they were on the beach. Everyone helped set up camp:
“I’ll get firewood!” called one person.
“We’ll catch fish!” said others.
“I’ll tell stories!” offered an old man.
That night, sitting around campfires, the Trojans felt better. Yes, they were far from home. Yes, they faced more challenges. But they had each other. And sometimes, that’s the most important thing of all.
As stars came out, Aeneas watched his people. They were tired but happy. They were learning to be brave in new ways. Tomorrow they would sail again, ready for whatever came next.
Love and Duty in Carthage
The Trojans sailed into a beautiful harbor. Tall buildings sparkled in the sun. This was Carthage, and its queen was named Dido.
A Warm Welcome
Queen Dido stood at her palace gates. She wore a purple dress and a golden crown.
“Welcome, brave travelers!” she said with a smile. “You must be tired. Please stay and rest.”
Aeneas bowed. “Thank you, kind queen. We’ve come far from Troy.”
New Friends
Days passed happily in Carthage. Little Ascanius played in the palace gardens. The Trojans helped build new buildings. Queen Dido showed Aeneas her whole city.
“Tell me about Troy,” Dido asked one evening.
Aeneas told her everything – the wooden horse, the fire, the escape. Dido listened with tears in her eyes.
“You are so brave,” she said softly.
Growing Love
Aeneas and Dido spent more and more time together:
- They walked in the gardens
- They watched the sunset
- They shared stories and laughs
- They helped take care of their people
Soon, they fell in love.
A Divine Message
But one day, Mercury, the messenger god, appeared to Aeneas.
“The gods are not happy,” Mercury said. “You’re forgetting your mission! You must go to Italy and build a new city.”
Aeneas felt very sad. He loved Dido, but he had a big job to do.
Hard Choices
“I must leave,” Aeneas told Dido.
“Please stay!” she cried. “We can build a great city together here!”
But Aeneas knew his destiny was in Italy. With a heavy heart, he ordered his ships made ready.
Saying Goodbye
The morning they left was grey and cloudy. Dido wouldn’t come to say goodbye. The Trojans loaded their ships quietly.
“Papa,” Ascanius asked, “why are we leaving our friends?”
Aeneas hugged his son. “Sometimes being a leader means making hard choices,” he said.
As they sailed away, Aeneas watched Carthage fade into the distance. He would always remember the kind queen and the city where they found friendship during their long journey.
The sea stretched ahead, leading them toward Italy and their destiny. But none of them would ever forget their time in Carthage.
Battles in a New Land
The Trojan ships finally reached Italy! The sun was bright, and green hills rolled down to the sea.
First Steps in Italy
Aeneas jumped onto the beach. “At last!” he smiled. “This is our new home!”
Little Ascanius ran in the sand. “Look, Papa! These shells are different from Troy’s!”
Meeting the Neighbors
Soon, they met people who already lived there. King Latinus ruled these lands.
“Who are you?” the king asked.
“We are Trojans,” Aeneas said. “We seek a new home.”
King Latinus smiled. “The gods told me you would come! You can stay.”
Not Everyone Was Happy
But Prince Turnus, who lived nearby, got very angry. He wanted to marry the king’s daughter and didn’t like the new visitors.
“These strangers must leave!” Turnus shouted. He gathered his warriors.
The things that made Turnus angry were:
- New people in his land
- The king being nice to Aeneas
- The prophecy about Trojans
- Having to share the land
Getting Ready to Fight
Aeneas didn’t want to fight. He tried to talk to Turnus.
“We can share this big land,” Aeneas said. “Let’s be friends!”
But Turnus wouldn’t listen.
Building a Camp
The Trojans worked fast to build a safe place:
“Build the walls high!” Aeneas told his people.
“Make homes for everyone!” called Ascanius.
Help from Friends
Some Italian people liked the Trojans. They brought food and helped build.
“We will stand with you,” they said.
Aeneas was happy to make new friends. He knew they would need help to build their new home.
A Big Promise
One night, Aeneas looked at the stars. He remembered all their long journey.
“We will build something special here,” he told Ascanius. “A place where everyone can live in peace.”
The little boy nodded. “Will it be as nice as Troy?”
“It will be different,” Aeneas said. “But just as wonderful.”
As they worked and waited, the Trojans knew big changes were coming. But they were ready. They had come too far to give up now.
A New Home at Last
The morning sun rose over the Italian hills. Today would change everything!
The Final Battle
Aeneas and Turnus met on the battlefield. Both armies watched and waited.
“We can end this without more fighting,” Aeneas said kindly.
But Turnus shook his head. “Only one of us can stay.”
Peace at Last
The fight was hard, but Aeneas won! Instead of being mean, he was kind to those who fought against him.
“Let’s all live together in peace,” he said. His new friends cheered.
Even those who didn’t like the Trojans before saw that Aeneas was good and fair.
Building Their Dream
The Trojans started building their new city. Everyone helped:
“Pass me those stones!” called one worker.
“Look at the walls growing taller!” laughed another.
Little Ascanius helped too. “This will be the best city ever, Papa!”
A Happy Mix
The best part? The Trojans and Italians became one big family! They:
- Shared their food and stories
- Learned each other’s ways
- Made new traditions together
- Built a stronger community
Looking to Tomorrow
Aeneas stood on a hill, watching his people work. Ascanius joined him.
“Are you happy, Papa?”
Aeneas smiled. “Yes, my son. We found more than just a new home. We found hope.”
Many years later, people would tell stories about brave Aeneas and his friends. They remembered how the Trojans never gave up, even when things were hard.
Their new city grew bigger and stronger. The children of Troy and Italy played together, grew up together, and built a mighty nation together.
And so, the story of Aeneas teaches us that sometimes the hardest journeys lead to the most wonderful places. When we’re brave and kind, amazing things can happen!