M4W2 SCR

Characters NARRATOR CITY LEADER CITIZEN 1 CITIZEN 2 CITIZEN 3 POSEIDON, god of the sea ATHENA, goddess of wisdom

NARRATOR: A group of people stood on a hilltop in Greece trying to choose a name for their new city.

CITY LEADER: Thank you all for joining me here today. From this hill, we have a great view of the place that will shape our futures.

CITIZEN 1: Let’s name it Rockview.

CITIZEN 2: No. How about Hilltop?

CITIZEN 3: I’ve got it—Rockview-Hilltop?

NARRATOR: The disappointed City Leader looked up to the sky.

CITY LEADER: Those are all very . . . er, good . . . suggestions, but since this is such an important decision, let’s call upon the gods for help.

NARRATOR: Poseidon, god of the sea, and Athena, goddess of wisdom, appeared before them.

CITY LEADER: Thank you for coming, powerful ones. Please help us choose a name for our fair city.

POSEIDON: That is easy. Name it after me.

ATHENA: Not so fast, Poseidon. Explain to the good people why they should name their city for you.

POSEIDON: Well . . . because of THIS!

NARRATOR: The god of the sea hurled his forked spear across the hill. Water gushed out in a stream from the place where it had landed.

POSEIDON: Behold, this stream will reach the sea, which will carry trade ships and make you all rich and powerful. I like the sound of Poseidon, I think.

NARRATOR: The people turned to each other with eyes sparkling, smiling happily at their good fortune.

ATHENA: Very nice, Poseidon. But the water is as salty as the sea that you rule. Let the people hear my idea.

POSEIDON: Do you think they will choose your gift over mine? Ha, that is rich! Go ahead, we are all waiting breathlessly.

NARRATOR: Poseidon stood back, smiling, and Athena continued calmly.

ATHENA: It is my great honor to present my gift to the people.

NARRATOR: She tapped the rock with her toe, took a deep breath, and blew gently on the ground. A tiny tree with silvery leaves appeared.

POSEIDON: Ha! A tiny little twig. Let’s review the choices: a gift that will make you rich and powerful or . . . a skinny tree. All praise to Athena!

ATHENA: Slow down, Poseidon.

NARRATOR: The crowd gasped as the twig filled out before their eyes, becoming a full- grown olive tree. It was the first olive tree the people had ever seen.

ATHENA: I will give a gift that will keep growing. This tree will grow throughout your land. It will give food to eat, wood for your ships, soap for your skin, and oil for cooking and lighting lamps. Oh, yes, and each tree will grow thousands of olives for trade.

POSEIDON: I feel all green and glowing just thinking about it. Nice try, Athena.

ATHENA: I agree. So now we must let the citizens decide.

NARRATOR: The people looked gratefully upon both gifts and met privately in a small circle to make their decision. Finally, the City Leader stepped forward.

CITY LEADER: Poseidon, we are thankful for your gift of sea trade, as it is very important.

POSEIDON: I knew it! Good decision.

CITY LEADER: But we feel that the gifts from the olive tree are most important, as we wouldn’t be able to build boats or travel the seas without them. So, we have decided to name our city in honor of Athena.

NARRATOR: Poseidon muttered under his breath, dug his spear into the rock, and disappeared.

ATHENA: Thank you all. From this beautiful spot, I shall proudly keep watch over my city, Athens.

NARRATOR: And she did.