The Trojan War, Retold by Haley

Long ago in the land of Greece, King Menelaus awoke to find that his wife, the beautiful queen Helen, was gone. It was not long until a servant rushed into his chamber with news of the princess Helen. This news rapidly depleted any calmness that the king might have had minutes ago. Secretly, the princess had boarded a ship with the Prince of Troy at midnight, and had been seen by one of the king’s servants. Some time before, the young prince, had come to the palace saying he was passing through and had heard of Menelaus’ hospitality. Now Menelaus knew the real reason he had come -- to view the renowned beauty of his wife Helen. Seeing that he was young and handsome, Helen had become enchanted with the Trojan and together they fled for Troy. Menelaus quickly jumped into action. He summoned his brother, the High King, and all the great men of Greece and sailed to Troy. They surrounded the city. They plotted its destruction. They waited for victory.

For ten long years, the Greeks waited. There were countless attempts to get through Troy’s walls. Each time they failed. Finally, Odysseus, one of the Greek leaders, had an ingenious idea. If his plan worked, they would have Helen back within a few days and the ten years of waiting would not have been in vain. He suggested that they cut 50 tall trees to build a wall to hide their work. Then he ordered a colossal, hollow, wooden horse made on wheels. A couple nights later Odysseus took 30 men and silently crept inside the wooden horse. The rest of the Greek soldiers sailed to a nearby Island and prepared for the battle. Hiding in the shadows, a Greek warrior awaited the time to give the signal to the ships.

When the Trojans arose the next morning, there was a grand celebration. The Greeks had surrendered! It was all very baffling. For ten years, the Greeks had persevered. Then, miraculously and mysteriously, they just packed their bags and sailed away! They left a great wooden horse with a message that said, “For their return home the Greeks offer this to the goddess Athena.” With great shouts of joy, the Trojans wheeled the horse into the city and feasted. From her terrace in the palace, Helen looked out of her window and cried softly, “Oh, Menelaus.” For now she regretted the scandal which she had caused and longed to be with her true husband. “What have I done!” she murmured. That night the Greeks sailed back to Troy, and Odysseus and his men crept out of the horse to open the gates. The Trojans were still celebrating and oblivious to the Greek warriors sneaking around in the shadows – not until they attacked anyway. There was a horrible battle and little by little the Trojans were driven back and the city destroyed. Helen and Menelaus happily sailed back to Greece as if nothing was between them.