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Utilizing the legends and stories from which Greek Mythology derive, I will attempt to inform and stimulate the mind of an eight year old child as to the pleasures of reading and knowing such fascinating mythology.
What exactly is Greek Mythology? The following was taken directly from the Encyclopedia Britannica. "Greek Mythology is a body of stories concerning the gods, heroes, and rituals of the ancient Greeks. Greek mythology has subsequently had extensive influence on the arts and literature of Western civilization, which fell heir to much of Greek culture. Although people of all countries, eras, and stages of civilization have developed myths that explain the existence and workings of natural phenomena, recount the deeds of gods or heroes, or seek to justify social or political institutions, the myths of the Greeks have remained unrivaled in the Western world as sources of imaginative and appealing ideas. Poets and artists from ancient times to the present have derived inspiration from Greek mythology and have discovered contemporary significance and relevance in classical mythological themes" (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9110628/Greek-mythology).
Although this covers the scope of what Greek Mythology means. What does it mean to young people? It means great stories with wonderful insights into morals and ideals. They are stories of good versus evil, truth versus lies and love versus fear.
All of the Greek stories that involve mythological creatures and beings come from a beginning. There are many variations and different translations of the beginning. Since every story must have a beginning. All of them say basically the following.
In the beginn ...