1. Story
Gods/Mortals
Moral/Purpose
Real World
“Apollo’s Tree”
Cupid—seeks revenge on Apollo with his powers
Apollo—dismisses Cupid and thinks he is a better archer
Daphne—struck by arrow, never to fall in love; turned into a Laurel tree
Respect the abilities of others; don’t be boastful or arrogant
Cupid—symbol of Valentine’s Day and often on cards
Laurel wreath—symbol of victory, often seen on medals, trophies; also an academic symbol
Apollo space missions—named after god known for speed, power
Apollo Creed, from Rocky movies (powerful)

2. “The Golden Apples” Story Gods/Mortals Moral/Purpose Real World
Atalanta—will only marry a man who can beat her in running (kills the others)
Hippomenes—falls in love w/ her and plans to race her
Venus—goddess of love, gives golden apples to Hippomenes to help him
Be thankful and respectful to the gods (or else)
How lions were created
Venus—planet named after her
Atalanta FC in Italy is named after her—implies power in sports (killing opponents)
Atalanta Motors—car named after her, which implies speed

3. “The Great Bear” Story Gods/Mortals Moral/Purpose Real World
Callisto—turned into bear by angry and jealous Juno
Arcus—son of Callisto, becomes an expert hunter
Both turned into constellation by Jupiter
Don’t cross the gods
How the constellations of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor were created
Great Bear—roller coaster at HersheyPark; implies height
Arcturus—name of North Star, part of Great Bear constellation, named after Arcus

4. “How Thor Got His Hammer”
Story
Gods/Mortals
Moral/Purpose
Real World
“How Thor Got His Hammer”
Thor—short-tempered god of thunder
Sif—wife, hair stolen by Loki
Loki—makes a bet with dwarves to make gifts
Dwarves—makers of magic weapons
How Thor received his hammer as a gift, to fight the giants
Be careful about the terms of your deal or bet
Marvel character Thor is based on myth
JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings war-like dwarves are based on myth

5. “The Giant’s Bride Story Gods/Mortals Moral/Purpose Real World
Thor—dresses up at Freya to trick giants
Loki—also dresses up as a woman
Thrym—powerful king of the frost-giants, steals Thor’s hammer
Don’t steal/betray others (don’t mess w/ the gods)
Loki—also appears in Marvel films, as mischief-maker
Thursday is “Thor’s day”

6. “Thor and the Clay Giant”
Story
Gods/Mortals
Moral/Purpose
Real World
“Thor and the Clay Giant”
Thor
Hrungnir—strongest of giants, head/heart of stone
Thialfi—Thor’s human servant, distracts giant
Magni—Thor’s 3-day old son who saves him
Beware of gambling (bet w/ Odin and Hrungnir causes trouble…as does casting bones for Thor)
Thursday is named after Thor
Thialfi character is basis for Darryl roommate character in Marvel Thor movies

7. “Odin’s Three Quests” Story Gods/Mortals Moral/Purpose Real World
Odin—wisest of gods
Mimir—giant disembodied head of a god that guards well of knowledge
Baugi—brother of Suttung (who stole Mead of Poetry); Odin works for him to get the mead.
How humans came to learn poetry (Odin threw up the Mead of Poetry for us after stealing it)
How Odin lost his eye but gained wisdom (and hung from the tree to learn magic)
Wednesday is Odin’s day (wodin’s day)
Tolkien’s wizard Gandalf in Lord of the Rings was based on Odin