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Introduction
The Beginnings
Argo Sets Sail
The Golden Fleece
The Return Home

    I first met Jason and the Argonauts when they landed on the island that lies just in front of the Salmydessus. The Salmydessus are also called the Clashing Rocks. To travel through the Salmydessus is basically suicide, but I know a way to get through the islands without crashing into the rocks.

            I was glad to meet the Argonauts, because they would defend me from the Harpies that were not allowing me to eat The Harpies are creatures that have the head of a woman and the body of a large bird. Every time I would set food out to eat, the Harpies would fly in and steal my food. The Harpies were sent by Zeus. The god Apollo gave me the gift of prophecy. I used my power improperly, and Zeus punished me. Since I once had the power to see into the future, Zeus seized from me the ability to see. I became a blind king. To make matters worse, he sent the Harpies to torture me even more.

             I pleaded to Jason and the Argonauts to help rid me of the Harpies. Jason told me that he would do as I asked and would help exonerate the Harpies from the land. I told Jason that only two of his men, Zetes and Calais, the sons of Boreas, could help relieve me of the Harpies. Since they are said to have wings on their head and feet, they are the only ones that can fly after the Harpies. When I set my table for dinner, the Harpies flew in, but they were quickly assaulted by Zetes and Calais. The two chased the Harpies away, and I was once again able to finish my meal.

            I rewarded Jason, Zetes, Calais, and the Argonauts by telling them a way to pass through the Clashing Rocks. The way to pass the Clashing Rocks is to send a dove through the pass. The rocks will obscure the dove’s flight by crushing it. Once the rocks collide together, your crew is to row as fast they can through the pass. The rocks would not be ready to snap shut again in time to crush you.

            When I told Jason this invaluable information, he was truly grateful. I told him that I wish I could do more, but the only that I could do was replenish their food and water supplies.

            Jason and the Argonauts prepared the ship by rowing it close to the rocks. Jason released the dove which flew through the Salmydessus. The rock walls crashed together. As soon as they came together, I heard Jason order the crew to row. As the walls separated the Argonauts hurried across. The walls suddenly came together again.

            I was not sure at the time if the Argonauts made it through, but as the walls receded one of my servants said he could see the ship sailing away. Some pieces of wood came floating by later that day. The ship got nipped, but it was minor enough that the Argonauts could continue their voyage.

            Though I did not have the power of sight or foresight anymore, I was able to eat again, thanks to Jason and the Argonauts. I hope they make it through their quest.

Author's Commentary:
    King Phineus was the author of this passage. I choose to put it him from his point of view was to give it an outsiders view. I wanted to have someone's perspective that had their life affected by  Jason and the Argonauts. In all readings I found on this section of the story were very similar. The one difference in many of the stories were what happened to Zetes and Calicas after they chased the Harpies away. I decided not to bring it up what happens to them because it is not relevant to the story at hand. The story of the Clashing Rocks were all similar as well. When I was writing the story, I made King tell the story of the clashing rocks as if he heard and had someone watch it for him from a distance. This was by far the easiest story to write because all the stories I found were identical.

"Jason"
    By Carlos Parada
    Weblink. http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Jason.html (Greek Mythology Link)

"The Quest"
    By Joel Skidmore
    Weblink. http://www.mythweb.com/heroes/jason/ (Heroes)

"Jason and the Argonauts"
    By Unknown
    Weblink. http://www.pccc.cc.nj.us/asrc/readwrit/jason.html (Passaic County Community College)

"Story 3"
    By Aaron Franl
    Weblink. http://students.ou.edu/F/Aaron.C.Francl-1/story3.html  (University of Oklahoma)

"Argonauts"
    By Carlos Parada
    Weblink. http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/ARGONAUTS.html (Greek Mythology Link)

"Phineus"
    By Carlos Parada
    Weblink. http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Phineus2.html  (Greek Mythology Link)