Many moons ago, in the time of the Trojan War, lived Haphendom and his parents. His father’s name was Themeas and his mother’s was Helena.

They lived in a war-torn village in troy that used to be grand but now was crumbling. Every day soldiers would charge past their house.

One boisterous night, when exhausted Haphendom was in bed, Themeas and Helena decided to discuss their troublesome situation.

“We can’t bring up a child like this!” Exclaimed Helena. “You’re right. We can’t educate him, he can’t make many friends, we can’t even feed him the food he needs to survive!”Agreed Themeas.

“We can’t stay here. We will flee to Argos. Anything to get away from the invading Greeks!” Replied Helena. “But the only way to get there is by boat.”

When the sun was rising; when the soldiers were fighting; Themeas and Helena decided to explain to Haphendom what they were going to do.

“We will flee to Argos by boat. We can’t raise you like this.”Explained Themeas.”Yes; we will each go on our own boats. Is this okay with you?”Asked Themeas. “It’s okay with me; but I’m anxious. I’ve never been on a boat before. I don’t know how to sail!” Stuttered Haphendom. “You will be okay. You can achieve anything you want to!” Reassured Themeas. Haphendom smiled and went to his room to pack his bags.

“Father is right, I will be fine.” Haphendom reassured himself. “He will teach me how to sail. The gods are on my side.” Haphendom said as he was packing his bags. Once he had packed them he got into bed. He needed rest.

The dark, freezing night had past; the bright, golden day had arrived. It was time to set off on their adventure. They all got on their separate boats; Themeas, Helena and Haphendom. It was time.

They stepped into their boats, trembling with nerves. Especially Haphendom.”Remember; you will be fine. I will teach you how to sail.” Themeas said to Haphendom softly.

Many long, hard days past. Themeas was busy teaching Haphendom how to sail and Helena was navigating.

Haphendom had finally got the hang of sailing! He had a smile on his face and was sailing faster than his father! “I knew you could achieve it!” Themeas called after Haphendom.  “We’ve learned together.” Replied Haphendom.

The seasons changed and changed again, Haphendom was getting very good at sailing. “You are great at this.” Complimented Themeas. “Yes; but so are you.”  Replied Haphendom

That night, he dreamt about sailing. The words went round in his head, “You are great at this.” That was when he realised it. He was good. No. He was great! He was like a merchant.

The sun had risen and Haphendom and his parents were awake and enjoying the breeze. “Father! Father!” Haphendom called. “You were right! I am the best sailor! I am like a merchant! Maybe even better than Poseidon!”He continued. “No son. You must not say that. You are good at it but you must not have hubris. You will offend the gods!” Warned Themeas. But Haphendom ignored him. “No. I will not stop. I am better than you! I am better than any god in the lands of Greece! I am better than any god on the earth!” Haphendom boasted.

Many hubristic days past and Haphendom had witnessed a trident in the choppy water. “It must be a warning from Poseidon!” Exclaimed Themeas anxiously. “Even if it is; why would I care? I can beat Poseidon to anything!” Boasted Haphendom. “I would even challenge him to a race heading to the mainland!” He continued. That was when the unexpected happened. Poseidon emerged from the water. “Challenge excepted.” He bellowed.

The time came and Haphendom was getting ready for the big race to the mainland. He sailed to the start line. “I will win this.” He kept telling himself.

He got to the start line where Poseidon was waiting for him. “Ready for the race?!” Poseidon asked. “I was born ready!” He replied. “Oh, and one more thing.” Poseidon said. “Whoever loses the race gets a brutal earthquake hit them. Are you still ready?” “Of course I’m still ready!” Haphendom responded. “Three, two, one, BANG!”

The clocks ticked and the race was close. Haphendom was edging in front of Poseidon. “I told you I would beat you!” Haphendom yelled. “For now! I will overtake you!” Poseidon responded.

They had been on the water for many days now but that didn’t slow them down. The waves were vast; the ocean was choppy.  They were getting nearer to the mainland. Each second someone different was in front. Haphendom, Poseidon, Haphendom, Poseidon. You didn’t know who would win!

Not long past and they were metres away from the mainland. You still didn’t know who would win. But then, at the last second, Poseidon shot in front! He had won!

Haphendom was devastated. He would die! A ruthless earthquake would kill him!

Poseidon smashed his trident onto the floor. “I warned you. You ignored me. This is because of your acts. You must never have hubris!” Poseidon yelled. Then, suddenly, a brutal earthquake hit hubristic Haphendom. Faint.

The clocks ticked and the seconds past. Themeas and Helena sailed over to the mainland to see Haphendom. They were concerned about their son. They saw him. “Our son is dead! He really is! We cannot live on like this. We just cannot!” Helena wept. “You are right. We can’t. WE JUST CAN’T!!!” Themeas agreed. Themeas and Helena grabbed their daggers. Death.

Minutes past. Haphendom had woken up. “My parents! My poor parents! They are dead!” He wept in sadness. His trembling hand picked up a sword…