The Constellation Pegasus

 

A scientific analysis of Pegasus: http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/constellations/Pegasus.html

Pictures of Pegasus

 

 

 

 

The Real Story of Pegasus

 

Perseus slew Medusa, the mother of Pegasus, and rescued Andromeda, the daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, from the sea monster Cetus. Pegasus was later brought to Mount Helicon by Bellerophon and with one kick of his hoof, he caused the spring of Hippocrene to flow. Hippocrene is said to be the source of inspiration to poets. Bellerophon, who slayed the hideous beast Chimaera, became so headstrong that he ordered Pegasus to fly him up to Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. This impudence angered Zeus, who sent an insect to sting the winged horse, who bucked Bellerophon off its back. Needless to say, Bellerophon did not survive the fall to Earth. Pegasus went on to greatness, however, as the "Thundering Horse of Jove" who carried lightning bolts for Zeus. (from http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/constellations/Pegasus.html)

 

 

 

My Story of Pegasus and How He Got In the Sky

 

Long ago, back when unicorns, elves, and dwarfs ruled the land, there was a young horse named Pegasus. Pegasus was a very happy young horse. He would gallop around all day long, cavorting in the meadows with his fairy friends, playing games. Everyone knew that Pegasus was the kind of horse that was special, the kind horse who would do anything for you if you asked him to.

One day, a gentle old elf was walking in the forests, searching for boysenberries, when he caught sight of Pegasus playing with his friends in the dewy grasses. Suddenly, the little fairy Dylsina stumbled on a fallen log, tumbling down a hill. She was quickly headed toward a rushing river. "Oh no! Help me! Help me!" cried Dylsina in her little fairy voice. Sadly, no one heard her; everyone was too involved in the game -- except Pegasus, who was already galloping down the hill toward the river, quickly gaining on the imperiled Dylsina. Soon enough, Pegasus reached Dylsina, lying down in front of her and blocking her fall into the river.

The elf, whose name was Kermickit, had seen this all. He knew that if it wasn't for Pegasus' extreme kindness and willingness to put his own life on the line to save another's, Dylsina would be being thrown about motionless in that river right now. Now Kermickit was not exactly an ordinary elf. When he was younger, he'd seen a unicorn being born. Everyone knows that unicorn births are magical events, but they are never to be seen by anyone except unicorns. Unicorns are peaceful animals, so instead of eliminating little child-elf Kermickit, they made a bargain with him: he would have the power to grant another living being wings one time in his life. Kermickit agreed, and went on his merry little child-elf way.

However, Kermickit never used his power to grant wings, because he knew he could only do it once. He was afraid to give a creature the wings, in case he saw another who was more worthy of their receipt. Thus years and years went by and no new creature was able to fly.

But now Kermickit was very very old. (He was 336, which is very old, even for elves.) He knew that he didn't have many days more to live. He had become very disillusioned with the world, and thought he would die having granted no creature wings. Yet he had just witnessed Pegasus' daring action to save Dylsina, and he had never been more impressed with a living creature's unselfish kindness and heroism. He knew what to do.

The rickety old elf Kermicket walked down to the banks of that violent river where Pegasus still rested with Dylsina. He introduced himself, and told Pegasus how impressed he was with the little horse's deed. He told Pegasus that he wanted to give the little horse the magical unicorn wings he still had in his power.

"Oh no!" cried Pegasus. "You don't have to do that! I don't need any reward!"

"Ah, but you do," replied the wise old Kermicket. "I have been on this earth for a very long time, and I have never seen anyone with so much compassion and willingness to risk his own life to help others. I will give you these wings, and you will be able to soar to the same heights with your body that your soul has visited already."

And with a *PING! BONG! JA-ZING!* Pegasus, the beautiful silvery horse, had magnificent wings hovering in the air above his back.

"Oh, thank you, kind Elf!" Pegasus exclaimed. "I will never forget you!"

Time passed and Pegasus grew to appreciate his wings. They came in handy when there was food needed from the tops of trees, or to give rides to young dwarves and fairies. One afternoon, Pegasus was playing in that very same dewy meadow when another elf came up to him.

"Are you the flying horse, Pegasus?" asked the elf.

"Yes, I am," replied Pegasus. "What can I do for you?"

"Well," answered the elf, "there's nothing you can do for me specifically. My great uncle, the wise old elf Kermicket, just passed away. He told us awhile ago how he had granted you wings, and I thought you might be able to grant him his life's dream."

"If I can, I will," said Pegasus. "What was his dream?"

"Don't commit yourself right away -- this is no simple decision," returned the elf. "Kermicket always spoke of the stars in the sky. He never told anyone, but we all knew he dreamed of dancing among them, of being their friends.

"We, Kermicket's family, thought you might be able to fly him to the stars once."

"Ah," sighed Pegasus. "I see."

The elf thought that Pegasus was going to say no, so he quickly interjected, "You'd only have to go once..."

"No, no," answered Pegasus. "I have lived on Earth a long time and I have been able to make so many creatures happy. Ever since Kermicket gave me these wings, I have been able to do so much more for the creatures who live with me. Nothing has been more gratifying in my life than to be able to help so many people. I will help Kermicket."

That afternoon, Pegasus said goodbye to all of his friends from the meadow -- the fairies, the elves, and especially Dylsina. The next morning, he went into the misty forests to the place where the elves lived. He spoke with the elves, and Kermicket's nephew, and he was given a special elvin potion which resurrected Kermicket's spirit. Then Pegasus went back into the great meadow, and with all of the magical world watching him, he ran until he reached an imperceptible gallop, and lifted off into the air, disappearing above the clouds.

When we look up at the sky today, we can still see Pegasus in the stars, flying the spirit of Kermicket around, in an everlasting motion of kindness. Every October, Pegasus flies close by the Earth where the elves live, so that they can once again see their ancestor elf, Kermicket.

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