2

Wiggly Hair

Athena stared at the tiny flying lady. “Are you a fairy?” she asked with excitement.

The Owlies hooted with laughter.

The tiny lady giggled. It made the glow around her sparkle. “I’m not a fairy. I’m a Greek goddess. My name is Hestia,” she said.

Athena had never met a goddess before. She did not know much about them. Before she could ask Hestia if she was a special kind of goddess, they heard footsteps.

A girl about Athena’s age came running up the brick road. She was chasing two golden birds that were flying just ahead of her.

“Come here. Right now!” the girl yelled at the birds.

Those birds did not listen. They swooped and did loop-the-loops. Then they zoomed straight for Athena!

“Stop!” Athena tried to scoot out of their way, but she tripped and fell backward. Thonk! She landed with both legs in the air.

The birds kept coming. They dipped low. And then they slipped themselves onto her bare feet!

They weren’t birds at all! They were golden sandals. Each with a white wing at the heel.

Athena stood up fast. Whoosh! The sandals’ golden straps wound up her ankles. They crisscrossed higher and higher. When the straps reached just below her knees, their ends tied themselves together.

“Give me those sandals. They’re mine!” yelled the girl. Her hair was woven into many fat braids. And it was green.

Athena knew that voice. And that frowny face.

“Medusa? Is that you? Did the storm blow you to Mount Olympus too?” Athena asked the girl.