Alexander and Bucephalus
In ancient Greece myths, horses had always been important. King Philip the second of Macedonia was Alexander the Great’s father. Alexander’s father always tried to buy the most beautiful and strongest horses. One day, a man showed up at King Philip II’s palace with a gigantic beautiful horse. He wanted a lot of money for it. King Philip II said he would buy the horse if he could see anyone ride it, young Alexander came out to watch.
One rider after another was thrown off by the horse. The horse was beautiful and strong but nobody could ride it. Philip II told the man that he could not buy the horse because it was too wild. As the man was about to leave with the horse, Alexander, only 13 years old, announced to everyone that he could ride the horse. Philip II told his son to try, even though everyone laughed at the young Alexander.
Alexander had been watching the horse all day, and he saw that the horse was not afraid of people riding it… the horse was afraid of it’s own shadow! Alexander walked up to the horse and talked to it very softly. He pointed the horse towards the sun so that it would not see it’s shadow. Then he hopped on top of the horse and rode it towards the sun.
Everyone was amazed that the young prince had tamed the horse. Alexander named it Bucephalus. Alexander and Bucephalus would be together for the next twenty years. When Bucephalus died, Alexander named a city after him that is still there today.
Alexander on Bucephalus
1.) Where was Alexander from?
2.) Who was Alexander’s father?
3.) What did Alexander notice about the horse that no one else did?
4.) What does this article tell you about Alexander even when he was young? (use at least 3 adjectives)