The Island of Wolves

In Greece there lived a princess called Theophane, who was as beautiful as a goddess. Many suitors came and endeavoured to please her, but she was in no hurry to choose a husband. All these young men around her father's palace made life amusing. But sometimes she wanted peace. So she would go with her maids to the sea-shore. They went in the morning, before her suitors got up. Alone on the beach, the girls took off their clothes and splashed in the water, laughing joyously.

Poseidon, the sea-god, lived under the water in a shining palace. Sometimes he came up from the depths in his chariot, drawn by fiery horses with golden manes. He whipped up the waters with his trident, so that the waves frothed around him. The god was invisible to humans; only the tempests he raised made his presence known.

One morning Poseidon saw Theophane on the beach, and fell in love with the beautiful princess. Jealous of her suitors, the god decided to take her away from them.

Next morning, a great wave snatched Theophane from the beach. Her helpless maids watched as she was carried out to sea; she seemed to fly on the waves, then disappear over the horizon in a flurry of foam...

At the palace, sorrow soon gave way to anger. The suitors guessed that Poseidon was to blame; by consulting oracles and magicians they learnt that the god was hiding Theophane on an island in the Aegean Sea. All rivaly forgotten, they sailed together in search of her, ready to brave every storm the god might send.

After many tempestuous days at sea the suitors landed on the island. They broke up into little groups to search every corner. But they had to admit defeat; they found nothing on the island but hundreds of sheep! No people, not even a shepherd! All the houses were deserted. Where were their owners?

One frustrated suitor took his spear and killed a peacefully grazing sheep. The others followed his lead. Then they gathered wood for a fire, and flayed and gutted the sheep ready to roast.

A little way away, on top of a hill, a huge ram stood watching the scene. At his side was a spotless white ewe. Suddenly the ram reared up on his hind legs; his hooves came down in a shower of sparks. At that moment lightning flashed from his horns to the beach, where the men, drunk with blood and rage, were feasting on roast mutton. One cried out in horror, as he saw his friends fall on all fours, covered with dark hair. He felt his own ears grow longer, and his body change. All the suitors were losing human shape. They tried to speak but could only howl. They had become wolves! Now the beach was full of puzzled wolves. The ram and the beautiful ewe took back their true shapes - Poseidon and Theophane. They had become sheep as a disguise, and turned the islanders into sheep as well. Furious at the young men's behaviour, Poseidon condemned them to stay as wolves for the rest of their lives. Nobody has ever found the island where Poseidon hid Theophane. And her suitors were never seen again. Perhaps, somehwere in the Aegean Sea, there is still an island inhabited only by wolves.