THE BAG OF WINDS.
Long ago there was a man named Ulysses who had been traveling for many years.
He was sailing toward home one day when he came to the land where Æolus lived. Æolus was king of all the winds that blow.
Sometimes he sent soft winds to fill the sails of the ships at sea. Sometimes he sent winds that made the waters roar. Then he called them back and the sea would become quiet again.
Ulysses and his sailors were glad to stay for a time in the land of Æolus. They were tired of traveling so long.
When they were ready to go away, King Æolus filled their boat with food and many gifts. One of these gifts was a large bag made of skin.
King Æolus said to Ulysses, “In this bag I have tied all the winds that blow. If you wish to go more quickly toward home, open the bag and let one of the winds fly out. Then tie the bag again.”
Æolus said good-by to Ulysses and sent a soft wind to carry him from the land.
Day after day Ulysses sailed his boat safely over the sea. But one night when he was asleep, his sailors wondered what was in the large bag made of skin.
“It must be full of gold,” they said. “Let us take it.”
The sailors opened the bag and at once all the winds flew out.
How they made the waters roar around the boat! Even Ulysses could do nothing to quiet them. For many days the boat was tossed about by the waves.
At last the sailors saw land. They were very glad to pull the boat upon the shore, and rest.
They did not know where they were. The winds had made the boat go far from its path.
The sailors were sorry that they had opened the bag which King Æolus had given Ulysses.
A long-time afterward the travelers came home. Ulysses often told the story of his friend, King Æolus, and his gift of the Bag of Winds.