The Riddle of the Sphinx
New Everyday English 3 (Showa 55) pg. 7-10
| The Riddle of the Sphinx | |
|---|---|
| ? | |
| Details | |
| Word count | 262 |
| Book | New Everyday English |
| Grade | 3 |
| Year | 1980 |
An old Greek story says that a big monster lived on the top of a mountain. This monster was the Sphinx. It had the head of a woman, the body of a lion, and the wings of a bird. Hundreds of people were eaten by this monster. They were all eaten because they could not answer its riddle.
One day, a Greek king was going to pass by the mountain. Suddenly, the Sphinx stood in front of him.
"You may pass," shouted the monster, "if you can answer my riddle. If you can't answer it, I will kill you."
The king hoped that he could answer the riddle.
"I have lived on this hill for many years," said the monster. "I have asked many people the riddle. But nobody could give the correct answer."
"What is your riddle?" asked the king.
"It walks first on four legs, then on two legs, and finally on three legs. What is it?"
The king thought for a long time. The monster opened its big mouth. It was ready to eat the king.
"The answer is 'a man'," the king answered. "He crawls when he is a baby. Then he learns to walk on two legs. And finally he needs a cane when he becomes old." His answer was correct.
"How long have you waited for an answer to this question?" asked the king. The Sphinx was very much surprised. "Nobody has answered the riddle until now!" It jumped from the top of the mountain into the river. People have not seen the Sphinx since then.
