DLTK's Horoscope Activities
Cancer: The Crab
While there are many tellings and re-tellings about how the stars in the sky came to be, myths about the zodiac constellations always have the most interesting alternate stories attached to them. The tale of how Cancer the crab became immortalized in the stars is one such example!
Most people tell the story of Hercules and the Hydra when explaining the mythology of Cancer, the Crab. While some might think that the giant Crab is pathetic for being crushed under Hercules' foot, our story here will show that the Crab is anything but weak.
Once upon a time, in the ancient lands of Greece, long before seafood chains like Red Lobster, Hera reigned as queen of the gods in Mount Olympus. Overlooking the home of the ancient Greeks, with its amphoras, amphitheaters, and temples for gods and goddesses, Hera stood. Hera, queen of the Greek gods, noticed men, demi-gods, and gods alike watching in awe of a man named Hercules.
Hercules' feats of strength were unrivaled. He was attractive in the eyes of many people. A violent and powerful king had already sent the young hero on not one, not two, not three, but TWELVE labors! Hera knew words, thoughts, and writings would immortalize Hercules forever. Now, Hera had already watched with shame and sympathy as Hercules slew the proud Nemean lion, skinned its fur, and wore it back to the mighty king.
Hera had also watched with interest as mighty educators like Chiron aided Hercules on his quests. She wondered what the limits of this hero's successes were. As she did so, she spied him testing out his newly handcrafted bow and arrows in preparation for his second labor--to fight the horrifying Hydra!
Using her excellent intuition and guidance, Hera followed Hercules as he journeyed towards the Hydra's giant and menacing swamp. Hercules was strong, however, and his movements in the water began to disturb the ocean's wildlife.
Now in this particular part of the ocean, a giant and passionate but very gentle and sensitive Crab resided. All those creatures who lived below the water's surface knew him well. He was tremendous and seemed to attract the attention of all those who encountered him. The Crab appreciated the support and concern he received, and so, he vowed to always keep a watchful eye over his friends and neighbors--for his eyes were very vigilant, he had great intuition, and he could move quickly underwater.
On no particular day, the Crab was tending to a small fish caught in a kelp bed. Prying at the sticky, gooey sea-plant with his large pincers, the Crab freed his friend, and both went on their merry ways. However as the Crab tried to move out of the kelp bed, he noticed many small fish were getting caught in various sea-plants all around him.
Looking above him, he peered up at the sun shining its way through the rippling water. The ripples were moving far faster than usual, and the Crab, judging from the direction of the fast-moving waves, could tell something or someone was causing a ruckus in the swamp nearby. The Crab rarely left his comfy cove to visit the swamp's creatures and beasts because they never disturbed him or his neighbors. They usually lived in peace.
Hera watched as Hercules trudged through the Lernea swamp. His giant feet splished and splashed and sploshed.
SPLISH! SPLASH! SPLOSH!
SPLISH! SPLASH! SPLOSH!
Suddenly Hera could hear scuttling sounds, louder than she had ever heard them before. A kind-looking crab trapesed over logs separating the swamp water from the ocean water. Hercules continued moving towards the Lernaean Hydra.
SPLISH! SPLASH! SPLOSH!
SPLISH! SPLASH!
The Crab could see the image of a strong man walking confidently in the direction of the giant sleeping Hydra. The Crab knew he had to do something. He must warn the man! He must warn the Hydra!
SPLOSH! SPLISH!
Hera saw Hercules stop and draw his handcrafted arrows. The Crab approached the man, with an open claw: the creature knew a small pinch would be a good warning. Hera watched in awe of the Crab's kindness in such a moment of crisis for all the surrounding creatures.
All of a sudden, the Hydra awoke. The mighty beast swung one of its screeching heads in the direction of Hercules aiming arm. The young hero's bow and quiver flew backward. He stumbled to catch himself and stepped back sturdily.
In agony, Hera watched as Hercules stepped on the giant Crab with his heel. As the Crab's claws closed for the last time, the ocean let out wails of grief. Hercules, too busy slaying the Hydra with his mighty sword and the creature's venom, could not hear the sounds, moans, and songs of sadness floating up from the water. The swamp bubbled as the magnificent Hydra, too, drew its last breath.
Hercules took one of the Hydra's heads, placed it in his bag, and continued back to check in with the king. This time, however, Hera did not follow the hero. Instead, she grieved the curious Crab and sought to remember his courage and compassion. Hera granted herself, the Hydra, and the crab a great gift: she shaped them into a story for people to tell and re-tell—to do with what they want and will.
The Crab became the stars in the sky. Hera placed him there for us all to see. The constellation Cancer is where the Crab is now. He protects all, compassionately watching us from the comfort of the night sky.
The End.