The Wings of Daedalus

Long ago, the inventor Daedalus and his son Icarus were held on the island of Crete. King Minos guarded the island, and no ship could leave without his permission. Daedalus decided that they would escape through the sky. He gathered feathers of different sizes and fastened them together with thread and wax. He made one pair of wings for himself and another for Icarus. Before they set off, Daedalus gave his son careful instructions. “Fly between the sea and the sun,” he said. “If you fly too low, the sea spray will soak your feathers. If you fly too high, the sun’s heat will soften the wax. Stay near me.” At first, Icarus followed his father. The wings lifted him into the air, and he laughed with delight. The sea glittered below, and the wind rushed past. The freedom of flight felt wonderful. Soon, Icarus became so excited that he forgot the warning. He climbed higher and higher. The sun warmed the wax until it softened. Feathers slipped loose and scattered in the wind. Icarus flapped his arms, but without the wings he could not stay in the air. He fell into the sea. Daedalus turned back, but he could not reach his son in time. Grieving, he continued to a nearby island and buried Icarus there. The story is remembered as a warning about listening to good advice and keeping excitement or ambition in check.

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