The Golden Apple and the Choice of Paris
High atop the peaks of Mount Olympus, a grand celebration was underway to mark the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. All the gods and goddesses had been invited to the feast, save for one: Eris, the goddess of discord. Bitter at her exclusion, Eris decided to weave a web of strife that would haunt the mortal and immortal worlds for years to come. She crept to the edge of the banquet and tossed a single, shimmering golden apple into the crowd. Inscribed upon its polished surface were three simple words: 'To the Fairest.'
- Discord:
- A lack of agreement or harmony between people; conflict or strife.
- Sovereignty:
- Supreme power or authority over a country or region.
- Impartial:
- Treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just.
- Predicament:
- A difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation from which it is hard to escape.
- Coalition:
- An alliance of different groups or nations for combined action.
- strife:
- Angry or bitter conflict, disagreement, or struggle between individuals or groups.
- irresistible:
- Impossible to turn down or resist because of being extremely appealing, tempting, or attractive.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why was Eris, the goddess of discord, not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis?
- 2What specific words were inscribed on the golden apple that Eris threw into the crowd?
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About this fiction passage for Middle School
“The Golden Apple and the Choice of Paris” is a fiction reading passage about Greek Mythology, written for Middle School. It takes about 4 minutes to read (576 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.