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Vol. 5 : The Education of Achilles

A few years later, King Peleus took his son, Achilles, to Mt. Pelion where he put him in the care of his old friend Chiron.

Chiron was a centaur, kind, gentle and wise. He taught Achilles to hunt, to use a sword, to play the lyre. Achilles learned quickly. Soon, news of his skill, speed and strength spread throughout Greece. And not only that, he became famous for his beauty too.

Peleus visited his son often and was very proud of him.

"I am going to be the greatest warrior in the world," he told his father. "My name will be remembered forever."

His father laughed happily and said, "I'm sure you will, my son."

Later, Peleus took Achilles'cousin to Mt. Pelion to learn together with Achilles. His name was Patroclus, and Achilles and he quickly became close friends.

Thetis continued to watch over her son. She too was proud of Achilles' fame, but she was afraid. Her father, Proteus, had told her of a prophecy about her son.

"I have looked into Achilles' future," he had told her. "He will have two choices: Either he will find the greatest glory in battle and die young, or he will live an ordinary, peaceful life in the countryside and grow old."

Thetis watched her son grow. She watched him as he learned to fight, and she knew that Achilles would go to war. She knew in her heart that he would die young.

One day, she went to Chiron and asked him to give Achilles to her. Chiron loved the two boys, and he did not want to see Achilles go. But seeing Thetis' tears, Chiron gave in."Come, Achilles, we must go," she called.

"I will not go without Patroclus," Achilles said.

And so Thetis took the two boys by the hand and ran to save her son from his fate.