The Story Of The Phoenix

The Story Of The Phoenix

The story of the Phoenix is a legend from Asia.

One day a long time ago, the Sun looked down and saw a large bird with shiny red and gold feathers. The Sun was impressed with the brightness and beauty of the bird. The Sun called out, ‘Glorious Phoenix, you shall be my bird and live forever!’

The happy Phoenix lifted its head and sang, ‘Glorious Sun, I shall sing my songs for you alone!’

When people saw the Phoenix they chased it, desperate to take its beautiful feathers for themselves and to hear its song. This made the Phoenix very annoyed.

‘I cannot live here,’ thought the Phoenix. And it flew off to the far eastern desert to praise the Sun in peace. Day and night, through all the four seasons, the Phoenix sang praises of the Sun.

After five hundred years, the Phoenix was old and tired. It wanted to soar high in the sky and fly fast like it did when it was young.

So the Phoenix flew west, and on its journey it collected cinnamon twigs and fragrant leaves, tucking them in its feathers. It picked up a ball of resin in its claws.

Then it flew to Heliopolis in Egypt, the ‘City of the Sun.’ It built a nest on top of the Temple of the Sun out of the spices and resin it had collected on its journey.

The phoenix sat in its nest and sang, ‘Sun, glorious Sun, make me young and strong again!’

In a flash of flame the Sun ignited the nest. The Phoenix was ablaze and died in the fire.

The flames died down. Then something wonderful happened. The ashes trembled and a new, young Phoenix rose up. It sang to the Sun and as it sang it grew. When its song ended, it was the same size as the old Phoenix.

Then, just like the previous bird, it spread its wings and flew back to its lonely desert. It lives there still. But every five hundred years, when it feels old, it flies west to be burnt by the Sun at the Temple.

And each time, the Phoenix rises from the ashes, young again.

This legend is the origin of the idiom ‘rise like a phoenix from the ashes’. This idiom means ‘to be revitalized after a devastating experience.’

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The Story Of The Phoenix - Takeaway for Class 1,2,3

Believe in yourself and never give up, just like the Phoenix who rose from its own ashes.

The Story Of The Phoenix - Takeaway for Class 4,5,6

Never be afraid of failures, for every failure is a step closer to success, just like the phoenix rises from its ashes stronger every time.

The Story Of The Phoenix - Takeaway for Class 7,8,9

Always be hopeful and never give up even in the face of challenges, just like the Phoenix in the story.

3 Fun Facts

• The Phoenix is a mythical bird that is said to live for 500 years before bursting into flames and being reborn from its ashes.
• According to the story, the Phoenix symbolizes hope, renewal, and immortality.
• The Phoenix's tears are believed to have magical healing properties, making them very valuable.

Quiz for Class 1,2,3

• What is the name of the magical bird in the story?
• How does the Phoenix rise from its ashes?
• Why did the Phoenix visit the king every 500 years in the story?

Quiz for Class 4,5,6

• What animal is the main character in the story?
• How did the Phoenix rise from its own ashes?
• Why did the Phoenix choose to live in a solitary place away from people?

Quiz for Class 7,8,9

• What animal is the main character in the story?
• How did the Phoenix rise from its own ashes?
• Why did the Phoenix choose to live in a solitary place away from people?