Staring at the Sun
After all the wonderful things my father had invented for that ungrateful wretch, this is our reward: to rot in this godforsaken place, starve and go mad in the process!
Yet, when a wretch wears a crown, his word is the law: he’s always right, no matter what. The man is all sweetness and smiles one day, giving with largesse to his friends and advisors, sharing his wine and his presence with them, then he becomes a monster on another day. The smallest of infractions, real or imagined, becomes the end of the world in his book.
He’s imaginative in his cruelty, in the way he punishes those who displease him. The money the king gave to my father for that project was just resting in his coffers until he could put it to good use, rather than waste it in vain. But would the king, the man my father thought was his friend, listen to his explanation? Of course not!
There’s no shade in this place. I guess the king likes to keep all of his ‘guests’ warm. He didn’t hesitate even with his wife. When he found out what she was up to, she ended up roasted to death in that metal bull she had enjoyed so much in the past.
For days my father has been collecting feathers, squirreling away wax from our few candles. He is keeping busy with another project I don’t understand, while all that is left for me to do is stare at the sun today. I envy the swallows and the seagulls I see soaring in the sky more than ever. I wish I could just fly away too.
‘Come here, son, let me see how they fit…’ my father calls me to his side. The wings look real, they fit me perfectly. We wear a matching pair, my father and I. We practice and soon we are off. We have left that place of pain. Now I’m really staring at the sun, as I soar higher and higher. It’s hot and mesmerising. I ignore my father’s call…
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleA deft retelling of the story of Icarus with a close, personal look into the frustrations of the young boy. Expert combination of myth and realism. A nice addition to our mythology collection!

Thank you so much! I am so happy!
We read stories similar to this every day Greene, where innocent people languish in prisons denied of sunlight. The ending leaves me in fear for your protagonist despite rejoicing in his freedom. Good job!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you so much so glad you liked it!
If only all prisoners and victims of cruel tyrants could fly away and escape them! I loved how the father saved the feathers and wax to make wings and hoped the son would heed his father and not emulate Icarus, but alas…
Well written, Greene 🙂
Thank you so much Sandra! Mynos was a cruel one with not a shred of pity even for his old friend and his son!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GooglePoor Icarus! His flight to freedom ended badly. But at least he escaped from the dark and finally saw, in its full brilliance, the sun! Excellent writing, Greene.
Thank you so much Fuji! I guess Icarus’ was the first documented prison break!
Hi Greene, don’t you just hate it when freedom beckons and suddenly, ”melt”and it’s gone ?! Well written.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAbsolutely Eric! That’s exactly what my poor Icarus felt when he fell I guess!
Thanks to your captivating story, you made me go online and read about Mynos, Daedalus and Icarus. Thanks for enlightening me! Your story is very powerful, Greene, and I loved it from the first sentence, which was full of fury and hatred and raised the expectations for what was to come.
Thank you so much for your comment.
That’s exactly what a teenager deprived of his freedom felt at that moment: the fury at the injustice towards him and his father! These people we create are real to us and we only give them a voice…
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI am glad to read your story, Greene. On how you voice out a real story of a father and teenager depriving his freedom. I see myself in your story. Sometimes I was too strict with my daughter. Thanks for enlightening me. Thank you and you warned me that I am once exceeding what I should be.
Thank you so much Lotchie!
You’re welcome, Greene.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleOh Icarus, if only you’d paid heed to your father. I’d considered rehashing one of my old stories about Icarus, but I’m very glad I didn’t because you have written a much better story here than I could have done. Love it!
Thank you so much Carrie! No story is better than another one, it’s only different so I look forward to read your take on Icarus!
I love your rendition of this classical tale.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Susan! I am absutely thrilled!
Congratulations Greene, I loved your retelling of this myth, you did it beautifully.
Thank you so much Carrie! I still can’t believe it…
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCongratulations Greene, I loved your story.
Thank you Linda! Your support and everyone else’s means so much to me!
Congratulations Greene! A brilliant retelling, descriptive and full of emotions. I really enjoyed it!!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you so much Emily! Many congratulations to you for your 2 wonderful stories!
Congratulations, Greene! Very well written and very well deserved. I’m sure today you will feel as though you have wings 🙂
Each of us who writes will always have wings: our imagination, through it we are always free and happy to fly….
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCongratulations on your selection as a finalist, Greene. Your story about Icarus was wonderful – very true to the myth while still being relevant to real life. Good writing!
Thank you Julie! I like to write about the past because humanity is the same throughout time….
Congratulations to your success, Greene!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you so much Christer! I am elated!
Congratulations, Greene! This was beautifully written.
Thank you Marianna! I enjoyed writing it!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCongratulations, Greene.
Thank you Lotchie for your support.
You’re welcome, Greene.
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