Editor’s note: Mrs. Corcoran’s fifth grade enrichment class at Tryon Elementary School recently completed a unit of study on Greek myths. Students created their own god or goddess and wrote a myth about their god. The following is an essay by Kendall Hall.

Saramithia: Goddess of the Solar System
by Kendall Hall
Many years ago, when the sky was blank, the gods were having a celebration in honor of Aphrodite and Poseidon’s baby Saramithia. Saramithia was a curious child who was always gazing into the sky and wondering what could be there. For Saramithia’s 16th birthday present, Aphrodite and Poseidon presented her with an incredible gift. Her parents blessed her with the name “Goddess of the Solar System.” She was thrilled with such a precious gift and hugged her parents in appreciation. For years she had daydreamed of the sky’s possibilities and now she had control of it.
For the rest of her life she lived in the sky to rule it. There she married Zeus. As time passed, they gave birth to one son and nine daughters. In honor of her children, she decorated the sky. Saramithia and Zeus’s first born was a boy. As a tribute to him, Saramithia placed her “sun” in the center of the solar system where he could look after all his sisters.
In honor of her daughters, she created the nine planets and named each planet after one daughter. Each planet reflected the personality of the daughter represented.
Mercury was the first daughter born. Because of her quick wit and hot temper, she was placed closest to the sun and had the shortest revolution.
Venus was their second daughter. She was the smartest of them all. That’s how Venus came to be the brightest of the planets.
Saramithia’s most beloved daughter was Earth. She was the most trusted and compassionate of her children so on this planet she gave Earth life, for she knew all living beings would be cared for and would flourish.
Mars was the fourth daughter born. Her personality varied the most out of all Saramithia’s children. Her fiery personality could turn ice cold in the blink of an eye. This is why Mars is red with polar ice caps.
Their fifth daughter was named Jupiter. Jupiter was never one to sit still for long. She was a whirlwind of swirling energy with an enormous personality that commanded the attention of many. For this reason, Saramithia made Jupiter the largest of the planets with the Great Red Spot (an enormous whirling hurricane), and the most moons orbiting it.
Saturn, their sixth daughter, was the most fragile. In order to protect her daughter, Saramithia surrounded her with 1,000 rings and moons so Saturn was always reminded of her mother’s protective arms around her.
Saramithia and Zeus were blessed next with twins. Their seventh daughter was named Uranus. Uranus was such a sleepyhead she was always lying down. This is why Uranus is tilted on its side.
Uranus’s twin was named Neptune. Like Uranus, Neptune was sad to leave their mother. This is why Neptune has a Great Dark Spot which is a depression filled with clouds. To represent her twins’ sadness, Saramithia colored both girls blue.
Their final child, the youngest of them all, was named Pluto. Pluto was born prematurely and never grew to the size of her siblings. Unfortunately she didn’t survive. Saramithia still loved her dearly and wanted her represented in the solar system. Scientists often debate on whether Pluto is a planet, but we know that Saramithia wanted her youngest daughter, Pluto’s, spirit to remain in the solar system with her siblings.
When Saramithia was done creating the solar system, she was pleased. No longer was the sky blank, but filled with her children. Now when she gazes into the sky all she loves surrounds her. That is how the solar system came to be.