The Dragon's Teeth
In a kingdom by the sea, four siblings—Cadmus, Phoenix, Cilix, and their sister Europa—play joyfully until Europa is abducted by a mysterious white bull. The brothers, distraught, inform their father, King Agenor, who demands they find her or never return. The brothers, along with their mother, Queen Telephassa, embark on a long and fruitless search, enduring hardships and losing their royal status as they wander through various lands. As time passes, the brothers grow weary, with Phoenix and Cilix eventually abandoning the quest to establish their own lives. Telephassa and Cadmus continue, but Telephassa's health declines, leading her to pass away after urging Cadmus to seek guidance from the oracle at Delphi. Cadmus, heartbroken, follows her advice and learns from the oracle to "follow the cow" and to build a city where it lies down. Cadmus encounters a brindled cow, which he follows tirelessly until it finally rests in a fertile plain. There, he faces a dragon guarding a water source, which he bravely defeats. Following the oracle's instructions, he plants the dragon's teeth, which sprout into armed warriors. After a fierce battle among them, only five remain, whom Cadmus commands to help him build a city. The city flourishes, and Cadmus discovers a magnificent palace that mysteriously appears overnight. Inside, he meets Harmonia, a beautiful woman destined to be his wife, who embodies the love and companionship he lost. Together, they create a family, and Cadmus finds solace in his new life, teaching his children the alphabet he invented, ensuring that the legacy of his lost sister and the trials of his past are not forgotten.
By Nathaniel Hawthorne · First published 1853 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure · 12,481 words
First lines
Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix, the three sons of King Agenor, and their little sister Europa (who was a very beautiful child), were at play together near the seashore in their father's kingdom of Phoenicia. They had rambled to some distance from the palace where their parents dwelt, and were now in a verdant meadow, on one side of which lay the sea, all sparkling and dimpling in the sunshine, and murmuring gently against the beach. The three boys were very happy, gathering flowers, and twining them into garlands, with which they adorned the little Europa. Seated on the grass, the child was almost hidden under an abundance of buds and blossoms, whence her rosy face peeped merrily out, and, as Cadmus said, was the prettiest of all the flowers.
What this Textopian page supports
The Dragon's Teeth is listed on Textopian as a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, dated 1853 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Date: 1853 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure, Children's Literature, Tragedy
- Length: 12,481 words
- Structure: 1 section, 136 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Dragon's Teeth by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Fantasy — The story features mythical elements, including a magical bull, enchanted characters, and a quest for a lost sister, characteristic of fantasy literature.
- Mythology — The narrative is rooted in mythological themes, particularly the tale of Europa and the origins of Cadmus, reflecting ancient Greek mythology.
- Adventure — The plot follows a journey filled with challenges and quests, as characters seek to find Europa and face various trials along the way.
- Children's Literature — The story is suitable for a younger audience, featuring child characters and moral lessons, typical of children's literature.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Romance · Historical Fiction · Mystery · Coming-of-Age · Self-Discovery · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Symbolism · Allegory · Mythology