Page 13 - Culture Link Storylines 1

The Greeks camped on the shores near Troy and battled the Trojans on the windy
plains before the city. For ten long years, the Trojan War dragged on, but neither
army could defeat the other.

Finally the Greek king gathered his generals and said, "For ten years we have
attacked the walls and gates of Troy, but our enemy has always beaten us back. We
need a new strategy to help us conquer the city."

A Greek general who was known for his cunning plans spoke up. "I have a plan!
Let's pretend to sail home in our ships. The Trojans will think that we have given up

and that the war is over."

"And then what?" asked the king. The clever general explained the rest of his plan,
and the king nodded his head. "Hmm, it is a daring strategy," he said, "but I believe it
will work!"

The next day the Greeks didn't attack, but set to work building a huge wooden
horse. For weeks they labored by their ships and left the city alone. Finally when the
towering horse was ready, a few brave soldiers climbed into its belly through a secret

door. The statue was mounted on wheels, and the other soldiers rolled it up to the
gates of Troy. They returned to their ships, and the Greek army sailed out of sight.

When the Trojans saw what the Greeks had left, they weren't sure what to do.
"Stay away from the horse. It's a trick!" Paris warned his father. After so many years
of war, the Trojans couldn't believe that the Greeks had finally given up.

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