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Cupid and Psyche
Cupid and Psyche retells the ancient Roman love story for children in English and Persian. Venus is jealous of the beautiful princess Psyche and sends her son Cupid with his arrows; a spell keeps every suitor away, an oracle is consulted, and the west wind Zephyr carries Psyche to a white palace where an unseen husband waits. 70-page PDF with full-color pictures.
A myth about trust and curiosity, told gently enough for children
Psyche is so lovely that people start to forget Venus, and the goddess does not like it. She casts a spell so that no one asks Psyche to marry, and her worried parents travel far to ask an oracle for help. The tale was first written down by the Roman writer Apuleius; here it is told in plain, modern language.
Zephyr lifts Psyche over the mountain like a gull and sets her down on a soft grassy bank. A fountain leads her to a palace where invisible voices sing for her and new clothes wait after her bath. Her sisters keep asking what her husband looks like, and Psyche cannot answer, because she has never seen him.
At a glance
About the story
The story
A goddess’s jealousy, a mysterious palace, a husband who only comes at night, and two curious sisters who make Psyche doubt him.
What children learn
That trust is precious and that patience and courage can mend a mistake.
Myth vocabulary
Gods, an oracle, a palace and magic arrows give children words they will meet again in other myths.
Good for
Readers who have enjoyed fairy tales and are ready for their first Greek and Roman myths.
Lines from the book
Two sentences from the Persian text near the start of the story:
| Persian | English |
|---|---|
| ونوس که مانند یک ملکهی زیبایی در آسمانها بود، نسبت به او خیلی حسادت کرد. | Venus, who was like a queen of beauty in the heavens, became very jealous of her. |
| تیرهای کوپید خیلی خاص هستند زیرا آسیب نمیزنند. | Cupid’s arrows are very special because they do not hurt. |
English given here as a close translation of the Persian lines.
Reading it together
- This is a longer book, so read it over three or four evenings.
- Read each passage in English, then in Persian, and stop at the palace to ask who your child thinks the husband is.
- Talk about the sisters: were they helping Psyche or not?
- Look for the Persian names ونوس (Venus) and کوپید (Cupid) on each page; the free Persian alphabet quiz helps with the letters.
Who this book is for
A good fit if you
- have a child who loves gods, heroes and magic palaces
- want a longer bilingual story for a confident reader
- are introducing classical myths in Persian
Look elsewhere if you
- prefer a Persian myth; Rostam Seven Trials comes from the Shahnameh
- want a short bedtime story; The Little Red Hen is much shorter
Use it with
- The Story of Achilles in Farsi and English: a hero from Greek legend.
- The Love Story of Zal and Rudabeh: a love story from Persian legend.
Common questions
Who wrote the original story?
The oldest full version is by the Roman writer Apuleius. This book is a simplified retelling for children, using the Roman names Venus and Cupid.
Is it suitable for young children?
It is a gentle love story, although Venus later sets Psyche some hard tasks. At 70 pages and with longer sentences, it suits about 7 to 11.
Is everything in both English and Persian?
Yes, the story is told in both languages throughout.
What do I get after I buy?
A 70-page PDF to download immediately after checkout, for a tablet, a computer or printing at home.
Is there a paperback?
Yes, on Amazon. This page offers the PDF.
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