Oldest stories known

The Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor

The Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor is an ancient Egyptian story from the Middle Kingdom period, which is believed to have been written around 2000 BCE. The story tells the tale of a sailor who is stranded on an island after his ship is wrecked in a storm.

The story begins with the sailor, who is unnamed, recounting his story to a high official. He describes how he set out on a journey with a group of sailors, but they encountered a powerful storm that destroyed their ship and scattered the crew.

The sailor was able to cling to a piece of debris and eventually washed up on the shore of an island. The island was barren and uninhabited, but the sailor was able to find fresh water and fruit to sustain himself.

One day, the sailor saw a giant serpent approaching him. He was afraid, but the serpent spoke to him, asking him who he was and how he came to be on the island. The sailor told the serpent his story, and the serpent was moved by his plight.

The serpent offered to help the sailor, and told him that he was actually a powerful god who had taken the form of a serpent. The god instructed the sailor to make an offering to the gods, which he did by constructing a small shrine out of reeds and offering fruit and water.

The god then instructed the sailor to climb onto his back, and he carried the sailor across the sea to the coast of Egypt. The sailor was overjoyed to be reunited with his family and to have survived his perilous journey.

The story of the Shipwrecked Sailor is thought to have been a cautionary tale about the dangers of the sea and the importance of showing gratitude to the gods. It has been preserved on papyrus scrolls and is considered to be one of the oldest examples of narrative fiction in the world.

Tell The Story of Sinuhe

The Story of Sinuhe is an ancient Egyptian tale that dates back to the 12th Dynasty, around 2000 BCE. The story follows the life of Sinuhe, a courtier who flees Egypt after the death of his king.

The story begins with Sinuhe being sent on a diplomatic mission to a neighboring country. While he is away, the king of Egypt dies, and Sinuhe fears for his life as he was closely associated with the deceased king. He decides to flee Egypt and seeks refuge in a foreign land.

While in exile, Sinuhe becomes a successful and respected member of the foreign court. He marries and has children, but he remains deeply homesick for Egypt. He longs to return to his homeland and is torn between his love for his new life and his desire to be reunited with his family and friends.

Eventually, the new king of Egypt hears of Sinuhe's success and sends an envoy to bring him back to Egypt. Sinuhe is hesitant to return, but he ultimately decides to do so, knowing that he can no longer resist the call of his homeland.

Upon his return, Sinuhe is warmly received by the new king and is reinstated as a courtier. He is reconciled with his family and friends, and he is given a position of honor and respect in the new kingdom.

The Story of Sinuhe is considered to be one of the most famous works of ancient Egyptian literature, and it is notable for its themes of loyalty, exile, and the longing for home. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of ancient Egypt and the values and beliefs of its people.

The Atrahasis 

The Atrahasis is an ancient Mesopotamian epic poem that dates back to the 18th century BCE. It tells the story of the creation of humans and their struggles with the gods.

The story begins with the creation of the world by the gods, who fashion humans out of clay to be their servants. The humans work hard for the gods, but they eventually grow tired of their servitude and complain to their god, Enlil.

Enlil is angered by their complaints and decides to punish them with a flood. But the god Ea takes pity on the humans and warns them of the impending disaster. He instructs them to build a boat and to fill it with animals and their families.

The flood comes and destroys all of the humans who were not on the boat, as well as much of the earth. After the flood, the gods are left with a problem: they still need humans to work for them, but they cannot risk another rebellion.

They decide to create a new type of human, one who is not so strong or independent. These humans are designed to be more docile and to work more willingly for their gods. And so the world is repopulated with these new, more submissive humans.

The Atrahasis is a complex and nuanced work that explores the relationship between humans and their gods, as well as the themes of creation, destruction, and rebirth. It is considered to be one of the oldest surviving works of literature and is an important artifact of ancient Mesopotamian culture.

Tell the Egyptian Tale of Two Brothers

The Tale of Two Brothers is an ancient Egyptian story that dates back to the 13th century BCE. It tells the story of two brothers, Anpu and Bata, and the trials and tribulations they face.

The story begins with Anpu, the elder brother, marrying a woman named Astarte. Astarte falls in love with Bata, the younger brother, and tries to seduce him. Bata rejects her advances and tells his brother about her behavior.

Anpu is furious and attempts to kill Bata, but Bata flees into the desert. While in the desert, Bata comes across a magical tree that promises to help him if he promises not to reveal its location to anyone else.

Bata returns to Anpu's house and tells him that he has found a magical tree that can provide for their every need. Anpu agrees to help Bata retrieve the tree, but when they arrive, Bata cuts off his own genitals and throws them at Astarte.

Bata then transforms into a bull and runs away. Anpu returns to his house and tells his wife that Bata is dead. Astarte is horrified and begs Anpu to search for his brother. Anpu eventually finds Bata and they are reconciled.

The story of the Tale of Two Brothers is considered to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of jealousy and the importance of brotherly love. It is notable for its portrayal of the gods, who play an active role in the lives of the characters. It has been preserved on papyrus scrolls and is one of the oldest surviving examples of narrative fiction in the world.