The Singing Scoutmaster: Aeneas Carries His Father from Troy

On the fateful night when the mighty city of Troy fell to the Greeks, the sky was filled with the glow of flames, and the cries of its people echoed through the streets. The Greeks had breached the walls of the great city, and chaos reigned as fire and sword cut down the defenders. Amidst the ruin and destruction, a lone figure stood tall—a brave Trojan warrior named Aeneas, son of the goddess Venus.

Aeneas fought valiantly to defend his home, but he knew the battle was lost. The city of Troy, which had stood proud for so many years, was crumbling to dust before his eyes. His heart ached with despair, but he remembered his duty: to protect his family. His father, Anchises, was an old man, frail and unable to walk. His young son, Ascanius, stood beside him, wide-eyed and trembling at the sight of his burning city.

Aeneas looked around at the devastation. Flames licked at the sky, casting long shadows over the once-grand palaces and temples. The sound of swords clashing and the cries of the wounded filled the air. He knew that time was running out. He had to get his family to safety, away from the destruction and the relentless Greek soldiers who roamed the streets, killing anyone in their path.

"Father, we must go!" Aeneas cried out. But Anchises shook his head, tears glistening in his eyes. "Leave me, my son. Save yourself and the boy. I am too old to run, too weak to flee. I will only slow you down."

"No, Father. I will not leave you here to die." With unwavering resolve, Aeneas hoisted his father onto his strong shoulders, gripping him tightly to keep him secure. Anchises clung to his son, his heart heavy with gratitude and sorrow. "Stay close to me, Ascanius!" Aeneas shouted, taking his young son's hand. The boy squeezed his father's fingers, his small face determined despite the terror around him.

Together, the three of them moved through the crumbling streets of Troy. Aeneas's legs strained under the weight of his father, but he did not falter. He ducked under collapsing arches and dodged falling debris, each step bringing them closer to the city's gates. The streets were filled with fleeing Trojans, desperate to escape, and the air was thick with smoke and ash. Aeneas's breath came in ragged gasps, but he pushed on, driven by a fierce need to protect his family.

As they neared the gates, a terrible realization struck Aeneas—his wife, Creusa, was no longer with them. In the confusion and chaos, they had become separated. He turned, scanning the crowds, calling out her name. "Creusa! Creusa!" But his voice was swallowed by the roar of the flames and the cries of the dying. Heartbreak surged through him, but he knew he could not turn back. His father's life, his son's life—they were in his hands. He could not risk them, not even for his beloved Creusa.

Tears filled his eyes, but Aeneas pressed on, his steps heavy with grief. They passed through the gates and out into the open fields beyond the city walls. For a moment, they paused and looked back. Troy was a sea of fire, its once-grand towers crumbling into ash. Aeneas whispered a prayer for his lost wife and the city he would never see again.

"Come, my son," he murmured, placing a hand on Ascanius's shoulder. "We must keep going. We must survive." Guided by the light of the moon and the distant hope of a new home, Aeneas led the survivors away from the burning ruins of Troy. Though he was heartbroken, a spark of determination burned within him. He remembered the prophecies of the gods, telling of a new land where his people would rise again, where they would build a new city, greater than Troy had ever been.

Through storms and battles, across treacherous seas and hostile lands, Aeneas never wavered. He became a beacon of hope and strength for his people, always carrying the memory of his lost city and the love of his family in his heart. Finally, after many trials, they reached the shores of Italy. There, Aeneas laid the foundations of a new home—a place that would one day become the heart of an empire. His people would grow strong and flourish, and their descendants would build the great city of Rome.

Aeneas's journey became a tale of courage, duty, and destiny. He was celebrated as the founding hero of Rome, whose bravery ensured the survival of his people. His story is still told to this day, reminding us of the sacrifices made for family and the strength needed to build a brighter future from the ashes of the past.