Once upon a time in ancient Egypt, there was a grand celebration like no other. The warrior god Set and his wife, the goddess Nephtys, decorated a magnificent hall for the event. At the center of the room was a stunning wooden chest. They invited all the important gods, many lesser deities, and even foreign kings. But the most exciting guest was Set and Nephtys’s older brother, Osiris, the god who ruled Egypt and brought happiness and wealth to everyone.
Set announced a fun game: whoever could fit perfectly inside the chest would get to keep it as a gift. One by one, the guests tried, but none of them fit. Finally, it was Osiris’s turn. As he lay down, everyone saw that he fit perfectly—another success for the beloved god. But suddenly, Set slammed the lid shut with Osiris inside, sealed it tight, and threw it into the Nile River. The chest was actually a coffin, made by Set to trap his brother. Set had been jealous of Osiris’s success and wanted to take over as the ruler of Egypt.
The Nile carried the coffin out to sea, and it floated for many days until it washed ashore near a place called Byblos. There, a giant cedar tree grew around it. The presence of Osiris gave the tree a magical glow. When the king of Byblos saw the tree, he had it cut down and brought to his palace, not knowing that the coffin of Egypt’s most powerful god was inside.
Set thought he had won, but he didn’t count on his sisters. Nephtys, who was both Set’s wife and sister, teamed up with their other sister, the goddess Isis, who was married to Osiris. Isis was determined to find Osiris and asked Nephtys to help her secretly. The two sisters transformed into falcons and searched far and wide. Some children who had seen the coffin floating by told them about the palace of Byblos. Isis disguised herself and went to the palace. The queen was so impressed by the disguised goddess that she let her take care of the baby prince.
Isis decided to make the child immortal by bathing him in flames. When the shocked queen saw this, Isis revealed her true identity and demanded the tree. She cut the coffin from the trunk and opened it, finding Osiris dead inside. Crying, she took his body back to Egypt and hid it in a swamp while she searched for a way to bring him back to life. But while she was gone, Set found the body and cut it into many pieces, scattering them across Egypt.
Isis had lost Osiris again, but she refused to give up. She traveled all over Egypt in a boat made of papyrus, searching for the pieces of her husband’s body. She held a funeral for each piece she found. Finally, she had gathered all the pieces except one, which a fish in the Nile had eaten. Using her magic, Isis put Osiris back together and brought him back to life. However, without that missing piece, Osiris was incomplete. He couldn’t stay among the living or return as the ruler of Egypt. Instead, he became the ruler of Duat, the realm of the dead. Before leaving, he and Isis had a son who would carry on Osiris’s legacy and one day seek revenge for him.
Draw a comic strip that illustrates the key events of the Egyptian myth of Osiris. Use your creativity to depict the characters and their actions. Make sure to include the trick of the chest, the journey of the coffin, and Isis’s determination. Share your comic with the class and explain the scenes you chose to illustrate.
Imagine you are Isis during her quest to find Osiris. Write a diary entry describing your feelings and thoughts as you search for the pieces of Osiris’s body. Consider the challenges you face and your determination to bring him back to life. Share your diary entry with a partner and discuss the emotions Isis might have experienced.
With a group, choose different characters from the myth and act out the story. Focus on the interactions between Set, Osiris, Isis, and Nephtys. Use props or costumes to enhance your performance. After the role-play, discuss with your group how each character’s actions influenced the outcome of the story.
Draw a map that traces the journey of Osiris’s coffin from the Nile River to Byblos and back to Egypt. Include important locations and events along the way. Use symbols or drawings to represent key parts of the story. Present your map to the class and explain how each location played a role in the myth.
Design your own mythological creature inspired by the Egyptian gods and goddesses in the story. Think about the powers and characteristics your creature would have. Write a short description of your creature and how it might fit into the myth of Osiris. Share your design and description with the class.
It was a feast like Egypt had never seen before. The warrior god Set and his wife, the goddess Nephtys, decorated an extravagant hall for the occasion, with a beautiful wooden chest as the centerpiece. They invited all the most important gods, numerous lesser deities, and foreign monarchs. However, no one caused as big a stir as Set and Nephtys’s older brother Osiris, the god who ruled all of Egypt and had brought prosperity to everyone.
Set announced a game—whoever could fit perfectly in the chest could have it as a gift. One by one, the guests clambered in, but no one fit. Finally, it was Osiris’s turn. As he lay down, everyone could see it was a perfect fit—another win for the god who could do no wrong. Then Set slammed the lid down with Osiris still inside, sealed it shut, and tossed it into the Nile. The chest was a coffin. Set had constructed it specifically to trap his brother and planned the party to lure him into it. Set had long been jealous of his brother’s successful reign and hoped to replace him as the ruler of all Egypt.
The Nile bore the coffin out to sea, and it drifted for many days before washing ashore near Byblos, where a great cedar grew around it. The essence of the god within gave the tree a divine aura, and when the king of Byblos noticed it, he ordered the tree cut down and brought to his palace. Unbeknownst to him, the coffin containing Egypt’s most powerful god was still inside.
Set’s victory seemed complete, but he hadn’t counted on his sisters. Set’s wife Nephtys was also his sister, while their other sister, the goddess Isis, was married to their brother Osiris. Isis was determined to find Osiris and enlisted Nephtys’s help behind Set’s back. The two sisters took the shape of falcons and traveled far and wide. Some children who had seen the coffin float by pointed them to the palace of Byblos. Isis adopted a new disguise and approached the palace. The queen was so charmed by the disguised goddess that she entrusted her with nursing the baby prince.
Isis decided to make the child immortal by bathing him in flame. When the horrified queen came upon this scene, Isis revealed herself and demanded the tree. When she cut the coffin from the trunk and opened it, Osiris was dead inside. Weeping, she carried his body back to Egypt and hid it in a swamp while she set off in search of a means of resurrecting him. But while she was gone, Set found the body and cut it into many pieces, scattering them throughout Egypt.
Isis had lost Osiris for the second time, but she did not give up. She searched all over the land, traveling in a boat of papyrus. One by one, she tracked down the parts of her husband’s dismembered body in every province of Egypt, holding a funeral for each piece. At long last, she had recovered every piece but one—his missing part, which a fish in the Nile had eaten. Working with what she had, Isis reconstructed and revived her husband. But without that part, Osiris was incomplete. He could not remain among the living or return to his old position as ruler of Egypt. Instead, he would have to rule over Duat, the realm of the dead. Before he went, though, he and Isis conceived a son to bear Osiris’s legacy—and one day, avenge him.
Egypt – A country in northeastern Africa, known for its ancient civilization and monuments like the pyramids and the Sphinx. – Ancient Egypt is famous for its pharaohs and the construction of the pyramids.
Osiris – An ancient Egyptian god, usually identified as the god of the afterlife, the underworld, and the dead. – In Egyptian mythology, Osiris was a kind and just ruler who became the god of the afterlife.
Set – An ancient Egyptian god associated with chaos, violence, and storms. – Set was known for his rivalry with his brother Osiris in Egyptian mythology.
Isis – An ancient Egyptian goddess, known for her magical skills and as the wife of Osiris. – Isis used her magic to help resurrect her husband Osiris after he was killed by Set.
Coffin – A box in which a dead person is buried, often elaborately decorated in ancient times. – The ancient Egyptians placed the mummified body of the pharaoh in a beautifully decorated coffin.
Sisters – Female siblings, often depicted in stories as having a close bond. – In the myth, Isis and her sister Nephthys worked together to find the pieces of Osiris.
Nile – The longest river in the world, flowing through northeastern Africa and crucial to the development of ancient Egyptian civilization. – The Nile River provided water and fertile land, making it essential for the survival of ancient Egypt.
Byblos – An ancient city in what is now Lebanon, known for its historical significance and trade with Egypt. – Byblos was an important trading partner with ancient Egypt, exchanging goods like papyrus.
Magic – The use of supernatural powers to influence events, often featured in myths and legends. – In many stories, Isis used her magic to protect her son Horus from danger.
Legacy – Something handed down from the past, such as traditions, achievements, or stories. – The legacy of ancient Egypt includes its impressive monuments and rich mythology.
