A long, long, long, time ago...

There was a king named Cecrops and he was the first king of Athens. However, it was not called Athens yet. The king needed to find a deity for his city state.

Poseidon and Athena both wanted the chance to be the patron over the city state. Poseidon was even ready for war!

Athena, being the goddess of wisdom, asked Poseidon if he would rather have a contest. Both Poseidon and the king agreed this would be the best.

Poseidon was the first to present his gifts to the city. He raised his trident and with great might he struck the earth and a spring burst out. The spring produced the Erekhtheis sea. The people were excited to taste the water but quickly realized that the water was salty. This makes sense since Poseidon is the god of the sea.

Athena was next and she quietly knelt down to bury something in the ground. Moments later a great big olive tree grew with lots of olives on its branches.

The people of Athens liked Athenas gift much better because not only did she provide them a source of food, she provided them oil for their lamps, wood for their houses and boats, and oil for their cooking.

Athena then became the protector of Athens and to this day she has a temple in the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.