Have you ever heard of Jason and the Golden Fleece? This classic Greek myth tells the exciting story of a brave hero named Jason. Jason must sail on a dangerous journey to find a magical golden fleece. He brings together a group of heroes called the Argonauts, and they face many challenges, including dragons, sea monsters, and tricky kings. It's a tale of adventure, courage, and teamwork.
Our special A2 English version makes the story easy to read and understand. You can read at your own pace, click on any word for a quick definition, and listen to the story audio as you go. After the story, you'll find helpful lesson notes to practise your English. Best of all, it's completely free!
This story is perfect for elementary English learners (CEFR A2). Whether you study alone or with a teacher, you'll enjoy improving your reading and listening skills with this timeless adventure.
Long ago, in Greece, a young man named Jason wanted to be king. But his uncle Pelias said, 'Bring me the , and I will give you the throne.'
Jason said, 'I will find the .' He built a big ship called the . Many brave heroes came with him. They called themselves the . 'We are the Argonauts!' they shouted.
The Argonauts sailed into a sea. There were two huge rocks that . 'Row fast!' Jason shouted. They rowed and rowed and just got through.
At last, they reached the land of Colchis. King Aeetes had the . Jason said, 'I have come for the Fleece.' The king laughed. 'You must do three first!'
The king's daughter, Medea, saw Jason. She was a woman with . She said, 'I will help you, Jason. The tasks are very hard.' She gave him a special that made him strong.
First, Jason had to two fire-breathing bulls. With Medea's magic, he was not burned. He made the bulls pull a . Then he planted dragon's teeth in the ground. Suddenly, grew from the teeth! Jason threw a stone among them, and they fought each other.
The last task was to take the Fleece from a dragon. Medea gave Jason a . He put it on the dragon's eyes, and it fell asleep. Jason took the golden fleece from the tree. 'I have it!' he cried.
Jason, Medea, and the Argonauts ran to their ship. King Aeetes them, but they escaped. They sailed back to Greece. Jason gave the Golden Fleece to Pelias, but the king did not keep his . Still, Jason had his great adventure.
The story of Jason and the Golden Fleece became . People told it for many years. It shows that with help from friends and a little , even the hardest tasks can be done.
A long time ago in Greece, a young man named Jason wanted to be king. His uncle Pelias said, "If you bring me the Golden Fleece, you can be king."
Jason agreed to find the Golden Fleece. He built a large ship named the Argo. Many brave heroes joined him, and they called themselves the Argonauts. They shouted, "We are the Argonauts!"
The Argonauts sailed into a dangerous sea with two big rocks that smashed together. Jason yelled, "Row quickly!" They rowed hard and barely made it through.
Finally, they arrived in Colchis. King Aeetes had the Golden Fleece. Jason said he came for it, but the king laughed and said, "First, you must complete three tasks!"
The king's daughter, Medea, a wise woman with magic, saw Jason. She said, "I will help you, Jason. The tasks are very difficult." She gave him a special cream that made him strong.
First, Jason had to control two bulls that breathed fire. Using Medea's magic, he didn't get burned. He made the bulls pull a plow and then planted dragon's teeth. Suddenly, armed men sprouted from the teeth! Jason threw a stone among them, and they fought each other.
The last task was to get the Fleece from a dragon that never slept. Medea gave Jason a sleeping potion. He put it on the dragon's eyes, and it fell asleep. Then Jason took the golden fleece from the tree and shouted, "I have it!"
Jason, Medea, and the Argonauts hurried to their ship. King Aeetes chased them, but they escaped and sailed back to Greece. Jason gave the Golden Fleece to Pelias, but Pelias broke his promise. Still, Jason had an amazing adventure.
The story of Jason and the Golden Fleece became well-known. People told it for many years. It teaches that with friends' help and some magic, even the toughest tasks can be completed.
Let's look at some useful words from the story. These words help you talk about adventures, kings, and brave heroes.
Read the words and their meanings. Then try to use them when you tell your own stories.
- **fleece** - the wool of a sheep, often golden in myths
- **throne** - a special chair for a king or queen
- **plough** - a farm tool pulled by animals to prepare land
- **ointment** - a smooth cream or oil, sometimes magic
- **potion** - a special drink, often magic
When we tell stories about the past, we use the past simple. Look at these verbs from the story. How do they change?
Many verbs add -ed, but some change completely. Practice saying them aloud!
- Regular: want → wanted, row → rowed, plant → planted
- Irregular: build → built, say → said, give → gave, fly → flew, take → took
A good story has a clear order. Words like 'first', 'then', and 'at last' help listeners follow the adventure.
After you read the myth of Jason, try to retell it. Use sequencing words to make the story easy to understand.
- **First**, Jason must control the fire-breathing bulls.
- **Then**, planted dragon's teeth become armed men.
- **At last**, Medea's magic puts the dragon to sleep.
- These words show time order and make stories smoother.
You've learned new words and past tense forms. Now practise telling the story of Jason yourself!
Imagine you are an Argonaut. Tell a friend about your journey. Use the past simple and the new words.
- Listen again to the story and write down 5 past simple verbs.
- Tell the story in your own words - you can change some details!
Jason and the Golden Fleece comes from the Greek / mythology tradition and is best known as a greek myth. This Yak Yacker article is an original learner retelling based on Ancient Greek myth; public domain, so the wording here is simplified for modern learners rather than copied from one old edition.
Older printings, translations, and retellings of this story can vary quite a bit. The original audience was usually kids/general, but this version is adapted for A2 Elementary learners studying English. Adventure; simplify cast.
If you want to look into the source tradition, start with Project Gutenberg.
If you want to keep going, browse more in our English section and review the A2 English Vocabulary List. After that, try 1,200 English Phrases and Expressions for another useful next step.
