What are the best ancient myth stories?

Sure. There's the story of Odysseus in Greek mythology. He had a long and arduous journey home after the Trojan War. He faced many obstacles like the Cyclops, the Sirens, and the wrath of the sea god Poseidon. His tale is a great exploration of human endurance and cleverness.

The Norse myth of Thor is also among the best. Thor, the god of thunder, was a powerful and popular figure. He had his magical hammer, Mjolnir, which he used to fight giants and protect Asgard. These stories are full of action and adventure, showing Thor's strength and his role in the Norse pantheon.

One of the best is the story of Eros and Psyche. Eros, the god of love, was sent by Aphrodite to make Psyche fall in love with a hideous monster. But when he saw her, he fell in love with her himself. Their relationship was full of trials as Psyche had to prove her love and loyalty to Eros. Eventually, they overcame all obstacles and were united, with Psyche becoming immortal.

There are many great freek myth stories. For instance, in African mythology, there are stories about Anansi the spider. Anansi is a trickster figure, often getting into all sorts of adventures and using his wits to get out of trouble. In Japanese mythology, the story of the Kitsune, fox - spirits, is very engaging. They are often depicted as intelligent and having magical powers. And in Native American mythology, the story of the Thunderbird is quite well - known. It is a powerful and majestic bird associated with thunder and lightning.

The myth of King Midas is also morally instructive. Midas was granted the power to turn everything he touched into gold. At first, he thought it was wonderful, but soon he realized that when he touched food, it turned to gold and he couldn't eat, and when he touched his daughter, she also turned to gold. This story warns us about the dangers of excessive greed and how being too focused on material wealth can lead to great unhappiness.

The story of Daedalus and Icarus is a good one. Daedalus was a brilliant inventor trapped on an island. He made wings for himself and his son Icarus out of feathers and wax. He warned Icarus not to fly too close to the sun. But Icarus, in his excitement, ignored the warning. The wax melted and he fell into the sea. It teaches kids about the importance of listening to their parents.

One common theme is the emergence from chaos. In many myths like the Greek and Norse ones, there is an initial state of chaos or void from which the world and its elements gradually come into being. For example, in Greek mythology Chaos was the starting point.

Another great one is 'Circe' also by Madeline Miller. It focuses on the character of Circe, a sorceress in Greek mythology. The novel gives a detailed account of her life, her powers, and her interactions with other mythological figures. It's really well - written, with vivid descriptions that bring the world of Greek myths to life. Circe is depicted as a complex and relatable character, which makes the story all the more interesting.

"Journey to the West" was not an ancient mythical story, but a novel of the Ming Dynasty. It told the story of Tang Sanzang and his disciples going to the West to obtain scriptures. The story contained rich religious, philosophical, and historical elements and was regarded as a classic in the history of Chinese fiction.

Journey to the West is an ancient mythological novel that is often considered one of the four great masterpieces of China. It was based on the story of Xuanzang, a monk of the Tang Dynasty, and his disciples who went to the Western Heaven to obtain the scriptures. It told the story of them finally obtaining the true scriptures after 81 difficulties. This novel has a profound cultural content, integrating Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and other ideas, with high artistic value and literary value.