Apollo enjoyed
showing up now and then at the various temples around ancient
Greece built in his honor. One day, Apollo swung by the temple
in Troy.
Cassandra,
a young and beautiful priestess, worked at the temple. The
minute Apollo saw Cassandra, he fell in love. (Love at first
sight ran in the family. After all, Apollo was Zeus’ son.)
Apollo
offered Cassandra a deal. He would give her a very special gift,
the gift of prophecy - the ability to see the future - if she
would give him a kiss.
Cassandra
thought that was a great deal. With a laugh, Apollo gave her his
gift. Instantly, Cassandra could see the future. She saw Apollo,
in the future, helping the Greeks destroy Troy. When
Apollo bent his head to gently kiss her, she angrily spit in his
face.
Apollo
was furious. He could not take away his gift. That's not how it
worked. But he could add to it.