The Winter Carnival Story
    A long, long time ago, Astraios, the god of the evening, and Eos, the god of the morning, were married.  They had five sons: Boreas, Titan, Euros, Zephyrus and Notos.  Boreas was the oldest son and he had the name of “King of the Woods.”  He gave his brothers power and authority.  The brothers:

Titan was the cold and fast North Wind.
Euros was the wild East Wind.
Zephyrus was the wonderful West Wind.
Notos was the warm South Wind.

    The brothers blew happily all over the world.


    Once upon a time, Boreas came to Minnesota.  He saw the snow and liked it.  He saw the seven hills of St. Paul and he liked them.  He saw the beautiful city of St. Paul and he liked it.  He said, “St. Paul is so beautiful.  I love St. Paul and her seven hills!  I will stay here and make this city my city.  Everyone will know that this city is the winter city of Boreas, the King of the Woods.”
    But Vulcan, the god of Fire, hated King Boreas and said, “With the great sword of Mars, I will heat the city of St. Paul and I will heat Boreas and I will destroy everything that Boreas has.”  Vulcan worked day and night to destroy the winter that Boreas loved.  He did all he could to destroy the fun winter events.
    Boreas was not afraid.  He said that there would be a celebration, a winter carnival, “We will have a winter carnival in Old St. Paul and everyone will have fun in the winter!”
 And so, for ten wonderful days there was a Carnival and a fun celebration in the city of St. Paul.  There was eating, dancing, fun and games.  Boreas and the Queen of the Snows, the most beautiful woman in all of the city, ruled over the City.  The four winds each had a Princess with them.  And Klondike Kate, a wonderful singer, sang songs of joy and good feelings.
    On the tenth day of celebration, Vulcan and his army came to the Ice Palace and fought with the King’s people.  The queen suggested that King Boreas not fight Vulcan.  Instead, he should say goodbye to the people of St. Paul and go away.  He went back to live with the other gods and the warmth of the Vulcan soon began to melt the snow, and spring and summer arrived.
    But King Boreas wanted to return to St. Paul and he was so happy when he could come back again to the winter snow and fun in St. Paul.
    This celebration happened for thousands of years.  Every year Boreas and his Queen returned to St. Paul and for ten days they and all the people of St. Paul played in the snow and celebrated the winter.
    But each year Vulcan became more and more lonely, because he had no friends and no best friend.  One year, when he was out looking for Boreas and the Queen of the Snows, he heard a wonderful singer.  He walked to the place where Klondike Kate was singing and he fell in love with her.  Now, all during the Carnival, Vulcan tries to get Kate to be his woman-friend.
    The Winter Carnival: a wonderful time of happiness and joy as winter is celebrated.