Heliades

Phaethon seized the reins of the Sun’s chariot and took control of the fiery horses. They soon became restless under his inexperienced guidance. They rushed far above their usual course, then plunged so near the earth that fields and forests caught fire. Rivers and streams dried up, and the earth was threatened with destruction. Blinded by the glare and terrified by the damage, Phaethon dropped the reins.

Zeus answered the earth’s appeal for help. He struck Phaethon with a thunderbolt, bringing the horses to a halt. Phaethon’s lifeless body fell into the river Eridanus. The water nymphs received it and buried it while it was still smoking. An inscription on the grave declared that he had died after attempting to guide his father’s chariot. His father mourned in seclusion, and the Sun did not appear for a day. The fire from the disaster gave enough light for the world to continue.

Phaethon’s sisters, the Heliades, continued to mourn beside the river. Their grief became a habit, yet they did not stop calling for their mother’s help. One sister tried to kneel, but roots fastened her feet to the ground. Another reached out, and her legs became wood. A third raised her hands to tear her hair, but leaves filled her fingers instead. Bark spread over their thighs, bodies, arms, and hands. Their bones became timber, their blood became sap, and their skin hardened into bark. Their mouths remained uncovered for a time, calling out in sorrow.

The transformation continued until the sisters became poplar trees. Their mother ran from one to another and kissed them while she still could. The gods granted the sisters’ final request to be changed rather than left between life and death. Their tears continued to fall from the trees and became amber.