Callisto

In the beautiful forests and green mountains of Arcadia, there lived a sweet nymph called Callisto. Callisto was very beautiful and loved nature and animals. She was a faithful follower of the goddess Artemis, the goddess of hunting and the moon.

Artemis and her nymphs spent their days hunting in the forests and playing in the meadows. Callisto was Artemis' favourite nymph, because she was always kind and full of joy.

Zeus - Callisto

One day, Zeus, the king of the gods, saw Callisto and was dazzled by her beauty. He disguised himself as a bear and managed to seduce Callisto, who became pregnant.

Arkansas

When Artemis found out, she was very angry, because her nymphs had to be pure and devoted to hunting, and she drove her away. Soon afterwards Callisto, while wandering alone in the forest, gave birth to a baby boy, whom she named Arca.

The anger of Hera

The birth of the baby made Hera angry and turned Callisto into a big bear. Callisto, however, remained good and kind with a human mind even in this form.

Wandering

He was wandering in the woods, trying to survive. With the bear's mouth she was unable to speak, only to growl, so she could not warn the hunters not to be afraid of her.

Callisto - Arcas

When Callisto's son, Arkas, grew up, he became a great hunter. One day, while hunting in the forest, he came across a big bear. It was Callisto who immediately recognized her son. She tried to approach him, but the Bear, not knowing, prepared to strike her with his spear.

Stars

At that moment, Zeus intervened. To protect Callisto and Arca, he lifted them into the sky and turned them into constellations. Callisto became the Big Dipper and Arc became the Little Dipper. Since then, the two of them have been shining in the sky.