In Greek mythology, the Sirens (French = Sirènes) were five dangerous yet beautiful creatures whose forms were half woman and half avian. Settling themselves on a deserted rocky promontory, the Sirènes would call to passing ships. Unable to resist their entrancing voices, countless sailors wrecked their ships and drown in the sea in an attempt to draw close to the Sirènes. The famed hero Odysseus and his crew happened upon the Sirènes. Hearing their lovely song, Odysseus stopped the ears of his comrades with beeswax, and ordered that he should himself be bound to the mast, so that he could hear the freely voices of the Sirènes. Although he begged to be set free, Odysseus’ comrades refused to unbind him. The ship passed safely beyond the call of the Sirènes. In their rage at being thwarted, the Sirènes cast themselves in to the sea. The term “Siren†has come to denote a female voice of uncommon beauty.
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skimming stones
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