Greg Fowler, age 16, of Baltimore, Md., for his question;

WHO WERE SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS?

In Greek mythology, Scylla and Charybdis were two sea monsters who lived on the opposite sides of a narrow strait. They were the personification of the dangers of navigation near the rocks and eddies.

Scylla was s horrible creature with 12 feet and six long necks, each bearing a head with three rows of teeth. She lived in a cave on a cliff and devoured any prey that came within reach.

Across the strait opposite her, was s large fig tree under which Charybdis, the whirlpool, dwelt. Charybdis sucked in and belched forth the waters of the sea three times daily, engulfing anything that came near.

Scylla, originally a beautiful maiden loved by a sea god had been transformed into a monster by her jealous rival, the sorceress Circe.

In later times, the geographical position of this dangerous passage was believed to the Strait of Messina between Italy and Sicily, with Scylla on the Italian side.