Read together
Once upon a time, in ancient lands of old,
There lived a pharaoh, mighty, brave and bold.
He ruled with strength, he ruled with care,
His kingdom prospered, rich and rare.
When he passed away, his soul flew free,
But his body remained, a sight to see.
It was taken by priests to be embalmed,
So it would last forever, undaunted and unharmed.
They used a canopic jar to hold his heart,
And filled his body with natron, a special part.
They used a talisman to keep his spirit strong,
And an embalming hook to make sure nothing went wrong.
The pharaoh's ka, his life force, stayed behind,
And his shabti, a small figurine, they did find.
It would help him in the afterlife, so he could rest,
While his ba, his personality, was on a quest.
The pharaoh's body, though shriveled and old,
Was now a symbol of immortality, so we are told.
He had passed on, but his legacy remained,
And his story, forever, in our hearts remained.
Talk about it
Reflection
- What were some of the objects used in the pharaoh's embalming process, and what was their purpose?
- What do the ka and ba represent in ancient Egyptian beliefs, and how did they help the pharaoh achieve immortality?
- Why was the pharaoh's body preserved, and what role did his shabti play in the afterlife?
- How do you think the pharaoh's legacy and story have influenced Egyptian culture over time?
- If you were an ancient Egyptian, how might you have felt about the process of embalming and preparing a body for the afterlife?