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.

Reflections

1. What were some of the objects used in the pharaoh's embalming process, and what was their purpose?
2. What do the ka and ba represent in ancient Egyptian beliefs, and how did they help the pharaoh achieve immortality?
3. Why was the pharaoh's body preserved, and what role did his shabti play in the afterlife?
4. How do you think the pharaoh's legacy and story have influenced Egyptian culture over time?
5. If you were an ancient Egyptian, how might you have felt about the process of embalming and preparing a body for the afterlife?