There once was a great Egyptian called Atum-Re. He was the god of creation. He was getting old and could no longer rule. “I am getting too old to rule the world. I need someone to take my place” He asked , who was the son of the earth god and the sky goddess . “Osiris, you are a good and wise man. Will you take my place and become the new ruler Egypt?” Osiris looked at Atum-Re and replied, “I would be honoured to. I shall look after the people and rule in a fair and honest way. ” Osiris brought great prosperity to Egypt and was loved by all the people. However, his devious brother Seth had always been jealous of him. “Everyone loves my brother Osiris but I cannot stand him! It is not fair that he was made ruler! It should have been me! I know, I will get rid of him once and for all!”

One day Seth organised a big party with lots of food and drink. He showed everyone a large beautifully carved wooden chest. Everyone was dazzled by its beauty. Seth announced, “Anyone who can fit into the chest perfectly could have it as a gift.” Everyone became very excited but no one could fit inside the chest. Then Osiris tried to get in, “Oh I fit inside perfectly!” As soon as Osiris got into the chest, Seth slammed down the lid and threw the chest into the Nile. Osiris tried to get out but he couldn’t. He drowned.

Osiris’ wife, heard about what happened to Osiris. “This is awful! How could he do this? I must go and find Osiris’ body.”

Isis walked for miles before finding the chest washed up at a place called Abybos. She took Osiris out of the water and laid him gently on the river bank. She used her magic powers and turned into a bird, hovering over Osiris. This created a child. At that moment, Seth arrived and saw what Isis had done. “How dare you! I will make sure Osiris is never found again.” Seth angrily cut Osiris’ body into fourteen pieces and scattered them across Egypt. “It is not possible to destroy the body of a god, yet I have done it!” boasted Seth. Isis shouted, “NO!”

Again, Isis did not give up. She walked for miles, picking up each piece. Then she summoned , the jackal headed god of mummification. “Anubis! I call you for your help.” Magically Anubis appeared in front of Isis. “Why have you summoned me?” asked Anubis. Isis looked at him with her sad eyes and said, “I need your help to mummify Osiris and give him a proper burial. Will you help me?” “Of course I will,” replied Anubis.

Once Osiris was given a proper burial, he passed into the and was made judge of the souls of the dead. Isis had her baby. “I shall call you !” Horus became the new ruler of Egypt.

However, Horus was unhappy. “I am not happy about what happed to my father, Osiris. I will challenge Seth to a battle and avenge the death of my father.” Seth laughed and said, “You will never defeat me!” Although Horus and Seth fought a long and hard battle, neither of them emerged as the winner.

According to Ancient Egyptian beliefs, the battle between Horus and Seth will continue until Horus wins. Only then Osiris can come back to rule the world.