It all started one sunny day when Apollo, the bright god of the sun, music, and archery, was feeling super pleased with himself. He had just defeated a giant, scary serpent called Python with his mighty bow and arrows.

Nearby, Cupid, the little god of love, was playing with his own tiny bow and arrows. Apollo, still puffed up with pride, saw him and chuckled. "Hey there, little guy," Apollo said, "What are you doing with those toy weapons? Big battles are for big gods like me!"

Cupid, who was small but had a big temper, didn't like being teased. "My arrows might be small," Cupid huffed, "but they are more powerful than you think, Apollo!"

To prove his point, Cupid flew to the top of a mountain. He took out two special arrows. One had a sharp, shiny gold tip. The other had a dull, heavy lead tip. He aimed the gold arrow straight at Apollo’s heart. Zing! It hit its mark, and instantly, Apollo felt a strange, tingly feeling.

Then, Cupid spotted a beautiful nature-loving girl named Daphne running through the forest. Daphne loved trees, animals, and being free. She was the daughter of a river god and had no interest in falling in love. Cupid aimed his lead arrow at Daphne. Thwack! It hit her, and suddenly, the very idea of love made Daphne want to run away as fast as she could.

Just then, Apollo saw Daphne. Because of Cupid’s golden arrow, he thought she was the most wonderful person he had ever seen. "Oh, hello!" he called out, his heart beating like a drum. "Please wait!"

But Daphne, struck by the lead arrow, felt a shiver of dislike. She didn't want to talk to Apollo, or anyone who looked at her with such googly eyes. So, she turned and ran!

"Don't run away!" Apollo shouted, starting to chase her. "I'm Apollo! I just want to talk!"

Daphne ran faster. She was a swift runner, but Apollo was a god and very fast too. Through forests and over fields they went. Daphne could hear Apollo getting closer and closer. She was getting so tired, and her legs ached.

"Please," Apollo panted, "I only want to tell you how lovely you are!"

But Daphne just wanted to escape. As she reached the bank of her father’s river, she cried out, "Oh, Father, help me! Change me! Take away this beauty that causes me so much trouble!"

Her father, the river god, heard her desperate plea. Just as Apollo was about to reach her, a strange thing happened. Daphne’s feet felt stuck to the ground and began to grow roots. Her arms stretched up and became branches, and her lovely hair turned into green, rustling leaves. Her skin became rough bark. Daphne was turning into a beautiful laurel tree!

Apollo finally reached her, but instead of the girl, he found a tree with a gently beating heart inside its trunk. He was heartbroken. He hugged the tree. "Oh, Daphne," he said sadly. "Since you cannot be my love, you will be my special tree. Your leaves will be a sign of victory and honor. I will wear a crown of your leaves, and so will great poets and heroes."

And so, even today, the laurel tree is special to Apollo. And that’s why you often see heroes and winners in stories wearing wreaths made of laurel leaves, all because of a proud god, a grumpy Cupid, and a girl who just wanted to run free in the woods.

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