Answer:
King Minos demands fourteen Athenian youths each year to pay for his son’s life.
The princess provides Theseus with a sharp sword and a ball of thread.
Theseus slays the Minotaur.
Aegeus falls into the sea and drowns.
Explanation:
"The Cruel Tribute" by James Baldwin is based on the Greek mythology of the monster Minotaur and the tribute asked by King Minos.
As a form of revenge and re-compensation for his son's death, King Minos asked the city of Athens to pay an annual tribute of seven maidens and seven young men to his kingdom. One year, Theseus, the king's son decided to volunteer for the tribute. There, he met the princess who fell in love with him. So, before they were taken to the cave of the monster Minotaur, she provided a thread and a sword to Theseus. The thread was for them to find their way back to the entrance and the sword to kill Minotaur. Theseus slays the monster and escaped with the other youths, along with the princess. King Aegeus had told the men to put up a white sail if his son is alive. But in their excitement and happiness, they forgot to put up the white sail. When Aegeus saw the black sail still flying in the approaching ship, he fell into the sea and drowned.
