我曾经听闻一个古老的故事，讲述了一个名叫俄狄浦斯的人，在他来到忒拜城时，一场神秘的事件正在发生。据说，那里出现了一种可怕的怪物，名为斯芬克斯，她拥有美丽的女性头颅和猛虎般强悍的身体。这只怪兽居住在一座悬崖上，每当过路者无法解答她的谜题，就会遭受其残酷惩罚。

当时，忒拜城正处于悲伤之中，因为国王被不明身份的人杀害。克瑞翁继承了王位，但他的儿子也未能逃脱斯芬克斯的手掌。面对这种情况，克瑞翁宣布任何人若能消除这股灾难，都将获得王位并娶他的姐姐为妻。在这个紧要关头，俄狄浦斯 arrives in Thebes, unaware of the fate that awaits him.

As he climbed up to Sphynx's lair, he volunteered to answer her riddle. The creature posed a seemingly impossible question: "What walks on four feet in the morning, two at noon, and three in the evening?" With a smile and an air of confidence, Oedipus replied correctly: "Man." In childhood we crawl on all fours; as adults we walk upright; and in old age we rely on canes for support. This correct answer left Sphinx perplexed and ultimately led to her downfall.

With this victory over the monster, Oedipus won not only recognition but also a promise from King Creon that he would be granted power if he could eliminate this evil force afflicting his city. As king, Oedipus proved himself wise and fair, earning the admiration of his people. However, when plague struck Thebes due to divine wrath over an unresolved crime within their own ranks—specifically the murder of Laius—the people sought solace from their king.

In response to these pleas for help from both citizens and priests alike—seeking guidance through oracles' revelations—Oedipus ordered inquiries into Laius' death while simultaneously seeking wisdom from blind prophet Tiresias who had claimed knowledge beyond human understanding. But it was Tiresias who revealed a shocking truth: It was none other than Oedipus himself who had committed this sacrilegious act!

Despite being confronted with evidence suggesting otherwise (such as Polybus having been killed by bandits), Oedipus refused to accept responsibility for these crimes against humanity until finally realizing after witnessing tragic events unfold around him that indeed truth lies hidden beneath layers deception & misdirection — even when presented by trusted sources like prophecies or family members themselves!