Greek mythology depicts Sagittarius as the learned and straight-shooting centaur, Chiron. Son of the sea nymph Philyra, he was sired by the titan Cronus while in the form of a horse (he was hiding from his wife).  Thus Chiron has the body of a horse and the torso of man.  He lived on Mount Pelion with his wife, the nymph Chariclo.  Together, they fostered many of the great heroes and gods of Greek mythology, as Chiron was a revered teacher.  Unlike other centaurs, this wise immortal was patient and cool headed.  Sadly, he met his demise by one of his beloved students, Hercules.  During the fourth labour of Hercules, the hero opened a sacred bottle of wine to accompany his dinner.  The aroma of the wine incited the wild centaurs.  In an attempt to defend himself,  Hercules killed several centaurs with arrows poisoned by the blood of Hydra.  One such arrow pierced his teacher Chiron in the thigh.  Ironically, although Chiron was a great master of the healing arts, he was unable to heal himself and instead suffered constant pain from the wound.  Hercules suggested that Chiron give up his immortality in barter for the freedom of Prometheus, who was being punished for bringing fire to mankind.  Chiron willingly relinquished his immortality, and his half-brother Zeus then placed him among the stars to be honored forever.  Now Chiron holds an arrow pointed at the heart of Scorpio, ready to strike if the scorpion risks an attack on nearby Hercules.  Both Simba and Aladdin were born under this adventuresome sun sign.