Hercules was a strong and brave man. He
lived in Greece. The King was jealous of Hercules. He set difficult tasks for
Hercules the King. Therefore, he wanted to get rid of Hercules. He set
difficult task for Hercules to keep him away from the country.
Once he asked Hercules to get there golden
apples that only grew at a place called Hesperides. No one knew the way to
Hesperides.
Hercules set out on the journey. At first
he met three maidens during the journey. They told him to ask the old man of
the sea. But they also warned him, " Hold the old man of he sea tightly.
Otherwise he will escape. No one else knows the way." Hercules saw the
old. He was sleeping on the shore. Hercules walked to him without making any
noise. Then he seized him very firmly. The old man of the sea was suprised. He
changed himself into a stag. He tried to free himself from the grip , but
Hercules held him tight. Finally the old man said to Hercules, " Who are
you? What do you want from me?" Herculesnreplied, the old man said to
hercules. Tell me the way to Hesperides." The old man said, it's an
island, Go along the seashore. You will meet a strong giant. He will show you
the way Hesperides."
Hercules continued his journey. He met the
giant that immediately struck Hercules with a club. Hercules charged at the
giant. He lifted the giant and threw him down. But the giant got up immediately
and become ten times stronger. Hercules threw him down again and again. But,
each time the giant rose uo much stronger. Then Hercules lifted the giant high
up in the air and did not throw him down. The giant slowly lost all hist
strength. He now pleaded with Hercules to put him down. Hercules asked him to
tell the way to Hesperides. The giant asked Hercules to meet Atlas. He told him
the way to the place where Atlas was.
Hercules continued his journey. He, at
last, met Atlas and asked where Hesperides was. “ It is a long way from here to
that place. Only I can go there. Hold this sky for me. I shall get them for
you,” said Atlas. Hercules agreed. He held the sky on his shoulders. Atlas walked
away. He was back in a short time. He put down the three golden apples at the
foot of Hercules. Hercules thanked Atlas. He requested Atlas to take back the
sky from him. “Take back the sky!” said Atlas cunningly. “I have held it for a
thousand years. I shall come back after another thousand years!” Hercules was
astonished at what Atlas told him. But he did not express his astonishment. He recovered
his senses and replied, “oh! In that case, will you please hold the sky for a
little while longer? I shall make a pad for my shoulders to support the sky. Then
I shall take back the sky from you.” Thus Hercules talked very quietly. Atlas agreed.
Atlas took back the sky from Hercules. Hercules immediately collected the three
golden apples. He bid Atlas goodbye with a mischievous smile on his face. Then he
walked away towards Greece leaving Atlas speechless and surprised.
