Slide 1 Heracles and the Golden Apples A Myth from Greece Who are some of the characters you know from Greek myths? What are their unique talents? According to the ancient Greeks, Heracles was the son of Zeus, king of all the gods. Heracles’s mother was a mortal, or human being, so Heracles was born a human, with the godlike strength of his father. King Eurystheus was jealous of Heracles because he was so strapping and strong. The mortal king ordered Heracles to do dangerous labors, hoping that he would disappear, but Heracles kept coming back. Finally, the king came up with a plan to get rid of Heracles forever. “I have heard that the gods have a beautiful garden planted around a tree that bears golden apples. Bring me three golden apples for my daughter,” King Eurystheus commanded Heracles.

Slide 2 Heracles and the Golden Apples A Myth from Greece (Cont.) It was well-known that only the gods were allowed to pick the golden apples, and that great harm would come to any mortal who broke this rule. But as king, Eurystheus had clout, and Heracles had no choice but to do what he said. So though Heracles was filled with dread, he traveled many miles to the garden of the gods. He soon found the tree with the golden apples. The tree was guarded by a hundred-headed dragon. Heracles noticed a giant standing outside the garden wall. The giant was supporting the sky on his head and uplifted hands. “That must be the god Atlas,” thought Heracles. “I dare not pick the apples myself, but perhaps he will do it for me.” Heracles called to Atlas, “I will hold the sky for you if you will pick three apples for me,” he said. The sky was heavy, and Atlas needed a break. “I would be happy to pick them,” responded Atlas, “if you will be so kind as to get rid of the hundred-headed dragon.”

Slide 3 Heracles and the Golden Apples A Myth from Greece (Cont.) Heracles agreed. He pulled out his bow and sent dozens of arrows into the dragon until it lay still and powerless beneath the tree. Then he climbed onto the boulder where Atlas stood. With deft hands, Atlas leaned over and transferred the weight of the sky onto Heracles’s shoulders. Heracles could not believe how heavy the sky was! He legs began to buckle, and pain ripped through his shoulders. Salty sweat poured down his forehead and stung his eyes. “Did you get the apples yet?” he asked, panting. Atlas was holding the apples, but he was in no hurry to take back the burden of the sky. “I’ll take the apples to the king myself,” he called. “Only then will I return.” Heracles thought quickly. “Before you go,” he said, “please hold the sky for a moment. I just need to place my lion skin on my shoulders to cushion the weight.” But as soon as Atlas took hold of the heavy sky, Heracles tucked the apples into his shirt and ran off to return to the king.

Slide 4 Heracles and the Golden Apples A Myth from Greece (Cont.) “You are a persistent fellow, aren’t you?” said the king when he saw Heracles coming. “But it looks like you did not bring the golden apples.” When Heracles took out the apples, the king was filled with dread, for he knew that the gods would punish anyone in possession of their golden apples. Now he wished he had never requested them for his daughter. He could never give them to her. “Take them, Heracles,” he said. “They are yours.” Heracles was too wise to keep the lovely apples. He took them to the home of a goddess, so that she could return them to their rightful place in the garden of the gods. Heracles had to complete one last labor for the jealous king, but when that was over, he led a life of adventure and glory. Unit 4, Week 2 1. Where can you see trees that bear fruit? 2. What could cause your legs to buckle? 3. What do you do when your backpack has become a burden to carry? 4. Who has more clout at school: a principal or a student? Why? 5. How do padded straps help to cushion the weight of a heavy backpack? 6. Why is it important for a carpenter to be deft with tools? 7. Does holding a snake sound like fun or does the idea fill you with dread? 8. When a person has glory, is he famous and admired or easily forgotten? 9. What do people feel jealous about? 10. What kind of labor takes a great deal of strength? 11. What can Greek gods do that mortals can’t do? 12. Which animal is persistent: an ant carrying a leaf or a tiger sleeping in the sun? Why? 13. What games involve two teams trying to get possession of the ball? 14. What gifts did you request for your last birthday? 15. Would someone be more likely to be strapping when they are young or old?