This month's story centers on the eleventh of the twelve great labors of Hercules, the delivery of some of the Golden Apples of the Hesperides to King Eurystheus of Tiryns. The apple tree which bore these golden fruit had been a wedding present to Zeus and Hera from Gaia, mother of the universe. Hera, knowing its value, placed it in her garden in "the far west". There it was guarded by a dragon, Ladon, and attended by the three daughters of Atlas, the Hesperides.

Hercules' trip to the Garden was an incredible adventure in itself. Highlights of it are that he fought with the God of War, Ares, though the fight was broken up by Zeus, and later, he rescued Prometheus from the eagle, Aquila.

Sources differ on whether Hercules actually steals the apples, or has someone else do it. By one source, Hercules visits Atlas, and convinces him to enter the garden and return with some apples. During the time Atlas was gone, Hercules took the weight of the sky on his own shoulders. Upon returning, and not wanting to hold up the sky again, Atlas said that he'd take the apples to the king. Prometheus had warned Hercules that something like this might happen, so Hercules said, "Great! Thanks a lot! But before you leave, I'd like to make a pad for my head." Nice guy Atlas put down the apples, and relieved Hercules of the load. Hercules, obviously the smarter of the two, grabbed the apples and left.

The other story line takes place during Jason's return trip with the Golden Fleece. The Argo had been

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