Perseus
by Nick Hendee
Perseus was conceived in a shower of gold. He was the son of Zeus, king of the gods, and Danae, the beautiful daughter of king Aerusius. King Aerusius didn't want his daughter to have a child because he feared that that child would grow and rise against him. King Aerusius locked his daughter Danae and her baby in a chest and cast them into the sea.
Perseus and Danae landed on the island of Seriphos where a man named Dictys took them in as daughter and grandson. When Perseus was growing up he was always better than everyone else at just about everything. He was the best at all sports and was taller than most men at the age of fifteen.
When Perseus grew up, he became a sailor. He was away from home a lot, not able to take much care of his mother. Once he was away for a long time and the king of Seriphos, Polydectes, kidnapped Danae and made her his slave. Before Perseus got back, Athena came to him in a dream and asked him about his life and told him about the gorgon Medusa. She told him how to kill her but to wait because he was was not yet skilled and would die.
When Perseus returned he almost killed king Polydectes out of rage, but Danae stopped him. Even after all this, Polydectes still wanted Danae, so he figured out a plan to get rid of Perseus.
The king threw a party and invited Perseus. Everyone at the party, as custom, brought the king gifts. Perseus was very poor and couldn't afford a gift so everyone at the party made fun of him. Perseus became very angry and vowed to bring the king the head of Medusa. Later that night Athena came to Perseus in a dream and told him what he had to do.
Perseus arrived at the three grey sisters, three very evil but wise witches, and asked them how to get to Medusa. Perseus had a bit of trouble with them, but he tricked them and stole their magical eye which they used to see. He refused to give it back unless they cooperated. They agreed and told him what to do.
Perseus went on until he heard the Nymphs' sweet voices. The Nymphs were very friendly and playful. They told Perseus the way and gave him a helmet that made him invisible. Before he left he also made a promise to Atlas to turn him to stone with Medusa's head.
Perseus finally made it to Medusa and slew her with no problem. No normal man could sneak up on her but Perseus had the help of the gods. With his invisible helmet he had no problem getting near her and slew her before she even woke up. Now Perseus' job was done. He wrapped Medusa's head in his goatskin and headed for home.
On his way home he saw a beautiful maiden tied to a rock by the sea. he saved her and eventually married her. Her name was Andromeda. When Perseus came back to Seriphos he overthrew king Polydectes. Seriphos wasn't enough for him; he felt he should rule Argos to which he was heir. He raised an army and took Argos from his half brother. There he and Andromeda ruled until their death. When they died, Athena took them to the stars where they can still be seen today.
Source Book:The Heroes
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