Hercules & the Golden Apples of the Hesperides
An Ancient Greek Myth for Kids
The 11th Labor of Hercules
The Golden Apples of the Hesperides
His 11th labor was bring the legendary golden apples of the Hesperides back to King Eury.
There was a rumor that the apples were hidden in the garden of the Hesperides. It was rumored that the apples gave immortal life to anyone who ate them, but hardly anyone believed the rumor. In fact, no mortal knew if the legendary golden apples really existed.
The Hesperides were magical creatures who lived a long way away. It took Hercules several months to reach the land of the Hesperides. When he finally reached the garden, he had to slay a dragon who was guarding the garden gate, before he could search for the apples.
The apples were poorly hidden. They were in plain sight, hanging on the apple tree in the center of the garden. It took Hercules no time at all to round them up. Hercules was tempted to take a bite and give himself immortal life. But he had heard another rumor. He had heard that the apples did not give immortal life, but rather, took immortal life away. That was not his goal at all.
Several months later, when he reached home, he gave the apples to King Eury. Eury quickly gave the apples to his wife. His wife returned the apples to the Hesperides with her apologies.