Hercules & the Nemean Lion
An Ancient Greek Myth for Kids
The 1st Labor of Hercules
The Nemean Lion
The Nemean Lion had huge teeth, and skin so tough that it could not be pierced by arrows. Everyone in the land of Nemean was scared to death of it. Many hunters had tried to kill the beast, but none had succeeded.
The Nemean Lion was also smart. Several hunters had tried to trick it with poisoned meat. The lion never ate the meat. He did, however, eat the hunters.
The lion was strong. But Hercules was stronger. Hercules lured the beast into a trap and strangled it. He made a coat out of the lion's fur. He wore the lion's head as a helmet. With the cheers of the grateful people of Nemean ringing in his ears, Hercules headed for home, delighted with his new clothes.
When King Eury saw the lion's head approaching, he went screaming into his castle. It took Hercules most of one day to convince King Eury that the lion was dead.