Perseus and the Gorgon

Perseus placed the eye in the forehead of the Old Woman who had spoken to him. As soon as she could see again, she tried to scratch him with her long black fingernails, but Perseus escaped easily. With Hermes, he rose swiftly into the air on his winged sandals. “We must part here” Hermes said “Farewell Perseus, remember all you must do when you reach the land of the Gorgons” Hermes soared into the clouds and out of sight. Perseus turned westward as the Old Woman had said and he flew past all the coasts and oceans which they told him led to his destination. Beneath him as he flew, the Earth looked like a carpet of many colors. There was the dark green of the forest and grasslands. There was the gold of the sand on the seashore and the blue of the lakes, rivers, and oceans. After a while though Perseus could only see black rocks and grey barren mountains. Perseus knew he was now nearing his destination. At last he saw a large black island below. Three shapes lay on the rocks by the shore. They looked like giant winged dragons. “The Gorgons!” Perseus cried, feeling frightened and excited at the same time. All three looked as if they were asleep. When he looked at them, Perseus shivered with horror. The Gorgons were the most horrible creatures he had ever seen. Two were covered in dragon scales, and from the cheeks grew two white tusks. Their hands had long claws made of brass. The third Gorgon too had tusks and hands of brass. But all over her head instead of hair was a withering mass of snakes. “That’s Meduse”, breathed Perseus. He must hurry. The gorgan might wake at any moment. Perseus hovered in the air while he placed on his head the helmet of invisibility, which belonged to Hades. He opened the magic wallet