1 What have I done

Hercules The World's Strongest Man

Chapter 1 "What have I done?" Hercules was a strong, brave and cheerful man. But today he sat with his head in his hands, sobbing. "What have I done?" he groaned. "My wife and children are dead, and it's all my fault!"

The night before, Hercules had eaten a great feast. But he didn't know that the goddess Hera had poisoned his wine. The poison drove Hercules crazy. As he was eating, he thought he saw his family turn into wild animals- and so he killed them.

Hera was the wife of Zeus, the king of the gods. Hercules was Zeus's son, and Zeus adored him -but Hera was not his mother. Hera hated Hercules. Hercules must live an unhappy life.

Hercules desperately wanted to be a hero. But how could he, after what he'd done? He went to a temple to pray to his father, Zeus.

"Hercules, I am ashamed of you!" bellowed Zeus. "But I will forgive you, if you can prove your strength, courage and determination." "Go to King Eurystheus in Tiryns. He will set you ten tasks. You must complete them all." Eurystheus was a loyal servant of Hera. Hercules knew the tasks wouldn't be easy.