Atlas laid down the apples. He stooped over. Hercules put the world back on the shoulders of Atlas. The trick had worked. "Good-bye, Atlas," he called. "Thank you for getting the apples."

He climbed back on the earth before Atlas could answer. Hercules took the golden apples to his king. Atlas was left to hold the world forever.

"I was wondering," said Atlas, "if you were strong enough to hold the world. No one except me has ever held it. If you hold it, I'll get the apples." "I'm sure I'm strong enough to hold it, Atlas. I'll stoop down and you slide it on to my shoulders. I think I can hold it until you come back."

He said to himself, "I'll take Atlas into taking the world again." So he said to Atlas, "That's all right with me. But my shoulders are sore. I'd like to make a pad for them. You hold the world a minute while I make the pad."

"Maybe," he thought, "I can talk Hercules into holding it." So he said, "Hercules, how strong are you?" "I am very strong, Atlas. I broke the chains to free Prometheus. Why do you ask?"

"What if Atlas doesn't come back? I don't think I can hold the world much longer. What if I should drop it?" There was no one to help Hercules. Somehow he held on. At last Atlas came back. Atlas was in no hurry to take back the heavy load. He liked being free.

All the earth shook as Atlas and Hercules changed places. It was heavier than Hercules had thought. He drew his muscles tight. He braced his feet. He would show Atlas he was strong. "Atlas," he said, "I'm all right now. You get the apples. But don't stay too long."

Can I ask you a question, by the way? Are you going to... Can I ask you a question, by the way? Are you going to...

"Hercules, you have done well," he said. "There is no one else who could have held the world. I have brought the apples to you." Hercules felt better as soon as he saw Atlas. Now he could give back the world. It was even more important than getting the apples.

Hercules was pleased and excited. "Tell me where I can find Atlas. I'll start now to look for him." "It's not easy as all that, Hercules. First you must go to the edge of the world. That is the place where the world ends. When you reach that place, you will find Atlas.

"I thought you would never come, Atlas. My shoulders and back are so tired. You are right. Holding the world is not easy. If you take it now, I will leave. I thank you for getting the apples."

"I'll find him, Prometheus. What do I ask Atlas when I see him?" "He is the father of the young women. He knows where to find them. He might tell you where they are. Maybe he will get the apples for you." Hercules started out to find Atlas.

"I'll find him, Prometheus. What do I ask Atlas when I see him?" "He is the father of the young women. He knows where to find them. He might tell you where they are. Maybe he will get the apples for you." Hercules started out to find Atlas.

"You mean the garden of the Hesperides. Yes, I know where it is. I wish there were someone to hold the world for me. I'd go get the apples for you." The real truth was that Atlas was tired. He had held the earth for years. This seemed a chance to free for a while.

Marcus, you promised to take us for a ride

Marcus, you promised to take us for a ride.