Labor Two - Destroy the Lernean Hydra

Hercules' second task was to destroy or kill the Lernean Hydra.

The Hydra of Lerna had a dog's body and nine serpents' heads. If a head was ever cut off it would grow back immediately. This was a problem for Hercules because how could he possibly kill the hydra if it is useless cutting off it's heads. This creature was so dangerous that if it looked directly into your eyes, you would die. Hercules closed his eyes and ran at the hydra. He swung his sword but didn't hit the hydra once. One time, Hercules almost hit himself. He knew this wouldn't work.

Hercules needed a plan and he got one. He got leaves from a special tree. From one side you could see through the leaves and from the other, you can't see through them.

Hercules put the leaves on his eyes and ran at the hydra holding nine tree stumps on his back. Hercules cut off one head and put the tree stump in it. Hercules repeated this for seven more heads. There was still one head left on the hydra but no trees anywhere in sight.

Hercules was stumped on what to do. Quickly he thought of something. Hercules took the lion head that he wore for protection. Hercules cut the last head off the hydra and stuck the lion head into it. The head started to grow but was stopped by the head. Hercules had completed his second task.
 

Written by Jeffrey Kauth and Illustration by Christian Clark