The more he thought, the more reasonable it seemed. The punishment for Atlas, the ultimate punishment, would be to find him a mate.
Of course, it was difficult. For one such as Atlas, who might qualify?
There were children's' stories, tales, even legends, of women such as these. But reality knew none such.
I have a task of great difficulty, he thought to himself. I'll get busy on it after lunch. "Mother, haven't we anything to eat?"
"Mother, tell me of women."
"Women! Why . . . , eh, what in the world do you want to know?
She blushed slightly, frowned.
"Well, you spoke of Pandora. I am sure there are other women in history. Tell me of them."
She blinked, then smiled. "Oh, of course. History is replete with stories of great women. Let me think."
"What is greatness? Hera, wife of Zeus, of course. Venus, Goddess of Love, certainly. The Amazons, who dominated men, perhaps. There are so many, and they vary in their greatness."
"Let me tell you true, Mother. I have a task laid on by Zeus, to punish the mighty Atlas. I would find for him a wife, a gift of happiness, of misery. Thus there would be punishment, but lightened by womanly touch. Where would I look for such a one?"