Perseus set out on his journey and traveled many days. Finally he came to the country of King Atlas, and found a vast garden surrounded by a high wall. At the gate sat a terrible dragon. Perseus put on his helmet so that the dragon could not see him, and passed into the garden.
After a long while he came to the lake and took off his helmet to get some water to drink. While he was drinking a mighty rush of wind sounded in his ear, and looking into the water he saw the reflection of the terrible Medusa, flying overhead. He just had time to put his helmet on so that Medusa could not see him, when she settled down on the ground near Perseus.
Perseus was careful not to look at her for he knew he would be turned into stone if he did. So he put the shield on his arm and looked at her reflection in the polished steel. She was a terrible monster enough to frighten a much braver man than Perseus, but the young hero drew his dagger and thrust at Medusa’s head without fear. After a few strokes the head fell off. The snakes stopped hissing, and the Medusa was dead.
Perseus using the polished shield as a mirror tied the head of Medusa to a cord and swung it over his shoulders. Stepping into the magic sandals he rose into the air and flew away. At last he came down to earth in a strange country. He looked around and did not know where he was, but was careful not to glance at the Medusa’s head on his back.
Soon a giant came towards him roaring in great rage. “How did you come into this country and who are you?” cried out the giant, who was none other than King Atlas himself.
Perseus was not at all alarmed at the giant, and said, “I am Perseus and have come to get some golden apples from your garden.”
This made the giant so angry that he raised his arm to crush Perseus, but as he did so Perseus turned around and the giant looked into the face of Medusa. As he did so, his arms stiffened, his feet grew stony, and all his body turned into a vast mountain. And people to this day call it Mount Atlas, but it is no other than the giant who was turned into stone.