Literacy Homework – Due in Wednesday 11th January
WALT – To become familiar with a text
WILF –
Read this text to an adult a few times.
Try learning 1 or 2 paragraphs off by heart.
Can you think of any actions that might help you to learn the text off by heart?
Hercules and the Hydra
Once, many moons ago, lived a man called Hercules who was the strongest, bravest,
most heroic man in all of Greece. While under a wicked spell, Hercules had killed his
family. Even though he was strongest, bravest, most heroic man he was also sad
and alone. He knew one day he would be punished for his crime.
At noon on a boiling summer’s day, Hercules was summoned to the palace of King
Eury. Boldly, he strode across the glimmering hall, climbed the golden steps and
knelt before the king.
“As punishment for your crimes,” said the king, “you must defeat the most deadly
beast in all of Greece. The hideous Hydra can be found in the swamp in the exact
centre of Greece. Now go!” And with that, Hercules’ quest had begun.
For many days and many nights the hero battled through storms, across deserts and
over mountains until he came to a silent swamp. As darkness fell, he lit a burning
torch and tiptoed closer to the bubbling water. Hercules drew his xiphos, said a
prayer to the gods, and waited. Suddenly the angry serpent darted at Hercules,
forked tongues tasting the air and nine pairs of red eyes glinting in the gloom.
Holding his breath, Hercules lunged towards the terrible lizard, slashing wildly at the
heads. But every time he chopped one off, another grew it its place!
Again and again he slashed at the heads, and again and again they grew back.
Spitting, the monster coiled its slimy body around Hercules. Another man would
have been crushed to death, but Hercules flexed his bulging muscles and wriggled
free. Running, Hercules caught sight of burning torch still alight on the edge of the
swamp. He grabbed it and slashed again at the Hydra’s heads. As soon as the
head splashed into the lake, Hercules burned the place where the head had been.
No new head grew! Again and again he slashed and burned the heads until the final
head was removed. The evil glint in the Hydra’s eyes faded and finally Hercules had
slain the beast.
“Am I free from my crimes?” asked Hercules as he threw the slimy head of the
Hydra at the feet of King Eury. Slyly, the king raised one eyebrow and replied
“You have indeed been brave, but this is only one of the tasks I have for you. There
are still eleven more to go.”
Furiously, Hercules stormed out of the golden throne room. His quest, you see, had
only just begun.
Parent comment:
Sign to confirm work has been completed ____________________________________________________