This unceremonious summons came as a complete, and
not overly appreciated, surprise.
He noted immediately Zeus' red face, and the tumultuous tower
of black clouds above Olympus. This was going to be a real task!
"Atlas! A vulgar name! Do you know it? I'll tell you of Atlas!
Condemned! Condemned to hold the world forever upon his
shoulders! And he dares claim that I chose him for that task
because I had not the strength and stamina to perform it! How
dare he!"
Zeus paced back and forth, sputtering.
"He is to be punished. Right now, I have yet to decide the what
that punishment shall be. You, my lad, shall decide. I want you
to travel widely, to examine all the vilest, cruelest, most
atrocious forms of torture. Select from these the very worst.
That torture shall be imposed on the impudent lout."
"But, Sire, I . . . "
"Enough! Begone. And do not linger, or you may join him."
Never had he seen Zeus so angry. Once more he started to speak,
but with a wave of his hand Zeus dismissed him.
He landed in the midst of a patch of briars, extricated himself
slowly and carefully. "My, but he is peeved!"
Two mighty brothers served Zeus faithfully and well. Yet there
came a falling out, and the anger of Zeus could not be appeased.
One brother he chained to a mountain crag, and daily sent a
great eagle to tear and rend his flesh.
One he placed in eternal servitude, to carry upon his shoulders
the earth and heavens.
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