“Heracles,” spoke Gwen, pulled his clothes. “What’s that?” he added, pointed at something white hiding behind herb bushes.
“Do you see? It just moved.” added Gwen.
“I see.” said Heracles quickly, still looked at the place, “Do you have same idea with me?” He turned to his friend.
“Catch it.” They said in unison.
Grinned they hinted the others to separate and found the way to approached the thing they saw from two directions. It was something having white color which looked like a white human-shape radish with some leaves upon its head. The thing immediately hid itself behind bushes one Gwen and Heracles looked toward. However, because of curiosity it peeked out to see if they were still there. But, they were gone. Immediately, something was wrong. It turned back at one and discovered they were right behind it. As soon as it can, it ran. Gwen threw himself almost immediately stretched his hands tried to grab it but it dodge and escaped from Gwen’s hand. The thing cried and ran away. Heracles chased after it. He caught up it, got over and then prevented in front of its way. It changed the direction almost immediately and ran in the opposite direction. However, Gwen had gotten on his feet again and stood and stopped on the side. He lowered his body, extend his hands, waited for it. The human-shape radish was so nimble that it dodged Gwen one more time. It leapt upon Gwen’s hands then jumped down, ran through his feet and escaped. Hurriedly, Gwen turned back. He and Heracles chased right after it. When they nearly caught up to it, Gwen one more time threw himself forward but he couldn’t touch on it. The thing leapt up and avoided his hands easily. Gwen lied still in the place. There was only Heracles chasing after it. At last, he threw himself ahead and grabbed on its leg. Heracles held its leg tightly in his hand then slowly stood up. The human-shape radish cried loudly struggling to escape from Heracles’s hand.
“What’s this?” said Gwen appearing behind Heracles.
“I don’t know.” said Heracles, “I may be a creature coming from outside.”
“Hey, what are you?” said Gwen looked at the human-shape radish. It didn’t answer still kept crying. “What are you?” added Heracles but the human-shape radish still cried. Heracles shook it in minutes till he didn’t hear cries. The human-shape radish turned dizzy. Its hands dropped down not struggling anymore. Heracles brought it near his face to observe. It suddenly regained consciousness.
“You are disrespectful to a king.” it shouted to Heracles’s face then screamed again. It made Heracles deaf. Therefore, he shook it again.
“What are you doing?” cried loudly Professor Drusilla in very high pitch. She rushed into Heracles and Gwen, jerked the human-shape radish on Heracles’ hand, which at moment had been fainted. Professor Drusilla hugged the human-shape radish in her chest. She sat down and started crying. She caressed the human-shape radish as though it’s her son. Amelinda hurriedly made her way to there.
“What is going here?” she asked. Her sound broke because of angry. She stared at Heracles who stood still by his friend Gwen. Heracles took his eyes of Professor Drusilla looking at Amelinda. “Uhmm – it think it is a harmful animal. I just caught it.” he explained confused.
“Oh god,” cried Amelinda. Her jaw dropped open as she saw the fainted human-shape radish inside Professor Drusilla. She turned speechless right after that. “Please, leave, all, I want to stay alone.” Professor Drusilla tried hard to say a few words. Heracles was too confused and didn’t understand what he did so badly. He stood still dully. However, Amelinda quickly pulled he and Gwen out of the place. Then she notified to others that the lessons had finished and told them to leave. They quickly left. She, Heracles and Gwen were the last people leaving the nursery.
“What’s that?” asked Heracles on their way.
“Ginseng king,” said Amelinda, “It is considered as a material giving the immortal to people and is hunted in hundreds years. When Professor Drusilla found it, it was seriously injured and nearly died. She herself had to tried effort to save its life. It's knowledgeable and smart like a child. Professor Drusilla didn’t want it to be hurt a little. Therefore, she kept it in there protecting it from any seeing.”; “I think she had hid it before we came but by someway it appeared front of you.” added Amelinda.
“I feel I just did something evil.” said Heracles unhappily.
“Yes, you did.” said Amelinda at one.
“Honestly, we didn’t know it.” said Gwen, “We thought it was only a harmful animal breaking into the nursery and trying to destroy something there.”
“Yeah, but you don’t know that Professor Drusilla love it very much. She considers it as her son and even gave a name to it. She calls it Dai.” said Amelinda.
Heracles turned speechless. He didn’t say more word on the way they turned back to their dorm. He felt so sorry to Professor Drusilla and the human-shape radish, the ginseng king Dai. Right the afternoon a notification appeared on their family’s bulletin board that there would be no more outdoor basic herb and potion lessons. There was no reason given. Others were curious because they were really excited and enjoyed the outside class. They chatted and asked other people about the reason but no one of them knew it. On other hand, Heracles, Gwen know exactly the reason. They kept silent and made the way to leave the crowd standing in front of the board.
“I think we need to find her and apologize.” suggested Gwen.
“You’re right.” said Heracles, “I will find the chance and apologize her.”
*
* * *
Heracles and his class had a lyre lesson the next morning. Heracles knew he would meet again Professor Linus who he hated most but couldn’t avoid it. He still had to attend class. The previous lesson, he and his class had been requested to bring their lyres with them in order to play a little in class so he was forced to bring his lyre.
Professor Linus appeared as usual. He walked in, stopped in middle of pulpit, kept staring over the class until the noises disappeared completely.
!!! The above post is a draft of my first book on Heracles, Heracles and the Nemean lion in Hippocoon land. Its content can be omitted, modified or replaced. If you want to read the full version, click here buy a ebook: Heracles and the Nemean lion or click here to a paper book: Heracles and the Nemean lion by Hung Nguyen !!!
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