Atlas laid down the apples. He stooped over. Hercules put the world back on the shoulders of Atlas. The trick had worked. "Good-bye, Atlas," he called. "Thank you for getting the apples."

All the earth shook as Atlas and Hercules changed places. It was heavier than Hercules had thought. He drew his muscles tight. He braced his feet. He would show Atlas he was strong. "Atlas," he said, "I'm all right now. You get the apples. But don't stay too long."

"I'll be glad to take the apples to the king for you, Hercules," said Atlas. "Then I'll take the world when I come back. You are strong. You can hold it for a while longer." Hercules had no idea of letting Atlas leave again. He had held the world long enough.

"What if Atlas doesn't come back? I don't think I can hold the world much longer. What if I should drop it?" There was no one to help Hercules. Somehow he held on. At last Atlas came back. Atlas was in no hurry to take back the heavy load. He liked being free.

Back when the world was new

"Hercules, you have done well," he said. "There is no one else who could have held the world. I have brought the apples to you." Hercules felt better as soon as he saw Atlas. Now he could give back the world. It was even more important than getting the apples.

He was talking to nobody before he hit his head ?

Look over the edge of the world. You will see a giant. He holds the whole world on his shoulders. That is Atlas."

- Woah! - The planet Earth was down on its luck

Atlas took a deep breath. He shook his shoulders. For the first time in years he was able to stand up straight.

Atlas talking to the bouncer while looting the performers

He was talking to nobody before he hit his head ?

He was talking to nobody before he hit his head ?

Many years ago, the first book of maps had a picture of a man holding up the world. The man's name was Atlas. People began calling it "the Atlas book." Later they just called it an "Atlas." Now, after many years, the name Atlas has come to mean a book of maps. This old Greek story tells about Atlas.

He was talking to nobody before he hit his head ?

Welcome to the largest continent on earth!