Hercules and the Heroes - Greek Mythology Story for Kids

Hercules and his Greek mythological heroes are getting ready to rock the house at Mythic Mania, Legend Lake’s annual battle of the bands. But Hercules keeps finding excuses to leave rehearsals so he doesn’t have to play the drums. After chasing Cerberus the three-headed dog, helping Hydras build an aquatic stage, and tracking down the elusive Golden Deer, everyone begins to wonder what’s really going on. With the clock ticking and the crowd waiting, the band rallies together to help Hercules find his inner strength to rock the beat for one of their biggest moments on stage.

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PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: Hercules and his band prepare for a high-stakes mythic music festival but he becomes overwhelmed as he tries to solve every problem on his own. His struggle highlights the challenge of balancing responsibilities and the pressure of feeling like you must always be the “strong one.” Through support from his friends, Hercules learns that asking for help is not a weakness but a strength. The story reinforces that collaboration, communication, and shared problem-solving lead to better outcomes than working alone, especially when time and expectations are high.

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY about mythical characters, we think you’ll also enjoy episode 83, Bigfoot’s Legendary Birdsong: https://jonincharacter.com/bigfoots-legendary-birdsong/ 

CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. It was written and produced by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.

Visit the official Dorktales shop, Once Upon A Merch at dorktales-shop.fourthwall.com to find fun merch inspired by our podcast.

Transcript

Jonathan 0:28

Hello, Dork Squad. I'm Jonathan Cormur, and you're listening to Dorktales Storytime, the podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grown-ups. And this is one of our anything is possible lore stories. Inspired by our listeners, TJW and Elizabeth S.

Theme Song 0:50

It's a beautiful day for a story, adventure, and glory, new friends and old ones too. It's an excellent day to get swept away in a tale, so let us regale you!

Herc and the Heroes Rehearsal

BABS 1:09

Good afternoon, creatures and cryptids! Welcome to Mythic Mania at Legend Lake. You know me, you love me. I'm your Banshee MC, Barbara Shriek. But you can just call me Babs. Thank you, thank you. As always, I'm here to scream out a scene of one of our most legendary legend lake events, Mythic Mania! Our annual Battle of the Bands! That's right, the best of the best will be playing at the Amphitheatre tonight! But only one band name will be written into the saga of Song Scroll. An honour most honourable here in Legend Lake. Stick around, folks, so ye can be the first to hear these epic tunes. Ah I can't wait to rock and roll! 

Redge 2:21

All right, everyone, let's rehearse your song for Mythic Mania, shall we? Cy the eye Cyclops? I see you've tuned up your bass Uh All warmed up, Calliope

Calliope 2:39

La la la la la la la. It is I, Calliope the Muse, ready to serenade

Redge 2:48

Magnificent! Uh Hermes, how are you feeling on lead guitar and backup vocals?

Hermes 2:54

And it is I, Hermes the Herald, ready to rock and roll!

Redge 3:00

Ooh, perfect, and I love your wing sandals. Looking snazzy.

Hermes 3:05

Hey, thanks!

Redge 3:07

Okay, we've got Pan on the pan pipes, of course. And uh Hercules on the drums. Are you ready, Herc?

Hercules 3:16

Um yeah, I I think. Uh I mean yes.

Redge 3:20

Perfect! Herc and the heroes are all accounted for. Hercules, would you like to count everyone in? Seeing as Herc and the Heroes is your band.

Hercules 3:31

Um maybe you should do it this time.

Cerberus

Redge 3:35

Oh, well, okay. I did volunteer to be your director of spectacle after all. I solemnly swore to make Herc and the Heroes sparkle in the amphitheater tonight.

Hercules 3:50

Uh yeah, absolutely.

Redge 3:54

So, on my count, a five, a six, a five, six, seven.

Hercules 3:59

Wait!

Redge 4:00

Oh what is it, Hercules?

Hercules 4:03

I just realized uh I I can't practice right now.

Hermes 4:08

Here we go again!

Redge 4:10

Oh, why ever not? 

Hercules 4:12

Uh I forgot I promised to walk Cerberus.

Redge 4:15

The three-headed dog? Can't somebody else walk Cerberus?

Hercules 4:19

Everyone knows I'm the only one strong enough to walk him all the way around the lake.

Hermes 4:24

Ah, but can't you do it later, Herc? We've gotta practice this song at least once or twice.

Hercules 4:29

If I don't walk Cerberus before the show, he'll be whining over the music all night.

Redge 4:34

Oh, well, that makes sense. I guess we can practice after you're done. Uh, but hurry back quickly.

Hercules 4:41

Uh yeah, uh of course, yeah. It won't take long.

Calliope 4:46

Uh, that's what he always says.

Hercules 4:53

Uh here, here boy, here boy. Gentle, gentle, whoa!

Redge 5:00

O h dear, he's run off fast.

Hercules 5:03

Slow down, boy.

Redge 5:07

Should we go after them?

Hercules 5:10

I've got him! I've got him.

Pan 5:13

I think he's got him.

Redge 5:15

Hercules! Are you okay?

Hercules 5:18

No, I'm fine.

Redge 5:21

Look out! Cerberus is running straight for the amphitheater stage! He's going to knock over the set! Are you sure you don't need any help?

Hercules 5:32

I got it! I know just what to do

Redge 5:38

Is he grabbing the disco ball from the stage?

Hermes 5:42

It does look like it, yeah.

Redge 5:44

Hercules, what are you going to do with that disco ball?

The Hydras

Hercules 5:48

Alright, Cerberus. Are you ready, boy? And fetch!

Redge 6:02

Aww Sweet puppy playing fetch.

Hermes 6:06

Well done, Herc.

Hercules 6:08

S ometimes Cerberus just needs a little distraction. He'll run around and tire himself out now.

Redge 6:14

Excellent! That means we can practice.

Hermes 6:17

Great! I want to make sure to run the chorus a few times. 

BABS 6:21

Oh Hercules! A minute of your time. The Hydras are all arguing about how to get their keyboards plugged in. They just have to perform in a lake. They refuse to come out. You know, being a big multi-headed lake-drilling beast and all. Anyways, we're building a whole stage in the lake now. Can you carry the platform into the water?

Redge 6:45

Oh, I'm sorry, Babs, but we were just about to practi

Hercules 6:47

Oh, I can't leave the hydras hanging. Of course I can carry the platforms.

BABS 6:53

Tanks, Herc!

Hydra Heads 6:56

Hi, Herc. Hi, Herc. What's up, Herr? Hi. Hi. Hi, Herc.

Hercules 6:59

Hello, Hydra. Let me just lift this. Up

Redge 7:05

Uh Hercules, are you sure you can carry that on your own?

Hercules 7:09

No problem. Just gotta push through the water here. Oh, uh okay. Just moving back over.

Hydra Heads 7:23

Uh no, no, the lights won't reach.

Hercules 7:26

Okay. Even for a strong guy, this platform is getting a bit heavy.

Hydra Heads 7:33

Put it in the middle. No!

Hercules 7:36

I got it! I got it! I got it! We'll just grab two other platforms on top of this one.

Pan 7:44

Eh, are you sure you don't need help?

Speaker 2 7:47

I got it! I didn't earn a gold medal in the boulder toss event at the Legend Lake Olympiad for nothing. Graceful toss. Stylish Toss. And Epic Toss!

Bandmates 8:11

Yeah! Woo! Yeah! Woohoo!

Hercules 8:19

Whew, there. Now we have three platforms. One on the right, one on the left, and one in the center.

Hydra Heads 8:27

Ah, thanks, Herc! Well done, job. Thank you so much!

Redge 8:31

That was very impressive, Hercules.

Hercules 8:35

Thanks. I'm just glad the Hydras can play in the concert now. 

Pan 8:40

So can we practice now?

Calliope 8:44

I need to warm up those high notes on the verses.

Redge 8:47

Oh, yes, let's go ahead and Sorry. That's my acorn phone. Uh one moment. Hello? Oh hi, Jonathan! It's my best friend Jonathan. He's going to bring some of the surprises I have set up for the spectacle. How's it going? Oh what? Oh no!

Hercules 9:13

Uh, what's wrong, Redge?

Redge 9:16

No, that's all right, Jonathan. I'm glad you called. I will see you at the concert soon. The golden deer has run away again.

Hermes 9:28

Uh golden deer? That sounds familiar.

Hercules 9:31

Are you talking about Artemis' precious golden deer companion?

Redge 9:36

Oh yes. We asked if the deer could come and prance across the back of the stage during your song, since

Hercules 9:43

uh it leaves a golden trail of light behind it.

Redge 9:45

Exactly! But the deer is so fast, it slipped away again. This is the third time.

Hercules 9:54

I know exactly what to do. I've caught the deer before, after all. The only one in Legend Lake who has.

Redge 10:01

Oh, that's okay, Hercules. Herc and the heroes need to practice. We will just scratch the deer performance and

Hercules 10:08

Nonsense! All I need to do is go to the west side of the lake.

Hercules Too Strong?

Redge 10:13

But that's far. But I'm fast. And it's simple from there. I just need to climb up the small hill, grab some of Legend Lake's dandelions. They're the deer's favorite. Then run back down the hill, spread the petals to lure the golden deer to us. Then I will sit and wait for one, uh maybe two hours, until the golden deer appears at the edge of the woods eating the petals. Now this is where the plan really begins.

Hermes 10:43

Hey, Herc!

Pan 10:45

That sounds uh complicated.

Calliope 10:47

Are you sure

Redge 10:50

you don't need help?

Hercules 10:52

I got it.

Redge 10:53

But Hercules, I

Hercules 10:55

I know I'll be able to catch this fast little guy. Me and this golden deer, we go way back.

Redge 11:01

Hercules?

Hercules 11:03

H e's fast, but I'm faster, and I always remember someone's favorite snack. The last time, my good pal Artemis needed 

Redge 11:11

Hercules. You've been avoiding practice all afternoon, and we're mere hours away from the show now.

Calliope 11:18

I need to warm up my voice.

Pan 11:21

I need to play these pipes.

Hermes 11:24

And I need to practice my guitar riffs! And Cy Well, cy's doing fine.

Redge 11:31

Hercules, what's going on?

Hercules 11:34

I I

Redge 11:37

I t's okay, Hercules. You can tell us.

Hermes 11:41

Yeah, tell us.

Hercules 11:43

I keep breaking the drums.

Hermes 11:46

What do you mean?

Calliope 11:47

Oh dear.

Pan 11:49

That's kind of rock and roll.

Hercules 11:51

Not if I can't even get through our song once. I think I'm too strong. Every time I try to rock out, I just break everything, and I can't play at all.

Redge 12:02

Oh dear. But I'm sure we can help you with this. Why didn't you tell us?

Hercules 12:08

Ask for help? Me? I'm strong enough to walk Cerberus and carry a stage for the Hydras and catch the golden deer. I can set up the lights, lift the backdrops, and hold up the amphitheater columns while they're getting repaired. I'm I'm used to helping. Not asking for help. I'm sorry I'm letting you down.

Hermes 12:37

You're not letting us down, Herc!

Redge 12:39

Of course not. Everybody needs some help sometimes. Even the strongest among us.

Calliope 12:46

I've asked for help learning how to hit the high notes.

Pan 12:49

I've had great teachers instruct me so I can get better at playing the pipes.

Hermes 12:53

And I'm super awesome! Ah, just kidding. Of course I've asked for help. I've always struggled with bar chords.

Hercules 13:03

Well, what are we going to do? I can't play these drums. Every time I hit them, I break them apart. I'm not so used to being subtle.

Redge 13:14

As your director of spectacle, I will not rest until the spectacle sparkles. And that includes your drums. Let's brainstorm people!

Pan 13:26

We should call Hephaestus.

Redge 13:28

The legend Lake Blacksmith, craftsman, and metal expert?

Hermes 13:32

Maybe he can make you sturdier drums.

Redge 13:35

Oh, and I have a good friend, Frank Rubbish. He's a great drummer. I can call him up and get some of his tips.

Hercules 13:44

That would be amazing.

Herc and the Heroes Rock!

Calliope 13:46

And maybe we can look through Cerberus's pile of sticks.

Redge 13:50

Oh wait! Oh yes! Brilliant! He might have some sticks that we can shape up a bit. Carve into sticks that might fit your drumming style better.

Hercules 14:02

That's so true.

Redge 14:03

You see, I knew we'd be able to get you drumming in no time.

Hercules 14:08

Thanks, everyone! I guess it's not so bad to ask for help after all.

Redge 14:13

No one needs to face challenges alone. 

Hercules 14:16

Alright, Herc and the heroes, let s rock!

BABS 14:28

Good evening, creatures and cryptos! Welcome to Mythic Mania at Legend Lake. I'm your Ban shee MC, Barb ra Shriek. But like always, you can just call me Babs. I hope you're ready to whoop and holler, because we've got some legendary legends of legend lake ready to melt your faces off. Don't worry, it's just an expression. This is Mythic Mania. First up, let's hear it for Herc and the Heroes.

Hercules 15:17

Five, six, seven, eight.

BABS 15:26

Look at these heroes shred.

Redge 15:33

All right, the director of Spectacle is here and ready to go. Cue the golden fireworks! Yes! Now, launch the sun chariot! It should streak across the sky from left to right. Yes, yes, perfect! That looks marvelous! Oh, the big finale is coming up! Cue the confetti volcano! Whee! Spectacle achieved!

BABS 16:12

Well, well, well, Herc and the Heroes gave a heroic performance indeed! Their names will surely be written in the Saga of Song Scroll tonight. Let's hear it from them one more time! Now, tune in for more Mythic Mania!

Jonathan 16:40

This has been a Jon in Character production. This story was written by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks. Reach out to us on Instagram or email us at DorkTalestorytime at gmail.com. Find links in the show notes or go to dorktalesstorytime.com. Now, go be the hero of your own story, and we'll see you next once upon a time.

Theme Song 17:16

So gather your squad the centers. And hit the trails of the wonderful wacky wild world.