The Labors of Hercules Beal

Hercules still watches the sunrise every morning, but now with both Mindy and Pirate Cat, while Achilles sleeps unaware at home. At school, in many of his science classes, they learn about different systems, which he appreciates because systems make sense. Meanwhile, Hercules worries about his second labor. In this task, the mythical hero slew the Lernaean Hydra, which had nine heads—eight mortal and one immortal. When one head was cut off, two new ones grew in its place. As a result, when he dispatched of a head, his nephew, Iolaus, burned the stump to prevent new growth. To dispose of the immortal head, Hercules buried it.

One Friday, Mrs. DeJong, the biodiversity teacher, gives Hercules a list of plants that she needs by Monday morning. Reviewing it, he notices nine different plants, reminding him of the Hydra. Even though Hercules knows that it would take a miracle to get the plants by Monday, he agrees to do it. That evening, Achilles asks about a hospital bill. After Hercules explains the expulsion of the cats and shows his scarred legs, Achilles says he wishes he knew about it sooner. When Hercules says his parents should have been with him, Achilles is quiet. Changing the subject, Hercules shares the list of plants. Achilles scoffs because he would need to order them from a wholesaler in Cleveland. Viola offers to drive there if Hercules accompanies her. Even though Achilles orders the plants, he reprimands Hercules just like their father would have.

On Saturday, they depart. Soon, Hercules falls asleep and dreams. When he wakes, Viola observes that Hercules never says what is on his mind, just like Achilles, who misses their parents and worries about his brother. Before sunrise, they arrive at Viola’s aunt and uncle’s house, and Hercules relishes their hugs. While resting, Hercules recalls visiting his dad in the hospital. He and Achilles hurried toward their father’s room, where the battered man lay hooked up to equipment. When the man woke and learned that their mom died, he perished soon after. After the nurses shut off the machines, Hercules asked that one remain on while he sat with his dad. Even now, he can still hear the hum of the last machine. Later, they get the plants and return home. In Massachusetts, Hercules unexpectedly shares details of his parents’ deaths and confesses that although people expect him to have moved on by now, he cannot. Viola reveals that Achilles feels the same.

In his reflection, Hercules compares the hospital machines to the Hydra, admits not wanting to say goodbye to his dad, and suggests that the machine’s hum is a reminder of his parents’ love. Lieutenant Colonel Hupfer ignores this confession, complains about Hercules’s writing, and gives him a “B.”

When they arrive home at 4 am, they head to bed. Hercules still gets up for sunrise, and he imagines his parents holding hands. At school, he reminds Lieutenant Colonel Hupfer that it took the mythical hero one year to complete his third task—capturing the Ceryneian Hind (a deer). Later, when talking about their projects, Henry and Ty admit to lying about their progress. Hercules doubts he will finish all 12 labors.

At the Nursery, Achilles instructs Hercules to move 700 chrysanthemums for the leaf peeper tourists, who come each year to see the fall foliage. Because most trees in Truro have not yet changed colors, Hercules imagines that the tourists are disappointed. Like the hero tracking the deer, the leaf peepers are searching for the perfect tree, which gives Henry an idea for Hercules’s next labor. After school, they meet up with Elly to paint her sugar maple tree yellow, one leaf at a time. The next day, Henry posts signs everywhere about the tree. That afternoon, cars are lined up, and there is a police barricade. It seems the plan will work. However, a wet fog moves in. Then, just as quickly, the sun comes out again, and the tree glistens in the damp light until the paint begins dripping to the ground. Disappointed, the crowd departs.

The next morning, Hercules and Henry are sent to the principal, Dr. S. Klatt, who is irate that students at a school for environmental sciences would intentionally damage a tree. When Henry protests that it was only one tree, the principal scoffs because that excuse has been used countless times throughout history. As punishment, both boys must complete community service. When Hercules walks by the mynah birds, they finally chant “Beal Beal Beal” (119), but it feels like an accusation. Lieutenant Colonel Hupfer marvels that they painted each leaf on the tree, something even the mythical hero would be impressed by. Later, the tree’s leaves have naturally turned golden yellow.

In his reflection, Hercules admits that sometimes it is better to wait for things than hunt them down. Lieutenant Colonel Hupfer’s feedback includes a warning about Hercules’s tone, as well as a note that the boy’s reflection is a good one, despite his crime. Hercules earns a “B.”