Medusa

When I was little, our teacher told us to check out a library book. I picked a story called Medusa. Though I do not remember the author's name, I can still visualize those incredible pictures as it told the story.

In that version, Medusa was a beautiful woman who was vain and looked at her reflection too much. One day, she declared that she was more beautiful than the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite. Aphrodite became enraged and cursed Medusa to became a gorgon, a hideous snake monster with serpents for locks and the ability to turn anything to stone.

This version wasn't about Perseus slaying Medusa but rather her story. This one has stuck with me. When I got older, I learned of the Perseus version.

Perseus was ordered to slay the gorgon Medusa in exchange for the king's daughter. He slew Medusa by using his shield as a mirror, reflecting Medusa's own image back at her. She turned to stone allowing Perseus to cut off her head. He bagged it and gave it to the king then went on many other adventures.

In conclusion, Medusa has not only become a part of Greek culture but ours as well thanks to Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.