The story is about a young man named Perseus who is skilled with weapons. He is tasked by a cruel king to retrieve the head of the Gorgon Medusa. With the help of Quicksilver and the goddess Athena, Perseus is able to complete the difficult task. Upon retrieving Medusa's head, Perseus uses it to turn the wicked king and his men to stone. The story conveys lessons about not giving up in the face of challenges, and how those who help themselves may receive aid from others.

1. The Gorgon’s head
彰化高商 應外二 1 NO.12 杜柔槿
Afterthoughts:
The Greek’s myth has great influence on both English literature and idioms. On
the other side, the stories have always been attractive and interesting. The story I read
this time is The Gorgon’s head. This story is mainly talking about a young man who is
skillful in using weapons and was demanded to finish a difficult task by a mean king.
In the beginning of the story, Perseus, the young man and his mother, Danäe, were
rescued by a kind-hearted fisherman. After Perseus grew up, the wicked king, who is
also the fisherman’s brother, asked Perseus to repay him and his brother in some way.
As a result, Perseus was made to obtain the Gorgon Medusa’s head as a payment to
the king. During the process of getting the Gorgon Medusa’s head, Perseus was very
upset and worried at first, since he knew that the Gorgon Medusa was very terrible.
While he was thinking about the solution to the problem, Quicksilver came to help,
who had helped a lot of young men. He told Perseus the methods to get the Gorgon’s
head and had Athene to help him. Although they had met a lot of difficulties and
challenges, Perseus had reached the goal at the end. As soon as he got the Gorgon
Medusa’s head, he made the wicked king and his cruel man into stone statue by
showing them the Medusa’s head.
The story has inspired me several important things. One is that evil couldn’t
defeat the good at the end. The other is once a person wants to success; he will
definitely win some help. As the saying goes, “God help those who help themselves.”
In the beginning of the story, Perseus seems to be lonely and helpless. Luckily, he
received Quicksilver and Athene’s help so that he could obtain the Gorgon Medusa’s
head. The third thing I have learned is that, no matter how difficult the task is, we
have to do our best to finish it. As Perseus did, when he accepted the king’s demand,
he has been teased by the people who looked down on him at first, but he has
struggled to complete the task and hasn’t given up until he finished it. I really look up
to him because he reached his goal and hasn’t put it away until the last minute. This
kind of spirit is what we should learn. Besides learning not to give up easily, we have
to learn how to bear stress. Perseus also felt stressful when he first received the
mission, he told himself to go over it. Learning how to overcome pressure is very
important for all of us.

2. “The Gorgon’s head” is not only a myth. In addition to the interesting story, the
writer has also conveys some sensible reasons through it. By readings these western
mythologies, we can not only improve our reading ability but also learn lots of
life-long truth. (486words)
Peer comment: 彰化高商 應外二 1 NO.11 李蔚慈
I agree with her that Perseus is really a brave man. He was not afraid of the
terrible three grey women and finished the difficult task.
The first paragraph is talking about the summary of The Gorgon’s Head. I think
it’s very detailed and readers can easily understand the story.
Then the second paragraph is her reflections. She thinks that The Gorgon’s
Head tell us “God help those who help themselves”. Adding idiom in the reflection is
a great way to make article colorful. I think this idiom is put in the right way because
Perseus is a person who always tries his best to do any thing and he doesn’t give up
anytime. Then Quicksilver and Athene show up to help him.
Finally, the last paragraph is the conclusion. Her conclusion is about all the
wonder stories in Greece. I agree with that this book is very interesting and it conveys
some life-long truth to us.
The reflection is great. Nevertheless, I think it can be better. The introduction
can be shorter, and increase something in conclusion can make this reflection more
perfect. (185words)
Teacher’s Comment:
This is a well summarized, well organized, and well reflected afterthoughts.
You have very neatly summarized the highlights of the stories and shared the lessons
learned here. The inspiration you got also tells how deeply and thoughtfully you have
reflected on them. I enjoy reading your afterthoughts and am amazed at your
organization ability. Nice job!!!