Perseus did not remain long after this bloody battle in the kingdom of Kepheus. Taking with him the beautiful Andromeda, he returned to Serif to King Polydectes. Perseus found his mother Danae in great grief. Fleeing from Polydectes, she had to seek protection in the temple of Zeus. She did not dare to leave the temple for a single moment. The angry Perseus came to Polydectes' palace and found him and his friends having a luxurious feast. Polydectes did not expect that Perseus would return; he was sure that the hero had died in the fight against the gorgons. King Serif was surprised when he saw Perseus standing in front of him, and he calmly said to the king:
“Your order has been fulfilled, I have brought you the head of Medusa.”
Polydectes did not believe that Perseus had accomplished such a great feat. He began to mock the godlike hero and called him a liar. Polydectes' friends also mocked Perseus. Anger boiled in Perseus's chest; he could not forgive the insult. With his eyes flashing menacingly, Perseus took out Medusa’s head and exclaimed:
- If you don’t believe it, Polydectes, then here’s proof for you!
Polydectes looked at the gorgon's head and instantly turned to stone. The king’s friends who feasted with him did not escape this fate.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru