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The General Mills Radio Adventure Theater was an anthology radio drama series with Tom Bosley as host, which aired on the CBS Radio Network in 1977. Himan Brown, already producing the CBS Radio Mystery Theater for the network, added this twice-weekly (Saturdays and Sundays) anthology radio drama series to his workload in 1977. It usually aired on weekends, beginning in February 1977 and continuing through the end of January 1978, on CBS radio affiliates which carried it.
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00:12Welcome to the magical land of radio, where adventure is yours for the twist of the dial.
00:18I'm Tom Bosley, your guide in this wonderful and exciting world.
00:23In the weeks before, you've met many heroes, but today you shall meet the young man who was probably the
00:30first of all heroes.
00:32His name is Jason, and when he went forth on his dangerous quest for the Golden Fleece, many thousands of
00:40years ago,
00:41he set the style for all the adventures that have been told since.
00:47Our adventure story, Jason and the Golden Fleece, was written especially for the General Mills Radio Adventure Theater by Paul
00:55Tripp.
00:56I'll be back shortly with Act One.
01:05We've inherited many wonderful ideas from the ancient Greeks.
01:09Democracy, mathematics, geography, astronomy.
01:13The art of storytelling was also invented in Greece.
01:17Even the word hero is Greek.
01:20It means a man of courage and daring.
01:23The stories we tell about these heroes are called myths or fables.
01:28Our adventure today is a real believe-it-or-not story.
01:33Now, you don't have to believe it, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
01:37It begins on the top of a mountain in ancient Greece.
01:41Yes.
01:42Jason, my son, let us search the valley below with our eyes.
01:46What should I look for, father?
01:48There it is, my son.
01:49Behold.
01:51Athens.
01:52The golden city of Greece.
01:54But you've shown it to me before.
01:56Why now again?
01:57Today you have reached the age of twenty.
02:00And it is time you heard the truth.
02:03Once, I ruled in that city, king of all Greece.
02:07If that is so, then why do we live on this mountaintop instead of in the palace of Athens?
02:13Because another king now rules in my place.
02:17My younger brother, Peleus.
02:19You gave up your crown to him?
02:21Nay, he took it from me.
02:23He incited my soldiers against me and seized my kingdom.
02:27You were two years old then, Jason.
02:30Why did you not fight back?
02:32Because in a war, many innocent people die.
02:35I wish no bloodshed.
02:37I took you in my arms and fled to this mountaintop.
02:41I wish to hide you from my brother's eyes.
02:44Had he found you, he would have killed you.
02:48For you are the true heir to his throne.
02:51Then I must go to Athens and take it back.
02:53Ah, I had hoped you would say that.
02:56I have waited long for this day.
02:58But father, how shall I prove that I am the rightful king?
03:02Here.
03:03Hang my sword from your belt.
03:06My brother Peleus will recognize it.
03:09The rest is up to you.
03:11He must go now.
03:13And may the gods who dwell upon Mount Olympus keep watch over you.
03:22Well, soothsayer, have you discovered the reason why my knights are so sleepless?
03:27I have, mighty King Peleus.
03:29For seven knights I have read the stars.
03:32They say, beware of a man who shall come tomorrow wearing but one sandal.
03:38For he shall take your kingdom from you and keep it.
03:42Do the stars say who this man is?
03:44No, your majesty.
03:45The stars lie.
03:47No man will ever take my kingdom from me.
03:55You there.
03:57Why do you block the road to Athens?
03:58Let me pass.
03:59Oh!
04:00Why?
04:01What manner of beast are you?
04:03With the face of a woman?
04:05On a winged lion's body?
04:07They that know me call me the Sphinx and are afraid.
04:11I'm not afraid.
04:13Now let me pass.
04:14Take your hand away from your sword.
04:17No one can kill me.
04:19If you answer my riddle, I will let you pass.
04:22Ask.
04:23What is your riddle?
04:24What is it that in the morning goes on four feet, at noon on two, and in the evening on
04:33three?
04:34It goes on four feet in the morning, on two feet at noon, and on three feet in the evening.
04:40Well, that's very simple.
04:42The answer is man.
04:44Now let me pass.
04:46Not so fast.
04:47First, you must give me your reasoning.
04:50If you insist, the answer is man, because in the morning of his life, he crawls on all fours, his
04:57two hands and his two feet.
04:59In the noon of his life, when he has become strong, he walks on two feet.
05:03But when the evening of his life has come and he is old and needs support, he takes a staff
05:07for his third foot.
05:09Now will you let me pass?
05:11At last, my riddle has been answered.
05:14There is no longer room for me in Greece.
05:17Where shall you go?
05:19To the desert in Egypt, where I shall sit in front of the three pyramids there and meditate forever.
05:25And never again shall man hear me speak.
05:28Go, Jason.
05:30Your road to Athens is open.
05:32One word of warning.
05:34In a little while, you will come to a raging stream which will bar your way.
05:39No matter.
05:40I shall find a bridge.
05:41No.
05:42You must wade through the stream.
05:44For in the stream, you shall find your fortune.
05:55Help!
05:57Help!
05:58Help!
05:59Help me cross this raging stream.
06:02Oh, there!
06:03Old man!
06:04Why are you so foolish to wish to cross here?
06:07Are you anxious to drown?
06:08I must be in Athens by nightfall.
06:11Hence, my son, with whom I live, will be concerned for me.
06:16Old man, since we are both set on going to Athens, we will cross this stream together.
06:21Here.
06:22Climb on my back.
06:23And I will carry you.
06:25May the God bless you for this kindness.
06:28Yes.
06:29Wait.
06:30No, no.
06:31Not so tight around my neck.
06:33Oh, we'll both drown.
06:36Hold my hand.
06:37I will pull you.
06:38It's not so far to the bank now.
06:43Oh, there.
06:44Oh!
06:45Oh!
06:47Safe at last.
06:49Oh, thank you, young man.
06:52Oh, oh.
06:53What?
06:54What's wrong?
06:55One of your sandals is missing.
06:57You, you must have lost it in the stream.
07:07Let me pass.
07:08I command you.
07:10Where is he?
07:12Where is the king who is so frightened of strangers?
07:15Let him rise and fight for his kingdom like a man.
07:18Put your sword away.
07:20How dare you greet your king so rudely?
07:22You are not my king, Peleus.
07:24I am yours.
07:25What madness do you speak?
07:27Look closely on my sword.
07:29Tell me if you recognize it.
07:31What?
07:33It's the sword of my brother.
07:35I thought he was dead.
07:36No, uncle.
07:36He lives.
07:37And I, his son, Jason, live as well.
07:40Well, so my long-lost nephew comes to visit me after so many years.
07:45You know I am the rightful king.
07:47I ask for nothing but my rightful throne.
07:49Nothing else?
07:51Your majesty, this is no laughing matter.
07:54Look, the boy Jason wears but one sandal.
07:58What?
07:59Remember the warning of the stars.
08:01Beware of a stranger who comes wearing but one sandal,
08:05for he shall take your kingdom from you and keep it.
08:08What is it, uncle?
08:09Why have you turned so pale?
08:11Or has your soothsayer told you some bad news?
08:14No, but suddenly I feel faint.
08:18Leave me, my dear nephew, for a moment while I recover.
08:21I warn you, uncle.
08:22You and your soothsayer may plot all you like,
08:25but I have come to stay.
08:30Now tell me, soothsayer, what is to be done?
08:34Send Jason off on a dangerous journey,
08:37from which he will not return.
08:40Send him to fetch the golden fleece,
08:43which hangs from an oak tree at the farthest edge of the world.
08:47Others have ventured to find it,
08:49but none have returned.
08:51An ingenious plan, soothsayer.
08:54You will be well rewarded.
08:57Oh, there, Jason, come back.
09:00And what have you decided, uncle?
09:01Why should we quarrel?
09:04I'm getting old and my crown has grown heavy on my head.
09:08Therefore, I shall give my kingdom to you
09:12if, if you prove yourself worthy of my crown.
09:18And how would you have me prove my worthiness?
09:21By being a hero
09:23and achieving that which has never been achieved before.
09:26Is that not a reasonable request?
09:29For once, uncle, you speak the truth.
09:32What is this great deed you have in mind for me?
09:34Bring me the golden fleece
09:37that rests in the kingdom of Colchis in the Black Sea.
09:41The golden fleece?
09:45My father once told me about it,
09:47how there were a thousand dangers to overcome
09:49before one could reach the golden fleece.
09:52Are you trying to trick me?
09:53Oh, there are a few dangers, I admit.
09:57But you're a brave, strong lad, aren't you?
10:00Are you afraid?
10:01Afraid?
10:02I shall go.
10:03And when I return,
10:04I shall hurl the golden fleece in your face
10:06and we shall see which one of us is more afraid.
10:09Good.
10:09Then it's a bargain.
10:11You will need a ship, of course.
10:13I shall have it built for you by Argus,
10:15the finest shipbuilder in Greece.
10:18Go to him now and tell him I will pay him well.
10:22Suddenly, uncle,
10:23you are very generous.
10:24Argus, I wonder why.
10:29Let's examine your design once more, Argus,
10:32before the hammers start swinging.
10:34Yes, the mast and sail are well conceived
10:36and the ship is pierced for 50 oars.
10:39Well done, Argus.
10:40Now, but remember,
10:41the ship must be so light
10:43that it can be carried on land by my crew for 12 days.
10:48Now, start building while I seek 50 men to sail in it.
10:58What lies ahead for Jason?
11:00Perhaps only the Sphinx knows.
11:02And the Sphinx will not tell.
11:04For the Sphinx has kept its promise.
11:07Even today, it sits silently
11:09in front of the three pyramids
11:11in the Sahara Desert in Egypt.
11:13Not one single word has it uttered
11:16in all the thousands of years
11:18since the riddle was answered.
11:20But there is a mysterious smile on its face.
11:24What does the Sphinx know that we don't?
11:27I'll be back shortly with Act Two.
11:36What is this golden fleece
11:38that Jason should risk his life to find it?
11:41True, there once was a golden ram,
11:44the only one of its kind.
11:46And true, its fleece was of the purest gold.
11:49But do men risk great danger just to find gold?
11:53Or is it something else that drives them?
11:56When the first man who ever reached the top of Mount Everest,
11:59the tallest mountain peak in the world,
12:01was asked why he didn't,
12:03perhaps that is why Jason and his 50 heroes
12:06seek the golden fleece.
12:08Because it is there to test how brave they are.
12:12Jason, by the gods, it is a beautiful ship.
12:16Argus, my shipbuilder, has done well by you.
12:19That he has, uncle.
12:20And for that reason, the ship is named after him.
12:22The Argo.
12:23Ah, a noble name.
12:25But why do you not sail?
12:27I see your crew waiting with their oars.
12:29There are only 48 of them.
12:31I need two more.
12:32Not any longer, Jason.
12:34For we are here.
12:35I am called Nestor.
12:37And that mountain of a man who approaches behind me
12:39is known as Hercules.
12:41Nestor, I've heard of you.
12:44Are you not called Nestor the Wise?
12:46By others, perhaps.
12:48But not by me.
12:49Only a fool would call himself a wise man.
12:51But I am not so modest.
12:53I am Hercules, the strongest man in the world.
12:56And it would be foolish to deny it.
12:58You are both welcome.
13:00Will you come with me on my journey?
13:01That is why we are here.
13:03Your father, who is our friend,
13:05asked us to join you.
13:07I, to advise you.
13:08And I, to perform whatever physical labors
13:11that may be required.
13:13Then my crew of Argonauts is complete.
13:15We sail now.
13:17Empileus, I pray you keep the crown
13:19polished and bright while I am gone.
13:21For when I return,
13:22you yourself shall place it on my head.
13:25Hold there!
13:26Hoist the sail!
13:27Hoist the sail!
13:29Hoist the sail!
13:30Hoist the sail!
13:31Hoist the sail!
13:31Hoist the sail!
13:32Do not fear your majesty.
13:34Jason will not return.
13:35Do the stars say so?
13:37I have not asked them.
13:38See how like a tiny feather
13:40the ship tosses on the water.
13:42Aye!
13:42Can it survive the dangers that lie ahead?
13:44Do you think, my lord,
13:46that the fierce king of Colchis
13:48would let them leave
13:49with the golden fleece alive?
13:56In the name of Zeus,
13:58never have I been on a journey so tedious.
14:02Oh, there, Jason!
14:04Where are the dangers you promised me?
14:07I am getting bored.
14:10Be patient, Hercules.
14:12It seems as if the gods have heard you.
14:15What say you, Nester?
14:16Aye, Jason.
14:17The gods are sending a storm.
14:19See the black, angry clouds
14:20racing across the sky, Hercules?
14:21This is more like it.
14:23Blow, winds!
14:25Come to my arms
14:27and I will turn you into gentle breezes.
14:32Ropey alive!
14:33Sit down, Hercules, and row!
14:35The gods are stronger than you.
14:37Fight with the sea if you must.
14:39Row!
14:40Oh, what a marvelous storm this is, Jason!
14:44Turn your helm
14:45and let us head for that mass of land over yonder.
14:48Perhaps we may find a sheltered bay
14:50and escape the storm.
14:51Whoa!
14:53Ah!
14:54Whoa!
14:56Whoa!
14:58Whoa!
15:03The water is calmer here.
15:05Let us rest here for the night.
15:08Stay here until the storm dies down.
15:10And, Hercules,
15:12the next time you wish to complain
15:14about there being no danger,
15:16I pray you speak more softly.
15:18The gods have sharp ears.
15:28Wake up, strangers.
15:30Who gave you permission to sleep on the shores of my kingdom?
15:33What?
15:34Who disturbs my sleep?
15:36Who dares?
15:38I dare.
15:39I am Amicus,
15:40king of this land of fishermen.
15:42No stranger enters my land without my leave.
15:45In my land,
15:46strangers are treated as guests.
15:49Since I see you are a barbarian,
15:51we will leave at once.
15:52Up, everybody!
15:53We're leaving!
15:54We're not welcome here!
15:55Not so fast!
15:57No stranger may quit my country
15:59without having boxed with me.
16:01You see my hands?
16:04They are already bound with strips of leather.
16:07Now let the best man among you step forth,
16:10and we shall box.
16:11Ha ha!
16:11By the gods!
16:12I am ready for some sport.
16:14Put up your fists, your majesty,
16:16and I will give you a lesson in hospitality.
16:20No, Hercules.
16:21Perhaps you are the best man among us.
16:24But I am your leader.
16:25I will box with this king,
16:26who has no manners.
16:28But Jason,
16:29he is twice your size.
16:29He will break you in two.
16:31We shall soon see.
16:33Here, Nestor.
16:34Tie these leather strips around my fists.
16:36You are mad, Jason.
16:37He will destroy you.
16:39Let me...
16:40No, Hercules.
16:41Jason is our leader.
16:42It is his right.
16:44Well, very well.
16:46Now remember, Jason.
16:48Strike his jaw with all your might.
16:50He will sleep well, I promise you.
16:53No.
16:54Oh, that is dangerous advice.
16:56If Jason comes close enough to strike him,
16:58he will also come close enough to be struck.
17:01Stay away from him, Jason.
17:03You there, King Amicus.
17:05I am ready.
17:06Here is my jaw.
17:07Let me see you strike it.
17:09If you can.
17:10Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
17:12A good target.
17:14How can anybody miss?
17:16Here I come.
17:19He missed you, Jason.
17:20Now you strike it.
17:21No, Jason, no.
17:22Oh, are you blind, your majesty?
17:25I showed you my jaw.
17:26Why did you strike the air instead?
17:27I shall not miss again.
17:30Oh, what a clumsy king you are.
17:32Are you a cancer or a fighter?
17:35Catch me and find out.
17:36All right, then.
17:37Here is my jaw.
17:39Thank you, if you dare.
17:40Oh, Jason, no.
17:41Are you man or butterfly?
17:43Stand still, I tell you.
17:46Oh, cowardly boy.
17:47Let me have just one blow.
17:49One blow.
17:50You may have all the blows you like, but you'll have to catch me first.
17:55One blow.
17:56Just one blow.
17:58Hi, Zeus.
17:59My kick is on his knees.
18:01I did not see Jason striking.
18:03I can't fight no longer.
18:05I cannot breathe.
18:08You may catch your breath if you like.
18:11I can wait.
18:12No.
18:13No.
18:15I have had enough.
18:18But I did not see Jason strike him.
18:20Why is the king stretched out from the sand?
18:22Because a lion can never catch a butterfly.
18:27Wisely spoken.
18:28Give me your hand, Jason.
18:31That is your name, boy.
18:33Come now.
18:35Come to my palace, and I will entertain you with a great feast.
18:40But the golden fleece awaits us.
18:42And we have lost too much time as it is.
18:44The golden fleece?
18:46Oh.
18:48That is a dangerous journey you make.
18:50You will never live to see it.
18:53How do you know?
18:53Have you read the stars?
18:54No, but I know the Black Sea to which you must sail.
18:58If you would reach Caucasus, where the golden fleece is.
19:02Tell us what you know, then.
19:03In the name of our newly found friendship.
19:05I will, boy.
19:08Beware.
19:08As you enter the mouth of the Black Sea.
19:10Two floating islands lie secretly in wait there.
19:14When anything or anybody, even a bird, ventures to enter the mouth of the Black Sea,
19:20these two islands suddenly come together with a great crash.
19:23They will crush and crush whatever comes between them.
19:28No one has ever been known to escape them.
19:32We shall find a way.
19:40Jason, I have been thinking.
19:42If we reach Caucasus safely, how shall we win the golden fleece?
19:46We will fight for it.
19:47If we have to.
19:48Oh, it would be better not to fight.
19:50We would be outnumbered.
19:51I think we should first try peaceful means.
19:54Give a precious gift to the king, perhaps, that he may look kindly upon us.
19:57That would be wise.
19:58Yes, but we have nothing precious on board with us.
20:01I know of a garden where grow the golden apples of Atlas the Giant.
20:06Next to the fleece, there is nothing more precious.
20:08But do you know where these golden apples may be found?
20:11I have studied the maps and know where to go.
20:13Give me the helm, Jason, and I will steer us there.
20:21Jason, do you see that tall mountain that rises on the coast of Africa?
20:26On top of it, you will see Atlas, crouched over with the weight of the heavens, which he carries on
20:32his back.
20:37Welcome, strangers.
20:39It is lonely on top of this mountain.
20:41I am Hercules, oh mighty giant.
20:44And this is Jason, captain of our ship.
20:47We seek the golden apples that grow in your secret garden.
20:50You may seek forever, but I will not tell you where they are hidden.
20:55But if you wish, I will fetch them for you.
20:59But is that possible?
21:00If you take the great sky from off your shoulders and set it down,
21:04will not the earth be crushed under the wake?
21:07True.
21:08Perhaps your friend there can carry my burden on his shoulders for a few moments
21:14while I get the golden apples.
21:16Zeus, he seems strong enough.
21:18By Zeus, and so I am.
21:20Here, Atlas, I will kneel down.
21:24Now, place the heavens on my shoulders.
21:28Now, now, now, now, careful, Hercules,
21:30or you will drop the sky and the earth will come to an end.
21:32There, there.
21:34It is steady on my shoulders now.
21:37Now, go quickly, Atlas.
21:39This is a heavy burden.
21:41I shall return in a moment.
21:49Here, Jason, here are three golden apples for you.
21:54Use them well.
21:56And now I must go.
21:58Go?
21:58Oh, and leave me here forever with the heavens on my back?
22:03Why not?
22:05I've carried them on my back for too many years.
22:09Now, I'm weary.
22:11Jason, the giant has tricked us.
22:14Do something.
22:16Become Hercules.
22:18Atlas, a moment, please.
22:20Well?
22:21My friend is willing to carry your burden for you,
22:25but he is not used to such labor.
22:28Take the sky back on your shoulders, but for a moment,
22:31while I place a pad on his back to ease the strain.
22:34Oh, very well.
22:36Let me have it, Hercules.
22:39I will hold the sky for you,
22:42but only for a moment, mind you.
22:47Hurry, Jason.
22:47I would be away from this mountaintop.
22:51Hey, where are you two going?
22:53To continue our journey, of course.
22:56Did you think we would stay here forever?
22:59You have tricked me.
23:08Look, Jason, the Black Sea at last.
23:11We are almost at journey's end.
23:13But where are the floating islands we were warned about?
23:16They're probably lying in wait for us until we sail closer.
23:19We must tempt them to show themselves.
23:21Hercules, you are a great archer.
23:24Shoot an arrow high into the air ahead of us.
23:28Now we shall see.
23:30There.
23:31Yes, there are the islands.
23:34We shall never be able to pass between them without being a prize.
23:43See how they withdraw once they have crashed.
23:45Should we tempt them again, Jason?
23:47There's no other way.
23:48But before you shoot the arrow, Hercules,
23:51let all 50 oarsmen be ready to row with all their might when I give the word.
23:56Now, Hercules,
23:58shoot.
24:00Here come the islands again.
24:04Ready, everybody.
24:07Now, row, row.
24:10Everybody, quickly row before they come together again.
24:14All.
24:16All.
24:18All.
24:19All.
24:20All.
24:21That was a close one.
24:23They missed us by a hair.
24:25Aye, we are now safely in the Black Sea.
24:29Give thanks to the gods, my brave company.
24:32And look yonder where the tall towers of the land of Colchis gleam in the sun.
24:38Give thanks, for half our journey is done.
24:48You have just heard unbelievable things.
24:51And yet there are some grains of truth hidden there.
24:55The golden apples.
24:56Now, there are such things.
24:58But today we call them oranges.
25:00And Atlas, who carried the sky on his shoulders.
25:04On the northern coast of Africa, there's a chain of peaks so high,
25:08the sky seems to sit on them.
25:11And they're called the Atlas Mountains.
25:13From one tiny grain of truth, a great story can grow.
25:19We'll be back shortly with Act Three.
25:27When Jason and his Argonauts set out on their long journey,
25:31they were the first men who dared to sail on seas that had never been sailed before.
25:36Now, that should have been enough to satisfy any ordinary hero.
25:39But Jason had a far greater goal in mind, the Golden Fleece.
25:45His greatest enemy now is not the treacherous sea, but the crafty king of Colchis, Aeetes,
25:52before whom Jason now stands with his friends.
26:00I, Aeetes, lawful king of Colchis, greet the strangers from a faraway land.
26:07And to you, young Jason, I offer my thanks for these three golden apples.
26:13You are most welcome, gracious king.
26:15Speak bluntly, Jason.
26:17What do you want?
26:19The Golden Fleece.
26:20As simple as that, eh?
26:22And if I do not give it to you, what then?
26:26Then we shall fight for it.
26:28Bloodshed is not to my taste.
26:30I like you, Jason.
26:32You shall have the Golden Fleece, if you prove you are worthy of it.
26:38And what will satisfy you as to my worthiness?
26:41You will perform three simple tasks.
26:45Name them.
26:45First, you must plow the earth that lies before me.
26:50And out of the kindness of my heart, you may borrow my two bulls to help you plow ten furrows
26:58in the field.
26:59Careful, Jason.
27:00There is a trick hidden in his kindness.
27:03There is no choice, Nestor.
27:05Very well, Aeetes.
27:07Give me your bulls, and I will plow.
27:10Bring out my bronze bulls.
27:16Jason, I cannot let you do this.
27:18See how huge those beasts are.
27:21They breathe angry fire through their nostrils.
27:24Nestor, will you advise me?
27:26Here.
27:26Take my crimson cloak and go out into the field.
27:29The bulls are at opposite ends.
27:32Goad them.
27:33Taunt them with my cloak.
27:34And just as they are about to catch you between them, quickly jump out of the way.
27:39The rest will be simple.
27:40If I am fast enough, give the signal, Aeetes.
27:44Off off the bulls.
27:47This is madness.
27:48He will be killed.
27:49I cannot bear to look.
27:51Oh, my pretty bronze bulls.
27:54Come and see my pretty red cloak.
27:56There.
27:56Catch it on your horns and play with it.
27:59Now, Jason, jump!
28:02What happened?
28:04Is Jason still alive?
28:06See for yourself.
28:07The bulls have collided with their heads and knocked themselves almost senseless.
28:12See how tame your bulls are, Aeetes.
28:15Now I will yoke them to plow, and you shall have your ten furrows.
28:24I forgive the crookedness of my furrows, O king.
28:27The earth is ready for the planting.
28:30Here.
28:31Take this helmet filled with the teeth of a dragon.
28:35Drop them gently into the earth.
28:38That is the second task.
28:41Nestor is the king out of his mind.
28:44What crop will grow from dragon's teeth?
28:47Certainly not barley or wheat.
28:49No, Hercules.
28:50Most certainly not.
28:52Nestor, I have plowed and I have planted.
28:55Though what the crop will be, I cannot guess.
28:59There is your crop, Jason.
29:02One thousand armed men sprung from the earth, each thirsting for your blood.
29:08And what concern is that of mine?
29:10That of a good farmer.
29:12Draw your sword and cut them down, for it is harvest time.
29:17Jason, he has tricked you.
29:18This time you must let me help you, or you are a dead man.
29:21Wait.
29:22Do you not see how blind with rage these earth-born warriors are?
29:26You are right, Nestor.
29:27There is no need for your help, Hercules.
29:29If I hurl my helmet among them and strike them,
29:32they will turn upon each other, thinking one has attacked the other.
29:37Draw your swords, O men of dragon's teeth.
29:40Jason is among you.
29:42Here goes the helmet.
29:44Who's...
29:45Who's...
29:45Where is...
29:45Where is he?
29:47Where is Jason?
29:54Well done, Jason.
29:56There remains but the third task.
30:00And that is?
30:01To take the golden fleece itself, of course.
30:04You will find it in the dark forest that lies yonder, hanging from an oak tree.
30:15This forest is as dark as night.
30:18No, wait.
30:19Well, what is that light shining through the trees?
30:22Perhaps it is the fleece.
30:23What else could shine so brightly?
30:25It is the golden fleece hanging from an oak tree.
30:28Its brightness blinds my eyes.
30:31Shall I take it down from the oak tree for you, Jason?
30:34Wait.
30:35Look there.
30:36Two eyes gleaming at us from the foot of the tree.
30:41It is only a serpent coiled around the tree.
30:45This is no ordinary serpent, my friend.
30:47I remember once hearing that the woman known as the Medusa had a brother who was a serpent.
30:52The Medusa?
30:53Whose face turned all who looked upon it to stone?
30:57The Medusa's brother who guards the fleece has the same powers.
31:01I have a plan.
31:02Nestor, loan me your silver shield.
31:05It is polished to the brightness of a mirror.
31:08If the serpent sees itself in this mirror, perhaps it will turn itself into stone.
31:14Now stand back while I advance to the tree.
31:19You've done it, Jason.
31:22I can now step on this stone serpent and take down the fleece.
31:27Here.
31:28Here it is, my wise boy.
31:30You have earned it.
31:33Now we must go before the king changes his mind.
31:43Pull, pull with all your might.
31:46Because there on shore stands Aetes.
31:49Jason, give me back my golden fleece.
31:53I will give it back to you, O king, who breaks his word.
31:56When you catch me.
31:57Then by juice I will.
32:00Oh, there, my sea captains.
32:01We will give chase to these pirates who have stolen my fleece.
32:08Pull.
32:09Pull, men, pull.
32:10For never will I give up this golden fleece.
32:13You may have to, Jason.
32:14Aetes is gaming on us.
32:15Jason, throw the fleece into the sea.
32:19Then I may have it back again.
32:21And I will spare your lives.
32:25Jason, why not give him back his golden fleece?
32:30What?
32:30What are you saying, Hercules?
32:32Have you turned coward?
32:33No.
32:33Look upon the yellow lion skin I wear across my chest.
32:38In the setting sun, does it not look as golden as your fleece?
32:43Yes.
32:43You will throw my lion skin into the sea and tell Aetes it is his golden fleece.
32:51And then we'll have more time to escape.
32:55It may work, Jason.
32:56It is our only chance.
32:58Very well.
32:59Hold that, Aetes.
33:01Will you indeed spare our lives if I return your golden fleece?
33:04I will.
33:05I swear it by Olympus.
33:08And here it is.
33:10Behold, I have thrown it into the sea.
33:13It worked.
33:14Look how his fleet has slowed its pace to pick up the fleece.
33:18Now, men, we must row harder and harder and keep the lead we have gained.
33:21Here, pull.
33:22Pull, men, pull.
33:23Dusk has fallen.
33:24We may yet escape them.
33:25They will never find us in the blessed night.
33:28See, captains.
33:29Let the fleet row to the mouth of the sea and wait there.
33:33We shall catch our fish in the morning.
33:37I spoke too hastily.
33:39We are trapped.
33:41Have we another brilliant thought?
33:42Where will the king look for us?
33:45At sea, of course.
33:46But will he look for us on land?
33:48Steer for the shore, Jason.
33:50We may yet escape.
33:57Jason, let us leave the Argo here and start climbing.
34:02No, I will not leave our faithful ship here.
34:04It has carried us across the seas for so long.
34:07Now we shall carry it across the mountains.
34:10Come, let us lift it onto our shoulders.
34:12It was built light enough for us to carry it.
34:19Look below, my comrades.
34:21Athens waits for us.
34:22Let us set down our ship.
34:24Come, my friends.
34:25Come to Athens and see me crowned king of Greece at last.
34:29No, Jason.
34:29You shall go alone.
34:31The golden fleece is yours.
34:33Let the glory of the homecoming be yours as well.
34:36He is right.
34:38Besides, we have been gone too long from our own homes.
34:41I shall abide your wishes.
34:42But before we part, let us burn our ship on this mountaintop as a sacrifice of thanksgiving
34:49to the gods who watched over us for so long.
34:53Hercules, set the torch to the ship.
35:01Soothsayer, what is the cause of this disturbance in the city?
35:05It looks like your nephew, Jason.
35:08Then the stars did not lie to you.
35:12I must be assigned to my fate and go forth to meet him.
35:22Here is the golden fleece, uncle.
35:24Now, will you give me the crown or must I fight for it as well?
35:29No, nephew.
35:30I am too old for fighting and you have earned the crown.
35:36Herald, sound the trumpet.
35:41Citizens of Athens, people of Greece, make welcome to your new ruler.
35:49Long live Jason, King of Greece.
36:03The golden fleece was real.
36:06It was no trick of the imagination.
36:08In the great gold rush of 1849 in California, miners used sieves, which they filled with
36:15dirt containing gold dust and then swished them in the streams.
36:19And the dirt washed away and the gold remained.
36:22In ancient days, the Greeks also fanned for gold.
36:26But instead of a sieve, they used the fleece of a sheep, which caught the gold dust and thus
36:32actually became a golden fleece.
36:35And that is how the great legend of Jason and his Argonauts was born.
36:41I'll return shortly.
36:50Ancient Greece was known for its real heroes as well as its mythological ones.
36:56There were the sports heroes who competed in the Olympic Games, just as we do every four years today.
37:02There was Leonidas, who, with 300 Spartan soldiers, held off the great Persian armies and thus saved Greece.
37:10And, of course, there was Alexander the Great, who conquered the world when he was only in his mid-twenties.
37:17To seek excellence is the mark of a true hero.
37:22To achieve excellence is possible for all of us.
37:32Our cast included Christopher Tabori, Ian Martin, Leon Janney, Court Benson, Earl Hammond, and Paul Tripp.
37:40The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
37:45This is Tom Bosley inviting you to return to the General Mills Radio Adventure Theater
37:50for another exciting tale you can hear through the magic of radio.
37:56The General Mills Radio Adventure Theater is recommended by NEA, the National Education Association.
38:02We underbroke the quest meter.
38:02We we have a proper direction in the world where it is.
38:07We will be.
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