Well, considering it's a 4th - grade story about Hercules' quest, it could involve Hercules going on a journey. Maybe he has to complete certain tasks. It could be a simplified version of the traditional Hercules tales, focusing on lessons like courage and perseverance that are relevant for 4th graders.
One common element is a group of kids. Usually, it's the 4th graders themselves. Another is a goal like finding something valuable or helping someone. For example, finding a lost pet or a hidden treasure.
Once upon a time, in a 4th - grade classroom, there was a quest to find a missing library book. A group of students, led by the class bookworm, searched everywhere. They finally found it under the teacher's desk. It had fallen there when the teacher was tidying up.
Hercules is surely one of the main characters. Depending on how the story is written, there could be a wise old man or woman who gives Hercules advice. And there may be some villains or obstacles in the form of mythical creatures. For instance, a centaur could be causing trouble and Hercules has to deal with it. Also, there might be ordinary people in the village or town that Hercules is trying to protect.
Once upon a time in 4th grade, there was a boy named Tom. His class was on a quest to find a hidden treasure in the schoolyard. They had a map with clues. Tom led his group. They found the first clue under a big oak tree. It said to look near the old fountain. After searching, they found the next clue which led them to the library. Finally, they found the treasure box full of books in the attic of the library. It was an exciting quest for all of them.
One possible theme could be friendship. In a 4th grade quest, like looking for a lost item in the school, friends work together, support each other, and strengthen their bond through the process.
One common theme is growth. The characters in 4th grade quest short stories usually grow and learn during their quests. For instance, in 'James and the Giant Peach', James becomes more confident and resourceful as he goes on his adventure. Family can also be a theme. In 'Because of Winn - Dixie', Opal's relationship with her father is an important part of her quest to learn about her mother. And of course, there's the theme of good versus evil. In 'The Fantastic Mr. Fox', Mr. Fox is the good character fighting against the evil farmers.
One popular 4th grade quest short story is 'The Magic Tree House' series. These stories often take the main characters, Jack and Annie, on various quests through time and different places. Another could be 'Charlotte's Web', which is about a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider, Charlotte, and the quest to save Wilbur from being slaughtered. There's also 'The Fantastic Mr. Fox' where Mr. Fox has a quest to outwit the mean farmers.
These stories can also be useful for younger students. They can be a bit of a challenge for younger kids, which helps them learn and grow. For example, a 2nd grader might find a 4th grade story a bit difficult but in a good way as it can improve their reading skills.
One possible story could be about a student who has been counting down to the 100th day. On that day, the class has a special project where they make things out of 100 items. This student decides to make a necklace out of 100 beads. They spend the whole day working on it, sharing stories with classmates about how they got the beads and what they plan to do with the necklace after. It's a simple yet fun story that captures the essence of the 100th day in 4th grade.