Hermes, the Greek god of commerce and messenger of the gods, was known for his cunning and wit. In one of his most famous exploits, he stole cattle from his older half-brother, Apollo. Here’s how it happened:
The Plan
One day, Hermes came across a herd of cattle belonging to Apollo. He immediately came up with a plan to steal them. He fashioned sandals out of tree bark to disguise his footprints and a staff out of a willow branch to herd the cattle.
The Theft
Hermes waited until nightfall when Apollo and his herdsmen were asleep. He quietly crept into the field and began to drive the cattle away. As he led them away, he made sure to walk backwards so as not to leave any footprints.
The Cover-Up
When Apollo discovered that his cattle were missing, he was furious. He searched high and low for them but couldn’t find any trace of them. Finally, he sought out the seer Tiresias who told him that Hermes had taken them.
When Apollo confronted Hermes about the theft, Hermes denied it at first. However, when Apollo threatened him with violence, Hermes confessed and led him to where he had hidden the cattle.
The Resolution
Apollo was still angry with Hermes for stealing his cattle but was also impressed with his cunning plan. To make amends, Hermes gave Apollo a lyre that he had invented as a gift.
From then on, Apollo and Hermes became close friends and often worked together on various tasks assigned by Zeus.
Summary
In summary, Hermes’ theft of Apollo’s cattle is a classic example of his cleverness and resourcefulness. With nothing more than some bark sandals and a willow staff, he was able to outsmart his older brother and take what he wanted. In the end, however, he made amends and the two became close friends.