Hermes, the Greek god of commerce and messenger of the gods, is known for his cunning and mischievous nature. Legend has it that on the very first day of his life, Hermes stole something very valuable.
But what did he steal? Let’s find out.
According to the myth, Hermes was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. His mother, Maia, was a nymph and his father was Zeus, the king of the gods.
As a newborn baby, Hermes showed incredible intelligence and wit. He quickly learned to walk and talk within hours of his birth.
On the first day of his life, Hermes set out to explore the world around him. He came across a herd of cattle owned by Apollo, his half-brother and god of music, poetry, prophecy, and healing. Amazed by their beauty, Hermes decided to play a prank on Apollo.
He took a few cows from Apollo’s herd and led them away to a nearby mountain. To cover up his tracks, Hermes put shoes on their hooves that faced backwards so that anyone who followed them would think they were walking in the opposite direction.
When Apollo discovered that some of his cows were missing from his herd, he was furious! He searched far and wide but couldn’t find them anywhere. It wasn’t until he stumbled upon Hermes playing with a lyre made from a turtle shell that he realized who had taken them.
Apollo confronted Hermes about stealing his cows but Hermes denied it at first. However, when Apollo threatened him with punishment from Zeus himself if he didn’t return the cows immediately, Hermes finally confessed.
To make amends with Apollo for stealing his cows without permission – even though it was just for fun – Hermes gave him back all but one cow as an apology gift. This cow was so special that it would become one of Apollo’s most prized possessions – she would later become known as Io, the moon goddess.
In conclusion, on the first day of his life, Hermes stole some cows from Apollo’s herd as a playful prank. Although he was caught and forced to return them, he was able to make amends with Apollo by giving him a special cow as an apology gift.
It’s clear that Hermes’ cunning and mischievous nature would be a defining characteristic throughout his life. But despite his antics, he remains one of the most beloved gods in Greek mythology – a true icon of wit and intelligence.