Hermes, the Greek god of commerce and messenger of the gods, had a reputation for being cunning and quick-witted. He was known to be a patron of travelers, thieves, merchants, and anyone who had to rely on their wits to get by.
However, there is one story in Greek mythology that raises some questions about his character. The story is about Meteion, a young boy who was taken under Hermes’ wing as an apprentice. But soon after, Hermes let Meteion go without any explanation.
The Story of Meteion
According to Greek mythology, Hermes found a young boy named Meteion wandering alone in the woods. The boy was hungry and scared, so Hermes took pity on him and took him in as his apprentice.
Meteion proved to be a quick learner and soon became an expert at all the tricks of the trade that Hermes taught him. He became an accomplished thief and messenger, just like his mentor.
However, one day while on a mission for Hermes, Meteion stumbled upon a secret that he wasn’t supposed to know. It was something that could have put Hermes in danger if it got out.
When he returned to Hermes with this knowledge, he expected praise for his discovery. Instead, Hermes became angry with him and accused him of prying into things that didn’t concern him.
Meteion tried to explain himself but it was no use. Hermes dismissed him from his service without any explanation or warning. The young boy was left confused and heartbroken by this sudden turn of events.
Why Did Hermes Let Meteion Go?
The reason why Hermes let Meteion go has been the subject of much speculation over the years. Some say that it was because Meteion had become too ambitious and had overstepped his bounds by trying to uncover secrets that were not meant for him.
Others believe that Hermes was simply jealous of Meteion’s success and wanted to keep him in his place. After all, Meteion had become quite skilled at all the things that Hermes was known for, and he may have felt threatened by the young boy’s talent.
There are also those who believe that Hermes may have had a more sinister motive behind his actions. Some say that he may have been using Meteion as a pawn in some larger game, and when he felt that the boy was no longer useful to him, he discarded him like a piece of trash.
Regardless of the reason why Hermes let Meteion go, one thing is clear: it was a cruel and heartless act. After all the time and effort that Meteion had put into becoming his apprentice, he deserved better than to be cast aside without so much as an explanation.
The Lesson of Meteion’s Story
The story of Meteion teaches us an important lesson about loyalty and trust. It shows us that even those we look up to and admire can sometimes let us down. It also reminds us that we should always be careful about who we trust with our secrets and our dreams.
In conclusion, the story of Meteion is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and the pitfalls of blind loyalty. It shows us that even the gods are not perfect, and that sometimes even they make mistakes. But most importantly, it teaches us to never give up on ourselves or our dreams, no matter how difficult or unfair life may seem at times.