of all but gods on Mount Olympus Hermes was the most playful he was the son of Zeus the king of
the gods and of Maya a titans daughter on the very day of his birth the fourth day of the
month this little boy started his mischiefs one night his mother had fallen asleep the
little boy opened his eyes which sparkled with that gleam of troublemakers he cried out of his
basket and managed to run all the way to Thessaly where his brother Apollo was Shepard in charge of
a great herd of white counts Apollo as usual was busy behind one of his romantic pursuits
he neglected his duties and was not watching over the herd Hermes had an idea the younger brother of
Apollo decided he would steal the cows he patted the cattles feet and made them walk backwards to
confuse the trail Apollo would never know which way to look for his missing cows Hermes was indeed
intelligent he laughed as he headed back toward Mount Olympus the cattle trailing behind him on
the way home Hermes spotted a tortoise shell that gave Hermes another idea he made his first liar
out of the tortoise shell and string then the little boy started playing the lyre the sound
the music of the first lyre was so beautiful that the clouds danced with joy and the trees trembled
Hermes knew he would charm all who heard it back home Hermes hid the cattle in a quiet Grove
pleased with his night's work Hermes hurried back to the house and crawled into his basket
where he pretended to be fast asleep Maya was not fooled she knew that her son somehow though
he was but a baby had been up to mischief she stood over him and watched as he pretended to
sleep and she could not help but smile at dawn Apollo stormed into the cave he went at once to
little Hermes basket and cried give me my cows Hermes looked up at him his eyes wide and said
but I'm just a baby I couldn't steal a cow Apollo was furious I'll punish you for this he raged and
Hermes leapt from his crib and began to run Apollo fast on his heels when the other gods
saw this sight they burst out laughing look at the great god Apollo chasing a baby they laughed
but Apollo cried this little boy is no ordinary creature he stolen my cows and then Apollo raged
to his father Zeus father he must return them to me tell him so now Seuss was not pleased with the
theft but even he could not help but smile at the mischief caused by this amazing little lad
still he wished his sons to love each other and so he commanded Hermes to return the cows Hermes
bowed his head before his father and said I will father to make amends Hermes gave Apollo his lyre
made of tortoiseshell and so the brothers came to love each other and from that day on they
often exchanged gifts and wisdom Zeus made him the herald of the gods placing upon his head
a golden hat with wings upon his feet Hermes wore a pair of golden winged sandals as the years
passed Hermes became a favorite of all the gods and of men too for he often was the protector of
Heroes guiding many to safety and comfort but always with a gleam in this mischievous eye