21st Dec 2024
Once upon a time, in the land of Olympus, a baby named Mercury was born. He peeked out of his cradle and giggled, 'What fun is this world?' As he waddled outside, something shiny caught his eye in the grass. It was a tortoise-shell! 'Wow, look at this!' he exclaimed. His adventure of making music was about to start.
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With delight, Mercury carried the spotted shell into his cozy cave. He grabbed some reeds and poked holes into the tortoise-shell. 'I'll create something amazing!' he thought, tying strings made of leather around it. This was the very first lyre, just waiting for magic to happen!
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That night, under a sparkling moon, the mischief-maker wanted to have some fun. 'I want to have those beautiful white cattle!' he said. Stealthily, he snuck out and tiptoed to where Apollo's cows were resting. 'They won't see me coming!' he giggled to himself as he gently led away fifty heifers.
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Just as he was having fun, a peasant saw him. 'Isn't that a baby driving cattle?' he gasped, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. Mercury noticed him and smiled cheekily. 'Just a little stroll with my friends!' he chirped, urging the cattle with delight. Slowly, he led them away to hide in a cave.
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Once he finished his mischief, Mercury returned home, sliding back into his cradle. 'I’m the best cow driver!' he whispered to his tortoise-shell lyre. In the morning, however, Apollo noticed his cattle were missing. 'Where could they be?' he wondered, feeling a bit worried.
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Apollo approached the peasant in the vineyard, who was still amazed by what he'd seen. 'Have you noticed anything strange?' Apollo asked. The peasant nodded, 'I saw a baby with such funny shoes driving those cows! It was incredible!'.
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Apollo couldn't believe his ears. He followed the tracks that led to Maia's cave, where Mercury lay snoozing away. 'Aha! You little thief!' Apollo said, shaking his baby brother. Mercury sat up, yawning, 'Cattle? What are those?' he asked, playing innocent.
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Apollo, not buying Mercury's act, took him to Jupiter to settle the matter. 'Did you take my cattle?' Apollo demanded. Mercury kept saying, 'Cattle? No idea!'. But with a wink to Jupiter, he sparked laughter from the gods. 'Let me show you my lyre!' he said, holding it up proudly.
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He strummed his lyre, and incredible music filled the room, making everyone listen in awe. Apollo's heart melted. 'Such music is worth even more than the cows!' he declared, leaving Mercury grinning from ear to ear. 'Here, take my lyre—it’s yours!','Apollo happily accepted the lyre and gifted Mercury a golden wand. 'You’ll have power over dreams and wealth!' he said. From then on, the two brothers became the best of friends, and everyone knew that Mercury was the herdsman of Apollo's beautiful cattle, wandering freely under the sunny skies.
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