21st Dec 2024
Once upon a time, there was a watchman named Argus. He had a hundred eyes on his head. One day, Juno, the wife of Jupiter, said, "Argus, keep a close watch on the beautiful river-nymph, Io!" Argus replied, "I will watch her with all my eyes!" Little did he know, watching Io would be a great challenge.
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Io, the white heifer, felt very lonely. Her father, the river-god, did not recognize her. "Oh, how I wish to be with my family!" she sighed. One day, she used her hoof to write her name in the sand. When her family saw it, they gasped, "Io! Is that really you?" But Argus quickly moved her away to keep his watch.
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High on a hill, Argus sat, keeping an eye on Io. "No one will take you from me!" he declared. But Jupiter felt sorry for Io. He whispered to Mercury, "You must rescue her, my clever son!" Mercury grinned and said, "Leave it to me!" He was always ready for an adventure.
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Mercury took off his winged cap and shoes. Dressed like a shepherd, he blew his pipe. With a few goats trailing behind, he sauntered toward Argus. "What a lovely day!" he called out. Argus turned, intrigued. "Come sit with me!" he said, happy for a break from his watch.
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Under the trees, Mercury played sweet melodies. The notes danced on the breeze, lulling Argus. Gradually, two of Argus’s eyes closed. Then more followed. He was spellbound by the magic music of Mercury. Mercury smiled, knowing he was winning this sweet battle of wits.
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As Argus’s eyes grew heavy, Mercury started telling stories. "Did you hear about the flying goat?" he asked. Argus blinked but fought to stay awake. Yet his twinkling eyes were closing slowly. Mercury’s tales flowed like water, soothing and calming.
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Finally, all of Argus’s eyes surrendered to sleep. Mercury, with a gentle touch of his wand, made sure Argus was deep in dreams. "I can finally take you home, Io!" he said softly. With quick steps, he led Io away from her silent prison on the hill.
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Juno was furious when she woke up to find Io gone. “Argus, you lazy watchman! You failed!” she stormed. She then declared, “You no longer deserve your hundred eyes!” With a flick of her wrist, she took them from him, making him forever blind to his own slumber.
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Argus was transformed, but his eyes were not wasted. Juno loved her peacock, and she chose to give all of Argus’s eyes to his tail. Ever since then, peacocks have looked regal with eyes on their feathers. They shimmer in the sunlight, like a thousand stars!
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Io was free at last and rejoiced. “Thank you, Mercury!” she laughed. Jupiter smiled too, happy to see her joy. Mercury winked and said, “All in a day’s work! Next time, I’ll have to find a challenge worthy of my skills!” And with laughter in the air, they all celebrated the day.
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