Ganymede

Ganymede found himself admired. A prodigy in many forms, it was not often for the boy to leave people unimpressed. His skills ranged from mathematics to the arts, and soon, he found himself flush with offers for mentorship. 

Men from all across Troy clamored to claim the boy as their apprentice. They doted over his every move, showered his family with gifts and promises of payment. Rarely did a day pass by that his father, Tros, opened the door to an empty stoop. Some mornings, the pile of gifts soared so high he could not even see the path beneath. 

Ganymede could not choose a path. He flourished in too many forms, and received too many gifts. As his thirteenth year came and went, still, he was without a mentor. He knew he must choose wisely, and so, on the morning of his fourteenth birthday, he strode out to the fields to think on the matter. 

As he sat amongst the sheep, pondering his future, he was approached by a man of about thirty, strong and bearded. His strength emanated across the field, and his body seemed to almost glow. Ganymede knew he must surely be a god. 

“Who are you?” called the boy as the man neared ever-closer. 

“Oh, a boy as wise beyond his years as you, and you don’t recognize the king of the gods?” boomed Zeus, a cheeky smile curling across his face. “I have come to offer you an opportunity. I find myself impressed by you. Join me on Mount Olympus, become my cup-bearer. I will grant you whatever you wish, but you must join me now.” 

Anyone else would have cow-towed to whatever Zeus requested, but not Ganymede. The boy was too used to being doted over. Now, not even a god could impress him. 

“I already have enough of a dilemma choosing between the men in Troy, and I have already eliminated the offers cast by those abroad. I do not wish to leave my family too far behind, as my mother has begun to ail. Thank you, though.” 

Ganymede stood and turned to leave, but Zeus’s friendly demeanor quickly soured. 

“Are you turning me down, boy?” 

“I suppose so,” Ganymede said confidently, but as he glanced back at Zeus, his sureness was shaken. 

“I would advise against that,” spoke the god darkly. “It is not often that I am left unsatiated.” 

“Thank you, sir, but I simply can’t accept. I wish it were another way, but alas. I must return home soon to announce my decision, one I still have not made.” Again, Ganymede turned to leave. As he stepped away, a large dark shadow crossed his path. Zeus, now transformed into a massive eagle, swooped down and grabbed Ganymede by the shoulders. As his talons dug deeper and deeper into the boy’s muscles, Zeus spoke. 

“As I said. It is rare I go unsatiated.” 

Ganymede kicked and screamed as the divine eagle carried him further and further from home. Eventually, the pair arrived at Mount Olympus, where Zeus dropped the boy’s limp body at the steps of his palace. Hestia rushed to the crumpled form, tending to his wounds. 

As he regained his balance, Ganymede looked to Hestia for help. “Please, I just want to go home.” 

“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do. I can’t escape his orders any more than you can. All I can do is simply bandage your wounds, and make you as comfortable as possible.” 

Days passed, and Ganymede became withdrawn. Zeus summoned him from time to time as cup-bearer. Between his duties, he simply sat atop his bed, staring solemnly into space. 

Once his training was complete, Zeus granted the boy, now nearly sixteen, the gift of immortality. As he became divine, he too began to radiate the strength he first felt coming off of Zeus that day in the field. Slowly, he adjusted to his new life, traveling with the gods as they saw fit. He started to like the work, and he felt more like himself every day. He found himself laughing with Hestia, his first true friend amongst the gods. His soul was at peace again. 

On the day he would have turned seventeen, he found himself back in Troy. The gods arrived together, Ganymede trailing behind. He had hoped to break from the caravan, if only for a moment, to seek his mother and father. 

As he knocked on the door, standing nervously at the stoop once covered in flowers, he wondered what they would think. Would they feel betrayed? Confused? He was not left wondering long, though, as the door creaked open. There, looking weaker than he had ever seen her, but still with a bright glint of life in her eyes, stood his mother. Beside her, older now, but still as broad-shouldered and muscular as he had been before, was his father. 

The three stood staring in shock at each other for an eternity. Finally, his mother broke into a wide smile. “My boy.” 

Ganymede went inside, settling naturally into his familiar groove on the sofa. He shifted his weight, noticing he didn’t quite fit the same. He regaled his family with tales of his time with the gods, and they couldn’t have been more proud.

As their conversation drew to a close, Ganymede’s duties called. “We knew you would make the right choice. Zeus told us he would come to speak with you. I am just so glad you were able to visit,” said his father. “We hope to see you again soon.” 

Ganymede rose, and embraced his parents, wishing he could stay but knowing he could not. He wanted to tell them the truth, that he had not gone willingly, but as they stood beaming with pride for their son the god, he simply could not. He gathered his things and bid them adieu, standing tall as his father closed the door behind him. With the click of the lock, Ganymede wiped away a single tear, and with a shuddering breath, returned to his post.