Hera’s Reward
As soon as he left Aphrodite’s palace of love, Sarip met a golden drone. It said, “Follow this device to claim your reward.” The golden drone led Sarip to Hera’s huge mansion. It held many chambers, all opulently furnished. Sarip thought, “One can live in only one room at a time,” but he also thought, “Do not say that to Hera.”
The golden drone led Sarip to a great hall, where Hera sat crowned and enthroned. She said, “What do you think of my mansion?”
Sarip said, “I’ve been rich, and I’ve been poor. Rich is better.”
Hera smiled. “Then approach the throne and take your reward!” She handed him a leather drawstring bag. Hera said, “Try to empty it.”
Sarip loosened the bag’s drawstring and scooped out coins. They were all pure gold. He held the bag open, upside down. A stream of gold coins poured out. They piled up on the floor. He turned the bag right side up; the gold stopped falling but the bag was as full as before.
Hera said, “It is a Bag of Endless Gold. You now have endless wealth – if you can keep it. For I must warn you, other men will try to steal the bag from you. So hide it!”
“From everyone?”
Hera said, “Not from your wife, for I, the goddess of marriage, guarantee that she will discover your secret. But hide it from everyone else. Athena will suggest a stratagem.”
“Where will I meet Athena?”
“At home. You will go there now. Our business here is done.”
Hera clapped her hands twice. In a flash of light, Sarip teleported straight home.
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