Hercules at Harvard
Hercules the Protector
I am off to Boston where I am giving a talk on beauty and aging. Should be fun. Harvard has a nice collection of mythic-themed art including some nice pieces featuring Hercules. He is an interesting character because he was born as a demi-god. Zeus ultimately gave him full status as one of the gods of Olympus.
My favorite Hercules story revolves around an episode that occurred when he was a Greek god.
HERCULES AND THE WAGONER
A Farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road after a heavy rain. The horses could hardly drag the load through the deep mud, and at last came to a standstill when one of the wheels sank to the hub in a rut.
The farmer climbed down from his seat and stood beside the wagon looking at it but without making the least effort to get it out of the rut. All he did was to curse his bad luck and call loudly on Hercules to come to his aid. Then, it is said, Hercules really did appear, saying:
“Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and urge on your horses. Do you think you can move the wagon by simply looking at it and whining about it? Hercules will not help unless you make some effort to help yourself.”
And when the farmer put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses, the wagon moved very readily, and soon the Farmer was riding along in great content and with a good lesson learned.
Self help is the best help.
Heaven helps those who help themselves.
Popular Posts