A Race of Arrogance

Hermes, messenger of the gods, was filled with rage. His face burned bright red and he clenched his fists with fury.  How dare a mere human contest my running abilities. I shall teach Pheidippides a lesson. He needed revenge.

Pheidippides, an Olympian known for his running abilities, was needed by King Aegeus, the military power of Athens. Persian King Darius had already conquered Thrace in the north and his army was moving closer and closer to the city of Athens. “Pheidippides I need you to run as fast as you can to the city. General Miltiades was able to chase the Persian army away at Marathon, but now they are headed to Athens. We need to warn the people in the city. Please, run quickly and may the gods be in your favor,” ordered King Aegeus.

“I will do it, my king. You can count on me,” Pheidippides bowed as he responded. Feet pounding, heart pumping, running the entire way, Pheidippides delivered the warning allowing Miltiades and his army time to reach the city in order to defend it.

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 “Pheidippides, you have saved the day. You indeed are a great runner,” boasted King Aegeus.  With this compliment, Pheidippides thought to himself, I am the best runner in the entire world. Even the leader of Athens said so. In reality I am better than Hermes. Unluckily for Pheidippides, Hermes heard what he had said and would not let anyone berate him. He was furious. No one is better than me, and that is the real truth, Hermes thought.

That night Hermes appeared to Pheidippides in a dream. “You proclaim that you are better than I,” Hermes angry demanded.

Pheidippides trembled, “I didn’t… I didn’t… I didn’t mean it.”

“You have challenged me and I accept the challenge. Tomorrow at sundown we will race from the plains of Sparta to the coast and we will see who is the swiftest runner,” then he disappeared.

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The next morning Pheidippides awoke knowing it wasn’t just a dream. Ready for the challenge and knowing he was sure to win, Pheidippides greeted Hermes at the prearranged meeting spot. “On the count of three,” Hermes commanded. “One, two three,” and they took off running. Blurring the view of the spectators, only a cloud of dust could be seen as they flew across the plain with their feet barely touching the ground. For the first stadion, it appeared to be a close race as they were neck and neck. But then, Hermes pulled slightly ahead of Pheidippides, glanced over his shoulder and almost felt sorry for him. He thought, I am impressed with this mortal, and yet, he shall be severely punished for his outrageous and shocking arrogance. Suddenly, Hermes dashed further ahead. Barely visible to the human eye, he was running at supersonic speed, the speed of sound.

Lagging far behind Pheidippides was thinking; this wasn’t the best idea I’d ever had. I shouldn’t have challenged a god. My boasting will surely cost me my life. Oh, Hermes please don’t let me die. Hermes heard Pheidippides; he decided it would be a shame to kill him. Instead he would allow him to live, but never forget his crime.

Pheidippides shrinking slowly, ever so slowly eventually was the size of a watermelon. A hard crust appeared on his back and his gait gradually slowed. Coming to a halt, he gazed at his limbs.  He saw in their place, scaly flippers.  He tried to run, but with great effort he only slightly edged forward. Standing motionless, he realized Hermes turned him into a slow moving turtle.

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Hermes was nowhere in sight, but was looking down from Mt. Olympus proud of his deed and his lenience in sparing Pheidippides’ life.  From that day on, Pheidippides was a dawdling turtle on land. But alas, Hermes was also compassionate and allowed him to swim at great speeds and grace in the sea.

Images: Pheidippides