Mercury and the Sculptor

Mercury once sought to determine how he was regarded among mortals. To accomplish this, he disguised himself as a man and visited a sculptor's studio.

After examining various statues, he inquired about the price of two figures representing Jupiter and Juno. When the sculptor named the price for these figures, Mercury pointed to a statue of himself and said, "Surely, you must want much more for this piece, as it is the statue of the Messenger of the Gods and the source of all your gain."

The sculptor, unfazed by the bold claim, replied, "Well, if you buy these two statues, I'll throw that one in for free."

In this exchange, Mercury learned not only about his own esteem but also about the value of humility and the nature of artistry among mortals.