Folk Tale

Mercury and the Sculptor

Translated From

Ἑρμῆς καὶ ἀγαλματοποιός

AuthorΑἴσωπος
LanguageAncient Greek
AuthorGeorge Fyler Townsend
Book TitleAesop's Fables
Publication Date1867
LanguageEnglish
OriginGreece

MERCURY ONCE DETERMINED to learn in what esteem he was held among mortals. For this purpose he assumed the character of a man and visited in this disguise a Sculptor's studio having looked at various statues, he demanded the price of two figures of Jupiter and Juno. When the sum at which they were valued was named, he pointed to a figure of himself, saying to the Sculptor, "You will certainly want much more for this, as it is the statue of the Messenger of the Gods, and author of all your gain." The Sculptor replied, "Well, if you will buy these, I'll fling you that into the bargain."


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