A new day

Nereus stirred from his sleep as he saw a stranger approaching, his ragged blankets tightly wrapped around him. Through bleary eyes, he tried to identify the familiar voice that spoke to him with a hint of compassion. "Hello, my friend," the voice said.

It was Pablo, one of the more compassionate villagers who occasionally came to check on him. He held a bottle of water and a sandwich in his hand. Nereus, grateful for the small kindness, slowly sat up and accepted the offer.

Pablo joked about Nereus' previous day of begging and skirt-grabbing, but Nereus replied with a retort about the prudishness of mortal women compared to those of Olympus. This old topic of discussion often arose between the two, but Nereus appreciated Pablo's company, the closest thing to a friend he had in his new mortal life.

When asked what he planned to do that day, Nereus responded bitterly, "You really need to ask? I'm a beggar, a homeless outcast, cast out of my home by my own father. What else is there for me to do?"

Pablo's expression softened, and he offered to tell Nereus a brief story to help him pass the time. Nereus gratefully accepted, taking a bite of his sandwich as he listened to Pablo's words, grateful for the momentary respite from his own thoughts and emotions