He traced them to the cave, but when he came closer to it, he found that all the tracks led from the opening, not into it.
Near the cave he saw an old man who told him that he had seen the cows.
He said that with them he had seen a baby with wings on his cap and heels.
Apollo knew at once that the baby was his brother, Hermes.
He went straight to the cave of Æolus. There was Hermes in his cradle playing with the shell just like any other baby.
Apollo was angry and commanded him to stop laughing and crowing and tell him where the white cows were.
Hermes only picked up the shell and breathed softly upon it.
Apollo forgot his anger and everything but the beautiful music. He took Hermes in his arms and kissed him and begged him to teach him his secret.
Hermes was glad to be so easily forgiven. He gave Apollo the lyre and taught him many ways to play upon it. Apollo was soon able to make even sweeter music than Hermes, and he afterwards became the god of music.
He was so thankful to Hermes for his gift that he gave him a wonderful rod called the caduceus.