"Cadmus. He killed this serpent, see. Knocked out its teeth, sowed them like seed, and raised an . . . Oh, it doesn't matter!"
"The important thing is, five teeth remain. For all his prowess, he didn't knock them out. My dentist says I must have those. No substitutes. No plastic. The real McCoy. Dentists!"
"Anyway, they're right in your own back yard. T'other side of the mountain from your home, actually. Easy day's trip. Just get a gunny sack, go over and pick 'em up, and bring 'em back. Your task, then - should you choose to accept it - is - get those teeth."
Demo frowned. Somehow it seemed he had heard those words before.
Zeus smiled kindly, reached out and patted Demo's head.
"I do apologize. It's such a silly task! But necessary. So be on your way."
Demo stood up, knowing he had been dismissed. The sudden landing when dismissed from Olympus back to earthly surroundings is best met standing and with flexed muscles.
As he departed he heard Zeus murmur, "Actually, this nectar does have a certain bouquet, a body, an essence of its own."
He couldn't quite make out the last few words. " Hmmm, did I tell the boy that the serpent isn't dead after all? Minor detail."
"Mother, do you know aught of Cadmus?"