She sighed, paused as though uncertain how to continue.
"Today an old woman visited our home. A very old woman. Her name is Ceres. Perhaps you have heard the name."
He shook his head.
"An old woman, but a very good woman. One known to me since youth. At one time she served as your nursemaid. A good nursemaid! Would that I had known how good!"
She stood up, paced back and forth in a disturbed manner.
"You were a weak baby, with very little chance for life. I feared that you would not survive. I prayed to the Gods. And then she came to me, brought to us by your Father. He had met her in the forest, where she wept for her lost daughter. She nurtured you, raised you for me, put strength in your bones and muscles. Nearly, she gave you gifts no human dare dream of."
This time she sobbed, head bowed.
"But I, foolish woman, feared her ministrations, feared for you. I ask her to leave my house and I took you away, and action I shall ever regret."
"Nevertheless, I had promised, that should you survive, she might one day ask of you a service.
"This day she came, and so asked. I queried of her, what might that service be, yet she answered not. She said only this, that should you accomplish the chores of Zeus, one task more must you perform, and then the debt would be paid."