A rumbling voice filled the temple. "The race is to the swift.
Sometimes."
The voice emanated from the doe!
Quickly he stood up. Zeus! It must be Zeus!
"Merely a little test, my boy. One must be sensitive to suffering. Your bleeding heart has caused you to fail this simple task, bringing the white feather to the temple. Nevertheless, I'll certainly remember you kindly for the aid you provided me. Well, boy, go on home now. It was nice knowing you."
His head bowed he walked across the temple, passed the doe on his way to the downward path.
"Wait!" The voice was an angry growl. "What is this! How did it get here?"
Zeus stood in the middle of the temple, in his godly form now. In his hand he held the feather Demo had previously taken from the floor, only to toss aside.
"I know not sire. For the feather I carried was stolen away by the wind. This was here when I entered the temple."
"Ah, good, good. Then it couldn't be the feather. Good day, my boy. Give my regards to your mother - and to any other kinfolk you should meet. Lovely day, lovely." Zeus smiled happily as the rain dripped upon him from a rent in the temple roof.
With drooping head Demo once more turned to go. A sudden disturbance caught his attention. Once more he halted.