In mythology, the story of Zeus, Hera, Io, and Argus is a tale of lust, trickery, death, and honor. In brief, jealous Hera turned Zeus's lover Io into a white heifer and set the hundred-eyed watchman Argus to guard her. Hermes, a god known for trickery, lulled Argus to sleep by playing music on a reed and by telling monotonous tales. Zeus was able to recover Io, and Hera placed a hundred eyes in the tail of her favorite bird in tribute to Argus.
This tale of the tail is written for the April 1 d'Verse prompt to write about an animal. That's my recently created artwork up there, so I have peacocks on my mind (obviously). Why? I don't know. Why not?
How the Peacock Got His Tail
or
the night has a hundred eyes, a hundred eyes, but none do see
One hundred eyes to guard the prize,
But every eye did close.
As Argus fell to Hermes' spell
That lulled him to repose;
And Zeus did laugh to take the calf,
Sweet Io, from his queen;
The watchman gave his life to save
Hera's pride supreme.
And Hera, moved by gratitude,
Although the fight she lost,
Placed the eyes to memorialize
Poor Argus and the cost.
The peacock's fan, to modern man,
A thing of rare beauty;
In ancient days, a tribute made
To eyes that no more see.