Mercury and Apollo

• Mercury's role as messenger and caretaker of travelers was born out of his trickery and guile. He created a lyre when he was only six days old, which he constructed out of tortoise shell, ox hide and cattle gut. Mercury stole Apollo's cattle for his purposes. When the angry Apollo confronted the youngster, Mercury attempted to convince Apollo that he had no idea where his cattle were. Before Apollo could get hold of Mercury to present him before Jupiter (Zeus), Mercury enchanted Apollo by playing his lyre. Apollo agreed to forgive Mercury for his actions and make him messenger of the gods in exchange for the lyre.
  
  

Mercury and Dryope

• Mercury fell in love at first sight with the nymph Dryope. Dryope was shy and frightened by the young Mercury and vowed only to marry a shepherd. Upon this news, Mercury disguised himself as a shepherd and herded stolen sheep in the fields where Dryope lived. He courted her for some time until he gained her friendship, and she finally consented to marry him.
  
  

Mercury and Chelone

• When Jupiter married Juno, he instructed Mercury to send a wedding invitation to every god, mortal and animal. Everyone invited to the wedding attended except for the nymph Chelone, who mocked the marriage. When asked by Jupiter why she did not attend, Chelone replied, "There's no place like home." Mercury traveled to Chelone's home on Earth, cast it into the river and turned Chelone into an animal. Chelone was transformed into a tortoise so that she would have to carry her home on her back forever.
  
  

Mercury and Perseus

• Mercury assisted Perseus in his quest to slay the gorgon Medusa. Athena lent Perseus her shield for protection, and Mercury gave him the sickle of Cronos to slay Medusa with. Perseus then visited the three Graiai sisters, who told him where to locate the nymphai that guarded supernatural items. The nymphai lent Perseus Hades's cap, a satchel and Mercury's winged sandals. Upon Perseus's return to Greece, Mercury seized the items and returned them to the nymphs. Mercury also delivered the slain head of Medusa to Athena, which she adorned her shield with.