Anthony Stradivari, the most famous luthier in the entire human world, was a favorite of both the Delian god, the handsome Apollo, and the trickster god, Hermes. His creations sang with the cadence of dance and birdsong; many of the Olympians would interrupt their business to hear even a hint of Stradivari's sound. Before long, both Apollo and Hermes desired a violin from the luthier and one day both descended into their human forms to make their request. But such was the rivalry between Apollo and Hermes that they asked Stradivari to build only one violin and give it to only one of them; neither would dare own a violin lest it be one of a kind and of the highest quality. Although Apollo was the god of music and felt he deserved such an illustrious instrument, Hermes sought revenge for Apollo's lyre, which he felt should rightfully be his. Stradivarius, unable to choose which god to bestow his art on and knowing that such a choice would end badly only for him, sent the gods to take the rarest materials so he could create the most unique and beautiful violin he could ever make . However, whenever the gods located and delivered his materials, he immediately sent them back for an even rarer alloy or wood, always stressing that he could not fulfill their order unless they acquiesced to his demands. For years Stradivari maintained this strategy and was able to make ever more beautiful violins with his supply of priceless ingredients. Every time Apollo or Hermes played one of Stradivari's violins and felt satisfied, Stradivari would shake his head and tell them that the violin was a pittance compared to his later creation. Apollo and Hermes, blinded by their competition and......middle of paper......ke make amends for their mistakes. Stradivari's coffin began to shrink around his body as his blood and flesh joined the wood of his tomb. His silver hair tied in four glittering strings and Stradivari's body soon transformed into a shining violin. Hermes raised a bow on the violin strings and brought out the most glorious and resonant tone ever heard; such was the beauty of the instrument that Apollo wept, forgot his anger, and let Hermes hold it. To this day, many Stradivari violins remain in the human world, but only one can resonate with the beauty of Stradivari's soul; Hermes keeps this for himself. But to honor Stradivari's life and share his gift with the world, Hermes joins Apollo every night and plays the symphonies of nature; these can be heard in the winds, in the oceans, indeed, in the fabric of everyday life.