Zeus asked that the boy bear the water for all gods in heavens. Day after day, Ganymede poured wine, juice, and water for all those that invited him and didn’t mind the time he was allowed to rest and be leisurely amongst the great Greek gods.

Upon seeing the floods, Zeus entered Hera’s heavenly chamber and saw Ganymede surrounded by empty water vessels. He was about to reprimand Ganymede when he noticed a familiar look and smile on Hera’s face. Zeus now realized that he had been selfish. Due to Ganymede’s exposed grief, he approached Zeus.

He asked Zeus to send him back to his land to drown in his sadness, to live out the rest of his days in isolation. “I cannot bear to pour one more drop,” Ganymede, the water bearer, said. Zeus had realized the fault in his ways. His sympathy for Ganymede was great, and his love for Hera’s wisdom was grand. And so, Zeus refused Ganymede’s request. Instead, he granted him a great gift of even greater immortal status.