Hercules at the Crossroads

Even though the story is fictitious, it resonated with me. I like The Road Not Taken.

Once upon a time, in the life of Hercules, he came to the crossroads. The road diverged, and a beautiful goddess lay there who offered him every temptation he could imagine. Adorned in finery, she promised him a life of ease. She swore he’d never taste want or unhappiness or fear or pain. Follow her, she said, and his every desire would be fulfilled.

On the other path stood a sterner goddess in a pure white robe. She made a quieter call. She promised no rewards except those that came as a result of hard work. It would be a long journey, she said. There would be a sacrifice. There would be scary moments. But it was a journey fit for the god. It would make him the person his ancestors meant him to be.