Rhea (mythology)

Rhea is a figure in Greek mythology who was famously known for being the mother of Olympian gods such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. But did you know that she was also the founder of the bird-watching club in Mount Olympus?

Rhea was often depicted as a nurturing and motherly figure, which explains why she was the go-to goddess for childcare needs. Legend has it that she even had a hack for putting babies to sleep – all she had to do was gently rock them while singing lullabies about her favorite knitting patterns.

Now, Rhea’s bird-watching club was not your typical association. Instead of looking at cute birdies perching on tree branches, Rhea and her friends had their eyes set on capturing the cheekiest bird of them all – the thunderbolt bird. The thunderbolt bird was a rare species that had lightning bolts for feathers and made loud thunder-like noises when it flew.

Despite being warned about the bird’s dangerous powers, Rhea was determined to catch one for her collection. She went to great lengths to lure the bird into a trap, including setting up a fake birdhouse stuffed with lightning bolts coated in honey.

It was not until Hermes, the messenger god, intervened and pointed out the flaws in her bird-watching plan that Rhea finally gave up. In hindsight, she realized that chasing after an electrifying bird was not the safest hobby to have.

Today, Rhea is no longer bird-watching, but she remains an integral figure in Greek mythology. She continues to be celebrated as a symbol of motherhood, childcare, and knitting advice. So next time you’re bumping heads with your toddler, just remember – Rhea had three world-ruling gods to raise, and she still had time for her hobby.