Leda, 1510 (detalle).
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As I walked through the sun-drenched streets of Porto, I spotted a somber man, hunched over and covered in pale dust from broken stones. At first glance, he seemed a simple, worn-out worker, almost blending into the scenery like a living sculpture.
As I passed him, something made me pause. His eyes held a depth incompatible with his rough exterior, like a swan disguised as a common bird. The feeling lingered, and I began to wonder: what if this man was more than he appeared? What if he were Zeus, king of the gods, on one of his famous earthly escapades?
The idea took shape in my mind: perhaps he was on his way to seduce the beautiful Leda, choosing this humble form to go unnoticed. As fanciful as it was, I couldn’t shake this thought. Every few steps, I’d look over my shoulder, half-expecting to see the man transform into a majestic swan.
Years passed, and I always remembered that dust-covered man whenever I walked down the same street. One day, turning the corner, I saw two impressive figures that made me stop: a young man and a woman of supernatural beauty, their laughter sounding like celestial music. As I approached, I heard their names – Helen and Pollux.
My old fantasy resurfaced. Could these be the children of Zeus and Leda, the fruits of that divine seduction I had imagined years ago? I shook my head, amused by my persistent imagination. Yet, as I passed them, I noticed a layer of stone dust on their clothes, a hint of their lineage.
I continued on my way, chuckling to myself. Porto is a city where the line between the mundane and the divine is as thin as a layer of stone dust, and where gods can walk among us, hidden in plain sight.
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