Among the devoted followers of the goddess Artemis was a beautiful nymph named Callisto. Zeus fell passionately in love with her and often sought her company. Within a year, she bore him a son named Arcas, who would later become the ancestor of the Arcadians.
Zeus's frequent absences from Mount Olympus aroused Hera's suspicion. In time, the vengeful queen discovered the truth and devised a cruel plan for revenge. One day, Callisto suddenly found herself transformed into a bear, with monstrous jaws and bloodshot eyes. Yet, her heart remained human. Horrified, she immediately left her son and fled into the forest to hide.
Years passed. Little Arcas grew into a young man. One day, while hunting merrily in the woods, a large grey bear suddenly appeared before him. Both were stunned—Arcas terrified by the fearsome creature, and the bear recognizing the young hunter as her own son. As Arcas aimed his spear at the slowly approaching bear and prepared to strike, Zeus intervened just in time to stop the tragic act. He had only recently discovered the whereabouts of his beloved and had been secretly protecting her. To reunite them and ensure their safety, Zeus transformed Arcas into a little bear and placed both mother and son among the stars. There they remain to this day, known as the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.