The three love gods of Olympus - Aphrodite, Eros and Peitho - were bickering amongst themselves. This was not unusual. After all, the course of true love rarely runs smooth, or so the sages would have us believe. And true love was what their argument was about.

Aphrodite was of the opinion that beauty was the foundation of true love. "After all," she declared, "love is the most beautiful of all things."

Eros's wings shook with laughter. "You're joking. It is desire that makes for love. If you do not desire something, how can you love it?"

Peitho shook her head. "No. Lovers must be persuaded. Otherwise they will part, and their love will be forever lost."

The others looked at her in disbelief. "No!" they both declared. "There is no passion in persuasion!"

"Only beauty," said Aphrodite.

"Only desire," said Eros.

"Can bring true love," they both finished, then glared at each other.

Peitho gave them both a persuasive smile. "Shall we have a contest then, brother and sister? Whoever creates a love that last longest will be the victor."

"Agreed!" Aphrodite and Eros cried. "Let's settle this once and for all!"

And so the contest began.

Aphrodite selected her couple, a young man and a young woman who she blessed with great beauty. When her chosen two met each other, they were both entranced by each other's looks and could not bear to be apart. "See!" said Aphrodite. "They are in love!"

"Perhaps," said Eros. "Let us see what I can do." He gazed down to the world below, his eyes narrowed in concentration. "Those two," he said, then fitted two enchanted arrows to his bow and let fly. The arrows flew straight and true, piercing the hearts of his victims and filling them with desire for each other. "See!" said Eros. "They are in love!"

"We shall see," said Peithos. She descended from Olympus and whispered in the ears of two young people. They exchanged glances and smiled at each other, but that was all.

"You call that love?" Aphrodite said scornfully.

Eros shook his head. "It is barely even attraction."

But Peithos just smiled. "Let us see whose love lasts the longest." And so the gods waited.

Time passed. Aphrodite's couple grew older and, as is the nature of things, their looks changed and faded. Eventually they parted, drawn to other younger, more attractive partners. Eros's victims' lust changed to hate, which is just as strong. They fought and fought, and eventually parted. However, Peithos returned to her young people, whispering in their ears every night. Their love grew stronger and blossomed, bringing them children and grandchildren until the end of their days.

"See," said Peithos. "Persuasion is the foundation of true love."

"You cheated," said Aphrodite.

"You interfered with them," Eros protested.

Peithos gave them both a persuasive smile.