His brother had used all the best god gifts on the animals, leaving mankind vulnerable to the biting winter cold, so Prometheus set out to Zeus to ask for the sacred fire to save his creation. Zeus refused, for fire belonged to gods and gods alone. But Prometheus loved his creation dearly, and he refused to stand by and do nothing to ease their suffering. That is why, despite knowing how angry Zeus would be, he decided to steal the fire and bear any punishment the gods would see fit.
