Metra

Erysichthon cut the sacred oak in Ceres's grove despite the servants' hesitation. The tree bled when his axe struck it. After the oak fell, its sisters, the Dryads, grieved and went to Ceres. The goddess sent Famine to find him, and his appetite consumed the wealth in his house. When only Metra remained to sell, her father sold her for food. She had once been taken by Neptune, and she called on him to help her escape her new master. The god granted her the power to change her form. Metra appeared as a fisherman and denied that he had seen the girl who had just been sold. The buyer believed him and went away. Metra returned to her father, but Erysichthon sold her again when he needed food.

Each sale brought another escape. Metra changed into different forms, including a mare, a bird, a cow and a stag. She slipped away from those who had bought her, then returned to Erysichthon and brought provisions. The food quieted his hunger only for a short time. He continued to sell his daughter, and she continued to escape and come back. Metra returned with food as often as she could, but her father's appetite kept growing. At last, no property remained and her food could no longer satisfy him. Erysichthon began tearing pieces from his own body and feeding on himself.