He left the bow and arrow at home, in the bushes, he did not want to be archer for a day. He would use his hands today, he would tickle the animals and people, not shoot at them. He would let them ride on his back, for miles and miles and miles and miles. He would carry them to places they did not know existed or to places they used to be afraid of, while they should not. These were his favorite places of all. Oh, this would be a day of pure joy.
Chiron was renowned for his gentleness. He was an excellent archer, musician, and physician, and tutored the likes of Achilles, Jason, and Hercules. Unlike most centaurs, he was not "beastly" as they are half horse.
And:
"Chiron, however, was accidentally shot and wounded by Hercules. The arrow, which had been dipped in the poison of the Lernaean Hydra, inflicted great suffering on Chiron--so great, in fact, that even the talented physician could not cure himself. In agony, but as an immortal unable to find release in death, Chiron instead offered himself as a substitute for Prometheus. The gods had punished Prometheus for giving fire to man by chaining him to a rock. Each day an eagle would devour his liver, and each night it would grow back. Jupiter, however, had at the request of Hercules agreed to release Prometheus if a suitable substitute could be found. Chiron gave up his immortality and went to Tartarus in place of Prometheus; in recognition of his goodness, Jupiter placed him in the stars"
sounds about right.
quite incredibly so. yes... : )