Odysseus, the Hero of Ithaca / Adapted from the Third Book of the Primary Schools of Athens, Greece

ur of sleep had arrived, and this was always their last ceremony before seeking slumber. No one saw Odysseus as he crossed the spacious room and came close to the king and queen, for he w

sorrows. May the gods give thee a long and happy life. For many years I have been a wandere

of the chiefs arose and said: "Alkino?s, this is not a royal seat for a stranger, among the cinders of the hearth. I pray thee, raise him up and place him on a th

attendants filled the cups to pour libations in honor of Zeus, and Alkino?s said to them: "Listen, ye leaders and chiefs of the Ph?acians. To-morrow we shall greet the stranger in our palace with honors and offer a great

in form or looks. I am only a wanderer, and I could tell of fearful so

ing words, and promised to aid him. Then th

because she had woven them herself, and she said to him: "Stranger, who art thou, and from what land? Didst thou not

ng. I was shipwrecked long since, and thrown upon an island far out in the sea, where Calypso, the daughter of Atlas, lives. She car

ant breeze to carry me across the waters. But Poseidon stirred the winds and waves against me, and I was thrown upon the shores of this island, near the la

treat," replied Odysseus, "for she bade me come with her maids, but I lingered in a grove to offer a prayer to Athena."

ouch with shaggy rugs and purple tapestries, where he could rest. With a grateful heart Odysseus arose, a

all the Ph?acians had assembled. The people gazed with admiration at their stranger-guest, for Athena len

nd after many wanderings and adventures. And he asks me to send him back to his own country. Let us fit out a ship for him quickly

hiefs and princes, where we will make a great banquet. Summon also the ba

nces following him. Fifty-two youths were soon chosen from among the best