TWO

A GIFT FROM THE GODS

Odysseus and his men rowed until their ship was finally safe upon the open seas.

As Odysseus stared at the wine-dark waves, the screams of the dying men still rang in his ears. He realized the curse of the Cyclops was coming true. He remembered the cruel words of the hideous monster: “May Odysseus never reach his home alive! May he lose his way, his ships, and all his men! May he find only sorrow and trouble on his journey!”

Odysseus had lost nearly all his ships now, and he had lost nearly all his men. Eleven vessels had been destroyed by the cannibal giants. All but forty-five of his warriors had been slain.

Stunned by their losses, Odysseus and his crew could not speak. They sailed on in silence, shaken by the memory of the giants spearing the helpless wounded.

Finally, the black ship came upon an island covered with thickets and dense woods. The Greeks climbed ashore and collapsed on the rocky beach.

For two days and two nights, Odysseus and his men lay on the hard ground, mourning their lost comrades.

On the third day, when rosy dawn crept over the island, Odysseus gathered his strength and stood up. He did not wake his crew, for he knew they had lost all heart.

They are too stricken with grief to hunt for food, he thought. Soon they will be too weak to sail, and they will die on this island.

Desperate to save his men, Odysseus picked up his sword and spear. Then he set out in search of game.

Odysseus climbed a craggy hill and looked about for signs of life. In the distance, he saw smoke rising from the green forest. It curled above the trees and drifted into the sky. Do more giants and monsters live on this shore? Odysseus wondered anxiously. Or might the inhabitants be welcoming and kind?

Before Odysseus could answer these questions, he knew he must find food for his men.

The gods seemed to hear Odysseus’ thoughts—for just then, from out of the trees walked a giant stag with towering antlers.

Odysseus hurled his spear, killing the stag at once. He then fashioned a rope from willow twigs and tied the legs of the stag together. He hoisted the stag onto his shoulders and carried it back to the Greek camp.

Odysseus found his men huddled in a circle, their cloaks wrapped around their heads. Still deep in mourning, they wept bitter tears for their fallen shipmates. They trembled for their own fate as well.

“Listen, my friends,” said Odysseus. “You and I shall not go down to the Land of the Dead this morning. It is not our day to die. Until that day comes, we must take care of ourselves. Rise. Be well. Let us feast on this gift from the gods.”

The men uncovered their heads. They admired the mighty stag Odysseus had slain for them, and slowly they began preparing for their feast.

They washed their hands and faces in the sea. After many days of grief and suffering, their hearts began to mend.