Special thanks to Frederick J. Booth, Ph.D., Professor of Classical Studies, Seton Hall University, for his expert advice
The One-eyed Giant text copyright © 2002 by Mary Pope Osborne
The One-eyed Giant artwork copyright © 2002 by Troy Howell
The Land of the Dead text copyright © 2002 by Mary Pope Osborne
The Land of the Dead artwork copyright © 2002 by Troy Howell
Sirens and Sea Monsters text copyright © 2003 by Mary Pope Osborne
Sirens and Sea Monsters artwork copyright © 2003 by Troy Howell
This edition cover art copyright © 2010 by James Bernardin
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ISBN 978-1-4231-4157-0
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For Wilborn Hampton and LuAnn Walther
CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Page
BOOK ONE
PROLOGUE
1 THE CALL TO WAR
2 THE WOODEN HORSE
3 THE ODYSSEY BEGINS
4 THE MYSTERIOUS SHORE
5 THE ONE-EYED GIANT
6 ODYSSEUS’ PLAN
7 THE CURSE OF THE CYCLOPS
8 THE PALACE OF THE WIND GOD
EPILOGUE
BOOK TWO
1 ISLAND OF THE CANNIBAL GIANTS
2 A GIFT FROM THE GODS
3 THE WITCH’S SPELL
4 THE MESSENGER GOD
5 THE WITCH’S PALACE
6 ANOTHER JOURNEY
7 THE LAND OF THE DEAD
8 LIKE A SHADOW OR A DREAM
9 THE WARRIOR GHOSTS
BOOK THREE
1 THE LAND OF THE LIVING
2 CIRCE’S WARNINGS
3 SONG OF THE SIRENS
4 THE WHIRLPOOL MONSTER
5 SCYLLA
6 ISLAND OF THE SUN GOD
7 THE TEMPEST
8 PUNISHMENT OF THE GODS
9 ONLY ODYSSEUS
10 CALYPSO
ABOUT HOMER AND THE ODYSSEY
GODS AND GODDESSES OF ANCIENT GREECE
THE MAIN GODS AND GODDESSES
AND PRONUNCIATION OF THEIR NAMES
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
TO OTHER PROPER NAMES
A NOTE ON THE SOURCES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Book One
THE ONE-EYED GIANT
PROLOGUE
In the early morning of time, there existed a mysterious world called Mount Olympus. Hidden behind a veil of clouds, this world was never swept by winds, nor washed by rains. Those who lived on Mount Olympus never grew old; they never died. They were not humans. They were the mighty gods and goddesses of ancient Greece.
The Olympian gods and goddesses had great power over the lives of the humans who lived on earth below. Their anger once caused a man named Odysseus to wander the seas for many long years, trying to find his way home.
Almost three thousand years ago, a Greek poet named Homer first told the story of Odysseus’ journey. Since that time, storytellers have told the strange and wondrous tale again and again. We call that story the Odyssey.
ONE
THE CALL TO WAR
Long ago on the island of Ithaca in ancient Greece, there lived a man named Odysseus. Though he was king of the island, Odysseus lived a simple life. He enjoyed tending his fields and orchards and working with his hands as a craftsman and carpenter. More than anything, he enjoyed the company of his family—his aged mother and father; his loving wife, Penelope; and their small son, Telemachus.
One day as Odysseus was plowing his fields, he gazed for a long time at Penelope and Telemachus. The baby was sleeping in his mother’s arms under a nearby tree. Odysseus imagined that someday he would teach his son to farm the land and care for the orchards. He would teach him to sail a ship around the Greek islands.
As Odysseus dreamed of his son’s future, a servant ran from the palace. “A messenger from King Agamemnon has arrived!” the servant shouted.
Dread crept over Odysseus. He knew why the messenger had come. Agamemnon, the ruler of all the Greek islands, was calling for the kings and princes of Greece to wage war against the faraway city of Troy. A Trojan prince had kidnapped a Greek queen named Helen, taking her from her husband.
“Odysseus of Ithaca!” the messenger shouted. “I bring orders for you to join King Agamemnon in the fight against Troy!”
Odysseus glared at the man, trying desperately to think of some way to avoid leaving his family. Though he was a brave warrior and leader of men, his love for his family overshadowed all else. He loathed the thought of having to leave his home.
“Odysseus!” the messenger shouted. “Remember it was you yourself who first called for our countrymen to swear to defend the marriage of Helen!”
Odysseus remembered this well. Helen was the most beautiful woman in all the world. When she was old enough to wed, all the princes and kings of Greece had wanted to marry her. Fearing that the men’s jealousies would bring their nation to ruin, Odysseus had urged them all to swear to defend Helen’s marriage always, no matter who she chose for her husband.
“In the name of Agamemnon, I command you to set sail at once!” the man shouted.
Ignoring the messenger, Odysseus began to behave in a strange way. Instead of yoking two oxen together to pull his plow, he yoked an ox to a small donkey. Instead of casting seeds into the furrows of his fields, he cast salt. He hoped the messenger would think he had gone mad.
But the messenger suspected Odysseus was only pretending. To test him, the messenger snatched Telemachus from Penelope’s arms and placed the baby in front of Odysseus’ plow.
Penelope screamed.
Odysseus quickly turned his plow so he would not harm the boy. And in that moment, he knew he had sealed his fate. He had proved his sanity. He would now have to leave his family and answer the call to war.
TWO
THE WOODEN HORSE
For the next ten years, Odysseus camped with a thousand Greek warriors outside the walls of Troy. He despaired that the war would ever end. The Greeks slew many Trojan leaders in battle, including the prince who had stolen Helen from her Greek husband. But Helen herself remained captive within the thick walls of Troy. The Greeks had not been able to find a way to enter the city and take her back.
One day, Odysseus left the Greek camp and sat alone on the Trojan shore. He mourned the separation from his wife and felt terribly sad that he had missed seeing his son grow up. He feared that his mother and father might have died while he was at war, and that he would never lay eyes on them again.
Suddenly, a tall woman appeared before Odysseus. She wore a shining helmet and carried a spear and shield. The woman was Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war and a daughter of Zeus.
Athena stared at Odysseus with flashing gray eyes. Though her gaze was fierce, it was also kind. Athena had always been fond of Odysseus. She admired his skills as a carpenter and craftsman. And she loved him for his strength and clever ways.
Odysseus was speechless as he stood before the goddess.
“I have come to help you take Helen back from the Trojans,” she said. “Here is how you shall bring down the walls of Troy. Direct your carpenters to build a giant wooden horse. Hide with a few of your men inside the horse while the rest of the Greeks pretend to leave the islan
d in defeat. Thinking the horse has been abandoned, the Trojans will bring it inside their walls. When night falls and the Greek soldiers return, open the gates of the city and let them in.”
The goddess then left as quickly as she had come.
Odysseus set to work at once. He called for his best carpenter and directed him to build the giant wooden horse. When the horse was finished, Odysseus ordered his men to carve Athena’s name into its side. He then chose his bravest warriors and led them up a rope ladder to a secret trapdoor in the belly of the horse. He and his men locked themselves inside and waited.
Soon Odysseus heard the Greek warriors set fire to their camp. He heard them board their ships and sail away in the night.
Odysseus dared not sleep as he waited for morning. After many hours, he heard seagulls crying in the dawn light. Then he heard footsteps on the sand and voices.
“What is this horse?” a Trojan shouted. “Why did the Greeks build it, and then abandon it on our shore?”
“It is ours now!” said another. “Let us haul it inside our walls!”
“No, we must not!” cried another. “We must never trust gifts from the Greeks! Throw this monstrous thing into the sea!”
“Burn it!” some yelled.
“Let it stay!” others shouted.
The argument was interrupted by a Greek soldier who had stayed behind and allowed himself to be captured by the Trojans. Now he claimed to be a traitor to the Greeks.
“This horse is a gift for Athena,” he lied. “See her name carved into its side? If you destroy it, the goddess will punish you. But if you give it a place of honor in your city, she will give Troy power over all the world.”
The Trojans argued bitterly about whether or not to trust the captive. Finally, the king made a decision. “We will keep the wooden horse,” he said. “Bring it inside the gates of Troy.”
Odysseus felt great relief and excitement. Athena’s plan was working! He and his men scarcely breathed as the Trojans heaved the giant horse onto rollers, then pushed it into the city.
Odysseus waited patiently for night to come. When all was silent, he opened the trapdoor in the horse’s belly.
It was pitch-black outside. The city was eerily calm. All the Trojans had returned to their homes and gone to bed.
Under the cover of darkness, Odysseus led the way down the rope ladder. He and his men crept to the city gates, unbolted them, and threw them open.
Hordes of Greek warriors were waiting on the other side! In the darkness, they had sailed back to Troy and silently gathered outside the gates.
With a horrifying battle cry, the Greek army rushed into the city. They killed many men and captured women and children to keep as slaves. They found Helen and returned her to her Greek husband.
By dawn, the entire city of Troy was in flames. The triumphant Greek warriors loaded their ships with treasure. Then finally, after ten long years, they set sail for home.
As a strong wind carried Odysseus and his twelve sleek ships away from the shores of Troy, he was jubilant. He imagined all of Ithaca rejoicing over his victorious return. He imagined himself soon embracing his beloved wife and son, and his parents. Never had he felt so hopeful and happy.
THREE
THE ODYSSEY BEGINS
Soon after the Greek ships left Troy, the skies began to blacken. Lightning zigzagged above the foamy sea. Thunder shook the heavens.
Mighty winds stirred the water. The waves grew higher and higher, until they were rolling over the bows of the ships.
“The gods are punishing us!” the Greek warriors shouted. “We shall all drown!”
As his men frantically fought the storm, Odysseus felt bewildered. Why was Zeus, god of the skies, hurling his thunderbolts at them? Why was Poseidon, lord of the seas, sending great waves over the waters?
Odysseus turned to his men. “What has happened to anger the gods?” he shouted. “Tell me!”
“Before we left Troy, Greek warriors invaded Athena’s temple!” said one of his men. “They were violent and disrespectful.”
Odysseus was stunned. The Greeks had offended the goddess who had helped them to victory! And now her anger might drown them all.
The wind grew stronger. It whipped the sails of the Greek ships and slashed them to rags. “Lift your oars!” Odysseus shouted to his men. “Row! Row to shore!”
The Greeks struggled valiantly against the mighty wind and waves. Fighting for their lives, they finally rowed their battered ships to a strange shore. There they found shelter in a rocky cave.
The storm raged for two more days and nights. Then, on the third day, a fair wind blew, the sun came out, and the wine-dark sea was calm at last.
“Now we can continue on our way,” Odysseus said to his men. “Athena is no longer angry.” In the rosy dawn, he ordered them to raise their tattered sails and set off again for Ithaca.
But, alas, the wrath of Athena had not been fully spent. Hardly had Odysseus reached the open sea than another gale began to blow.
For many days, Odysseus and his men fought the wind and the waves, refusing to surrender to the storm. Finally, on the tenth day, there was sudden calm.
Odysseus ordered his fleet to sail into the cove of a leafy green island. There he hoped to find food and drink for his hungry, weary men.
The Greeks dropped anchor. Then they dragged themselves ashore. They drank cool, fresh water from a spring and collapsed onto the sand.
As Odysseus rested, he ordered three of his men to explore the island and look for provisions.
When the three had not returned by late afternoon, Odysseus grew angry. Why did they tarry? he wondered.
Odysseus set out in search of the men. He moved through the brush and brambles, calling their names.
He had not gone far when he came upon a group of peaceful islanders. They greeted him with warm, friendly smiles. And they offered him their food—lovely bright flowers.
Odysseus was famished. But just as he was about to eat the flowers, he caught sight of his missing men. The three were lying on the ground with dreamy smiles on their faces.
Odysseus called each man by name, but none of them answered. They did not even look at him.
“What have you done to them?” he asked the islanders.
“We have given them our flowers to eat,” an islander answered. “This is our greatest gift. The gods would be angry if we did not offer to feed our guests.”
“What sort of flowers are these?” Odysseus asked.
“They come from the lotus tree,” the islander said. “They have the magical power of forgetfulness. They make a man forget the past.”
“Forget his memories of home?” asked Odysseus. “And his memories of his family and friends?”
The lotus-eaters only smiled. They again offered Odysseus their sweet, lovely flowers. But he roughly brushed them away. He pulled his three men to their feet and commanded them all to return to their ships at once.
The men began to weep. They begged to be left behind so they could stay on the island and eat lotus flowers forever.
Odysseus angrily herded the men back to the ships. As they drew near the shore, the three tried to escape. Odysseus called for help.
“Tie their hands and feet!” he shouted to his crew. “Make haste! Before others eat the magic flowers and forget their homes, too!”
The three flailing men were hauled aboard and tied to rowing benches. Then Odysseus ordered the twelve ships to push off from shore.
Once more, the Greeks set sail for Ithaca, sweeping the gray sea with their long oars. As they rowed past dark islands with jagged rocks and shadowy coves, Odysseus felt troubled and anxious. What other strange wonders lurked on these dark, unknown shores?
FOUR
THE MYSTERIOUS SHORE
Soon the Greek ships came upon a hilly island, thick with trees. No humans seemed to live there. Hundreds of wild goats could be heard bleating from the island’s gloomy thickets.
Odysseus ordered hi
s men to drop anchor in the shelter of a mist-covered bay. By the time the Greeks had lowered their sails, night had fallen. The moon was hidden by clouds. In the pitch dark, the men lay down on the sandy shore and slept.
When daylight came, the men woke to see woodland nymphs, the daughters of Zeus, driving wild goats down from the hills. The hungry Greeks eagerly grabbed their bows and spears and slew more than a hundred goats.
All day, the Greeks lingered on the island, feasting on roasted meat and drinking sweet wine. As the sun went down, they stared at a mysterious shore across the water. Smoke rose from fires on the side of a mountain. The murmur of deep voices and the bleating of sheep wafted through the twilight.
Who lives there? Who stokes those fires? Odysseus wondered silently. Are they friendly or lawless men?
Darkness fell, and the Greeks slept once more on the sand. When he was wakened by the rosy dawn, Odysseus stared again at the mysterious shore in the distance. Though he was yearning to set sail for Ithaca, a strange curiosity had taken hold of him.
Odysseus woke his men. “I must know who lives on that far shore,” he said. “With a single ship, I will lead an expedition to find out whether they are savages or civilized humans. Then we will continue our journey home.”
Odysseus chose his bravest men to go with him. They untied a ship from their fleet and pushed off from the island.
Soon the Greeks were swinging their long oars into the calm face of the sea, rowing toward the mysterious shore. When they drew close, they dropped anchor beneath a tall, rocky cliff.
Odysseus filled a goatskin with the best wine he had on board, made from the sweetest grapes. “This will be our gift to repay the hospitality of anyone who welcomes us into his home,” he said.
He ordered some of his men to remain with the ship, then led the rest up the side of the cliff. On a ledge high above the water, they discovered a large, shady clearing. On the other side of the clearing, creeping vines hung over the mouth of a cave. The Greeks pushed past the vines and stepped inside.
The cave was filled with young goats and lambs. Pots of cheese and pails of goat’s milk were everywhere. But there was no sign of a shepherd.
Tales from the Odyssey, Part 1 Page 1
