Homer’s The Odyssey (Source)
This story that I have written is loosely based on the first part of Homer’s The Odyssey. Some of the characters are the same, but most of the plot has been changed to go in a different direction.
On a cold rain-soaked night, a dark ship crashed through a large wave and a monstrous island loomed into view. Their voyage at sea had been hard and sleepless for the last couple of days. Eurylochus, who was on watch, cried out to the rest of the crew “Land Ho!”. They had made it.
As they beached the ship, the rosy streaks of dawn began to appear on the horizon. Their skin feeling the warm relief they had long been yearning for.
“Pair off in groups of five and explore the island” ordered Odysseus, “We will meet back here at night fall to decide on a course of action.”
“Aye Captain” they all replied in unison and off they went.
As the groups were exploring the island, they began to hear very loud booms that shook the earth. At first, they were perplexed by these sounds until one saw a cyclops that towered over the tallest tree thundering along towards a mountain. The group quickly headed back to the ship to report what they had seen.
“The cyclops was how much bigger than a man?” Odysseus asked.
“At least fifty times my height Captain.” Replied Eurylochus.
“We must go meet him and see if he has hospitality to weary travelers.” Said Odysseus.
Off they went in search of the cyclops following Eurylochus who remembered the way to the cave dwelling of the giant.
As they approached the cave, Odysseus called out to the cyclops, “Hullo! Cyclops sir would you be gracious enough to some weary travelers to let us come inside?”
“Of course, friend!” replied the cyclops.
As they entered the cave, the cyclops said, “My name is Zacheus. What brings a crew of men to my island?”
“We were on a voyage to cross the sea when we lost our way.” Replied Odysseus.
“Well you all must be very tired and hungry. Good for you all I have a large herd of sheep that I can prepare a feast with as well as good sweet wine to drink.”
With that, the men and Zacheus ate, drank, and sang songs until late in the evening when they all dozed off from exhaustion.
They woke feeling refreshed and blessed to have met such a nice cyclops in Zacheus. He gave them sheep and wine for the voyage and sent them on their way across the sea.
Hello Tatum!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a descriptive story, I loved it! You did an incredible job of painting a picture for the reader, I felt like I was one of the men on the island. I have not yet read the original story, however I love the angle you took here. Usually cyclopses are not friendly, but you went ahead and made him so. Great work!
Best,
Payton
Hi Tatum!
ReplyDeleteI love this story. I really liked that you kept it similar to the original, but also put your own twist on it, to really make it into your own. It was so descriptive, and I actually felt like I was right in the middle of the setting of the story.
I look forward to reading your stories in the future!
Hey Tatum, your attention to detail is astounding. I am a big imagery person so reading what you wrote about the beach and the shoreline was great. I liked how you changed the ending around and made Zacheus a friendly cyclops. It's nice to switch things up now and then!
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