Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Odyssey: Part 4 - The Cyclops

Starting point is 00:00:00 Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios and is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and premium members. If you'd like to listen ad-free and access weekly bonus episodes, extra long stories and our entire back catalogue, you can try out premium free for seven days by following the link in the episode notes. Now, a quick word from our sponsors. If you enjoy Get Sleepy or any of the other shows we produce here at Slumber Studios, you'll love our app called White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds, with hundreds of sounds to choose from and even the option of mixing them together to create your perfect soundscape.

Starting point is 00:00:46 It can help you fall asleep fast, wake up less often, improve focus, reduce anxiety, relieve tinnitus, and calm babies. As a listener of Get Sleepy, we have an exclusive offer for you. Download the White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds app and get 30 days free access to all of the premium content. Just go to deepsleepsounds.com slash get sleepy. That's deepsleepsounds.com slash get sleepy or follow the link in the episode description. In case you didn't know, our company Slumber Studios also has a sleep app called Slumber. With well over a thousand episodes, it has every type of sleep-inducing content you could possibly want,

Starting point is 00:01:38 from stories, meditations, audiobooks and history to soundscapes and music. New episodes are added each week, and you can even search by narrator and listen exclusively to episodes narrated by me or by any of my wonderful fellow storytellers. Sumbar has other unique features too, like the ability to add and adjust background sounds to create your own perfect mix. So I highly recommend you give Sumber a try. It's available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. And as a get sleepy listener, you can unlock all of the content in the app free for one month. Just go to slumber.fm slash get sleepy to get instant access to all of the content in slumber free for one month. That's slumber.fm slash get sleepy.

Starting point is 00:02:39 Welcome to get sleepy. When we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. My name's Thomas and I'll be reading to you tonight. as we return to our wonderful retelling of the Odyssey. If you were here with us last time, perhaps you remember what happened. Odysseus is on the island of the Fyatians. He was helped by the Princess Norseca, and is now the guest of her father, King Alcinous.

Starting point is 00:03:24 Odysseus has just revealed his true identity, and now he's about to tell the story of his travels. Tonight, that includes tales of the lotus eaters, the Cyclops, and the bag of winds. If you're already familiar with The Odyssey, you may be aware that the story of the Cyclops is one of the more violent episodes. Although we've toned it down, leaving out the gauroarrow. details, please do keep that in mind as you listen. This whole series was adapted and written for the show by the excellent Alexandra Turney. Alex has been working with us for a number of years

Starting point is 00:04:16 already and has recently come on full time to provide more help with both writing and editing stories for our ever-growing network of shows and episodes. And I just wanted to give her a shout-out. and say how proud I am of our amazing team. In a day and age, when there are a number of shortcuts that can be taken on making content such as ours, we are proud to be maintaining all the love, care and creativity of human-made stories and narrations for you all to enjoy. We know that's something many of you will appreciate, so thank you so much for your continued support and listeners.

Starting point is 00:05:01 making it possible for us to continue pouring our love and passion into this show and all of our work. We really are so grateful and feel blessed to have this amazing community of listeners. If you'd like to support us in the most effective and direct way possible and get some great benefits for yourself in return, we'd love for you to try get sleepy premium. As a premium member, everything is completely ad-free, and you'll have access to our entire catalogue of well over a thousand episodes, including all our weekly premium bonus episodes that come out every Thursday night. Like tomorrow, when I'll be reading a beautiful story about a trip to a traditional Turkish bathhouse called a Hamam. So, for more information and to join

Starting point is 00:06:01 us tomorrow night, head to get sleepy.com slash support, and I'll pop the link in the show notes too. Thanks so much, everyone. Okay, my friends, it's time to prepare for our story now. So make yourself as comfy as can be and snuggle into the safety and warmth of your bed. Often, life can feel frantic, demanding and pressurising, so let's strip everything back tonight and just focus on the delights that life has to offer, perhaps none better than the gift of dreamy rest as you close your eyes, bringing your attention to the present moment, allow your breathing to slow and lengthen, feel the rise and fall of your chest and stomach, and with each release of the breath, enjoy the sensation of melting further into the surface beneath you as you move yourself further

Starting point is 00:07:45 into relaxation. Just consider some of the things in your life that bring you. That brings you a sense of calm and delight. Those moments or activities that naturally induce a sigh of contentment or a smile that reflects the pleasure you feel from its simplicity. Maybe it's a steaming hot drink held in your hands as you settle into a comfy chair at home. Perhaps it's a steaming hot drink held in your hands as you settle into a comfy chair at home. Perhaps it's the feeling of arriving home and slipping off your shoes after a long day. Maybe it's an episode of your favourite TV show

Starting point is 00:08:45 or reading another chapter of a good book. It could be the company of loved ones or the special friendship with your pet a walk in the sunshine or a walk in the rain, as you consider this, I'm sure you'll find that there are so many simple moments that bring you contentment and pleasure, and perhaps this will even be a reminder for you,

Starting point is 00:09:29 to focus on them more often. Now, I invite you to enjoy the pleasure and contentment of the here and now. So, let's pick back up where we left off last time. In the Great Hall, in the Palace of King Alcinous, this is where our story begins. Everyone in the hall, the King included, was looking at Odysseus expectantly. Now that they knew who he was, they were eager to hear his story. Oedisius took a sip of water, and then, choosing his words carefully, he began.

Starting point is 00:11:04 First, he told them a little about his life before the Trojan War. He was the son of Laertes, and he came from an island named Ithaca, a rough, rugged land, But to Odysseus, it was the most beautiful place in the world. For ten years he fought in the Trojan War. Of course, everyone knew all about that. So where to begin? Perhaps with the women who had held him captive. The goddess Calypso, and then Circe, the enchantress.

Starting point is 00:12:03 Or maybe he should start with the story of the Sirens or his visit to the land of the dead. So much had happened, but in the end Odysseus decided to tell his story in order. He would start at the beginning with his departure from Troy after the Greek victory at Troy. Odysseus's bad luck began almost immediately. He and his men sailed to the island of Saconis and attempted to raid the town. But with the help of their neighbors, the Sikonis fought back, and the Greeks were quickly overpowered. Odysseus and the other survivors sailed away, relieved to have escaped. but grieving the lives that had been lost.

Starting point is 00:13:24 However, this was just the start of their troubles. Zeus, the cloud-gatherer, summoned up a terrible storm. The Greek ships were rocked by violent winds, and it seemed as though the entire sea was cloaked in fog. So, the men took shelter by the shore. waiting until the winds had calmed. After three days, the ship's sails were unfurled once more. Odysseus and his men sailed onwards, travelling swiftly across calm blue waters. For a moment, home seemed to be almost within reach, but then, out of nowhere, a moment, a moment,

Starting point is 00:14:37 The blast of wind blew the ship off course. Over the following days, they were swept across the sea at the mercy of the winds, until, at last, they landed on a remote island. Odysseus ordered his men to search for food and water, and to look for any signs of life. when the scouts didn't return, Odysseus went to look for them himself. He found the men in a forest clearing, resting on the ground. They were in a strange, drowsy state, not quite asleep, nor awake. When Odysseus managed to rouse the men, they told him what they had discovered, the island was inhabited, by the lotus eaters. These people were kind and welcoming, and had shared some of their delicious

Starting point is 00:16:04 fruit with Odysseus's men. It was the most wonderful thing they had ever tasted. And now, the men had no desire to return home. They were quite content to stay here, eating sweet lotus fruit for the rest of their lives. So Odysseus had no choice but to drag the men back to the ships against their will. On his orders, they all left the island immediately, before the others could succumb to the temptations of the lotus fruit. But as they sailed away, the men's hearts were heavy, Those who had eaten the lotus would never forget it, while the others longed for a taste of the fruit. In all those years at Troy, whilst at war,

Starting point is 00:17:25 pleasures had been few and far between after leaving the land of the lotus eaters. Odysseus and his men sailed on until they reached a pair of small lines. It was night when the ships approached. A dark, moonless night. Both islands were shrouded in fog, and there was no way to tell whether or not they were inhabited.

Starting point is 00:18:03 But one of the islands was easy to access, as it had a natural harbour, seeing that it was safe to drop anchor there. Odysseus ordered his men, his men to sail towards the shore. They would spend the night there and explore the next morning. Once the ships were in the harbour, bobbing gently on the calm water, the men settled down in their beds.

Starting point is 00:18:51 It wasn't long before they drifted off. Some still dreaming of the lotus. When dawn arrived, pink and radiant, Odysseus and his men got dressed and disembarked. As they began to explore the island, they were amazed by what they saw. A place of great beauty that could easily be transformed into a thriving colony. It had everything. easy access to the sea and natural resources in abundance. And yet, the island seemed to be completely uninhabited, wandering the meadows by the shore.

Starting point is 00:19:59 The only living creatures they glimpsed were goats. And when they ventured up into the hills, again, all the living creatures. they saw were goats and more goats. Odysseus and his men were hungry, but they ate well that day, enjoying a dinner of goat meat and red wine. They still had plenty to drink, as they had stocked up in the town of the Suconies. Food, however, was harder to come by, and they were grateful for the meal. The hunting had been easy, so easy that it seemed the gods were on their side, as the men sat on the beach, eating and drinking to their heart's content. They looked across to the other island.

Starting point is 00:21:14 It was so close they could have almost swum there, and now that they were paying attention, they noticed something. The distant bleats of sheep and goats, and a wisp of smoke rising into the air, it seemed that the other island was inhabited. At this point Odysseus interrupted his story and told his audience what he had learned later. The second island was in fact a famous place. land of the Cyclopes. The Cyclopes were one-eyed giants. They were known for being lawless,

Starting point is 00:22:17 uncivilized creatures. Theirs was a basic existence. They didn't have ships, and they didn't plant crops. Even though everything flourished in the fertile earth, the cyclopies were shepherds, looking after their sheep and goats and sleeping in mounting caves. However, when Odysseus first caught sight of the smoke on the island, he'd known nothing of this. All he knew was that someone must be living there, but after what happened on the island of Lotus Eters, Odysseus was reluctant to send a scout to investigate.

Starting point is 00:23:23 He would take his time and come up with another approach. That night, the men slept on the beach, lulled into sweet dreams by the rhythmic sweep of the tide. Brightened early the following morning, Odysseus called a meeting. he announced that he would lead an expedition to the other island, together with a group of men. He would sail the short distance across the water and find out what kind of people lived on that island. So Odysseus and his men set off in their ship, gliding across the gently lapping waves. they soon found themselves on the shore of the other island. Looking up in wonder, on the hill above the beach was an enormous cave,

Starting point is 00:24:49 judging by the sounds emanating from the cave. It was home to several herds of sheep and goats. Standing nearby was a man, or rather a giant. He towered into the air like a pine tree or a mountain peak, but it wasn't just his height that was remarkable. When the giant turned around, Odysseus saw that he had just one eye, a huge staring eye, right in the center of his face. That was when Odysseus realized where he was.

Starting point is 00:25:45 The land of the Cyclopees. It seemed that this giant lived alone, with only his sheep and goats for company, but even just one Cyclops was a force to be reckoned with. So Odysseus had to plan his approach carefully. He told some of his men to stay behind and guard the ship. Meanwhile, Odysseus and 12 others would go to visit the Cyclops, bringing with them a goat skin full of sweet wine. It was a fine wine indeed, a gift Odysseus had once received from a priest of Apollo. It was rather strong stuff, so Odysseus filled up the goat skin, and packed some other provisions for the journey. Then, he began to make his way uphill.

Starting point is 00:27:10 His men, following close behind, by the time they reached a cave, the Cyclops was nowhere to be seen. He must have been out in the pastures, with some of his herd. Odysseus and his men entered the cave, and looked around. It was a peculiar place, half house, half barn. The cave was piled high with boxes of cheese. And in one corner there was a pen full of bleating lambs,

Starting point is 00:28:04 but there was also some furniture and some beautifully made bowls, and towards the back was an enormous bed, One big enough for a giant, Odysseus's men were keen to take some cheese, and maybe some lambs too, and then make a quick retreat back to the ship. But Odysseus wanted to meet the Cyclops. He hoped that the giant would welcome them and perhaps give them some gifts. So, after helping themselves to some cheese, the men sat down and waited for the cyclops to return.

Starting point is 00:29:07 It was evening when the giant came back to the cave, along with his sheep and goats. Up close, he was quite a sight. His head nearly touched the ceiling, and in his big, muscular, arms, he carried what seemed to be a forest's worth of firewood. As the Cyclops stepped into the cave and let the wood go clattering to the ground. Odysseus and his men began to feel afraid. They hid among the straw and boxes of cheese and watched as the Cyclops went about his tasks. after sealing the cave entrance with a heavy boulder, the cyclops tended to his sheep and goats, milking them one by one. Once he had finished, he prepared a fire in the middle of the cave.

Starting point is 00:30:27 It was then in the light of the flames that he caught sight of the men. In a great booming voice, The Cyclops spoke. He demanded to know who the men were and what they were doing in his cave. Despite his fear, Odysseus stepped forward. He told the truth, explaining that they were Greeks on their way home from Troy. The winds had swept them off course, and they had found themselves here. Now, they could only hope that the Cyclops would show them kindness and hospitality. Zeus, the greatest of gods, wanted those far from home to be taken care of. But the Cyclops declared that the gods meant nothing to him. He did as he wanted, and he didn't take kindly to visitors.

Starting point is 00:31:52 especially those who stole. Clearly, the men had been helping themselves to his cheese. They were lucky that the Cyclops wasn't hungry yet. Tomorrow he would make a meal of the men. He might turn them into a stew, or perhaps eat them whole, washed down with some milk. but that could wait for tomorrow. Right now, the Cyclops was tired after his long day outdoors. Once he stretched out in his huge bed, he quickly fell asleep. But for Odysseus and his men, it was to be a long sleepless night. They whispered among themselves, discussing the same.

Starting point is 00:33:08 Cyclops' threats and a possible plan of action. Odysseus' first idea was to take out his sword and kill the Cyclops while he slept. But if the Cyclops died, it would spell their doom too. The entrance to the cave was blocked by that heavy boulder. Even with the combined strength of all the men, it would be impossible to move. They would have to think of something else. And soon, at dawn, the Cyclops awoke, his one huge eye blinking open, to the men's relief. He ignored them.

Starting point is 00:34:17 He was focused on his choice. shores, lighting the fire and tending to his animals. Then the Cyclops left the cave, along with his herds. Once he was outside, he rolled the heavy boulder across the entrance, leaving Odysseus and his men trapped inside. The men were anxious, but determined to escape. and they trusted Odysseus to come up with a plan. While the Cyclops was out, Odysseus ordered his men to take a large piece of wood and carve it into a weapon.

Starting point is 00:35:18 Then there was nothing to do but sit and wait. By the time the Cyclops returned, it was evening. The wooden stake was hidden away. and the men were ready and waiting. But once again, the cyclops ignored them. After rolling the boulder into place, he began his usual routine of milking the sheep and goats. But once he had finished, the men became nervous.

Starting point is 00:36:12 The cyclops would probably now be hungry, after another day out in the pastures. The threat he had made the night before weighed heavily on their minds. Fortunately, Odysseus knew just what to do. He stepped forward boldly and offered the cyclops a cup of wine from the goat skin he had brought with him. The cyclops drank the wine greedily. Declaring it to be the best he'd ever tasted, it was like nectar, the drink of the gods.

Starting point is 00:37:10 As soon as he had finished, he demanded more. And then, more still, the wine was strong and quickly went to his head. The cyclops began to sway slightly. one eye flickering, as if he might fall asleep. It was then that Odysseus said, Cyclops, you wanted to know my name. I will tell you, but then you must give me a gift, like a good host does. My name is nobody. The cyclops replied, I'll each the other men first, and nobody last. How's that for a gift?

Starting point is 00:38:20 And then the cyclops fell back onto the floor, and began snoring, now that he was deep in a drunken sleep. It was time to strike, working together to lift the heavy stake. Odysseus and his men attacked in one swift movement. The Cyclops was blinded. He let out a great roar. So loud that all the others heard. The other cyclopies who lived nearby,

Starting point is 00:39:15 some of them rushed to the cave and gathered by the entrance. Polyphemus, they said, for that was the giant's name. What's the matter? Are you hurt? Inside the cave, Polyphemus replied. Friends, nobody is hurting me.

Starting point is 00:39:44 If nobody is hurting you, the others replied, then why all this noise? Go back to bed and let us sleep in peace. Odysseus heard the heavy footsteps of the giants as they went away, back to their own caves. It wasn't long before Polyphemus fell asleep once more, and at last, the men too were able to get some rest. Early the next morning, Polyphemus went about his usual routine, even though he could no longer see. The cyclops milked the sheep and goats, as efficiently as ever. All the while, he muttered threats. He would make nobody pay. Once he got his hands on the men, he would eat

Starting point is 00:41:05 them one by one. Once the milking was done, Polyphemus pushed back the boulder and let out the animal. But as they left the cave, he ran his hands over their backs to make sure that the men weren't somehow hiding among them. Thinking quickly, Odysseus whispered his plan to the men, they should tie some rams together with a rope and then climb underneath the animals and cling on to their stomachs. That way, when the Rams left the cave, the men could escape with them without being caught by the Cyclops. So, once the Rams were tied together, Odysseus and his men got into position, holding on tightly to the animal's underbellies. And sure enough, as the Rams passed through

Starting point is 00:42:30 the cave entrance, Polyphemus touched their woolly backs, but not their bellies. He had no idea that the men were sneaking out right in front of him. Once they were a safe distance from the cave, Odysseus and his men untied themselves and clambered out from underneath the Rams. Then, taking a few sheep with them, they hurried down the hill, all the way back to the ship, where the others were waiting for them. After a joyful reunion, the men began to row back towards the other island, but once they had left shore, Odysseus couldn't resist calling out to the cyclops, who was still visible on the mountainside, enraged, Polyphemus held a rock in the direction of Odysseus's voice. It plunged into the water, narrowly missing the ship. The men begged Odysseus to stop.

Starting point is 00:44:09 But he was still fired up as the boat rode on. He continued to taunt Polyphemus. His voice carried by the wind. Cyclops, if anyone asks what happened to you, tell them that it was Odysseus who took away your sight. Hearing this, Polyphemus became even angrier. So, the prophecy was true. A soothsayer had once told him that this would happen, but he had expected Odysseus to be a tall, strong man.

Starting point is 00:45:01 Not some weakling. This man was a trickster, not a hero. As he stood on the side of the mountain, Polyphemus raised his arms towards the heavens and uttered a prayer to his father. The sea god Poseidon, he prayed that Odysseus would never return. turn home. Or that if he did, he would find nothing but trouble awaiting him. After this prayer,

Starting point is 00:45:46 Polyphemus held another rock towards the ship. But by now, Odysseus and his men had nearly reached the other island, where some of their fellow men had stayed behind. The men were overjoyed to see that Odysseus and his companions had survived their ordeal. That evening, they enjoyed a wonderful feast, eating and drinking till their hearts and bellies were full, and then utterly worn out. They all fell asleep to the sound of the waves. The next day, Odysseus in his men set sail. Favourable winds soon carried them to another island. The island of Iolus, King Eolus, was a wind god. He and his family lived in a palace on this windswet rocky island, a place so remote that they received few visitors. Eolis was pleased to see Odysseus and invited him to stay for a whole month.

Starting point is 00:47:34 At last, the men could rest for a while. During the day, they enjoyed hearty feasts, and at night they slept deeply in soft beds, soothed by the continual sea breeze. Odysseus and Iolis talked often, as the king wanted to know all about Troy and the Greek's journey home. When Odysseus decided that it was time to leave, he asked the king for a favor as Iolus was the keeper of the winds. Perhaps he could help the men to get home quickly. Iolus was happy to oblige.

Starting point is 00:48:40 He filled a leather bag with the power of the winds and tied it tightly with wire. Then he bound the bag to the front of Odysseus' ship as a final parting gift. Eolas summoned to the wind of Zephyr and sent the men on their way. It was a fine morning. and the ships sailed swiftly across the ocean, eager to get home. Odysseus did most of the steering, and after days at sea, Ithaca finally came into sight. They were so close that they could see a wisp of smoke rising on the island. But it was then that Odysseus finally gave in to his exhaustion.

Starting point is 00:49:52 and fell into a deep sleep. Afterwards, he found out what had happened while he was sleeping. Some of his men, curious about the bag on the front of the ship, decided that it must be full of treasure. Instead of waiting, they wanted to take their share of the silver and gold that they felt was owed to them. So, one of the men leaned over the side of the ship and untied the bag. The moment it was opened, all the winds inside flew out. Combining into one huge gusts in the whirlwind, the ships were transported back to where they began. All the way back. All the way back, to the island of Iolus. For a moment, Odysseus was bewildered. He had been rocked awake by the winds. And now, all of a sudden, he found himself staring at a shoreline. Not Ithaca, as he had hoped,

Starting point is 00:51:31 but the steep cliffs of Iolia, Odysseus felt like we're weeping, but he resolved to be stoic and accept his fate. After talking to the men, he trekked up to the citadel at the top of the island and entered the palace of Iolas. The king was in the hall, in the middle of a family dinner. He was quite astonished to see his recently departed guest, back again so soon. What on earth had happened? With a heavy sigh, Odysseus said that it was the fault of his men

Starting point is 00:52:35 and his own need to sleep. He explained how the men had opened the bag of winds, blowing them all the way back to the island. Hopefully, Eolas would take pity on his former guests. and send them on their way once again. But when Odysseus finished speaking, there was silence. The king shook his head and said that he would not help to have suffered such misfortune. Odysseus must have displeased the gods.

Starting point is 00:53:30 And in that case, the king knew better than to get involved. Odysseus and his men would have to travel home on their own, without the help of the winds. When Odysseus returned to the ships to break the news to his men, the mood was rather gloomy to say the least. They had no choice but to sail slowly onwards, hoping that some other god might take pity on them. Now Odysseus paused his story. All the while the phyatians had been spellbound. What misfortune, King Alcinous remarked.

Starting point is 00:54:36 Poor Odysseus and his men had been very unlucky in the same. Indeed, Odysseus smiled ruefully. This was just the beginning. Still, he had survived it all. And for that, he was grateful to the gods. Odysseus closed his eyes and murmured a few words in prayer. Now, he was ready to continue his story.

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Odyssey: Part 4 - The Cyclops

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.