Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Odyssey: Part 9 - Penelope

Episode Date: September 2, 2026

Narrator: Thomas Jones 🇬🇧 Writer: Alexandra Turney ✍️ Sound effects: crackling fire, echoing footsteps 🔥👣   Welcome back, sleepyheads. Tonight, in the final episode of our dreamy retelling, we’ll join Odysseus as he takes back his palace and reveals himself to his wife, Penelope, who’s been patiently awaiting his return all these years. 😴 Includes mentions of: Mythology, Literature & Literary History, Family, Food, Dogs, Religious Traditions, Alcohol, Battle Scenes, Competition, Marriage, Death. To receive our FREE weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠Join our mailing list!⁠⁠⁠ Enjoy various playlists of our stories and meditations on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Slumber Studios Spotify profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get Sleepy Premium Listen completely ad-free and access our entire catalogue of stories and meditations by subscribing to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠premium feed.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Your support means the world to us and makes it possible to keep the show running! ❤️ Get your 7-day free trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠getsleepy.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Stay up to date on all our news and even vote on upcoming episodes! Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/getsleepypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/getsleepypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Apps Redeem exclusive unlimited access to Premium content for 1 month FREE in our mobile apps built by the Get Sleepy and Slumber Studios team: Deep Sleep Sounds: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deepsleepsounds.com/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Slumber: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumber.fm/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FAQs Have a query for us or need help with something? You might find your answer here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Sleepy FAQs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Get Sleepy Get Sleepy is the #1 storytelling podcast designed to help you get a great night’s rest. By combining sleep meditations with a relaxing bedtime story, each episode will guide you gently towards sleep. Thank you so much for listening! Feedback? Let us know your thoughts! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com/contact-us/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios. Check out our podcasts, apps, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. That’s all for now. Sweet dreams! ❤️ 😴 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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premium content. Just go to deepsleepsounds.com slash get sleepy. That's deepsleepsounds.com slash get sleepy. Welcome to get sleepy, where we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. My name's Thomas and I'm your host. Thanks so much for being here. Our story tonight is the ninth and final episode of The Odyssey. Thank you for joining us on this journey. We hope it's been a relaxing one compared to Odysseus' wanderings. A big thank you to Alexandra for the beautiful adaptation she's done of this millennia-old story. I have loved recording it all for you.

And some exciting news will have the full. length nine-part stitch version coming out this Saturday night for our September compilation episode. Plus, in the near future, we'll also be releasing an audiobook version that you'll be able to find on various audiobook platforms very soon. In the previous episode, Odysseus revealed his identity to his son, Telemachus, and began to make plans for his. his battle with the suitors. This evening will join Odysseus as he takes back his palace and reveals himself to Penelope, the wife who's been patiently awaiting his return all these years.

If you're familiar with Homer's Odyssey, you might remember the final section is quite gory. In this adaptation, there is still a battle scene, but all the references to violence have been softened or removed. And rest assured that after the battle, you can look forward to a happy ending. Now, before we begin our final chapter tonight, let's take a brief moment to reflect the story you've been listening to has been told for many hundreds of years. Just think of all the tellings by firesides and bedsides. You are part of this tradition. So, however you might be feeling right now, let this thought bring you comfort. Storytelling is something that unites us,

and stories like The Odyssey have been sending us to sleep for centuries. It won't be long before you're drifting off too. Just close your eyes and breathe in deeply. Then let it out, feeling yourself sink into relaxation. And now we're ready to begin. we'll pick up where we left off last time in the palace with Odysseus asleep by the fire just as Odysseus had drifted into sleep he gradually drifted out of it the sound of footsteps slowly returned him to the waking world at first he thought it might be Euryklaea

asleep, he had spoken to his old nurse. She now knew the secret of his identity, but as Odysseus opened his eyes, he saw that it was Penelope coming towards him. Penelope, his beloved wife, but Odysseus was still disguised as a beggar. He didn't want to reveal himself just yet. Penelope sat in the chair opposite Odysseus and spoke once more of her troubles. Should she marry one of the suitors? Of course she didn't want to, but she was under so much pressure. Then, looking Odysseus in the eye, Penelope spoke of a strange dream she had had. she dreamt that twenty geese came to the palace.

She was happy to see them pecking at the grain on the ground. Then, out of nowhere, an eagle swooped down and killed the geese. In the dream, Penelope wept while the women gathered around her. But then, the eagle returned. It perched on a roof beam. and spoke to her. Queen, said the eagle, this is not a dream, but of vision.

Penelope then woke up. Now, she asked Odysseus how he would interpret her dream. Odysseus smiled and said the meaning was clear. Her husband would return, and the suitors would be abolished. But Penelope was not so convinced. Dreams could be confusing, and not all of them came true. So, as it seems she had no other choice, she had come up with a plan to choose a husband

from among the suitors. She would set up a contest with 12 axes and challenge the suitors to string a bow. and shoot through all the axes. If any man succeeded, she would agree to marry him, as Penelope reflected on her plan. She sighed, it was hard to imagine herself leaving this palace. The home where she had been so happy, if she left, she was sure it would haunt her dreams. A disson Odysseus told Penelope that her plan for the contest was a good one. And he had a hunch that before anyone succeeded in shooting the arrow, Odysseus would return.

Penelope smiled wistfully. Then, as she got to her feet, she said that it was time she went to bed. Unlike the gods, humans, sometimes had to sleep, Penelope went upstairs, accompanied by her servants. Once she was alone in her bedroom, she shed a few tears for her husband. Ever since he had left all those years ago, she had wept for him. But the goddess Athena took pity on Penelope and cast sleep upon her. Odysseus, meanwhile, was wide awake.

A bed had been prepared for him by the palace entrance, made from woolen fleeces and a warm blanket. But Odysseus could not sleep. His mind raced, as he thought of the battle ahead. He longed to fight the suitors and to finally take revenge. As Odysseus tossed and turned, he became aware of a presence. The goddess Athena was standing beside him, shining in the dark. She asked Odysseus why he was still awake. He had no reason to be so restless, now that he was back in his own home,

under the same roof as his wife and son. This was what he had longed for for so many years. True, said Odysseus. But he couldn't help but plan his attack and think of strategies. There was also another thought that was starting to weigh on him. If all the suitors were killed, what then? There would surely be consequences, repercussions. Athena smiled, her eyes glittering.

Odysseus should have learned to trust her by now. She was a goddess who had watched over him throughout all his trials. She would protect him no matter what, now, said Athena. he must go to sleep. He needed to be well rested, so he was ready for whatever awaited him tomorrow. Odysseus closed his eyes, and soon, thanks to Athena's magic, he was fast asleep. When dawn arrived, bright and golden, Odysseus awoke in confusion. For a moment, he thought, Penelope was right beside him, but then he remembered where he was, not in his bedroom with his wife, but in a makeshift bed by the palace entrance. Once Odysseus was fully awake, he made his way

to the courtyard. There, he raised his arms to the heavens and prayed to Zeus. king of the gods. Father Zeus, said Odysseus, if you have brought me back home for a reason, if this is my fate, give me a sign. Zeus heard him. As a clap of thunder rolled across the sky, Odysseus smiled. The rest of the household was soon awake and at work. Men and women began to grind grain for the day's meals. Some servants chopped wood or went to fetch water from the spring, while others swept the floors. Soon the suitors would begin another feast. Meanwhile, Odysseus wandered to the fields just outside the palace, where he encountered some familiar faces. Three heard herdsmen passed by with their animals. One was the swineherd Eumaeus, who greeted him warmly.

Another was Melanthius, the goat-herd and friend of the suitors, who had been rude to Odysseus the day before. Once again, he jeered at him, telling him to beg elsewhere. The third man was another herdsman, Veloidius, who looked at Odysseus with curiosity. Like the others, he had no clue who he was. Veloidius took Odysseus for a stranger down on his luck, and yet, somehow the man looked like a king. He had a noble bearing, once his captain. He had a noble bearing, once his cows were safely tied up. Veloideus shook Odysseus's hand, and they talked for a while. Veloidius spoke wistfully about his absent lord.

Odysseus had been such a good master. If only he would come back. With a wry smile, Odysseus said that he would swear an oath. He vowed in Zeus's name. name, that Odysseus would come home soon, and that the suitors would leave, never to return. The suitors, of course, had no idea what was in store for them. They were already settling down for their next banquet, helping themselves to bread, meat, and wine. Odysseus, still disguised as a beggar, joined them at the table, Telemachus spoke Stanley, ordering the suitors to treat him with respect.

This man was a guest at the palace, but as the suitors ate and drank, they became increasingly rowdy. Some of them mocked Odysseus and held things in his direction. Telemachus tried to stop them, but the men were out of control. Then the goddess Athena intervened. She cast a spell over the suitors, making them laugh uncontrollably. They were all gripped by the same sinister vision. It seemed that the meat they ate was oozing with blood. As the men continued to cackle, another guest spoke.

His name was Theo Climinus, and he was a prophet. He said that he too had a vision. The palace walls covered in blood, the courtyard full of ghosts, and a dark mist blocking out the sun. The suitors laughed at the prophet's speech. but he remained calm. He could see perfectly well what was coming for the suitors, and they had brought it on themselves.

Now there was no escape, but as the prophet left the table, the suitors remained oblivious, laughing and joking among themselves. They never tired of cheering at a disson. and teasing Telemachus, but Father and Son kept their tempers, biding their time. They knew that this was the Souter's final meal. As the feast continued, a flash of inspiration came to Penelope, sent by the goddess Athena.

Penelope went to the storeroom where Odysseus's treasure was kept. Among the bronze and gold was an assortment of weapons, including a bow. The bow had been precious to Odysseus, as it was a gift from a dear friend. Rather than take it to war, Odysseus had kept it safely stored in his palace. memory of his friend. Now, in the storeroom, Penelope opened each chest until she found what she was looking for, and here it was. Her beloved husband's bow, tears came to her eyes as she picked it up, along with the quiver of arrows. Then she summoned the servants to go through the other chests and take out 12 axes. It was time to set up the competition. With the bow in her arms, Penelope went to the hall where the suitors were eating. Listen, she said, and the room fell silent.

Penelope announced that there would be a contest. She herself was the prize. The challenge was to string this bow, which belonged to Odysseus. If anyone succeeded, the next step was to shoot an arrow through all 12 axes. The victor would win Penelope's hand in marriage. With that, Penelope ordered the herdsman to set up the 12 axes in the hall. when Eumaeus and Veloidius saw their master's bow, they were deeply moved. Antinous, one of the worst suitors of all, mocked to the herdsmen, calling them foolish peasants. Then he proudly declared that he would take part in the contest. Of course, it would be no easy feat when Antinous.

was a child. He had once seen Odysseus use this bow. He had never forgotten it, but before Antennous could pick up the bow, Telemachus said that he would be the first to string it. Or to try at least, the twelve axes were neatly lined up in a row. They were positioned vertically, with the handles attached to the floor, and the axe heads in the air. The holes in the axe heads were perfectly aligned, so a single arrow could be shot through all twelve. But first, the bow had to be strung. Using all his strength, Telemachus tried to bend the bow to hook the string in place. Three times he felt as though he was coming close, but on the fourth attempt, Odysseus shook his head,

and Telemachus gave up, with a weary shrug. He admitted that he was too weak. It was the suitors' turn to try. The men lined up to take on the challenge. One by one, they tried. They cried. And one by one, they failed. They couldn't even string the bow, let alone shoot an arrow through the axes, even when they tried to soften the wood, warming it by the fire, and greasing it with fat. The bow was almost impossible to bend, while the contest continued. The The two herdsmen, Eumaeus and Feloidius, went outside for some fresh air. Odysseus followed them, and once they were a safe distance from the palace, he asked the men a question, what would they do if Odysseus suddenly returned home?

The herdsman replied that they were both praying for such a day. May the gods guide Odysseus home. Then he would see that they were both ready to fight for him. Well, said Odysseus, in that case there was something they should know. He was Odysseus. After twenty years of wandering, he had returned home. He was pleased to see that the herdsman had remained loyal. One day, he would reward them both with houses of their own.

The two men looked wide-eyed and incredulous. Odysseus could see that they needed proof. Look, he said, pulling at his rags. Here was the scar on his leg, left by a boar's tusk many years ago. The herdsman stared at the scar and then burst into tears of joy, throwing their arms around Odysseus. After a warm embrace, the men began to make plans. The battle was about to begin. When Odysseus picked up the bow, that was to be their signal.

You may as should see to the women and make sure they were safely locked in their rooms. And in the meantime, Philoetius would lock the palace gates. After this conversation, the three men went back inside, where the contest was still going on. None of the suitors had succeeded in stringing the bow, and they were becoming increasing frustrated, Antinous suggested that they take a break. This was Apollo's feast day after all. So why not have a drink? They could make libations to the God, and at dawn the next day, after a sacrifice to honour the Lord of Archery, they could resume the contest. The other suitors agreed, and called to the servants to start preparing the wine. Thinking quickly, Odysseus spoke to Antenuous.

He asked if he could have a try at stringing the bow. He was curious to see if he still had some of the strength of his youth, but Antenuas responded rudely. He told Odysseusus, he told Odysseus, that as a beggar, he should be grateful he was even allowed at the table. So, said Antinous, eat, drink, and be quiet. Then Penelope spoke up. This man was a guest, she said. They must treat him with respect. Besides, why shouldn't he have a go?

The suitors had nothing to fear. Even if the beggar was successful, it wasn't as though Penelope would marry him, but the suitors were afraid of being humiliated. Just imagine what people would say if some old beggar managed to string the bow when everyone else had failed. Still, Penelope insisted,

The beggar must be given a chance, and if, with Apollo's blessing, he managed to string the bow, Penelope would reward him. She would give him a new cloak and tunic, some sandals, and a sword to keep him safe. Listening to this, Telemachus realized that he had to intervene, for Penelope's own safety, he told his mother that only he could oversee the contest. He was the man of the house, and this was men's work. Penelope must go upstairs to the women's quarters. While Penelope was a little taken aback, she obeyed her son. A moment later, the swineherd Yumaeus picked up the bow. There was an uproar among the suitors. Who did he think he was? He should be outside with the pigs.

For a moment, Yumaeus hesitated. But Telemachus called out to encourage him. So, Eumaeus crossed the hall and gave the bow to Odysseus. Afterwards, he quickly left the room and went to find the old servant Euryclair. He told her to lock the door that led to the hall and to make sure that the women stayed upstairs. They would be safe there. Veloidius had also done his duty. locking the palace gates. Then the two herdsmen returned to the hall, where the next round of the contest was about to begin. Odysseus took his time, running his hands over the bow,

and checking that it was still in good condition. The suitors scoffed at him. Look at this beggar, acting like an expert archer. But then, with the graceful ease of a musician tuning his liar, Odysseus strung the bow. He plucked the string, and a sweet sound echoed through the room, like the song of a swallow. The suitors turned pale, and thunder rumbled. in the skies. Then Odysseus picked up an arrow, took aim and shot. The arrow flew through the hole

of each axe head, before hitting the wall on the other side of the room. So, said Odysseus, it seems that I'm still strong after all. Now, let's begin the feast. The sooner we start, the sooner we can enjoy the celebration that follows. Then he signalled to Telemachus, who picked up his own weapons and came to stand beside his father. They were ready now, as Antenuas turned to take a sip of wine. An arrow shot right through him. He never saw it coming. Antinous fell to the ground, and the rest of the suitors turned towards

Odysseus in shock and anger. They couldn't believe that this old beggar had killed one of the finest young men in Ithaca. Odysseus, who still held the bow, spoke calmly. You thought I would never return from Troy. You took over my house and disrespected my wife and the gods, but I'm back now, and this is where it ends. The suitors trembled in fear. Some began to beg for their lives, while others reached for weapons, but they were too late, and Odysseus, and Odysseus, was too quick. He let the arrows fly, without mercy. And so, the battle began. While Odysseus was the best fighter, he wasn't alone. Telemachus fought beside him, and so did his loyal servants, Emaeus and Veloiteus. The goddess Athena was there too.

At first she mingled among them, disguised as a mortal man. Then she took the form of a swallow and flew up to the roof beam. From there, she watched over Odysseus, keeping him safe and making sure that the suitors' spears missed their target. While some of the suitors had their own spears, others fought With weapons they'd stolen from the palace, bronze swords clashed, sharp spears glittered and pierced, and swift arrows flew from the hall. Few were spared. Only the innocent, like the bard, Femius, who had been forced to entertain the suitors with

his music, placing his lyre on the ground, he sank to his knees before Odysseus and begged for his life. The Bard survived, and so did the other loyal servants of the household. The others were compelled to meet their fates. The battle dragged on until nightfall. By the end, the hall was just a. as the prophet had predicted, almost unrecognizable. So, once it was finally over, Odysseus summoned the servants. They must clean up and put things in order, so the hall was restored to its former glory.

Odysseus himself would start a fire. The smoke would purify the palace as the clouds of smoke drifted from room to room. Euryklaea unlocked the doors of the women's quarters, although they had heard the battle. They had seen nothing. The women came down the stairs with torches in their hands, looking around in astonishment, When they saw Odysseus, they did not recognize him as their master. But they knew that this was the man who had saved them. The women flocked around the stranger, greeting him warmly,

and Odysseus, who knew them all, came close to weeping. Euryclae went back upstairs with a spring in her step. It was as though she was a young woman once more. She went to Penelope's bedroom and found her sleeping. After waking her gently, Euriclaea shared the wonderful news. Odysseus had come home. He was right here inside the palace. And he had got rid of the suitors once and for all.

but Penelope didn't believe it. The poor old woman had surely lost her mind. She even found herself resenting Euryclair for waking her from the soundest of sleeps. But Euriclayer insisted. Odysseus was here, disguised as a beggar. Telemachus knew the truth, but he had kept his father's secret.

Hearing this, Penelope was filled with joy. She leapt up and embraced Euryclair, who told her the story of the battle. But as Penelope listened, she became doubtful once more. How was it possible that Odysseus had defeated so many men? It couldn't be true. Perhaps a god had killed the suitors, angered by their pride and disrespect.

Euryclair shook her head. It was Odysseus, and she had evidence that it was truly him. With her own hands, she had touched the scar left by the boar's tusk. It was him. And soon Penelope would see for herself. Although she couldn't believe it, Penelope agreed to meet the man who had battled the suitors. As she walked downstairs, she felt conflicted. She didn't know whether to keep her distance or to approach this man, the stranger who claimed to be her husband and kiss him. Odysseus was sitting in a chair near the fire.

Penelope sat opposite, but said nothing. Looking at his face, she thought she saw traces of her husband. But then again, he looked so different, and he was dressed in rags, Telemachus stood nearby. At last, exasperated. He asked his mother what was holding her back. He couldn't understand why she was being so cold and distant towards her own husband. Penelope didn't know what to say. She wasn't even sure how she felt, but she said, if this man really was Odysseus, she would find a way to recognize him. There were things they shared, things that only they knew.

Odysseus smiled and told Telemachus to be patient. Penelope needed time. And perhaps she needed to test him in her own way, in another room. Odysseus took a bath, before changing into a fresh cloak and tunic, the goddess Athena worked her magic too, making him look taller, younger, and more handsome, just as a craftsman makes beautiful objects with gold and silver. Athena transformed Odysseus. He now looked like a god, but when he returned to the room where Penelope sat, she remained silent.

Odysseus was disappointed. After twenty years, this was the welcome he got from his wife. Her heart must be made of iron. Then he turned to Euryclair and asked the son. servant to prepare him a bed for the night. But before she could leave, Penelope gave additional instructions. Euryclair should move the bed that her husband had built. The stranger could sleep there. Penelope's words were a test. And sure enough, Odysseus was outraged. That bed could not be moved. Odysseus had built it himself, using an olive tree that grew inside the courtyard.

He had built the room around it, and then the bed. Odysseus had skillfully turned the olive tree into a bedpost, trimming the branches and smoothing the wood. The trunk of the olive tree was the first bedpost. He had made three others, inlaid with gold, silver, and ivory. He hoped his bed was still there, inseparable from the olive tree, just as he had made it. As Penelope listened to Odysseus speak, she began to cry, and when he had finished, she threw her arms around him, kissing him again and again. Through her tears, Penelope begged Odysseus to forgive her. She had been so wary of being tricked, but he knew the story of the bed,

how it had been built around an olive tree. This was something that no one else knew. At last she believed him. Now Odysseus too broke down in tears. They held each other close and would have stayed there until sunrise. But the goddess Athena delayed the dawn, so husband and wife could spend the long night together. They had so much to talk about. Odysseus explained that his travels weren't quite over yet.

The prophet Tyresius had given him instructions about another journey he must make to a distant land. There Odysseus would have to make a sacrifice to the sea god Poseidon. Once he'd done this, he could live in peace until the end of his days. As Odysseus and Penelope spoke, the servants were busy preparing the olive tree bed, covering it with soft blankets. Once the room was ready, husband and wife returned at a long last to their marriage bed. With Athena's magic, the night went on. It seemed there was time for everything, including a passion they both shared, telling stories. As they lay in their bed, Penelope told Odysseus all about her time in the palace, but as much as she enjoyed

storytelling, she loved to listen even more. She didn't fall asleep until she had heard it all, the lotus eaters, the Cyclops, Circee, the Journey to the Underwild, the Siren's song, and after that, the sun god's cattle, the shipwreck, and the years on Calypso's island. And then, at last, he had reached the land of the phyatians, who had sent him home to Ithaca in a ship filled with treasures. This was the end of Odysseus' story. Within moments, the sweetest sleep came over them both and at long last. their hearts and minds were at peace.