Twenty years ago, we answered our great king’s call to war. Seventy-five of us left our island to join the great fleet. I was their prince but only the first among equals. We were young, eager and ready to fight to avenge our king’s honour.

We joined so many others like us and laid siege to that accursed city for ten years. The outcome of the war was always uncertain and sometimes the gods weren’t with us. I witnessed the death of so many good men from both sides. At the end, only my cunning plan gained us victory. We broke the siege, lay devastation and won the war. Watching the fire consume the once great city left a bitter taste in my mouth.

That wasn’t the end but only the beginning of my journey back. It took me ten more years to once again touch the stony shore of my island, of my home. My companions and I faced so many adventures and so much danger. I am the only one left alive, the only one who has returned.

My son will be a man now, he won’t recognise me. I don’t know if my wife is still alive and still waiting for me or if she believed that I was lost and now someone else lays beside her on the olive wood bed I carved from the live tree so long ago. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t yearned for her, for my home, because she is my home.

I thought of her when the unforgiving sea was trying to take us, when I avoided listening to the sirens’ call, when I laid beside another, when we blinded a giant, when my companions consumed the lotus fruit and forgot what’s important. I didn’t forget, I didn’t stop travelling and fighting the gods and their adversities so that I could reach my home.

Now I am here again, older, tired but ready to fight for my family, my place, my home. I am here again, Penelope, I came home to you.

    0 0 votes
    Post Rating
    10 Comments
    Oldest
    Newest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Susan Dawson
    Susan Dawson(@susan-dawson)
    2 years ago

    I love this. Before reading it I knew nothing about Odysseus, and your story has taken me on a voyage through his voyages. I gather she had declined other proposals, and was waiting for him at home after all. His behaviour regarding faithfulness seems to be rather the subject of much debate, and you have alluded to this gently and subtly. I really enjoyed this story.

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    A Classic told well. Well written.

    Katerina Bizirtsaki
    Katerina Bizirtsaki(@katerina-bizirtsaki)
    2 years ago

    As a Greek student who has been given the chance to study the Odyssey, I can say with ease that your story is very accurate with the original and it does justice to the ancient rhapsody. Well done!

    Chris
    Chris(@chris)
    Reply to  Greene M Wills
    2 years ago

    I agree with @katy-bizi, especially when she said your story “does justice to the ancient rhapsody”. Very nice work – Keep Writing, and hope to see more of your new stories here on the Voice.club!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    Well-done. Although I am not so familiar with Greek Mythology you take me there with your words. And as I travel with him all the way on his journey coming back to his family, his place, and his home I learn a lot of things like faithfulness and love.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Greene M Wills
    2 years ago

    Yes, you are not mistaken for making this story, this is so relevant to this time of the pandemic. I am happy for you.

    Recent Comments

    10
    0
    Selected Authors may submit comments (5 Credits)x
    ()
    x
    Scroll to Top

    Sharing a Post

    Why do my friends need to SignIn to read the post I shared?

    Actually, this is a voting security feature. During public voting, only club members can read posts submitted for that contest. Since anyone reading the story is able to vote (click the Like button), we reserve these capabilities to members who SignIn. Before we implemented this security feature, people were voting multiple times and making the public voting process unfair and out of balance. To fix this, our staff finally decided to allow only members who SignIn to read the stories. Membership is free and easy, and ensures our club is safe, secure, and family-friendly!