Odysseus and the Cyclops

1. Odysseus and the Cyclops The wind howled as the small crew approached the tiny island. A horrible smell loomed in the air as storm clouds gathered around. It was as if the Gods themselves were warning them not to enter. “I have a bad feeling about this place,” said Adelphus as he searched his map. “Relax, my friend. We will not stay long,” said Odysseus quietly. “But I think the crew could use a break from the sea. We will find the food we need, and then we will be back home.” “I hope so, good friend,” Adelphus whispered. “I hope so.”

2. The island smelled like death and destruction. Everywhere the soldiers looked they saw half eaten bones and crushed animal skulls. “Okay, men, gather up your gear and stay close. No one wander off! I fear this island has a dangerous presence.”

3. Lightning shot across the sky and illuminated everything like a giant fireball. Jace screamed out in fear. “Odysseus those clouds are going to break open and release a flood from the heavens. We have to find shelter!” The men scrambled into a nearby forest where suddenly they found a clearing. “Look, Odysseus! Inside that mountain!” yelled Adelphus. “I see it! A cave! Quickly, men!” Odysseus and his crew ran as quickly as they could just as the storm clouds burst and sent down a torrential rainstorm.

4. As the lightning struck and the thunder roared, the tired men stumbled into the dark cave. The smell of rotten meat wafted throughout the cave. “Odysseus, there’s something you need to see.” Odysseus walked over to his best friend, his eyes wide with fear. “These look like human skulls,” he whispered. “By the Gods, Odysseus. Where have you brought us?” Suddenly, the ground began to shake and high-pitched screams were heard as thirty dirty sheep flooded into the cave behind them. “What in heaven?” Right behind the sheep came the most frightening thing Odysseus had ever seen.

5. “Everyone hide!” Odysseus screamed as he ran behind a stalagmite. The Cyclops entered the cave. He was a huge hideous monster with orange skin and one gigantic eye. “That smell!” he screamed. “Someone has been in here!” Quickly the Cyclops grabbed an overturned boulder and threw it at the entrance blocking the only way out. “One by one, little humans. I will eat you all one by one.” Slowly, the Cyclops wandered around his home, sniffing and smelling, trying to find the intruders. Jace was terrified. He tried to control his shaking, but soon he was overwhelmed with fear. The loose rocks behind his back started to rattle. Suddenly, a skeleton hanging on the wall behind him broke free and crumbled to the ground.

6. The monster wasted no time. He ran towards the shaking soldier, picked him up, and crammed him in his mouth. “That’s one!” he screamed. “For those of you who are hiding, know this- there is no escape. I will find you, and, one by one, I will eat you all.” Odysseus and Adelphus shared the same terrified glance. They knew there was no way out of the cave, but Odysseus also knew that cowering in his hiding place would do no good as well. He had to save his men. Odysseus acted quickly.

7. “Okay, men. It’s over,” yelled Odysseus. “Come out from where you are hiding.” Adelphus shot Odysseus a terrified look. “It’s okay. This Cyclops has clearly gotten us.” “Odysseus, have you lost your mind?” whispered Kosmo. “No, I have not. If we are going to die, I want to die with dignity. I will not die hiding like some coward.” The Cyclops looked at Odysseus with a strange envious respect. “Yes, my friend. That is a man who is ready to die. Sir, what is your name?” “My name is No-man. And I am very happy to meet you.” “No-Man. What a strange name. For your bravery, No-man, I will eat you last.” “Why, thank you. And as a token of my great respect. Please take this.”

8. Odysseus reached into his bag and handed the Cyclops a single jug of wine. But it was no ordinary jug. It was a sacred wine filled with poison, given to him by the Gods. Cyclops, who never refused a bottle of wine, grabbed the jug, drank the whole thing in one gulp and then wiped his face. He let out a hearty belch that rocked walls of the cave, sending stalactites falling from the ceiling. “Thank you, No-man. It will be a shame to eat you.” Suddenly, the poison started to work. “Well, everyone, it has been a long day and I must sleep. You,” he said staring directly into the eyes of Adelphus. “You will be my breakfast.”

9. Odysseus reached into his bag and handed the Cyclops a single jug of wine. But it was no ordinary jug. It was a sacred wine filled with poison, given to him by the Gods. Cyclops, who never refused a bottle of wine, grabbed the jug, drank the whole thing in one gulp and then wiped his face. He let out a hearty belch that rocked walls of the cave, sending stalactites falling from the ceiling. “Thank you, No-man. It will be a shame to eat you.” Suddenly, the poison started to work. “Well, everyone, it has been a long day and I must sleep. You,” he said staring directly into the eyes of Adelphus. “You will be my breakfast.”

10. After slurring his final words, The Cyclops stumbled backwards and fell to the floor. “Odysseus, you fool!” screamed Kosmo. “You saved us for tonight, but he is still going to eat us all tomorrow! What do we do?” “We grab that log. The one sitting in the fire. I have a plan.” The men reached into the fire and grabbed the burning log. Together they worked all night sharpening it until finally the weapon was ready. The three men were careful to make sure the poison had taken effect. When the Cyclops was finally asleep, they prepared their attack. “All right, men, on the count of three! One…Two…Three!” The three men hurled the giant log into the Cyclops’ only eye. He immediately screamed in pain and shot up!

11. After slurring his final words, The Cyclops stumbled backwards and fell to the floor. “Odysseus, you fool!” screamed Kosmo. “You saved us for tonight, but he is still going to eat us all tomorrow! What do we do?” “We grab that log. The one sitting in the fire. I have a plan.” The men reached into the fire and grabbed the burning log. Together they worked all night sharpening it until finally the weapon was ready. The three men were careful to make sure the poison had taken effect. When the Cyclops was finally asleep, they prepared their attack. “All right, men, on the count of three! One…Two…Three!” The three men hurled the giant log into the Cyclops’ only eye. He immediately screamed in pain and shot up!

12. The Cyclops ran to the boulder blocking the entrance. He threw it out of the way and screamed as loud as he could! “Noman has poked out my eye!” “Well, if no man has poked it out, then why are you screaming?” laughed Odysseus. “How dare you mock me?” The Cyclops roared. “You will pay for this!” The crazed Cyclops started tearing apart his domain, screaming in pain and fury! He quickly positioned himself in front of the cave door, knowing it was the only exit. “I can wait as long as you can, mortals. You will never get out of here alive!” “What do we do now?” yelled Adelphus. “We’ll die here like prisoners.” “I have a plan,” yelled Odysseus. “Quickly, behind the sheep.”

13. Odysseus and his men grabbed the sheep and put them over their backs. “Now, remember, stay low to the ground.” The Cyclops stood at the door screaming for help! But the other nearby Cyclops, hearing that No-man had poked out his eye, did not respond. Slowly, the men crawled past him. “What? What’s this?” asked the Cyclops as he felt Odysseus’ sheep. “Yes, hurry past, my sheep! You do not want to be here when I tear these men apart limb by limb!” Quickly and carefully, Odysseus and his men slipped past and ran off into the night.

14. Just as Odysseus leftthe cave he turned around and faced the Cyclops. “Hey, stupid!” he screamed. “You have just been fooled by the mighty Odysseus!” The screams mixed in with the thunder to make one hideous noise. “Odysseus?” The Cyclops screamed. “I will have my revenge!” “What do we do now?” yelled Adelphus as the men ranout of the forest. “Take the sheep and run to the boats!” screamed Odysseus. “We can use them for food and clothing!” The sailors sprinted to the boats as fast as they could.

15. When they arrived at the boat, they noticed that most of the smoke and storm clouds had disappeared. “We can navigate in this weather, Odysseus!” Kosmo yelled. “Quickly, men, let’s find our way home!” The men jumped into the ship and sailed off into the night. The Cyclops stayed behind screaming.