Book 8 - Songs of the Harper

The next day, Alkinoos called an assembly of his Phaeacian counselors. Athena, back from Athens, ensured attendance by spreading word that the topic of discussion will be the godlike visitor who recently appeared on the island. At the assembly, Alkinoos proposed providing a ship for his visitor, me so that I can return to my homeland. The measure was approved, and Alkinoos invited the counselors to his palace for a feast and celebration of games in honor of his guest, myself. There, a blind bard named Demodocus sung of the quarrel between myself and Achilles at Troy. Everyone listened with pleasure except me, who wept at the painful memories that the story recalled. The king noticed my griefs and ended the feast so that the games could begin. The games included the standard lineup of boxing, wrestling, racing, and throwing of the discus. At one point, I was asked to participate. Still overcome by my many hardships, I declined. One of the young athletes, Broadsea, then insulted me. I got pissed and felt like yelling at that idiot. I felt like screaming to him that he isn't even half the man I am. I easily won the discus toss and then challenged the Phaeacian athletes to any other form of competition they chose. The discussion became heated, but Alkinoos diffused the situation by insisting that I join them in another feast, at which the Phaeacian youth entertained me and proved their preeminence in song and dance. Demodocus performed again, this time a light song about a tryst between Ares and Aphrodite. Afterward, Alkinoos and each of the young Phaeacian men, including Broadsea, gave me gifts to take with me on my journey home. At dinner that night, I asked Demodocus to sing of the Trojan horse and the sack of Troy, but as I listened to the accomplished minstrel I again broke down. King Alkinoos again noticed and stopped the music. He asks me at last to tell him who I was, where I am from, and where I am to be going. Men are so trusting unti they see something that shakes their trust so much, that it is hard to regain that trust. Trust is hard to regain. Not only does it take time for this to happen, but also, people need to learn to trust that person again through their experience. I think I will leave this next part for next time. I just had to tel him, but what I did, no one will know unless you see what I will write tomorrow.