I arrived on the island of the Phaiakians some time ago. I have not seen or heard anything from Telemakhos or my wife Penelope. I hope that they're okay, and that we will see each other soon or in the near future. Anyway, when I first arrived on the island, Athena went throughout the town disquised as the king Alkinoos and told the townspeople to come to the assembly to learn about me. At the assembly, Alkinoos proposes to provide a ship for me, so that I can return to my homeland. This action is approved by the Phaiakians, and the ship is immediately set up for me. Then Alkinoos invites the counselors and me to come to his palace for a feast and celebration of games in honor of me. What a kind and gracious gentleman he is. Then, a poet, Demodocus, sings of a fight between Achilles and me at Troy during the war. Everyone was enthused with the song except me. I'm very embarrassed to say this, but I started to weep because of the painful memories that the song recalls. The king notices my grief and ends the feast so that the games can begin. The games included boxing, wrestling, racing and the throwing of the discus. I am asked to participate, but I decline the offer because of the many hardships I have endured. Then Seareach, one of the athletes, insults me by saying that I must be terrible at sport, and that I am just a peasant looking for gold. This made me angry, so I decided to play and show him what I could do. I was thrilled when I won the discus throwing competition, and then I offered anyone to challenge me to any sport. I think I acted a bit too cocky. Alkinoos did not like the idea and decided to have another feast. Tonight, the singer was singing about Aphrodite cheating on Hephaestus with Ares. This story had a good moral that nobody is perfect. Thank goodness I didn't cry this time. Then all of the men gave me exquisite gifts for my trip home. How considerate of them. Then, the singer sang about the Trojan Horse, but I didn't think that would upset me! After the singer stopped singing, Alkinoos started asking me all sorts of questions such as where I am from, what ismy name,h and where am I going. I can't believe that I didn't give Alkinoos information about myself. If one accepts the challenge to be the best he can be, he will succeed.
