Chapter 27-Odysseus and Waiachaia

When Novicka returned to his father's palace, Odysseus left the sacred forest, and Athena helped him all the way. In order to prevent the conceited Huai people from hurting him, she covered him with thick fog, but he didn't notice it himself. When she approached the city gate, she had to turn into a girl named Huai Arcaya, walking towards Odysseus with a pitcher in her hand. "Little girl," said the hero, "would you like to tell me the way to the palace of King Alcanos? I am a foreigner and I don't know anyone here! "

"I am willing to show you the way, because you are a good man," replied the goddess. "My father lives nearby, you can safely follow me. People here don't like strangers very much The hard life at sea has hardened their hearts! " Athena said, leading the way, Odysseus followed her, but the Huai 'ayya people couldn't see him. Along the way, he enjoyed the docks, ships and tall walls happily. Finally, when they arrived at a place, Athena said, "This is the palace of Arcano and Russia. You can enter safely. I want to remind you that you must find the queen first! Her name is arete, and she is her husband's niece. Alcanos respects her very much, and Huai people also respect her very much. She is smart and virtuous, and is good at mediating people's disputes with wisdom. If you can get her sympathy, don't worry. "

The goddess said that and left in a hurry. Odysseus stood in front of the door in meditation, staring at the magnificent palace. The tall hall is golden and shines like sunshine. On both sides of the palace gate are inlaid copper palace walls. There are golden gates, silver doorposts, silver lintels, brass bases and golden buttons in the palace. On both sides of the door stood hephaestus's golden and silver dogs, like warriors guarding the palace. When Odysseus entered the hall, he saw a row of soft chairs and rich and exquisite cushions. Princes and nobles sit here drinking. A statue of the golden boy stands on a high bracket, and they hold torches in their hands, which are like the daytime when drinking. There are fifty maids in the palace, some grinding, some weaving and some spinning. Women here are good at spinning, just as men with Arcaya are good at sailing. Outside the palace is a walled orchard with pear trees, figs, pomegranates, olives and apple trees. There is a warm west wind blowing in Huai Arcaya all the year round, and there are fruits in winter and summer. In the same season, some trees are blooming, while others are already bearing fruit. Next to the orchard is a vineyard. Crystal grapes sparkle in the sun. Some grapes have been picked, while others have just sprouted. The other side of the garden is full of flowers, and the fragrance is refreshing. One spring winds through the garden, and the other flows through the palace gate.

Residents are pumping water here.

Odysseus enjoyed himself for a long time and went straight into the king's hall. The dignitaries in Arcaya, Huai 'an are holding a banquet. Because it's getting late, everyone is going to end the banquet and hold a sacrifice to the God of Hermes. Odysseus walked through the crowd in the thick fog and came to the king and queen. As soon as Athena raised her hand, the dense fog around him suddenly disappeared. He knelt at Queen arete's feet, hugged her knees, and piteously pleaded, "Ah, arete, daughter of Senoal, I am prostrate before you and your husband as a supplicant. May the gods grant you happiness and joy. Please help me, poor exile! I have been wandering outside for a long time. "

The people of Huai Akbar were shocked to see him. Finally, Elkonos, an experienced elder among the guests, broke the silence and said to the king, "Oh, my God, Arcano, it is impolite to let strangers fall to the ground. We should ask him to sit down and order the herald to prepare wine so that we can hold a watering ceremony for Zeus, the patron saint. At the same time, the maid will bring wine and food to the new guests! "

The king was satisfied with this. He lifted Odysseus up and sat him in the chair next to him. There once sat Raoul Dames, the king's beloved son, who made room for the guests. After the sacrifice to Zeus, the party broke up. The king invited the guests back for a drink the next day. He didn't ask the stranger who he was and where he came from, so he let him live in the palace and promised him to return to his hometown safely. Say that finish, he carefully measured the stranger. Athena made him more sacred and radiant. The king couldn't help but say to him, "If you are an immortal god and transform into a mortal to attend the party, then you don't need our help.". On the contrary, we should ask for your protection! "

"Oh, king, please don't think so!" Odysseus quickly stood up and replied, "I am a mortal like you!" Moreover, it is the most unfortunate person in the world. "

When all the guests left, only the king, queen and strangers were left, arete looked at the beautiful clothes on him and suddenly realized that she had knitted them. She was very surprised and asked, "stranger, I want to ask you a question." Please tell me, where are you from and who gave you this beautiful dress? "Odysseus truthfully described that he was left on the island of ochoa by the mythical fairy Calypso mythology. Later, he encountered a storm at sea, drifted here and met Novicka.

"My daughter should do this." King Alcanos smiled and said, "But she didn't fully fulfill her obligations. She should bring you to see me at once! " "King, please don't blame her," Odysseus said. "She was going to do this, but I refused. Because I am afraid of arousing your suspicion! "

"I will never doubt it," said the king, "but it is always good to have a rule in everything. Now, if God asks people like you to marry my daughter, how willing I am! I am willing to give you the palace and property! But I won't force you to stay here. Tomorrow, I will give you boats and sailors so that you can go back to your hometown. I try my best to help you. "

Odysseus thanked him very much for his kindness. He left and slept in a soft bed, eliminating fatigue and drowsiness.

The next morning, the king called people to a meeting in the market. He brought guests to the meeting. Everyone looked at Laertes' son in surprise. Athena endowed him with extraordinary appearance and majesty. The king solemnly introduced strangers to his people. He asked the citizens to prepare a sea boat and 52 young sailors from Huai Arcaya. At the same time, he also invited the nobles present to hold a banquet to entertain strangers, and ordered Aropo to give a performance at the banquet for the singer Temodocos who endowed him with musical talent.

After the rally, the young sailors prepared a strong ship. They put up the mast, hung the sail and tied the oars with belts. When everything was ready, they came to the palace. The halls and courtyards of the palace are crowded with invited guests. The servants killed twelve sheep, eight pigs and two bulls. After the banquet, the blind singer sang loudly the famous Trojan hero. The two most famous heroes are Achilles and Odysseus.

When Odysseus heard his name praised in the song, he couldn't help covering his face with a cloak so that others wouldn't see him cry. The king sitting next to him noticed, ordered the singer to stop singing and announced a competition to pay tribute to the stranger. "Our guests," said the king, "don't forget to tell your hometown people that we Huai people are good at boxing, wrestling, long jump and running." At the king's command, everyone rushed to the market. Many young nobles took part in the competition, including three sons of King Akano, namely Damace, Harry and Crutonis. They started with a game. Crutonios took the lead and reached the finish line first. Later, a wrestling match was held, and Huai Amfialos won. Erastus won the discus throw. Raoul Dames, the son of the king, won the boxing match.

Now, Lao Damace stood up and said to the young people in the competition: "Friends, we all want to see what competition skills foreigners have!"

"Yes, you're right," said Oulu Alos. "You should ask him yourself and invite him to the game!" Dames politely walked up to the stranger and invited him to attend.

Odysseus declined and said, "Young people, you don't want to see my jokes, do you?" I am so sad that I have no interest in taking part in the competition. I have suffered a lot, and now I just want to return to my motherland and hometown as soon as possible! "

Oulu Alos said unhappily, "stranger, you don't sound like a soldier." You may be an excellent captain or a clever businessman. You are not a hero. "

Odysseus frowned and said to him, "My friend, this is not a good word. I am not incompetent in the arena. When I was young, I always competed with my strongest opponent. It's different now. Years of fighting and storms at sea have exhausted me. But since you challenge me, I have to try! "

Odysseus said, and stood up from his seat, did not even take off his cloak, stretched out his hand and grabbed a big, thick discus and threw it hard. Discus whizzed through the air. People nearby bent down and stepped back, and the discus was far beyond the sign line. Athena turned into a pregnant Arcaya, made a mark where the discus landed, and then said loudly, "Even a blind man can see that you throw farther than anyone. No one will surpass you in this game! "

Odysseus was very happy to think that he could have such a good friend among those who were pregnant with Arcaya. He said to him happily, "Come on, young man, if you throw it, you can throw it so far!" " And you, the young man who laughed at me just now, please come here. What other competitions do you want to hold? I am willing to stay with you, never back down! However, I will not compete with Raoul Dames. How can guests compete with their hosts? "

All the young Huai people were silent. Then the king said, "stranger, you have shown us your strength." From now on, no one can but admire you. When you go home to reunite with your wife and children, please don't forget to tell them about our style and morality. We may not be good at boxing and wrestling, but we are quite good at sailing and running. As for playing the piano and dancing, we all have experts in this field. We have the most beautiful jewels, the most comfortable bathroom and the softest bed, which you have seen. Now, people who can sing and dance are coming out. Show one to foreigners and give out your skills! Don't forget to bring Timodocos' harp. "

A messenger brought a harp. Nine young people cleared up the venue and prepared to perform a dance. The pianist went to the middle. The dance performance began. Odysseus was surprised. He has never seen such a wonderful dance. Then, the singer sang a touching song, praising the happy life of the gods. After the round dance, the king ordered his son Raoul Dames to dance with the clever Harry. A man holds a small ball in his hand and throws it into the air. The other man jumped up and caught it in the air. They quickly changed their steps and jumped briskly. The onlookers clapped their hands rhythmically to entertain them.

Odysseus sincerely admired him and turned to the king and said, "King Alcanos, it is no exaggeration to say that you have the best dancer in the world!" " "Arcano Russia was very happy to hear his praise. He said to the Wyakaya people, "Did you all hear that? Did you hear the foreigner's praise for you? He is a visionary and deserves our generous gift. There are twelve princes in our country, thirteen of whom are with me. Each of them should take a cloak, a tights and a gold coin. Then let's give him all these gifts as parting gifts, and he will be happy. In addition, Oulu Ahlas should apologize to the foreigner and don't let him be dissatisfied with us. " The people of Huai and Aqaba cheered in unison when they heard the king's speech. So, an angel stood up to receive the gift. The law of Ahlas also gave the ivory scabbard and silver sword to strangers. He said, "If my words offend you, let them float in the wind. May the gods bless your safe return to your hometown! Huai people wish you happiness! " "I hope you won't regret giving me a valuable gift!" Odysseus said that he put the sword on him. At sunset, all the presents were collected and placed in front of the queen. King Alcanos asked the queen for an exquisite box, put clothes and gold in the box, and then sent the box to Odysseus' residence. The king also gave him many dresses and a valuable gold cup. Odysseus carefully closed the lid of the box, tied the box with knots, and finally bathed in warm water. Then, prepare to drink with the guests in the lobby. Then he suddenly saw Novicka at the door of the hall. Odysseus saw her for the first time since he entered the palace. The princess is solemn, lives in the palace and does not attend men's banquets. Now, she is going to say goodbye to the distinguished guests. The princess looked at his burly figure and handsome face admiringly and said softly, "distinguished guests, I wish you health and happiness!" " I hope you can always think of me after you return home! Deeply moved, Odysseus replied, "Dear Nausicaa, if the gods bless me and let me return to my hometown safely, I will pray to you, because you are my savior. "

With that, he went into the hall and sat down beside the king. The servants are busy pouring wine and sharing meat. The blind singer Temodocos was brought in and sat in the middle. Odysseus called a messenger and personally cut the best piece of roast pork in front of him and put it on a plate. He said to the messenger, "friend, please give this meat to the singer." I should pay tribute to him. Singers should be respected everywhere, because they are students of the Muse. Muses teach them to sing and take care of them everywhere. " The blind singer gratefully accepted the food he sent.

After the banquet, Odysseus turned to Timodocos and said, "I praise you in front of the whole world, dear singer." You sang the fate of the Greek hero beautifully, as if you were there, seeing it with your own eyes and hearing it with your own ears. Come on, keep singing, sing the story of Trojan horse plan and Odysseus' performance! "

The singer obeyed his orders happily, and all the people listened to him quietly. Odysseus couldn't help crying to himself when he heard people praising his deeds. King Alcanos noticed, stopped the singer's singing and said, "We'd better give the harp a rest. From the beginning of the song, our guests became more and more sad. We can't make him happy Stranger, please tell us who your parents are and where are you from? I'm not asking you out of curiosity. We must know your motherland and your hometown before we can send you back. Besides, they don't want to know anything They don't need a guide. As long as they know the place name, they can sail through the dense fog or night to their destination! "

Odysseus heard this friendly request and replied, "dear king, don't think that the singer didn't bring me joy!" On the contrary, it is a pleasure to hear beautiful sounds. You see, the story of the national hero is sung by the singer, and the guests drink while tasting in front of the delicious food. There is nothing happier in the world. Dear Master, if you really want to know my life experience, I also want to tell my friends while I am intoxicated, so as to thank my friends for their kindness to me! "