I mean, I know Circe warned us about all the horrible things we would encounter on the way home, but they really were... horrible!!
The first thing we had to deal with was the Sirens. Circe told me that I alone was to hear the song, so my crew kindly bound me to the mast with galling ropes. I melted some wax in my hands and sealed all my comrades' ears in turn.
When our vessel sailed close to them, they raised their voices in high clear notes. When they sang with their lovely voices I found that my hear was eager to listen still! My crew were very good and bound me with yet more ropes, and didn't rescue and unbind me until the music and words could be heard no more.
After we had passed by the Sirens, our next problem was with Scylla and Charybdis.
Charybdis is a huge whirlpool. In a hideous fashion she sucks the salt water in and spews it forth again. We had been warned by Circe to stay away from Charybdis and we all looked her way with the fear of death upon us. At that moment, Scylla appeared! She is a hideous monster, and she snatched up from inside my ship the six of my crew who were strongest of arm and sturdiest. They called to me, but Circe had told us not to fight the monster. There was nothing I could do.
Many pitiful things have met my eyes in my toilings and searching though the seapaths, but this was most pitiful of all.
Our next problem is one which I blame solely on my crew, for they did not heed the warnings I gave them. Circe had been very clear: do not eat the cattle of the sun-god Hyperion. But they did exactly what I told them not to! They slew the cattle in which Hyperion always took delight! The sun-god was inflamed with anger, and prayed to Zeus for vengeance. And Zeus agreed that he would strike our ship with his white-hot thunderbolt and shatter and shiver it in mid-ocean.
A south wind blew us back towards Charybdis, and our ship was wrecked and swallowed by the whirlpool. When she finally regurgitated the timbers of my ship, I clung to them and rowed with my hands. I was lucky enough that Scylla did not spy me.
I'm not entirely sure where I am right now. It took me ages to swim here. I get the feeling it might be Ogygia, but I can't be sure unless I find someone to talk to.
It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye now, and wish once again that I had never gone to war. I'm trying to be brave for Penelope and Telemachus, but I'm really not sure when I'll be able to get home.
I hope Penelope hasn't remarried or anything.
--Odysseus
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