Calm journey

With their sails inflated by the sweet breeze, Odysseus' ships leaped over the small waves, and tore the sea like dolphins.

They were poor in the middle, happy to be spared and returning home. On their way there was an island where Aeolus, the wind god, lived.

On the island of Aeolus

They rested in the quiet harbour and God welcomed them. He offered them all the good things at his tables and he listened to the stories Odysseus told him about the Trojan War.

So a month went by and everyone was happy

The gift of Aeolus

When they were ready to leave, then Aeolus, to whom Odysseus told him of the suffering they had endured, thought of helping them to reach Ithaca in peace. So he caught and shut up all the winds but the zephyr in a great ox-skin, and tied it fast to the messianic mast of the ship.

Neptune takes revenge

So they set off and the zephyr sailed quietly on the calm sea. Nine days and nights they sailed quietly, and on the tenth day the mountains of Ithaca appeared in the distance.

Then, tired, Odysseus fell asleep, quiet, now that they had arrived. But Neptune was awake and put this thought into the minds of Odysseus' companions. Let us see what gifts Aeolus has put in the bag.

The companions open the bag

They untie it from the mast and then open it. What a bad thing that was! The winds rushed out whistling, the sea rose up angrily and began to push them again towards the island of Aeolus.

New problems

When God saw them back, angry that they had disobeyed him, he sent them away.

The unfortunate ones opened up again in the turbulent sea, struggling with the waves to escape.