Mysterious Kindness

"Men, I do believe I see an island up ahead. We will stop there and rest." Odysseus told his men as they rowed the rundown ship toward the peaceful island. When they reach the island the Odysseus and his tiered men started to think of what they were going to do now that they had no food left for there journey home. Odysseus was the first one off the ship when they reached land. As he looked at his surroundings he tried to think of a way to find food for him and his hungry men.

"I am going to climb up this massive mountain to search for food. Nobody is to leave this spot until I return," Odysseus told his men as he determined which way to start his hike.

"Oh sir you should let one of us accompany you just in case anything happens," a young man said in return.

"No I will be fine on my own, you all need to stay here," Odysseus answered with annoyance in his deep voice. Then he turned and started up the mountain. As Odysseus hiked up the mountain, following somewhat of a trail, he muttered to himself, "How dare my men think that I am incapable of taking care of myself. Do they honestly think they could protect me?"

"Oh Odysseus, you know your men think highly of you," a beautiful voice said from out of nowhere.

"Who said that? Who's there?" called a startled Odysseus.

"Odysseus, your men know that you can take care of yourself, they just want to help you and make sure that you all get home safe."

"I know that but-"

"But you should understand how they feel."

"I do understand. I know that what we all want is to just get back home where we belong ."

"I think I can help you with that," the mysterious voice said as she appeared in front of Odysseus. She was beautiful, with long blond hair and eyes that sparkled like stars in a midnight sky.

"What do you mean you can help me?" asked Odysseus.

"Well I can't get you home, but I can help with you hunger problem," she replied.

"How is that?" asked Odysseus with a hint of skepticism in his voice.

"You see Odysseus, it won't be easy.

"Ok, but what do I have to do?"

"Well you see, there is a village on this island and this village has many people in it, many starving people."

"And what does this have to do with me and my men's hunger?"

"It has a lot to do with you and your men. You see, I will send a feast down to you men, it will be all you could ever imagine. But the thing is, if any one of your men eats even a crumb you and your men will be banned to island forever."

"Then what is the point to sending the feast?"

"I'm not finished. It will be your job to stop them and convince them to give it to the starving village without saying a word about me or this conversation."

"And what will we get out of this?"

"If you accomplish this task you and your men will be given all the food you could ever eat for your journey, but only if you do exactly what I said."

"That will be simple. My men will do whatever I say," Odysseus said with confidence.

"Then you better be on your way. Your task starts now."

Odysseus stood in confusion for a moment not believing what just happened. He had no idea of what was going to happen. All he could do was go over every word that was just said between him and the mysterious goddess. As Odysseus stood in silence the voice came back, but this time it was not beautiful, it was loud and angry. "Go Odysseus, go! What are you waiting for?" Odysseus took off running down the mountain back toward his men in hope of stopping his men from eating any of the food.

"Men look at all of this. Where did it come from?" one of Odysseus' men said to the rest.

"Who cares, this is enough food to last us for weeks, maybe even months. Let's eat!" another man said rushing toward the food that appeared out of nowhere.

"Wait, what are you men thinking? Do you think Odysseus would approve of what you all are about to do?" Mercy, one of Odysseus' men, shouted stepping in from of the rest of the men.

"It would be nice if you would move so that we can eat Mercy, we're starving, aren't you?"

"It doesn't matter if I'm starving or not we at least need to wait for Odysseus," Mercy replied.

"Look, look, Odysseus is back!" another man exclaimed with joy.

"See, are you happy now Mercy? Let's eat!" shouted the man next to Mercy.

"I guess," said Mercy.

Odysseus ran as fast as he could down the mountain screaming and shouting anything that came to mind that would stop his men from eating the food. He tried to run faster as he saw his men getting closer and closer to the food. As the men got closer they got more eager to taste the food. When they finally reached the table one of the men picked up a chicken leg then yanked it toward his mouth.

"Stop!" exclaimed Odysseus, "do not eat anything."

The men froze in their steps, dropping everything back