![[The Odyssey]](odtit.gif)
Ares and Aphrodite caught in bed!
Yes: Demodocus' charming and amusing tale of how Hephaestus caught his wife Aphrodite in bed with Ares - and called all the other gods to laugh at them. It remains for the Phaeacians to organise their gifts for you (they'll get back the cost later by taxing the common people!). You request the story of the Wooden Horse from the bard, but its effect overpowers you: you feel like a warrior's widow abused and dragged off into slavery. To change the subject, King Alcinous asks you your name, and to hear your story. You begin "I am Odysseus, Laertes' son ...". You tell the complete story of your adventures to date - and so to bed.In the morning it's time to leave Phaeacia. You feel like a ploughman after a hard day's ploughing - time to go home for supper. Your gifts are stowed aboard the magical ship: it travels faster than a speeding falcon, and you are soon asleep. The crew deposit you - still sleeping - on a beach in Ithaca, your treasure piled nearby. You wake up :