![[The Odyssey]](odtit.gif)
You reach Scheria, land of the Phaeacians
Yes, in fact all these happen to you and more. Poseidon comes back and is furious to see you nearly safe on Scheria, land of the Phaeacians. A mother of all storms smashes your raft and you would have drowned if Ino, a sea-nymph, hadn't taken pity on you - telling you to strip off the heavy clothes that are pulling you under and rely on her veil, which you wind round yourself. Athena calms the winds briefly, but you can't find anywhere to land on the rocky shore. At last you are washed towards the mouth of a river. You pray to the river-god, who relaxes his current and allows you to crawl ashore - utterly exhausted. You creep under some bushes to sleep - battered, naked and helpless. Next morning you awake to the sound of girlish laughter …You meet Nausicaa
Some rather young girls are bathing in the river and playing catch - they've been washing clothes at the river-mouth. Like a mountain lion descending on a peaceful valley in winter-time, you are forced by hunger to emerge from your bush. You are holding a bunch of twigs to conceal your manhood. All but one rush away screaming at the sight of you. Only Nausicaa, the daughter of the King of the Phaeacians, stands her ground. You have already noticed that she is taller and more beautiful than the rest.