Journal Entry #3: Polyphemus the Cyclops

Dear Telemachus,

Your father is a real nuisance. I was just living my simple life on the Island of Cyclopes and Odysseus just shows up one day and starts exploring my home and eats my cheese camps out in my home out of nowhere! He explains that it is custom for hospitality and that Zeus will punish those that do not give hospitality and welcome guests. However, I did not invite them to enter my home, they entered and made themselves at home! So in my anger, I admit, I ate several of their men. But, is that really a big deal? I mean you guys can just get more men so it is not really a problem. But then Odysseus gave me so amazing wine. I ended up drinking myself to sleep it was so good. However, I wake up to a great pain in my one eye. Your father had stabbed a pointed wooden stick into my ONLY EYE!

The pain was so great I screamed out against your father. However, at first he told me that his name was Nohbdy so when I called for my fellow Cyclopes, I sounded like I was crazy! With my only eye damaged, when I let out my flock of sheep, they were able to disguise themselves with their skin so they escaped. They ran to their ships and began to sail away. Your father taunted me and revealed his true name so I attempted at drowning their ships with giant stones but I was unable to. I called out to my father, Poseidon, asking to place a curse upon your father with misfortune and to prevent him from returning home. Sorry for delaying his return home but you have to understand, I only have one eye!

Polyphemus