Thomas (0:00)

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Thomas (1:20)

Episode description.

Narrator (1:24)

In case you didn't know, our company Slumber Studios also has a sleep app called Slumber. With well over a thousand episodes, it has every type of sleep inducing content you could possibly want, from stories, meditations, audiobooks and history to soundscapes and music. New episodes are added each week and and you can even search by narrator and listen exclusively to episodes narrated by me or by any of my wonderful fellow storytellers. Somber has other unique features too, like the ability to add and adjust background sounds to create your own perfect mix. So I highly recommend you give Slumber a try. It's available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play and as a Get Sleepy listener, you can unlock all of the content in the app free for one month. Just go to Slumber FM GetSleepy to get instant access to all of the content in slumber. Free for one month. That's Slumber FM GetSleepy.

Thomas (2:39)

Welcome to get Sleepy where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. I'm your host Thomas. Thanks so much for joining me. Tonight I'll be guiding you through the next part of the odyssey. Last time we met Odysseus family who've been waiting for his return. Odysseus son Telemachus set out on a journey searching for news of his father's fate. And now it's time to meet the hero himself. In tonight's story, we find Odysseus stranded on a faraway island with no means of escape. The but thanks to some divine intervention that's about to change. Thank you again to Alexandra for her wonderful work writing this series. Did you know that Get Sleepy Premium members get to listen completely ad free with full access to our entire catalogue of stories and meditations, which is now well over a thousand episodes, including heaps of extended compilation episodes and much more. And perhaps best of all, Premium supporters get a brand new bonus episode every Thursday night. So why don't you take advantage of the seven day free trial for all new Premium subscribers and join us tomorrow when I'll be telling the interesting history about dogs and humans, how they evolved from wolves and how our relationship with them has grown more and more through the ages. To support the show and become a premium member, just head to getsleepy.com support as I mentioned, you'll have a 7 day free trial to start off with and you can cancel anytime. That's getsleepy.com support thanks so much everyone. So now close your eyes and allow all the muscles in your body to settle. Make sure your face is relaxed without a frown and unclench your jaw if you realize you're holding stress and tightness there. Allow your shoulders to softly drop down onto the bed, letting go of any lingering tension you may be holding from the day, and sense how your neck is supported by your pillow, releasing the strain on the muscles there. Feel your chest and upper back relax your waist and hips and feel your legs and arms grow heavy as you sink deeper into the comfort of your bed. You can gently move your fingers and toes if you wish before letting them come to rest wherever is most comfortable. Here in your cozy bedroom or wherever you are settling in right now, your mind can relax just like your body, letting go of the thoughts and worries of the day. This is your sanctuary to quietly rest in, so embrace that opportunity and let go of any resistance. And as you rest here, listening to the sound of my voice, you can drift off whenever you're ready. Now, in your mind's eye, imagine a bird's eye view of the ocean. Miles and miles of blue waves rolling towards the horizon. This is what the God Hermes sees as he flies towards a distant island. Let's join him as our story begins. Hermes flew above the water, first high, then low, skimming the surface with his heels, before soaring up into the air again. On his feet he wore his winged sandals, and in his hand he carried his magic wand. Both were made of the brightest gold. To a sailor below, the God would have looked like some exotic golden bird flashing through the sky. But down below there was no one. Nothing but Endless sea. Hermes was the messenger God. He was on his way to deliver a message now, on Zeus orders. As he glided through the air, he kept an eye out for any signs of land, a glimpse of Calypso's island. For a while, Hermes was surrounded by the blue emptiness of the sky and sea. This far from land, there weren't even any birds. But at last, he caught sight of gulls in the distance and then a shadowy shape on the horizon, rising out of the water like a mirage. There it was. Calypso's island. Now that his journey was nearly over, Hermes couldn't resist a quick dip in the ocean. He swooped joyfully downwards, plunging into the cool waves before soaring up again. Drops of water clung to his hair and clothes as he flew swiftly on towards the island. At the green heart of the island lived the goddess Calypso. This was where Hermes found her, working at her loom inside her cavern, singing a lovely song. Nearby, a fire blazed, warming the clothes that had been hung out to dry. While Hermes was used to the grander abodes of Mount Olympus, even he had to admit the cavern was a charming place. All around was a verdant forest of cypress and poplar trees. Vines of succulent grapes hung by the cave entrance. And there was a heady scent of citrus in the air. Near the cavern, the air itself seemed alive with wings. Birds flew back and forth from their nests in the forest to the sea and then back again. All the sounds mingled together. The flutter of wings, the birdsong, the low murmur of a nearby stream, and of course, the voice of the goddess herself, singing as she worked. Hermes stepped inside the cavern. Although they had never met before, Calypso knew who he was. At once, the gods always recognised each other. Calypso welcomed Hermes warmly and invited him to sit and rest. He must be weary after such a long journey. So Hermes sat at a table by the fire, where he was served a meal of ambrosia and nectar. Once he'd eaten to his heart's content, he informed Calypso of why he had come. Of course, Hermes was not here on a whim. Few would choose to travel across such a vast expanse of sea, far from any human habitation. Out here, no one made sacrifices to the gods. And yet, here he was. Hermes had made his way swiftly to Calypso's island on the orders of Zeus, the king of the gods. According to Zeus, there was a man living on this island, a warrior who had fought at Troy after a storm. He had ended up shipwrecked on Calypso's island where he'd remained ever since. Now, said Hermes, it was time for Calypso to release this man and let him return to his family. Zeus orders were clear. Odysseus must be free to leave. Hearing this, Calypso was quite put out. How typical it was of the male gods to be so cruel and jealous. Whenever a goddess took a lover, they couldn't help but interfere. Calypso reminded Hermes that she had saved Odysseus from the shipwreck. She had loved and cared for him all these years. Her plan was to make him immortal so they could live together forever. But if Zeus willed otherwise, so be it. With a heavy sigh, Calypso told Hermes that she would let Odysseus leave. She couldn't provide a ship or an escort for his journey across the sea but she would share what she could. She loved Odysseus and she wanted him to reach home safely. Before leaving, Hermes gave Calypso one final word of warning. When following Zeus orders, it was best not to delay. Then, after draining his cup of nectar, the messenger God left the cavern and took to the skies once more. Calypso slowly made her way to the shore. She knew that this was where she would find Odysseus. He spent most of his time here, deep in thought as he gazed across the sea. As Calypso emerged from the trees, she caught sight of him. Odysseus sat on the rocks the wind blowing through his dark hair and beard as he watched the waves. When she came closer, she saw that his eyes were red as though he'd been weeping. Although he tried to hide it from her, Calypso knew that he often wept thinking of his native land and the family he missed so much. At night in the cavern, Odysseus seemed to belong to her. But seeing him now, Calypso finally accepted that it was time to let him go. As she stood beside Odysseus, the goddess spoke. She could see that he was in one of his melancholy moods. But she had good news for him. She was going to help him leave the island. Once Odysseus had built a raft Calypso would provide water, food, wine and clothes for the journey. She would even summon a wind to blow him in the right direction. Though of course, said Calypso with a sigh all of this wasn't exactly her decision. The gods up above were powerful. They always got their way. Odysseus listened in astonishment. After so many years on the island, he never thought he'd hear these words. The prospect of leaving at last should have lifted his spirits. And yet he didn't entirely trust Calypso. Did she really expect him to travel across the gulf on a little raft? This part of the ocean was treacherous even for the most solidly built ships guided along by Zeus winds. Odysseus couldn't help but wonder if Calypso was plotting to harm him, suggesting such a thing. But Calypso smiled and stroked Odysseus hand. She swore by heaven and earth and by the waters of the River Styx that she meant no harm. Calypso had planned everything carefully as if she herself were the one making the journey. Although she had never managed to fully earn his trust, she cared deeply for Odysseus. Together they left the beach and made their way through the trees to Calypso's cavern. The chair where Hermes had previously sat was now occupied by Odysseus. As a mortal he dined on human food while Calypso enjoyed nectar and ambrosia, the food of the gods. Once they were full, they continued talking. The prospect of Odysseus departure had finally sunk in and Calypso was feeling a little sorry for herself. If only Odysseus could stay. And he would stay. If only he knew what troubles awaited him on his journey home. And said Calypso, even though Odysseus missed his wife, he had to admit that she was far more beautiful. Mortal women could never compare to a goddess. Odysseus knew that he had to be tactful. He told Calypso that she was right. Penelope's beauty could not rival that of a goddess immortal and ageless. But beauty wasn't everything and Odysseus still longed to return home. Even if he was shipwrecked once again, even if he was struck down by the gods, he was willing to risk it all for a chance of seeing Penelope and his beloved homeland. Besides, he had already suffered so much at war and at sea. Whatever came next, he would endure it. As night fell, the island became even more spellbinding. The warm air was filled with birdsong and the musical chirps of bats and insects. Night blooming plants released their intoxicating perfumes and the stars above were so bright, so clear that he might almost reach out and pluck them from the sky. Sometimes when he saw a shining star, he would imagine that it was Penelope, far away, yet still in sight. As Odysseus stood by the cavern entrance looking up at the starry sky he wondered if this would truly be one of his last nights on the island. If Calypso would really let him go. Just the idea that he might leave stirred something within him. A fondness and affection for Calypso that had grown over time. That night, Odysseus and her goddess slept in a close embrace, dreaming until dawn awoke them. Once they were dressed, Odysseus in his cloak and tunic and Calypso in a shining robe and fail they began to make preparations for the journey. Calypso gave Odysseus the first of several gifts. A bronze axe with an olive wood handle and another tool for cutting and shaping wood. Then she took him to the far end of the island where the tallest trees grew firs that seemed to brush against the clouds all day. Odysseus cut down trees with his axe before carving the wood into shape and polishing until it gleamed. Calypso brought him everything he needed. Extra tools and a large piece of fabric to be used as a sail. Over the next few days the raft slowly took shape. It was carefully constructed, the planks interwoven with strands of willow to keep the water out. As an experienced sailor, Odysseus knew what needed to be done. He didn't want to leave until the raft was completely ready. And so it wasn't until the fifth day that he finally prepared to set sail. Once Odysseus had washed and dressed in fragrant clothes, Calypso helped him to load the supplies onto the raft. Large flasks of wine and water and plenty of food. It was a bright, breezy morning.