2 The Cyclops

Chapter 2 The Cyclops The Greek kings shared out the treasure between them. Then all the ships set sail for home. But Ulysses and his men got lost.

After two weeks at sea, they landed on an island to look for more food and water. All they had left to drink was some wine, which they took with them.

At the top of a cliff, they found a cave. It was full of huge cheeses and vast buckets of milk. The men called out but there was no answer. "Let's go in and eat now," suggested Ulysses. "Then we can wait for the owner."

As they ate, a shadow fell on the men. They looked up and saw a one-eyed giant- a Cyclops. He drove his sheep into the cave and rolled a rock across the entrance, blocking them in...

His one enormous eye glared at the Greeks. "Who are you?" he roared. As Ulysses tried to explain, the Cyclops snatched up two men. He crushed them in his fists and ate them both.

Then the Cyclops gave a loud burp, lay down and went to sleep. The men begged Ulysses to kill him before he ate them too. "No," said their wise king. "If I kill him, who's going to move that heavy rock and set us free?"