Early in the morning, armed with shining armor, shields and spears, Odysseus, Telemachus, Eumaeus and Philotius went to Laertes. Penelope was ordered by Odysseus not to leave the palace, since he knew that the news of the death of the suitors would quickly spread throughout the city. Shrouded in a thick cloud, Odysseus and his companions quickly passed the city and went out into the field. Soon they came to Laertes' house, where he lived with his slaves and an old maid. Odysseus sent his companions into the house and ordered them to prepare a meal, while he himself went into the garden to look for Laertes. Odysseus found his elderly father at work. He was digging up a young tree. All of Laertes' clothes were in patches, he had sandals on his feet, his head was covered with a hat made of worn goatskin, and he had mittens on his hands. Seeing his father, Odysseus began to cry. He felt sorry for the old man when he saw him dressed like a beggar. Odysseus hesitated on what to do: should he immediately reveal himself to his father or should he first hide who he was and see if his father would recognize him.
Finally, Odysseus decided to do this: he approached his father and, pretending that he did not know him, began to talk to him as to a simple worker and ask him who owned the garden and what the owner’s name was. Odysseus told a fictitious story about himself, posing as a foreigner, and added:
“I once received Odysseus as a guest in my house, and I presented him with rich gifts. Now I have come to take advantage of his hospitality. Tell me, have I really arrived on the island of Ithaca?
A large tear rolled down from the eyes of Elder Laertes, and he answered:
- Foreigner! You are indeed in Ithaca, but you will not meet Odysseus here. Evil people took possession of his house. Odysseus must have died. I'm his father. But tell me who are you!? Where did you come from?
Odysseus again gave himself a fictitious name and again spoke about Odysseus, saying that five years had already passed since the day he received Odysseus. Hearing this, Laertes was saddened. He took the earth with both hands, sprinkled it on his head and groaned loudly from unbearable grief. Odysseus could no longer watch his father's grief. He rushed to him, took him into his arms and exclaimed:
- Father! I am your Odysseus! By the will of the gods I returned to Ithaca! Don't cry anymore! I have already taken revenge on the suitors who ruined my house!
Laertes did not immediately believe it; he demanded proof that his son was really standing before him. Then Odysseus showed him the scar from the wound on his leg and listed all the fruit trees that Laertes had given him as a child. The old man cried with joy, hugged Odysseus and exclaimed:
- Oh, great father Zeus! There are still gods on bright Olympus, if the villains have atoned for their guilt by death! But I am afraid that all the inhabitants of Ithaca will come here to avenge the death of their relatives.
But Odysseus calmed his father down and led him into the house, where the meal was ready. There Laertes washed himself and dressed in clean new clothes, and the goddess Athena made him more cheerful and younger. Everyone sat down to the meal happily. At this time the old slave Doliy returned with his sons. Entering the house, he stopped in amazement when he saw a guest at the meal, and suddenly recognized him as Odysseus. He rushed to him and began to kiss Odysseus’s hands and feet, joyfully calling upon him the blessing of the gods. The meal was merry in the house of the elder Laertes.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru