The warriors peered into the large cave. They were tired and hungry from long days at sea and had come ashore on this strange island in search of food. Inside they saw pens of fat sheep, huge stacks of cheese, and buckets of milk. They had not eaten for days and immediately began a happy feast. "We will wait here for our host to return," said Odysseus (oh dis' ee us), their leader. "We must thank him for this very fine food."

The men were resting comfortably after their meal when they felt the ground begin to tremble. They looked up to see a huge shadow fill the entrance to the cave. Odysseus gasped as a hideous one-eyed creature entered. "'Who dares to enter the home of Polyphemus (pol i fee' mus), the Cyclops?" the monster demanded.

Odysseus spoke up. "We are Greek soldiers, returning from war. We come here in peace, asking only for food and drink."

The Cyclops roared angrily and blocked the entrance to the cave with a huge stone. Before the soldiers could run for safety, he grabbed two of them and threw them against the cave wall. He then settled down in a corner and ate every bit of the two unlucky warriors. Odysseus and his men were trapped. No one slept that night. All were fearful of what the morning would bring.

Their fears were for a good reason. When Polyphemus awoke, he breakfasted just as he had dined. Two more Greek soldiers died a bloody death. After his horrible meal, the Cyclops led his sheep out of the cave and resealed the entrance with the stone.

Odysseus knew he must do something or all would die. In the corner of the cave he saw a huge log. An idea struck him. All day long the men worked, carving a sharp point on one end of the log. That night, Polyphemus returned and had his usual meal. After he had eaten, Odysseus offered him some wine. The monster drank and soon fell into a deep sleep.

"Quickly!" Odysseus shouted. The men grabbed the log and thrust it into the fire until the point was glowing red hot. They carried it over to the Cyclops and, as he slept, twisted it deeply into his enormous eye. Polyphemus awoke, roaring with pain. In his sightless rage, he groped about the cave. He was unable to find any of the Greeks.

In pain he bellowed, "There is no way out for you! I can no longer see, but none of you will ever leave this cave alive!"

The next morning when the blind Polyphemus let his sheep out, he carefully felt the back of each one to be sure no Greek was riding on it. But Odysseus tricked the creature. He and his men were underneath the sheep, hanging upside down from their thick wool. In this way they escaped to their ship and went on to meet new adventures.

Write what these sentences from the story mean.

1. All were fearful of what the morning would bring.



2. When Polyphemus awoke, he breakfasted just as he had dined.



3. In his sightless rage, he groped about the cave.



4. Do you think Odysseus was right to take the Cyclops's food and drink? When if ever, is it right to steal?



5. Why do you think the Cyclops was angry when he came home and found Odysseus and his men there?



6. Can you think of any other way Odysseus and his men could have escaped?