Book 18

It was not such a good day in the life of an old beggar (me, Odysseus). The suitors were their jerky selfishy selves. Oh, and someone threw another bench at me. I know, right?! Well, besides the suitors and smokin' Penelope, I had a little chat with the only perosn I realy felt I could trust at the time, besides my son. This was Amphinomos, son of Nisos. He is clear minded like his father, so I had to tell someone what I had learned, while still maintaining my disguise. I first told him how man is the most fragile of all the gods creations, and how man always believes everything is okay.I said that man relies on god given talents too much. I think I told him this just because I was one of those men. I relied on the gods to give me strenth and set out whether a day would be good or bad. They controlled my life, but I now learned that I have control in my life. The result however of letting them control my life, was the state I am in now (as a beggar and as Odysseus). However, I still like relying on the gods. If Zeus and Athena do not help me slay the suitors, someone be eating dirt from the graveyard if I'm not there first. I reminded Alphinomos something else important. No man is above the law, and yes that includes the suitors. Also I told that one's gifts should be used occasionally and appreciated, but that is it. I learned this by using my strenth in fighting and competition and war as well. These did nothing but cause an obsession within me, one that I cannot stop either. Maybe after I kill the suitors I'll be off the stuff for good. We'll see. Back to the Rule of Law, I advised the suitors to stop their actions and warned them that Odysseus, me, is near and will make them pay in blood. Wow, I realy am obssessed with fighting. Oh well, its not somehting I can cure overnight. So goodnight.