Journal X: The Beggar's Return and the Faithful Dog
In the rosy dawn the ship left me on the shore of my own land. I had hidden myself under a cloak so they would not see the form I was in. I went to my house, and found that it was exactly as Athena had described. I did not enter, but instead went to the hut of my swineherd Eumaeus. I did not reveal myself and discovered that he longed for the return of his old master. When Telemachus returned from his long journey searching for news of me, and I saw him from afar coming toward the place where I was staying. I recognized him immediately and when he came closer I ran out and embraced him forgetting my form. He pulled away from me in disgust and questioned my identity.
"I am your father Odysseus returned from Troy." At that moment Athena lifted the disguise, and Telemachus believed. He began to weep and embraced me, but the swineherd's eyes were shielded by Athena. I warned him to tell no one, not even Penelope. Telemachus returned to the house, and I followed him accompanied by Eumaeus. Only one being recognized me. As we passed the gate the dog Argos lifted his head at the sound of my voice. He was but a puppy when I had left. He had been left to rot with the cow manure that would be used for fertilizer. A tear came from my eye as Argos smiled at me (as dogs smile) and lay his head down letting out his last breath. I wiped the first tear away, but more came. My dog had waited for me for twenty years.
The suitors treated me with utter contempt to say the very least, but Penelope, bless her soul, ordered them to stop, and treated me as was due a stranger. I told her that I had news of her husband and, in her joy, she admonished Telemachus for letting the suitors abuse me. She invited me to come later and talk.
After the suitors left Telemachus and I discussed plans for getting rid of the suitors. Then I went to my wife and told her about the brave Odysseus, making up false origins, and claiming to have met him on my travels. She wept with joy and despair, and called my old maid to come and wash my feet. As the maid washed she came to the scar on my leg and recognized me. I shook my head at her when she was about to tell, and she remained silent. After we left the most beautiful Penelope I swore her to secrecy.
I went around the house the next day asking questions of the servants, finding the disloyal. That night Telemachus, the swineherd, and I finished devising our plans to get rid of the suitors.