Book+11

**Lost in India -- Monsoon -- Cobra Attack -- Saved by a Mystical Man -- Brought to Shelter -- Leave in Order to Continue His Voyage**
Odysseus, who was drooling on himself, was lying peacefully upon some unknown, rocky substance. Upon the horizon, rays of sunlight came to view. This awoke Odysseus from his restless slumber. He breathes in a deep breath of shallow, humid air to get his body moving, only to feel more disoriented than before. At long last, did his brain actually begin to function. Then he became aware of where he may be, for he could only see immense amount of tall trees and feel the hard pebble-like ground under him. Slowly he began to stumble on up, when suddenly Odysseus was whipped with a strong gush of wind and raindrops trickling his bare flesh. But this rain was not like any rain he ever experience. Initially the rain was like harmless little raindrops tapping against him, but then, oh-so-rapidly, it became more like buckets of rain ripping against him. He was fully drenched, head to toe, in a manner of seconds. While the rain was slashing him around he began to realize where he was finally.

He then thought to himself, ‘Ah, this must be one of those oh-so-famous Indian monsoon.’

Odysseus then embarked on a search for some form of shelter. But on his search, he unexpectedly found himself face-to-face with a deadly cobra. But apparently not just one cobra, there was over ten cobras surrounding. They all began to approach Odysseus as a pack of ravenous wolves would when they have spotted their delicious prey, a helpless elk sitting in the middle of the clearing, even so did the cobras slither towards Odysseus. These cobras were lethal; one tiny bite would have Odysseus lying dead in minutes. He would have run, but the smart deadly little cobras had boxed him in. Unlucky Odysseus was too dehydrated to make any attempt to scream, even though that would seem to be quite unhelpful at this moment. The eager cobras continue to advance towards Odysseus. So all he could do was wait for the unavoidable sense of death to take over soon. While waiting, a mysterious noise broke through the barrier of silence. The noise seemed to be some kind of beautiful music. All Odysseus could do was listen to the lovely music, unaware whether this was a good sign or a bad one, also whether if he should be rejoicing or cowering in fear. He felt quite perplex about his current predicament, so all he choose to do was to stand as still as possible, when something odd happened. The once vicious cobras, which were ready to pounce on any given moment, were now slowly gliding peacefully away.

Odysseus was mystified of his luck; full of shock of how close he had came to an unhappy death. But that honestly did not matter at this moment, all he wanted was to find where his beloved protector was. And then someone emerged from behind the trees with something that looked like a wooden flute in his hands. The goddess Athena, daughter of Zeus, who has been watching Odysseus from the very beginning, sent him. Athena had given the man some intuition to go and search for a man that would be in danger.

Initially the man was yelling at him, in an unfamiliar foreign tongue, with deep concern weaved into his voice. The strange man then must have realized that poor Odysseus could not understand, for he then switched to speak in English. Even though his English was diluted with a heavy accent, it was beyond wonderful for Odysseus to hear his messiah voice. Odysseus then stutters to thank and worship him for what he had done. Odysseus embraces him with great devotion. Then they begin to actually introduce themselves.

“My dear, savior what is the name that has been blessed upon you?” asked Odysseus.

The nameless man then said to Odysseus, “I am Akash, son of Vijayan. I am a farmer and it is also my job to protect my people from the cobras, like the ones that tried to kill you before. “

“Thank you, oh great Akash, for you are savior and I will always remain in debt to you," proclaimed Odysseus. "I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, from New York back in the States.

As they were about to continue their conversation, they noticed that the rain still coming down hard and decided it would be best to find shelter. Akash offered Odysseus to stay at his home, and he accepted his offer.

Odysseus trailed Akash the farmer to his hut-like home. Then Akash introduced him to his wonderful wife and four little children. Although his wife and kids did not know English they still interacted with him, and did everything in their power to make him comfortable. They had welcomed Odysseus into their home with a great deal of hospitality. They treated him as though he were some long lost family member. As they waited out the storm, Odysseus shared some of stories with Akash’s family. Odysseus entertained the kids and watched them frolic, only to remind him of his family back home. He knew then that he could not postpone his trip home.

It was time to leave this beautiful family, but to return to his very own beautiful family. Akash fully understood and began to help him prepare for his departure. Then Akash presented Odysseus with some food and money, also an unexpected gift. Akash had taken the time to carve out a flute for Odysseus made out of bamboo.

“Take this, my friend, it will help you on your way home; it will keep the cobras away,” offered Akash to Odysseus.

Odysseus was struck speechless. He could not believe this abundant amount of kindness that he offered to him. He felt the need to cry.

Odysseus praised him and promised, “Soon, when I return to the sanction of my home, I will find some way to repay you and your beloved family for everything.”

They exchanged heartfelt farewells, but Odysseus could not stay here any longer. Odysseus continued his voyage home, to his family. Unaware of where he may blunder upon next.

BYAnnmaria Vincent