You and Telemachus were twin brothers, both having been born shortly before Odysseus had to leave for war. That had been 20 years ago, and he still wasn't back. But, you and your brother always hoped.

The suitors always roamed the halls, bullying you and Telemachus. Their leader, Antinous, was the worst. But, today was one of the only days that you and Telemachus could spend time with your mother, without the interruption of the suitors. And, even though you and Telemachus were both 20, you both asked for stories of your father.

Penelope had a smile on her face as she thought of a story that she had never told before. She looked around her chambers and saw her bed; the marriage bed that her husband had made for her.

"Well, when Odysseus and I were younger, we were about to get married. It was custom for the man to build a wedding bed for... A show of love." Penelope's hesitation made it clear that it wasn't the true reason, but you and Telemachus let it pass, just listening to the story.

"But, I told him that I didn't want him to cut down a tree to make the wedding bed, since it would be dead. And Odysseus understood this, and carved a bed into an olive tree... The olive tree where we first met." Penelope looked down at the bed she was sitting on, and ran her hand along its side. The tree was still very much alive, even after all these years.