Not upon the shore-line supposed to represent ancient Greece, but immediately facing the audience waved a giant American flag. On either side were the Scout flags, one bearing the imprint of an eagle’s wing, the insignia of the Girl Scouts, the other an elm tree, the flag of the boys.
At four o’clock in the afternoon the pageant began.
Before that hour not only were the seats filled but a number of people were standing.
A guest of honor of the occasion was one of the distinguished men who originated the Scout movement for boys in the United States. Another guest of honor was a member of the National Girl Council, who had come up from the headquarters in New York for no other reason than to be present at the pageant.
With simple Scout ceremonies the entertainment opened.
A few moments after the applause had subsided, a beautiful resonant voice read aloud the first lines describing the Odyssey:
| “Sing us the song of the hero, steadfast, skilful and strong, Taker of Troy’s high towers who wandered for ten years long Over the perilous waters, through unknown cities of men, Leading his comrades onward, seeking his home again. Sing us the song of the Wanderer, sing us the wonderful song.” |
A moment later slowly rowing down the stream appeared a solitary figure, Odysseus, seated upon a raft to which were fixed sails and a rudder.
Before reaching the place along the shore where the boat, built by Odysseus on the island of Calypso, was to land, a storm was supposed to beset the hero. The audience beholds him struggle with the storm and then reach a safe harbor.
On the shore he piles up branches and lies down upon a bed of leaves.