Odysseus disguised as the beggar tells Penelope that Odysseus was with the Thesprotians gathering treasure, but that he has gone to Dodona to determine's Zeus' high mind. Odysseus says that Odysseus has lost all his crew on the Thrinacian island, but has himself survived and will be coming back to Ithaca soon.

Odysseus tells Penelope that he is a friend of her husband who is held captive by Calypso on the island of Ogygia. He mentions that he is a warrior from Ithaca, and that he has been trying to find his way home for many years.

Odysseus makes up a story about himself being from Crete. He spins a story of meeting Odysseus before the war, and hearing about him after the war from the Thesprotians, where he is still alive, but preparing to journey home. He further describes himself 20 years ago to such detail that Penelope has no doubt that he has actually met Odysseus.