en she "smiled on him, and stroked him with her hand" after he made up that long, detailed story to try and trick her. This shows her appreciation for his great ability to deceive. She enjoys how he uses his resourcefulness in making up this story. Athene, once again, helps out Odysseus and Penelope in book 23 when she lengthens the nighttime, because both Penelope and Odysseus are similar in that they are quick-witted and cunning. Athene's help is described by the quote:
             Now Dawn of the rosy fingers would have dawned on their weeping, had not the gray-eyed goddess Athene planned it otherwise. She held the long night back at the outward edge, she detained Dawn of the golden throne by the Ocean, and would not let her harness her fast-footed horses who bring the daylight to people... (XXIII.241-246).
             Athene does things to help Odysseus, because she wants him to fulfill his goal and receive his homecoming. Athene has so much respect for Odysseus that she w
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