Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #6
The Chalice of the Gods
by Rick Riordan
Contents
23. Ganymede Explodes All the Beverages
Overview
Percy’s school day deepens the danger around Ganymede’s stolen chalice: Eudora panics at the name Gary, while Ganymede confirms that Zeus could demand the chalice at any moment. Percy’s focus shifts from merely earning a recommendation letter to genuinely wanting to help Ganymede escape further humiliation and fear. Despite researching at the library, Percy finds no clear answers and faces Monday’s search feeling unprepared.
Summary
On Friday, Percy returns to school still sore from the Elisson fight, distracted by Sally’s pregnancy, and unprepared for a science quiz. During third period, Eudora summons Percy to the guidance office. Percy updates Eudora on Iris’s clue: Ganymede’s chalice may be in Washington Square Park with someone named Gary.
Eudora reacts with alarm and tries to redirect Percy toward community college instead of New Rome University, implying that Gary is dangerous. When Percy presses Eudora for guidance, Eudora refuses to explain and escapes through a green whirlpool, leaving Percy with only the sense that Gary frightens even a Nereid.
At lunch, Ganymede appears and anxiously demands news. Percy explains the Washington Square Park lead and the plan to search for the thief using nectar. Ganymede admits he has many enemies and does not know who Gary might be, but he becomes more desperate when Percy mentions Iris’s warning about the Epulum Minerva feast a week from Sunday.
Ganymede’s distress causes drinks around the cafeteria to erupt from students’ cups. Ganymede warns Percy that Zeus may call for a toast at any time before the feast, and without the chalice Ganymede will be exposed and punished. After urging Percy not to fail him, Ganymede leaves to refill the spilled drinks.
That afternoon, Percy goes to the library to research Gary, despite his dyslexia and difficulty with books. Internet searches and mythology indexes provide no useful answer beyond unrelated names like Geryon, the Gray Sisters, and Garm. Percy then tries to study but cannot focus, torn between his school goals and the looming quest.
While struggling with schoolwork, Percy thinks about Ganymede’s fear and trauma, comparing Ganymede’s haunted expression to Elisson’s after Percy hurt the river god. Percy reflects that Ganymede was kidnapped by Zeus and trapped in immortality, and Percy realizes he now wants to recover the chalice not just for a recommendation letter but to help Ganymede. Percy goes home feeling unprepared for Monday and soon learns he will not even get restful sleep.
Who Appears
- Percy JacksonStruggles with school, investigates Gary, and becomes emotionally invested in helping Ganymede.
- GanymedeAnxious cupbearer god whose fear of Zeus makes the stolen chalice urgently important.
- EudoraPercy’s Nereid guidance counselor; panics at Gary’s name and flees without explaining.
- GaryUnseen suspected chalice thief whose reputation frightens Eudora and worries Percy.
- ZeusAbsent but threatening god whose possible toast could expose Ganymede’s missing chalice.
- Sicky FrogEudora’s silent office companion, present during Percy’s unsuccessful attempt to get answers.