Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #6
The Chalice of the Gods
by Rick Riordan
Contents
4. I Take a Himbo for Smoothies
Overview
Percy receives the first response to his divine recommendation ad when Ganymede, Zeus’s cupbearer, approaches him on the subway. At Himbo Juice, Ganymede reveals that the chalice of the gods, his essential symbol of office, has been stolen.
The request gives Percy, Annabeth, and Grover their first concrete quest toward earning Percy’s college recommendation letters. The stolen chalice also raises the stakes because the problem involves Zeus’s household and requires secrecy.
Summary
The next day, Percy gets through a full school day, including meeting the swim team and learning his first meet is on Thursday. After school, while riding the F train to meet Annabeth and Grover at Himbo Juice, a young-looking, gold-adorned god approaches Percy and freezes the other subway passengers.
The god introduces himself as Ganymede, Zeus’s cupbearer, and says he needs Percy’s help. Because Annabeth and Grover are waiting, Percy brings Ganymede to Himbo Juice instead of hearing the request on the train.
At the smoothie bar, Annabeth and Grover quickly identify Ganymede. Annabeth connects him to the myth of Zeus carrying him away as an eagle, which explains why Ganymede panics when he hears the name of Annabeth’s Golden Eagle smoothie.
Ganymede explains that he saw Percy’s help-wanted ad and confirms that a recommendation letter would be his reward if Percy helps him. Percy begins to ask what he must do, but Annabeth and Grover correct him, insisting the quest belongs to all three of them.
After demanding secrecy, Ganymede describes his miserable modern work as cupbearer, now mostly divine drink deliveries. He finally reveals the real crisis: his most important symbol of office, the chalice of the gods, has been stolen.
Who Appears
- Percy JacksonReceives the first godly request and brings Ganymede to meet his friends.
- GanymedeZeus’s cupbearer; asks for discreet help recovering his stolen chalice.
- Annabeth ChaseIdentifies Ganymede, explains his history, and insists on joining the quest.
- Grover UnderwoodMeets Ganymede at Himbo Juice and joins Annabeth in supporting Percy.