But now, as calves in stalls when cows come home,
droves of them herded back from field to farmyard
once they’ve grazed their fill – as all their young calves
come frisking out to meet them, bucking out of their pens,
lowing nonstop, jostling, rushing round their mothers –
so my shipmates there at the sight of my return
came pressing round me now, streaming tears,
so deeply moved in their hearts they felt as if
they’d made it back to their own land.
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 10, lines 452-460. Odysseus’ shipmates are delighted to see him return safe and sound from Circe’s home. An extended simile compares their happiness to that of young calves rejoicing to be reunited with their mothers when they home from the field.