Tales told by characters other than Odysseus comprise a significant part of the Odyssey. Unlike theoxeny, romance, Argonautic myth, or apocalypse, these tales do not inform the structure of the Odyssey, they reflect it, and have a more local impact and function. While he is Menelaus' guest, Telemachos hears two such tales, Helen's account of Odysseus entering Troy disguised as a beggar (Od. 4.242–58), and Menelaus' tale of how he wrestled the sea god Proteus (Od. 4.351–586). Both tales employ themes central to the Odyssey, disguise and espionage (Od. 4.242–58), wandering and prophecy (Od. 4.351–586), serving as miniatures of key parts of the epic's larger story. Helen's tale of Odysseus as a spy, disguised as a beggar to gain intelligence before Troy's destruction, prefigures his approach to the suitors, which will result in their apocalyptic destruction. The episode also serves as a miniature of one of the epic's favorite scenarios: Odysseus encounters a powerful female and comes to terms with her. Menelaus' tale of being stranded on Pharos and wrestling Proteus prefigures Odysseus' wanderings, the prophecy he receives from Teiresias, and the climactic events on Thrinakia.

Both tales, however, have significant connections outside the Odyssey as well. Old Testament myth has a close counterpart for each narrative. When Joshua sends spies into Jericho, the narrative ignores intelligence gathering, focusing instead on their meeting with the prostitute Rahab, and her efforts to keep them safe and prevent their identities from being disclosed (Josh. 2).