| Baucis & Philemon |  |
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Somewhere deep in the Phrygian hill country two trees grew from a single trunk. This in itself was strange. But, stranger still, is the fact that one tree was oak, the other a linden. |
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| These trees tell the story of Baucis and Philemon a story from Roman mythology. |  |
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One day Jupiter, king of the gods, decided to test the people of Phrygia. He had a plan that sounded like quite an adventure. "I shall descend to through Phrysia, knocking on doors and asking for food and shelter. I will see for myself just how hospitable the Phrygian people are. |
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| Mercury? .... Mercury! the messanger." |  |
| "Yes, Lord?" "You are the cleverest of all the gods. You are also a good companion to me. Would you like to take part in a very special adventure?" "I am always ready for an adventure. Lord. " "Good. I shall explain it to you." | |
| Hospitality was very important to Jupiter, you see, because he was the special protector of all travelers. Therefore, this test was more than simply an adventure. | |
| Throughout Phrygia they went, Jupiter and Mercury, virtually unrecognizable. They knocked and begged and were refused again and again. Many times the refusals were insolent and deprecating . "Get out you bums! Don't you know better than to knock on the doors of decent people?" Finally they came to a tiny cottage, crudely thatched of marsh reeds. The circumstances were so obviously poor that the god nearly passed by. | |
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"Surely if the rich and the middle class turned us away, the poor will also. "Nevertheless, they knocked. And a cheerful voice answered, "Enter, please." The doorway was small. Jupiter and Mercury had to bend down to pass through. They did so with reluctance. However, on the inside a nice surprise awaited them. |
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| "Welcome, dear travelers. Our home is poor, but it is clean, dry and warm. Please sit down and rest your tired feet." "We have nothing fancy to eat, but what we have is good and filling. I'll put a fresh cabbage in the kettle to cook." "My name is Philemon and this is my wife, Baucis. We have lived here all of our married lives. That is a long time. As you can see, we are old |  |
| "Here are some radishes and olives to eat while the cabbage is cooking. Afterward, we'll have figs, plums, and apples, all grown right here in our own back yard." "Oh, and we have a goose! I'll go catch the "goose and we'll cook him with the cabbage." | |
| Baucis said, "Don't worry, dear travelers. It's no trouble. Philemon will be right back. She looks at the table and it is crooked. Perhaps one of you could help me. One leg is too short, you see, and I have been propping it with a piece of broken pottery. | |
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Philemon? Philemon, haven't you caught that goose yet?" I'm sorry, my friends. It seems the goose is much faster than I. But if you'll have patience, I'll go out and try again.", said Philemon. "What's that you say? You have plenty? You're very kind, sirs." "Well then, since we won't be having the goose, we must have wine to make the dinner a little more festive. Baucis, bring us a bowl of some water. " "We dilute the wine, of course. It's pretty strong otherwise. Besides, it lasts longer this way." "fetch the wine, Baucis." |
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"They're very nice people these travelers, said Philemon. I hope we've made them happy." "We've done the best we could, my dear. The best we could." "Philemon! I need to speak to you. Privately! said Baucis." "Please excuse us for just a moment." |
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| "Did you see what happened to the wine? Each time you filled their cups, the wine level in the bowl remained the same. It is mysteriously replacing itself ! " "I noticed, said Philemon This can only mean one thing, my dear...We are in the presence of gods! " "Oh, Philemon, I'm afraid!" | |
| Baucis and Philemon had nothing to fear. The gods were well pleased. To show their appreciation and their pleasure, Jupiter and Mercury offered to reward the old couple with any wishes they might choose. | |
| True to their unselfish natures, Baucis and Philemon asked for only two things that their humble cottage be turned into a temple where they might worship the gods, and that they might die together when their lives were finished. Bark grew up around their bodies, and their arms put forth leaves. Smiling throughout the transition, Baucis and Philemon were as content and happy in death as they were in life |  |
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Somewhere deep in the Phrygian hill country two trees grow from a single trunk. This in itself is strange. But, stranger still, is that one tree is an oak, the other a linden. A man...and a woman...Perhaps, it isn't so strange after all. |
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The End... |
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