On a small hill in Phrygia stand two trees. One is an Oak, the other is a Linden. The hill is surrounded by marshy waters. The land is unfit for man or beast. But it wasn't always this way. Once this area was rich farmland filled with cottages.

One day, long ago, Zeus decided to leave Olympus and visit earth. He brought his son Hermes with him. To disguise themselves, they dressed as poor beggars. Zeus wanted to find out how kind the people of earth would be to two ragged travelers. Together they journeyed to the country of Phrygia.

The two gods knocked at the doors of many cottages and fine houses. But at each place they were rudely sent away. "Begone, beggars!" the people cried. "We don't want your kind around here!" It seemed there was no one who would help two strangers. Zeus grew angrier and angrier at the unkind behavior of these mortals.

Finally they arrived at a small miserable cottage that looked poorer than all the others. An elderly man and woman opened the door. "Welcome to our home," they said. 'Please come in and warm yourselves by the fire. We haven't much to offer, but you are welcome to all we do have." The woman's name was Baucis (bah' sis); her husband was Philemon (fi lee' mun). They had been married for many years, and each was the other's best friend.

"Sit down," Baucis urged as she spread a thin cloth forthe visitors. The old couple quickly began preparing a meal for their hungry guests. In no time at all, they served plates of stew, radishes, olives, cheese, and eggs. As a special treat, Philemon proudly brought forth a small pitcher of wine.

As his guests ate, Philemon watched carefully to see that their wine glasses were kept filled. But no matter how much he poured, the small pitcher was always full! When he and Baucis noticed what was happening, they fell to their knees. They knew now that their guests must be gods!

"Mighty gods, forgive us," they begged. "We should have prepared better food for you than a simple stew! We have a goose outside. Let us kill it and serve you a true feast!"

But Zeus stepped forward, a smile on his face. "Good Philemon, gentle Baucis. You alone of all your neighbors have greeted two poor travelers with kindness. Your generosity will be rewarded. Come, step outside."

Zeus and Hermes led the two old people up a hill. They turned around and looked down at the village. Within moments every cottage, farm, and tree was covered with water. No building remained standing; no creature remained alive. It was as if the town had never been there at all. Suddenly a great white palace appeared on the hill, not far from where Philemon and Baucis stood.

"This palace will be your new home," said Zeus. "Your neighbors have been punished for their wickedness. Now, how else may we reward you?"

Philemon and Baucis looked at each other. Then Philemon spoke. "Great Zeus, let this palace become your temple. Allow my wife and me to serve you as priests." Zeus was pleased with their request. He quickly agreed.

"But is there nothing else you would like?" he asked.

This time Baucis spoke. "My husband and I have spent a lifetime together. Please allow us to die together so one will not have to be on this earth without the other."

The gods agreed. "You have many years left to live," said Zeus. "But I promise that your lives will end as you wish."

One day, years later, Baucis and Philemon were standing together at the temple. They were quite old now. Their years had been happy and full of contentment. As he turned to his wife, Philemon noticed small green leaves curling through her hair. He saw that her skin was turning a dark brown. Philemon looked down at his own arms. They looked like the limbs of a tree. Baucis looked tenderly at her husband. Both knew that their lives on earth were about to end. "Good-bye, dear wife," Philemon said. Baucis smiled at him. In seconds their mouths were covered with bark. Soon only an Oak tree and a Linden tree were left standing before the temple.

Write what these sentences from the story mean.

1. "Begone, beggars' the people cried. "We don't want your kind around here!"



2. "You alone of all your neighbors have greeted two poor travelers with kindness."



3. Please allow us to die together so one will not have to be on this earth without the other."



4. Their years had been happy and full of contentment.



5. Do you think that the people of Phrygia were wrong to send two strangers away? Why or why not?



6. Would you let a stranger into your home? Explain your answer.



7. Do you feel that Zeus was wrong to punish the people of Phrygia? Why or why not?



8. Why do you think Baucis and Philemon wanted to die together?