The story of Philemon and Baucis

Retold by Anna Sheridan

Story 3

27

Many, many years ago, two travelers were on the road. One was an older man, the other perhaps was his son. They were traveling through a very poor part of the country and they were hungry, thirsty and tired. So they stopped at a small cottage for help.

‘Good evening,’ said the older man to a young woman who was standing outside the door. ‘We are two tired travelers. Could you give us something to eat and drink, please?’

The woman looked angrily at them. ‘No, I can’t!’ she said. ‘I am very poor and I don’t have enough food for myself or my family!

Glossary

cottage: (n) the dwelling of a farm laborer or small farmer spare: (adj.) not abundant or plentiful. Nothing to share. They knocked at the door of another cottage. A middle aged man opened it. ‘Please can you help us?’ asked the younger traveler. ‘We are tired and hungry. Would you give somewhere to rest and something to eat?’

‘No, I’m sorry. We have nothing to spare,’ said the man shutting the door in their faces.

The two travellers stopped at cottage after cottage in the small village, but the answer was always the same. ‘We can’t help you.’ No, we have no food to share.’ Sorry, we can’t give you shelter. Can’t you see we have no room in our small house?’ Glossary

shelter: (n.) an establishment that houses and feeds

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Finally they came to the last cottage in the village. It looked smaller and poorer than all the others, but they knocked on the door all the same. It was the house of Philemon and his wife Baucis. This old couple had lived here all their married life.

Philemon opened the door and saw the tired strangers. ‘Can we have some food and drink?’ they asked. ‘Of course you can!’ said Philemon. ‘Please come in and rest!’

He called his wife. ‘Baucis, please would you bring some food for these two strangers, and I will serve them some wine.’

Glossary

olives: (pl.n.) a fruit from a Mediterranean evergreen tree that is an important food and source of oil ‘Please forgive us. We do not have very much, but we are happy to share it with you,’ said Baucis as she put some bread and olives on the table for the two travellers. ‘This is very kind of you!’ said the older man.

Philemon poured wine for his guests, and they talked and drank for a while. He then noticed that the wine pitcher seemed to get fuller as they drank! And the wine seemed to be of a much better quality than he could afford! ‘Who were these guests?’ he wondered. Glossary

pitcher: (n.) a container for holding and pouring liquids that usually has a lip or spout and a handle

Philemon called his wife aside and said, ‘Let us kill our goose and prepare a good meal for the strangers.’ Baucis agreed. The old couple tried to catch the animal but it ran around and around the yard and finally ran into the arms of their two guests.

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“We are so sorry” the old couple said. ‘’We’re afraid your meal will be very poor indeed!’

The young stranger laughed. ‘Don’t worry. We’ve had a wonderful time! Everyone else in the village turned us away but you have been kind. I am Hermes and this is my father Zeus.”

Zeus is standing speaking to the kneeling figures of the old couple.

Glossary

reward: (n.) something that is given in return for good or evil done or received or that is offered or given for some service or attainment The old couple were frightened to find these important gods in their house. Zeus said: ‘I wanted to come down here to see if there was any love or hospitality left in the world of humans. And I found it with you. What would you like as a reward?’

Philemon said: ‘We only want to live together for what little time is left.’ ‘And then to die together,” added Baucis.

‘It shall be as you wish,’ said Zeus. ‘Walk up the hill and when you get to the top look back,’ he ordered.

When they reached the top they looked back. The village was gone but their house, now large and comfortable, was still standing. They lived there in love and harmony for some years more. When they died they were changed into an olive tree with two trunks, so they could stay together forever.

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