PHILEMON AND BAUCIS.
A long time ago, on a high hill, lived old Philemon and his good wife Baucis.
They were poor, but they were two of the kindestold people that ever lived. Often they went without their supper to give it to some traveler.
One evening, Philemon and Baucis sat on their door-step looking at the sunset.
Soon they saw two travelers coming up the hill. Some children ran after them, shouting and setting their dogs on them.
“Come, Wife,” said Philemon. “Let us go and meet these travelers.”
“You go to them,” said Baucis, “while I get them some bread and milk.”
Philemon went to meet the travelers and said, “Welcome, strangers! Welcome!”
He asked them to come in to supper. Baucis gave the travelers bread and milk and honey.
On the table stood a pitcher half full of milk.
The travelers quickly drank the milk.
“What good milk!” said one of them. “May I have a little more, kind Baucis?”
“I am sorry,” said Baucis, “but there is no more milk.”
“Why,” said the traveler, “here is more milk!”
He took the pitcher and filled both bowls.
Baucis looked into the pitcher, and saw thewhite milk running in from the side. Soon it was full.
“May I have some bread, Mother Baucis,” said the traveler, “and a little of that honey?”
Baucis cut him some and found that the bread was no longer old and hard as it was when she and Philemon ate of it.
And, oh, the honey! It was better than any honey they had ever eaten.
“Who are you, wonderful travelers?” said Philemon.
“Your friends, my good Philemon. After this the pitcher will always be full of milk for you and Baucis, and for poor travelers.”
The next morning the travelers asked Philemon and Baucis to walk with them and show them the road.
When Philemon and Baucis turned to go back, the older traveler said, “Good Philemon and Baucis, you gave us not only milk and bread but also a kind welcome. Ask for anything you want, and you shall have it.”
Philemon and Baucis looked at each other and said, “Grant that we may die together.”
“You shall have your wish,” said the traveler. “Now look at your home.”
They saw a beautiful white castle standing where their little house had been.
The old people fell on their knees to give thanks. When they looked up, the travelers were not there.
Philemon and Baucis lived in the castle a long, long time. One morning they could not be found.
The people looked everywhere for them. At last they saw two large trees standing in front of the castle.
One was an oak, the other was a linden-tree. The people wondered where they came from. Just then the wind began to blow, and the trees seemed to be talking.
“I am Philemon,” said the Oak.
“I am Baucis,” said the Linden.
Whenever a traveler rested under the trees, the leaves seemed to say, “Welcome, dear traveler! Welcome!”
Nathaniel Hawthorne(Adapted).