Join us at the campfire for tales from around the world, told by storytellers of all backgrounds and creeds. From the heros and heroines of old, let us relearn and rediscover the wisdom of our ancestors. Shhh..the story begins..

One day, finding themselves bored on Mount Olympus, Zeus and Hermes decided to disguise themselves as humans and visit the Earth below to see what life was like for mortals. In town and city, they found it virtually impossible to obtain a bed for the night or even a meal, despite the fact that offering a welcome to strangers was central to the Greek code of conduct.

In Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor, they spent a day in a village where they could obtain neither food nor lodging, not even for money. Tired and hungry, the two gods arrived at a peasant hut located on a hill just outside the city. It was the home of an elderly married couple named Baucis and Philemon.

To the relief of Zeus and Hermes, they were immediately offered shelter. Baucis offered them a meal, apologizing all the while for its frugal nature, but assuring the visitors that it was the best she had and that she and her husband would share it with them. They sat down at the table, and Philemon, unaware of the true identity of their visitors, offered a prayer of thanks to the Almighty Zeus, who resided on Mount Olympus, for their life, their contentment, and the honor of their guests.

While Baucis served what food there was with grace and generosity, Philemon opened their only wine vessel and poured the thin, sour liquid into a serving bowl. Then they ate, drank, and chatted.

Not surprisingly after their previous experiences, Zeus and Hermes were touched and delighted by the hospitality. At first, they said nothing but, as the evening wore on, Baucis and Philemon noticed that the bowl of wine remained full, no matter how deeply the guests drank. Suddenly it dawned on the couple that these were no ordinary travelers and, humbled and alarmed, they fell to their knees, apologizing for not having recognized their divine visitors.

The two gods then admitted who they truly were and reassured the frightened Baucis and Philemon. Then they led them from their modest house and further up the hill. When Baucis and Philemon turned to look back, they found their valley was now filled with water and that the inhospitable village below had completely vanished beneath a glimmering blue lake. Their little cottage had become a small temple upon its shore.

Zeus praised them for their piety and generosity and offered them any reward they might choose. Although they could have asked for riches or power, the couple requested only that they be allowed to tend the shrine as priest and priestess. Impressed by their modesty, Zeus urged them to ask for something more. After consulting with each other for a moment, Baucis and Philemon decided upon a special favor...that they should die at the same moment since neither one would be able to endure the thought of living without the other.

Zeus had no difficulty in agreeing to this request. He promised them their wish would come to pass. Then he and Hermes disappeared, leaving the couple shaken but delighted. Philemon and Baucis lived together by the lakeside for many wonderful years tending the shrine. They remained as pious and humble as ever they had been and never failed to offer hospitality and shelter to anyone who passed by. Because the temple was well-attended, never again did they see a day of poverty. Eventually, tired but so very contented, they were changed at death into two trees, in acknowledgment of their virtue. Philemon became an oak and, close beside him, Baucis lived on as a linden.