Baucis and Philemon lived in Phrygia, a part of Asia Minor.
They had been married for many years, and although they
were very poor, they were happy and loved each other
dearly. Their farm was small, and they could grow only
enough to feed themselves. Sometimes conditions made it
difficult to coax any crops out of the land, so they often
relied on the eggs of the single goose that lived on the
farm. The goose not only laid eggs, but it acted like a
watchdog, protecting the couple’s meager possessions.
One day, Zeus and Hermes decided to visit Phrygia.
Zeus, the protector of guests, wanted to see if the people
in Phrygia were being kind to visitors. Zeus and Hermes
wore ragged clothes so that no one would recognize them.
They knew that as gods they would be treated royally, but
they wanted to see how they would be welcomed as
ordinary travelers.
Thus disguised, the gods went from house to house in
Phrygia. At the door of each house the ragged strangers
asked the owners if they could rest by the fireplace and
have something to eat and drink. But each door was
slammed rudely in their faces. After this had happened
many times, Zeus began to worry. He turned to Hermes and asked, “How can anyone travel in such an
inhospitable country where everyone seems so rude and
disrespectful? Are there no people in Phrygia who are kind
to strangers? Travelers far from home should not have to go
hungry. I wonder how these rude people would feel if they
were treated the same way they have been treating us?”
Hermes had no ready answer for Zeus, and the pair
trudged along. Finally, after knocking on hundreds of doors
and being refused hospitality at each one, the disguised
gods found themselves before a hut that was smaller and
more rundown than any of the houses they had yet visited.
The house was situated near the bottom of a tall hill, and
although the farm around the house was small, the
grounds were well-tended. When the strangers knocked
on the door of the modest hut, a ragged couple appeared.
Immediately and with open arms, they invited the
strangers into their home. Ducking under the low doorway,
the disguised gods entered into the small but spotless
single room.
The couple’s names were Baucis and Philemon.
Baucis was a small woman with graying hair, a sweet face,
and a friendly smile; and her husband, Philemon, was
hard-working and strong despite his years. They were kind
