BAUCIS AND PHILEMON

Baucis and Philemon

- An old married couple

- Living in Phrygia

- Welcomed Jupiter and Mercury whole-heartedly

Jupiter and Mercury (Zeus and Hermes in Greek) disguised themselves as humans and descended on Earth to test the hospitality of the people living in Phrygia. Since they are disguised as peasants, nobody welcomed them except for Baucis and Philemon who welcomed them with open arms. Even though they are poor, they did their best to make their visitors comfortable.

When the couple realized that the people before them were gods, they asked the gods for forgiveness because of their poor refreshments. They told the gods that they have a goose and they will catch it for them. But alas, they failed. Still, since they are good to the two gods, they rewarded the couple by punishing their neighbors who are rude to them. When asked for what they want, the couple told the gods that they do not want to be torn apart even by death. 

The time of their death came, and instead of dying the common way, they were turned into a linden and an oak that grows from one trunk.