[THE LINDEN AND THE OAK]
Greek
Two grand trees stood on a hill near a lake. One was an oak with wide branches. The other was a linden.
"Man and wife," the people called them, and when asked why, said, "Because it is true. Once they could walk around and talk. Now they stand there side by side forever. But you can hear them whisper to each other sometimes."
And if asked, "Who were they?" even the little children would say, "Why, Philemon and Baucis."
Many children had these names in those days, and knew the story of the two trees well, for there were none like them anywhere else in the land.
It was said that these two people who lived in such strange form were once a poor old couple, and their home was a wretched house in the valley. Simple, honest, and quiet, they had little to do with their bustling neighbors.
One evening two strangers walked into the village, and stopping at the first house to ask for food, were sent away in a hurry.
"We work for a living and have nothing for those who don't. Go away."
They were told the same at the next house, and at the next, all down the street. Tired and hungry, they neared the cottage where Philemon and Baucis lived.