They were poor, but they were never unhappy. They had many hives of bees
from which they got honey, and many vines from which they gathered
grapes. One old cow gave them all the milk that they could use, and they
had a little field in which grain was raised.

The old couple had as much as they needed, and were always ready to
share whatever they had with any one in want. No stranger was ever
turned from their door.

At the foot of the hill lay a beautiful village, with pleasant roads and
rich pasture lands all around. But it was full of wicked, selfish,
people, who had no love in their hearts and thought only of themselves.

At the time of this story, the people in the village were very busy.
Zeus, who they believed ruled the world, had sent word that he was about
to visit them. They were preparing a great feast and making everything
beautiful for his coming.

One evening, just at dark, two beggars came into the valley. They
stopped at every house and asked for food and a place to sleep; but the
people were too busy or too tired to attend to their needs. They were
thinking only of the coming of Zeus.

Footsore and weary, the two beggars at last climbed the hill to the hut
of Philemon and Baucis. These good people had eaten very little, for
they were saving their best food for Zeus.

When they saw the beggars, Philemon said, "Surely these men need food
more than Zeus. They look almost starved."