ProgLegs posted an excellent diary concerning a Mormon bishop who donned the guise of homeless man, that got me thinking about religious texts which focus on social responsibility. As was pointed out in the diary and discussed in the comment section, there's a significant number of Biblical scriptures (in both Old and New Testaments) which deal with this important topic. But the Pagan tradition also provides us with a such tales. For me, one of the best is 'The Transformation of Philemon and Baucis' in book VIII of Ovid's '”Metamorphoses” . (As a child, I first read this tale as “Story of the Mysterious Strangers”, in they young adult mythology book “Hercules and other Tales from the Greek Myths”, by Olivia E. Coolridge). There are many popular translations of this work, some are poetry, others prose. In addition, several authors in recent centuries have retold the tale, offering their own embellishment. I've done no original translation in the retelling below. I've based it on several translations, all that were quite true to the original:
Zeus and Hermes decided to visit the Earth in human form, and travel through the land known as Phrygia, posing as a pair of road-weary travelers. They went from house to house, seeking a place to rest for the evening. But they found themselves turned away, again and again. Eventually they came to the small thatched cottage of Philemon and Baucis. Although they were poor, the aged couple invited the strangers inside. The two Gods soon found themselves treated to a generous dose of country hospitality! A dinning spot was quickly cleared, the table being scrubbed down with mint. The fire was revived with a bellows, and a stew was prepared with garden-fresh cabbage and a cut of home-cured bacon. Bowls of dried fruits and olives were set out. Eggs were placed among the warm coils of the fire to roast. A bowl of home-brewed wine was mixed and set upon the table. Even though the meal was more than the couple would consume in a week, Baucis and Philemon kept pressing their guests to eat and enjoy themselves.
Eventually, the wine bowl was emptied. But as Baucis rose to fetch more, she found to her amazement the bowl refilling on it's own. The kindly couple now suspected there was something peculiar about their two guests. They both grew silent, offering up a prayer to be forgiven for the simplicity of their meal. They decided their lone goose, an animal which served as their loyal watch-dog, should be sacrificed for the meal. The poor animal put up quite a racket, as it dove around the place trying to avoid capture. Eventually the animal took refuge under the very seats of the mysterious guests. Suddenly the Gods spoke up, stating that the animal's life should be spared.
“We are Gods,” they stated, explaining “This inhospitable neighborhood shall be punished. But both of you will be rewarded”. They lead Philemon and Baucis away from their cottage and up a nearby hill. From there, they saw the land all around flooded and transformed into a lake, while their little cottage was turned into a gleaming temple. The Gods then told the couple they would grant anything they wished for. The couple stated that they wished to be priest and priestess of the two Gods, and serve in the gleaming temple. Once again the Gods were impressed with these two pious mortals, so they asked if there was perhaps anything additional they desired--perhaps something more directly for themselves. Philemon and Baucis explained that they had been together for many years, and that in that time never a harsh word had passed between them. They asked that when the time of death came for one, that not one hour would pass before the other would follow.
For many years the couple served faithfully in the temple. Each evening, they walked to a nearby grove to reminisce over old times. But as the years passed, and advanced old age began to overtake them, getting to their favorite spot took longer and longer. One evening, after a particularly painful struggle, leaning on each other for strength, one of them started to fall in death. The other reached out a steadying arm. Yet suddenly their backs straightened and their arms grew stiff and strong. Both Philemon and Baucis were transformed into two stately trees.
In the land of Phrygia, near the ruins of an ancient temple, these two great trees still grow. Local people say that on certain nights you can hear the trees whisper to each other, as they branches gently touch in the breeze.
Ovid's original (written in 'Ovidian' hexameter) goes into considerable detail describing the items of the meal and how food was prepared. For brevity, I have cut most of that out. However, as I mentioned above, various story tellers have expanded on this story. Sometimes the utensils used during the meal start to transform into gold. Just as the wine mysteriously refilled, bread and other items of food miraculously replenish themselves. Sometimes the tale even get's de-Paganized to a degree, and instead of a temple to the Gods, the poor couple's cottage is transformed into a castle. Oddly, Baucis and Philemon go unmentioned by other authors from classic times. Yet, there's good evidence the tale was well known. In the Acts of the Apostles, it seems Paul and his companion Barnabas were mistaken for two Gods when traveling in nearby Lycaonia. It seems the locals were familiar with Ovid's tale and feared their hospitality was being tested! The two Christians had quite a difficult time convincing the suspicious town-folk otherwise.
Further reading:
Books:
“Myths of the Greeks and Romans” by Micheal Grant.
On the web:
There's a great deal about Ovid on the net. A good place to start:
http://ovid.lib.virginia.edu/
A fine prose translation has been done by A.S. Kline:
http://www.poetryintranslation.com/...