Myths and Legendary Heroes | Page 4

different from the one we got in the village; pray
why do you live in such a bad place?"
"I think," answered Philemon, "that Providence put me here just to
make up as best I can for other people's unkindness."
The traveler laughed heartily, and Philemon was glad to see him in
such good spirits. He took a good look at him and his companion. The
younger man was very thin, and was dressed in an odd kind of way.
Though it was a summer evening, he wore a cloak which was wrapped
tightly about him; and he had a cap on his head, the brim of which
stuck out over both ears. There was something queer too about his
shoes, but as it was getting dark, Philemon could not see exactly what
they were like.
One thing struck Philemon very much, the traveler was so wonderfully
light and active that it seemed as if his feet were only kept close to the
ground with difficulty. He had a staff in his hand which was the
oddest-looking staff Philemon had seen. It was made of wood and had
a little pair of wings near the top. Two snakes cut into the wood were
twisted round the staff, and these were so well carved that Philemon
almost thought he could see them wriggling.
The older man was very tall, and walked calmly along, taking no notice

either of naughty children or yelping dogs.
When they reached the cottage gate, Philemon said, "We are very poor
folk, but you are welcome to whatever we have in the cupboard. My
wife Baucis has gone to see what you can have for supper."
They sat down on the bench, and the younger stranger let his staff fall
as he threw himself down on the grass, and then a strange thing
happened. The staff seemed to get up from the ground of its own
accord, and it opened a little pair of wings and half-hopped, half-flew
and leaned itself against the wall of the cottage.
Philemon was so amazed that he feared he had been dreaming, but
before he could ask any questions, the elder stranger said: "Was there
not a lake long ago covering the spot where the village now stands?"
"Never in my day," said old Philemon, "nor in my father's, nor my
grandfather's: there were always fields and meadows just as there are
now, and I suppose there always will be."
"That I am not so sure of," replied the stranger. "Since the people in
that village have forgotten how to be loving and gentle, maybe it were
better that the lake should be rippling over the cottages again," and he
looked very sad and stern.
He was a very important-looking man, Philemon felt, even though his
clothes were old and shabby; maybe he was some great learned stranger
who did not care at all for money or clothes, and was wandering about
the world seeking wisdom and knowledge. Philemon was quite sure he
was not a common person. But he talked so kindly to Philemon, and the
younger traveler made such funny remarks, that they were all
constantly laughing.
"Pray, my young friend, what is your name?" Philemon asked.
"Well," answered the younger man, "I am called Mercury, because I am
so quick."
"What a strange name!" said Philemon; "and your friend, what is he
called?"
"You must ask the thunder to tell you that," said Mercury, "no other
voice is loud enough."
Philemon was a little confused at this answer, but the stranger looked
so kind and friendly that he began to tell them about his good old wife,
and what fine butter and cheese she made, and how happy they were in
their little garden; and how they loved each other very dearly and

hoped they might live together till they died. And the stern stranger
listened with a sweet smile on his face.
Baucis had now got supper ready; not very much of a supper, she told
them. There was only half a brown loaf and a bit of cheese, a pitcher
with some milk, a little honey, and a bunch of purple grapes. But she
said, "Had we only known you were coming, my goodman and I would
have gone without anything in order to give you a better supper."
"Do not trouble," said the elder stranger kindly. "A hearty welcome is
better than the finest of food, and we are so hungry that what you have
to offer us seems a feast." Then they all went into the cottage.
And now I must tell you something that will make your eyes open. You
remember that Mercury's staff was leaning against the cottage wall?
Well, when its owner went in at the door, what should this wonderful
staff do