The Olive Tree
Once upon a time the land and its people were very poor, but they were happy and generous towards one another. Then as they became greedy and selfish the people stopped helping each other and looked only to themselves. The rich became richer and the poor became poorer.
The Gods looked down and did not like what they saw. Life was so bad that one of the Gods decided to go down to earth in disguise as a mortal, and the first person who showed him any sign of goodness would be granted anything they wished.
So, dressed as a beggar, he went from town to town, village to village. At each door he was turned away with abuse. After walking for many days and many miles he came upon a lonely farmhouse. The God half expected to be turned away, and he was surprised when the couple invited him inside. On looking around he could see that they were very poor indeed, but apologising for their humble home, they invited him in to stay for supper and offered him a straw bed for the night. Again they apologised for the frugal food, but they were happy to share what they had.
The next morning, the God revealed himself and said for their kindness he would grant them anything they wished. Expecting to be asked for the better material things in life he was surprised and pleased when they said that as they had shared their life together, when the time came they wanted to die together, and be buried in the same grave, so as not to be left alone.
When the time came their wish was granted.
To mark the occasion the God made an olive tree spring forth from the ground, the tree trunk resembling two bodies entwined for eternity.
The Gods looked down and did not like what they saw. Life was so bad that one of the Gods decided to go down to earth in disguise as a mortal, and the first person who showed him any sign of goodness would be granted anything they wished.
So, dressed as a beggar, he went from town to town, village to village. At each door he was turned away with abuse. After walking for many days and many miles he came upon a lonely farmhouse. The God half expected to be turned away, and he was surprised when the couple invited him inside. On looking around he could see that they were very poor indeed, but apologising for their humble home, they invited him in to stay for supper and offered him a straw bed for the night. Again they apologised for the frugal food, but they were happy to share what they had.
The next morning, the God revealed himself and said for their kindness he would grant them anything they wished. Expecting to be asked for the better material things in life he was surprised and pleased when they said that as they had shared their life together, when the time came they wanted to die together, and be buried in the same grave, so as not to be left alone.
When the time came their wish was granted.
To mark the occasion the God made an olive tree spring forth from the ground, the tree trunk resembling two bodies entwined for eternity.