Chapter II

The next morning the travelers asked Philemon and Baucis to walk with them and show them the road.

When Philemon and Baucis turned to go back, the older traveler said, “Good Philemon and Baucis, you gave us not only milk and bread but also a kind welcome. Ask for anything you want, and you shall have it.”

Philemon and Baucis looked at each other and said, “Grant that we may die together.”

“You shall have your wish,” said the traveler. “Now look at your home.”

They saw a beautiful white castle standing where their little house had been.

The old people fell on their knees to give thanks. When they looked up, the travelers were not there.

Philemon and Baucis lived in the castle a long, long time. One morning they could not be found.

The people looked everywhere for them. At last they saw two large trees standing in front of the castle.

One was an oak, the other was a linden-tree. The people wondered where they came from. Just then the wind began to blow, and the trees seemed to be talking.

“I am Philemon,” said the Oak.

“I am Baucis,” said the Linden.

Whenever a traveler rested under the trees, the leaves seemed to say, “Welcome, dear traveler! Welcome!”

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE (_Adapted_).

NOVEMBER.

Ah! on Thanksgiving Day, when from east and from west,
From north and from south come the pilgrim and guest,
What moistens the lip, and what brightens the eye?
What calls back the past, like the rich pumpkin-pie?

JOHN G. WHITTIER.
]

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY.

One spring the Pilgrims planted corn as the Indians had taught them.

Summer brought the sunshine and the rain to ripen the corn.

Such a harvest as there was when autumn came!

“Let us have a day of thanksgiving for this great blessing,” said the Governor.

“A Thanksgiving Day! A Thanksgiving Day!” cried the Pilgrims.

“The Indians have been kind to us. We will ask them to our feast,” said the Governor.

So they began to get ready for the first Thanksgiving Day.