Circle Round – "The Tree of Love" (Ep. 301)

Released: October 21, 2025
Host: Rebecca Scheer
Special Guests: Paige Davis, Patrick Page
Source Folktale: Ancient Greece
Recommended Age: 3–103

Episode Overview

This Circle Round episode, "The Tree of Love," retells an ancient Greek folktale about kindness, hospitality, and enduring love. Through the journey of Baucis and Philemon, an elderly couple, listeners explore the importance of generosity to strangers, the rewards of genuine goodwill, and the deep, lifelong bond of love. The tale underscores how simple acts of compassion can have miraculous effects, and how love can endure even beyond mortal life.

Key Discussion Points and Summary

1. Setting the Scene: Kindness Tested by the Gods

• [00:00–02:55]
  • In a storm-battered village in ancient Greece, everyone is sheltering indoors.
  • Two bedraggled strangers arrive, seeking food and shelter.
  • The villagers repeatedly turn them away with scorn and cruelty.
  • Quote: "You vagabonds aren't getting any help from me. Now beat it." (Philemon/Neighbor, [03:47])

2. The Kindness of Baucis and Philemon

• [04:20–06:50]
  • At the outskirts in a humble, ramshackle hut, the strangers are welcomed by an elderly couple, Baucis and Philemon.
  • Despite their poverty, the couple offers their last firewood and all their food, serving it with warmth and humor.
  • Quote: "In hospitality, the chief thing is the goodwill." (Philemon, [06:42])
  • The guests are grateful for the welcome, noting its rarity in the town.

3. Love and Partnership

• [07:45–08:38]
  • The guests ask about their hosts.
  • Baucis and Philemon share that they've been together since youth and their greatest treasure is each other's company.
  • Quote: "It was love at first sight and we've been together ever since, enjoying every second..." (Baucis, [08:14])

4. A Miraculous Revelation

• [09:24–12:18]
  • During dinner, the couple notices the wine jug never empties, despite repeated pouring—a sign of a miracle.
  • They realize their guests are not ordinary travelers, but gods in disguise.
  • Kneeling, they apologize for the meagerness of their home and meal.

5. Gods Revealed: Rewards and Punishment

• [12:18–13:38]

  • The strangers reveal themselves as Zeus and Hermes.
  • They praise the couple’s generosity but condemn the village’s lack of hospitality.
  • Quote: "Unlike your neighbors who cruelly turned us away… your hospitality may be humble, but it outshines the wealth of kings." (Zeus, [13:19])

• [13:38–15:48]

  • The gods lead Baucis and Philemon up the hillside to see the sunken village—now a lake.
  • Only the couple’s home remains, spared due to their kindness.
  • Their hut then magically transforms into a grand temple.
  • Quote: "Our humble hut has become a magnificent temple." (Philemon, [16:24])

6. The Greatest Wish: Together Forever

• [16:46–17:58]
  • Zeus and Hermes grant the couple one wish.
  • Baucis and Philemon wish never to be parted, to die together, so neither must mourn the other.
  • Quote: "We wish to breathe our last breaths together at the exact same moment, so that neither of us must mourn the loss of the other." (Baucis, [17:33])

7. A Loving Transformation

• [18:06–19:24]

  • Years pass, and one spring day, the couple notices they’re transforming: sprouting leaves and turning into trees while embracing.
  • They share a final kiss and pass away, becoming intertwined trees—an oak and a linden.
  • Quote: "I love you, Philemon." / "And I love you, Baucis." / "Forever." (Baucis and Philemon, [19:19–19:24])

• Their fused trees (inosculation: "into a kiss") become a living symbol of eternal love.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hospitality:
  • “In hospitality, the chief thing is the goodwill.” (Philemon, [06:42])
  • “Your hospitality may be humble, but it outshines the wealth of the richest kings and queens.” (Zeus, [13:24])
• On Love:
  • “It was love at first sight and we've been together ever since…” (Baucis, [08:14])
  • “We wish to breathe our last breaths together at the exact same moment, so that neither of us must mourn the loss of the other.” (Baucis, [17:33])
  • “I love you, Philemon.” “And I love you, Baucis. Forever.” (Baucis and Philemon, [19:19–19:24])
• On Miracles and Transformation:
  • “Our humble hut has become a magnificent temple.” (Philemon, [16:24])

Educational Takeaways and Activities

• Activity Prompt ([19:24]):

  • Draw your own “tree of love.” On each leaf, write or draw something/someone you love. Share with friends and family or submit to Circle Round.

• Science Connection:

  • Explains inosculation, when two trees grow together ("into a kiss"), just as Baucis and Philemon do at the story’s end.

Episode Flow with Timestamps

• [00:00–04:20] — Introduction, storm, and villagers’ rejections
• [04:20–06:54] — Baucis and Philemon’s welcome
• [07:45–08:38] — The couple share their life and love
• [09:24–12:18] — The unending jug and realization: their guests are gods
• [12:18–13:38] — Zeus and Hermes reveal themselves and explain their test
• [13:38–16:30] — Village is gone, their home transformed into a temple
• [16:46–17:58] — The couple’s wish: lifelong togetherness
• [18:06–19:24] — The final transformation into joined trees

Tone

The episode maintains a warm, inviting, gentle tone. The dialogue is compassionate and sprinkled with humor, especially in exchanges between Baucis and Philemon. The mood turns wondrous during the supernatural moments and deeply moving as the couple’s wish for everlasting togetherness is fulfilled.

For Listeners and Families

This episode beautifully illustrates:

• Why generosity to strangers matters.
• How simple acts of kindness can have profound effects.
• That real riches come from love, not possessions.
• The joy and sadness of parting and the magic of being together forever.

Perfect for family listening and sparking discussion on love, kindness, and hospitality.

For more adaptations, activities, and coloring pages, visit: WBUR.org/CircleRound