The Tree of Love | Ep. 301

Summary

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

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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.

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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.

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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])

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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

Transcript

[Rebecca Scheer]

Hi, Rebecca Scheer here inviting you to attend a live recording of circle round. Visit WBUR.org CircleRound and see where Circle Round Live is headed next. Tickets might be available for a city near you. Remember, Circle Round. Club members get first crack at tickets and an invitation to meet me and Eric Shyamalanis after each show. Check out our schedule and get your [e-mail] CircleRound. Think about someone you love. It could be a family member or friend, maybe even a pet or a teddy bear. When we love someone, it can be hard to be away from them. And in today's story, we'll meet two people who love each other so very much, they find a way to stay together. Fore Rebecca. I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome to Circle Round where story time happens all the time today. Our story is called the Tree of Love. Versions of this tale come from ancient Greece. Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this tale, including real life couple Paige Davis and Patrick Page. Broadway and TV star Paige Davis host hosted the reality show Trading Spaces. She was most recently seen off Broadway in the hit play Pen Pals. Patrick Page is starring in the Roundabout Theater Company production of Archduke in New York City. You grown ups can enjoy Patrick in the hit HBO series the Gilded Age. And you kids can enjoy him in our 2022 Circle Round episode Poor Rich. So circle around everyone for the Tree of Love. In the long ago times of ancient Greece, in a deep valley surrounded by steep hills, there lay a village. One evening, just before dinner time, the village was hit by a storm. The rain poured down in sheets and the howling wind rat window and clattered every roof. The streets were empty. Everyone was huddled inside their houses, taking refuge from the storm. But suddenly, as a streak of lightning lit up the sky, two strangers appeared in the village square. They were tall and gangly, draped in ragged cloaks full of patches and holes. They trudged down the stone path of a big stately house. House. Then raised their gnarled walking sticks and tapped on the door.

[Zeus]

Hello?

[Hermes]

Is anybody home?

[Rebecca Scheer]

The door opened a crack, revealing the pinched, scowling face of a woman. What do you want? I was just sitting down for dinner. The strangers smiled.

[Zeus]

If you please, ma'. Am, the two of us are weary travelers.

[Hermes]

We're seeking shelter from the storm and.

[Zeus]

A bite of food as well.

[Hermes]

Will you please help us out?

[Rebecca Scheer]

The woman rolled her eyes. Will I help you out?

[Philemon]

Are you for real?

[Rebecca Scheer]

There's no way I'll help out a pair of beggars.

[Philemon]

Begone at once.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And with that, she slammed the door. The strangers heaved a sigh, then trudged to the next house. But again.

[Philemon]

You vagabonds aren't getting any help from me. Now beat it.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The same thing happened at the next house. Get lost. And the next.

[Philemon]

Buzz off.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And the next?

[Listener Voices]

Take a hike, you gutter snipes.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Eventually, the strange. The strangers reached the outskirts of the village where the deep valley gave way to the steep hills. Nestled in the hillside was a ramshackle thatched roof hut. The strangers gave the peeling, splintered door a tap.

[Zeus]

Hello?

[Hermes]

Is anybody home?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Greetings.

[Philemon]

How may we help you?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Standing at the door were an elderly man and woman. Their hair was as white as sugar, their faces were as crinkled as autumn leaves, and their backs were as curved as the hill rising high above their hut. The strangers flashed the couple a weak grin.

[Zeus]

We are travelers seeking shelter and food.

[Hermes]

Will you please help us out?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Now you remember what the other villagers did, right? They turned the two men away. Well, these villagers were much more solicitous.

[Baucis]

Of course we'll help you out.

[Philemon]

We'll fetch wood for the fire and.

[Baucis]

Bring you something to eat.

[Philemon]

You're both thin as a reed, thin as a rake. All skin and bones.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The man and woman ushered the strangers inside. The woman grabbed a moth eaten blanket and bundled it around their shoulders. The man tottered out to the woodshed and returned with an armload of branches. He and the woman arranged the kindling in the hearth, then set it ablaze.

[Baucis]

These branches are the last of our firewood.

[Philemon]

At our age, it's getting harder and harder to chop down trees and to.

[Baucis]

Wander up and down the hillside in search of fallen wood.

[Philemon]

But these flames should last us a while, so please warm yourselves.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The strangers rubbed their hands by the crackling fire as the man and woman busied themselves by the table. The woman laid out their best cloth, coarse and threadbare from years of use, but washed to a snowy white. The man set down four clay plates, each one more cracked and chipped than the next. Then he and the woman brought out a hunk of cheese, half a loaf of bread and a jug of wine with four mismatched.

[Baucis]

Gentlemen, dinner is served, humble though it may be. But you know the old saying, eat.

[Philemon]

Beans for lunch and have no friends at the dinner table.

[Baucis]

Oh, darling, the other saying.

[Philemon]

When you get burned by porridge, you also blow the yogurt.

[Baucis]

No, not that one. The other one.

[Philemon]

In hospitality, the chief thing is the good will. But the other sayings are pretty good too.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The strangers laughed. And took their seats.

[Zeus]

Madam, sir, your hospitality and goodwill are very much appreciated.

[Hermes]

Yet they appear to be rather uncommon around these parts.

[Baucis]

Uncommon?

[Philemon]

How so?

[Zeus]

Well, my friend and I knocked at every door in your village and all.

[Hermes]

Of your neighbors turned us away.

[Baucis]

They did?

[Philemon]

That's a shame.

[Baucis]

After all, everyone knows that Zeus himself, king of the gods, has laid down rules regarding hospitality.

[Philemon]

We must be kind to those in need, generous. We mustn't turn them away.

[Baucis]

So even though the two of us may not have much other than each other, everything we do have is yours.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The strangers exchanged a glance. Then they turned back to their hosts.

[Zeus]

Good sir and madam, my friend and I were wondering, could you please tell us about yourselves?

[Hermes]

Yes. With whom do we have the pleasure of dining this stormy evening?

[Rebecca Scheer]

The man and woman blushed.

[Philemon]

Well, this wondrous woman here is Balkis.

[Baucis]

And this magnificent man is Philemon. We met long, long ago when we were just youngsters.

[Philemon]

It was love at first sight and.

[Baucis]

We'Ve been together ever since, sharing this tiny thatched roof hut and enjoying every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year.

[Philemon]

Of which we've accumulated quite a few.

[Baucis]

Indeed we have, dear.

[Philemon]

Don't tell them how.

[Baucis]

That's a secret just between us.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Yes. Baucis and Philemon knew better than to ask the strangers to share their story. According to Zeus laws of hospitality, it was up to the visitors to offer that information, and only if they so chose. So Baucis and Philemon found other things to chat about as they and their new friends tucked into the bread, cheese and wine. And even though an angry storm was raging outside, the hut was filled with joy and warmth. However, as the night wore on, Baucus and Philemon discovered something strange. Throughout the humble meal, they kept an eye on their visitors cups, topping them off with wine whenever they would empty.

[Baucis]

But get this.

[Rebecca Scheer]

No matter how many cups of wine were poured, the jug remained full. Balkis stared at Philemon, Philemon stared at Balchis. And as a shiver coursed down their spines, it became all too clear. Their two haggard visitors were not the poor, weary travelers they claimed to be. Instead, they were someone. And someone, something else entirely. Who do you think the visitors truly are? We'll find out their secret identities after a quick break. Before we get back to our story, I invite you to sign up for the new sponsor Circle Round newsletter. Go behind the scenes, learn about live events, and stay in touch with me and composer Eric Shyamalanis each and every month. And when you join our list, you'll get a bonus Coloring page too. Sign up [e-mail] CircleRound I'm Rebecca Scheer. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called the Tree of Love. Before the break, two strangers appeared in a valley village on a stormy night. They wandered from door to door asking for shelter and food. But everyone turned them away, save for an aging couple named Baucis and Philemon. The couple invited the travelers into their tiny thatched roof hut. They lit a fire with the last of their firewood, then served a meal with the last of their bread, cheese and wine. But as the evening wore on, Baucus and Philemon discovered that no matter how often they refilled their guests cups, the wine jug never emptied. It remained as full as ever. And that's when the couple realized they were witnessing a miracle. A miracle that could only come from the magic of immortals. In other words, the gods themselves. Baucis and Philemon locked eyes. Then they sprang from the table and fell to their creaky old knees.

[Baucis]

O great all powerful gods.

[Philemon]

We apologize for the meagerness of this.

[Baucis]

Meal and the shabbiness of this hut.

[Philemon]

Can you please forgive us for offering so little?

[Rebecca Scheer]

The strangers traded a look. Then all of a sudden, there was a starburst of light. And who should Baucis and Philemon find looming above them but Zeus, almighty king of the gods. And Hermes, his swift footed messenger.

[Hermes]

Baucis, Philemon, rise and stand before us.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The couple staggered to their feet. Zeus and Hermes peered at them with gleaming eyes.

[Zeus]

What you say is true mortals.

[Hermes]

We are great, all powerful gods.

[Zeus]

I am Zeus.

[Hermes]

And I am Hermes.

[Zeus]

However, what you say is also untrue.

[Hermes]

For you have not offered us so little.

[Zeus]

On the contrary, you have offered us so much with your kindness, compassion and generosity.

[Hermes]

Unlike your neighbors who cruelly turned us away.

[Zeus]

And though your hospitality may be humble, it outshines the wealth of the richest kings and queens.

[Hermes]

So please, come with us up the hillside.

[Zeus]

There's something we'd like to show you.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Zeus and Hermes strode out the door. Baucis and Philemon grabbed each other's hands and did the same. The rain had stopped, the night had passed, and the sky was rosy with dawn. As the aging couple fell, followed the gods up the hill. Oh, we're right behind you.

[Philemon]

How many years until they invent the escalator?

[Rebecca Scheer]

After much huffing and puffing, Baucis and Philemon joined Zeus and Hermes on the summit. Once the couple caught their breath, the gods motioned for them to turn around.

[Zeus]

Cast your eyes downward, friends. Look upon the village you once called home.

[Hermes]

See what has become of it now.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Baucis and Philemon squinted down at the valley and could hardly believe what they saw. The village they once called home was gone. In its place was a wide lake, its placid surface sparkling in the brightening light of day. Not a house was to be seen, save for Baucis and Philemon's tiny thatched roof hut on the hillside.

[Baucis]

What happened to our neighbor's houses?

[Philemon]

What happened to our neighbors?

[Rebecca Scheer]

The gods Faces grew grim.

[Hermes]

Zeus brought this storm to your valley.

[Zeus]

As a test to see if the people remembered my laws of hospitality.

[Hermes]

And when your neighbors turned us away, Zeus decided to teach them a lesson.

[Zeus]

As the rain poured down, it began flooding the village.

[Hermes]

And your neighbors fled, seeking shelter outside the valley.

[Zeus]

I hope they are greeted with far more hospitality than they gave.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Balkis and Philemon gazed down at the lake, then up at the gods.

[Baucis]

Mighty immortals. We understand why you did what you did.

[Philemon]

But how is it that our house survived the flood?

[Baucis]

We can see it on the hillside.

[Philemon]

Our tiny thatched roof hut still stands.

[Zeus]

Are you sure about that?

[Hermes]

Perhaps you should take another look.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Baucis and Philemon peered down again. Their tiny, ramshackle home was still there. But before their very eyes, it began to change. The hut grew taller and wider. The brown mud walls turned to sparkling white marble. The corner posts transformed into towering columns, and the thatched roof changed to glittering gold.

[Baucis]

A temple.

[Philemon]

Our humble heart has become a magnificent temple.

[Zeus]

A temple to the gods. And you shall be its keepers.

[Hermes]

When visitors come to worship, you shall tell them your story.

[Zeus]

But we'd also like to grant you a wish.

[Hermes]

Anything you desire.

[Zeus]

Simply name it and it is yours.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Now, if two all powerful gods offered you a wish, what would it be? Some people might wish for money or fame. Some might wish for unlimited pizza and ice cream. Or staying up as late as they want each and every night. But Baucis and Philemon, they had their own wish in mind. They took hold of each other's weathered hands and looked at the gods with a twinkle in their eye.

[Baucis]

Dear gods. My beloved and I. I and my beloved.

[Philemon]

What we wish is never to be parted.

[Baucis]

Never to live alone.

[Philemon]

When we breathe our last breaths, we.

[Baucis]

Wish to breathe them together at the exact same moment. So that neither of us must mourn the loss of the other.

[Philemon]

And we never suffer the pain of being apart.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The gods shared a look, then turned to the couple with smiles.

[Zeus]

Balkis, Philemon, the two of you shall have your wish.

[Hermes]

And in the meantime, may you live.

[Zeus]

With kindness and compassion and hospitality and goodwill.

[Rebecca Scheer]

With that, there was a starburst of light and the gods were gone. Baucis and Philemon relished their new life, taking care of the temple and telling their story to travelers from near and far. With each passing year, the couple's white hair grew whiter, their crinkly faces grew crinklier, and their curved backs grew curvier. And then, one sunny spring day, as they were tending the temple gardens, do you know what happened? Baucis glanced at Philemon and noticed that his head and hands were sprouting leaves and hers were too.

[Baucis]

Oh.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Philemon noticed that his wife's legs were turning brown and rough and his were too. Oh. Baucis and Philemon reached out their arms and pulled each other close. And as their toes and feet rooted into the earth and their legs and torsos turned hard and coarse, they stared into each other's eyes.

[Baucis]

I love you Philemon.

[Philemon]

And I love you Baukis.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Forever. The couple shared one last kiss. And then at the exact same moment, the breath left their bodies and Baucis and Philemon were gone. In their place stood two trees. Where Baucis had been, there was a linden tree with fragrant flowers and heart shaped leaves. And where Philemon was, there was an oak with furrowed bark and gnarled branches. But the trees didn't stand apart. Their two trunks were fused together and their limbs intermingled and intertwined. Intertwined as if they were growing as one. You might have seen such a thing while hiking through a forest. Two different trees that seem to be growing together, sharing branches, trunks and roots. It happens when two young saplings grow so close that they actually become joined. Scientists call it inosculation, which in Latin translates as into a kiss. And how very fitting, since it was after Baucis and Philemon's last kiss that the gods fulfilled their promise and allowed the kind, generous couple to stay together in a loving embrace forever. Now it's your turn. You can make your own tree of love. Draw a picture of a tree with plenty of leaves on each leaf. Draw or write something or someone you love. Once the leaves are full, share your picture with a family member or friend. And if you'd like, share it with us grown ups. Send a photo of your Circle Round fan and their drawing to circleroundbur.org we may feature you in the Circle Round newsletter. The Lion's Roar if you haven't yet signed up for this monthly email featuring special announcements, sneak previews, behind the scenes articles, and yes, photos of your creations, visit WBUR.org CircleRound this week's episode the Tree of Love was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shyamalanis. Eric's featured instrument this week was the Kythara. You can learn more about this ancient Greek stringed instrument and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website. Again, that's WBUR.org CircleRound Our artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all of our Circle Round stories and you you can print them out and color them in Grown Ups. Download all of our coloring [e-mail] CircleRound Special thanks to this week's actors Amy Brentano, Joe Hernandez, Erica Rose, Mike Smith, Patrick Page and Paige Davis. Patrick Page is currently starring in the Roundabout Theater Company production of Archduke in New York City. You grown ups can enjoy Patrick in the hit HBO series the Gilded Age and you kids can enjoy him in our 2022 episode Poor Rich Broadway and TV star Paige Davis hosted the reality show Trading Spaces. She was most recently seen Off Broadway in the hit play Pen Pals Love Circle Round and want to support public media during a time when federal funding is hard to come by? I invite you to join the Circle Round Club to show our thanks. We'll send you a welcome package with exclusive exclusive swag, an ad free feed, bonus bedtime stories, pre sale tickets to live events and an invitation to meet me and Eric after each show. You can also add on goodies like Our Lion Stuffy and a personalized birthday message from me. Sign up for the Circle Round Club today and show your love for public [e-mail] CircleRound Grown Ups. If you enjoy Circle Round, please leave us a 5 star rating or review on whatever podcast app you're using right now. It helps other listeners find the show so we can make the Circle Round circle even bigger. Circle Round is a production of WBUR Boston's npr. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Thanks for Circling Round with us. Now that you've made it to the end of this Circle Round episode, we want to know what's your favorite Circle Round story? Thousands of fans just like you have been telling us about the Circle Round stories they like best. Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too.

[Listener Voices]

My name is Tobias and my name is Clara and we live in Coquitlam Bees and I don't have a favorite Circle Round because I just love all of them and my favorite Circle round story is the Rooster in the sky because I love the part when the rooster says cock a doodle doo. We love you, Rebecca Shear. Hello, my name is Vizi. I live in Vermont City and my favorite SoCal story is the Blizzard Weather and I like all of it. I love you, Rebecca. To you. I'm Levon and I live in Marlboro, Vermont. My favorite circle round story is the Three Clever Brothers. And I like the part when they find out what's in the treasure chest. Hi, my name is Darren. I live in Orwalk, Connecticut. And my favorite circle round story is Friends in High Places. And my favorite part is when Giraffe says what should we do? And Rhino says, I've one idea. Run. I'm Lonna and I live at Richmond. And I read the Zodiac 12. My name is Yana. I live in Richmond. My favorite podcast is Longhair in the Waterfall. My name is Wesley. I'm from Trumbull, Connecticut. My favorite story is the Pot of Gold. I like it because it's super duper funny. My name is hi, I'm Wise and I'm from Albuquerque, New Mexico. And my favorite episode is the Nine Sticks. And my favorite part about it is when Fearball figures out which one of them took the ring.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Did someone mention a story you've missed? Not to worry, grown ups. You can find all of our Circle Round stories, plus links to the Circle Round Club, picture books, coloring pages, and oh so much more on our website, WBUR.org CircleRound.