The Miraculous Pitcher (From: "A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys")

"The Miraculous Pitcher" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a heartwarming story spun from the threads of kindness and a touch of magic. Set in a time of myth and moral lessons, it tells of an elderly couple, Philemon and Baucis, who live a simple life. One night, they open their doors to two travelers and treat these strangers as welcome guests, sharing what little they have with open hearts. This act of generosity unlocks a remarkable secret: their ordinary pitcher overflows with endless milk, and their plain bread turns into a grand feast. The travelers, revealed as more than mere mortals, show that no good deed goes unrewarded and transform the couple into intertwining trees, together for eternity. The story emphasizes the theme that kindness can have wonderful, even divine, consequences.