Offering hospitality towards visitors is an old custom, common to every culture you could think of. In traditional cultures it was often considered a moral obligation. You needed to treat any visitor, either people you knew or strangers from a far off place with equal courtesy. Underlying it is the idea of treating others as you yourself would wish to be treated if you were in a strange place.
In ancient Greece, it was known as Xenia. In a time when conflict could be just an insult away, it was important to treat guests with generosity. You might never know who was sitting at your table as a guest. Folk tales gave accounts of what happened to those who either honored Xenia or violated it. Once Zeus and Hermes, disguised as mortals, tested the hospitality of a village. Looking like beggars they were spurned by nearly everyone except an elderly impoverished couple who welcomed the strangers into their home and shared what little they had with their visitors. The gods punished the other villagers by sweeping them away in a flood while sparing Philemon and Baucis because of their generosity.
A similar attitude exists in India, where it is explicitly assumed the visitor might be a divinity in disguise and should be treated accordingly. The Odyssey depicted a variety of tales exhibiting the benefits of Xenia. It also showed what would happen if Xenia was violated. The cyclops Polyphemus not only failed to show any hospitality to his visitors, he even devoured several of them with relish before being blinded by the wily Odysseus.
In the novel I’m currently writing, a character is introduced and has an unusual experience which unbeknownst to him involves a bit of Xenia….
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Officer Joseph Burrows munched on his roast beef sandwich, occasionally popping in a large wedge of potato fry. He had settled his chunky frame at one of the outdoor tables set up in the tiny park a few blocks from the station. The seat was hard as a rock but he wasn’t going to sit in it long enough to make his hip ache. Just long enough to chow down and then scoot back to work. As usual the take-out fries were good if a bit salty but they always cooled too quickly. He wished there was a good way to keep them warm. The cardboard container they were in just didn’t cut it. Maybe he should bring one of those insulated plastic containers his wife used. Just something to hold the heat in while he ate them. Maybe Keith was willing to eat cold fries but he sure as hell couldn’t. Keith could eat pretty much anything without even hiccuping. He wasn’t on duty today though so Joe would have to toss the cold ones. He hated wasting them but there was just no way he could eat them. They’d sit like a lump of lead in his stomach for the rest of the day if he did.
The rookie assigned to him should be starting today. Jacob Armstrong was tall, lean, with auburn hair and the kind of light complexion that would burn like a torch if he stood out in the sun too long. Fresh out of the police academy, he was bright eyed and bushy tailed, obviously raring to go. Joe always looked forward to showing the new kids the ropes. They’d start out so wet behind the ears they’d leave a puddle behind them but he’d guide them along, correcting any misconceptions they had, watch them fumble a bit but then pick it up little by little. The new kid looked so clean cut, Joe was surprised he didn’t squeak when he walked. But he suspected Jacob was sharp enough that he would probably catch on quick. The department always assigned the most promising ones to him. Whatever rough edges he had, Joe would expertly trim off, buffing and honing him. With any luck he’d leave a good officer behind to take his place. Damn, he’d miss all this once he retired.
A passing taxi honked its horn repeatedly, the driver leaning out the window glaring at the vehicle in front of him, swearing and giving the classic New York City salute with a tobacco stained digit. Joe shook his head. He knew the guy, having cited him a few times for illegal parking. Once of these days he was going to wave his finger at the wrong guy and then all hell would break loose. People were so damn short-tempered these days. With any luck Joe would already be drawing his pension by then. I’ll have to remember to warn Jacob about that moron so he’ll know to watch for him. Joe took another bite of the roast beef.
An enormous black bird soared down and landed on the concrete barrier near him, shaking its feathers out as it settled down. Joe’s eyes had a little difficulty focusing on the thing at first. Jesus, that’s not a crow, it’s a raven. He thought, as his eyes finally adjusted to the size of the bird sitting just five feet away. A feeling of unreality settled around him. Christ, he’s a big mother. I didn’t realize they got that big. He looks like he could take on Uncle Sam’s eagle. The raven stared at him intently, black eyes shining with ageless intelligence, then looked down at the package of fries.
“Hungry.” It croaked unmistakably. “I’m hungry.”
It took a moment for Joseph to remember to swallow the piece of sandwich he had been chewing on. The feeling of unreality increased. Okay, Joe my man. A giant raven just asked you in perfect English for a handout. What are you going to do? Well, there were several options, running off screaming being one of them. But this was New York City. The Big Crazy Apple. There was only one thing he could do.
“You can have the fries. I’m not going to be able to finish them.”
“Thank you.” replied the raven, Who hopped down and quickly polished them off. Once done He flew off. Joseph watched Him for a moment, powerful wing strokes taking the bird, if that’s what it was, rapidly out of sight. He finally shook his head. The wife will never believe it. Never. Hell, I don’t believe it. He had the odd feeling he had just been tested in some way though he wasn’t sure what the test was for. Probably one of those things he’d have to wait on until he got to the Pearly Gates before he found out the answer. Finally he laughed and finished his lunch.
Hugin, resuming His journey around the world, burped. In spite of the Age of Iron, it was nice that some mortals still had respect for otherworldly beings. Most humans would have just run or tossed a rock at Him. This one had responded correctly, with generosity, which pleased Him and would no doubt please His Lord as well. But He probably shouldn’t have eaten those fries. It felt like they were going to sit like a lump of lead in His belly the whole trip.
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So always show courtesy and generosity to whoever or whatever you meet. You just never know….
