Pirate Grace Retold

Have you ever went to visit a friend away from home? When you got to their house, did they warmly welcome you or did they meanly reject you? Well, in the stories Baucis and Philemon and
Pirate Grace Retold by Richard Walker, hospitality plays a big role for the plot. In the story Baucis and Philemon, a old man and his wife are being tested by Jupiter and Mercury. They welcome the gods and are granted with one wish because of giving the gods hospitality. In Pirate Grace Retold by Richard Walker, Pirate Grace is in a heavy rainstorm and wants the hospitality of the Lord of Howth, which in tradition it is mandatory to give. The Lord refuses because he is in the middle of a meal. Pirate Grace gets really mad and kidnaps the Lord’s son. The Lord then vows that anyone who needs hospitality can go to him and he gets his son back. The plot differs greatly but the theme remains the same, Hospitality. In Baucis and Philemon the old couple gave hospitality even though they knew they didn’t have enough money. Even though there is no rule that you have to hospitalise a stranger, the old couple did. In the story it states, “At each home, the Phrygians heartlessly turned the gods away. Finally, the gods came to the cottage of Baucis and Philemon, where the couple
“Certainly not!” he roared. “Can’t you see I’m eating? Tell her I’m too busy to be disturbed. Besides, it’s almost nighttime. She’ll have to go away.” “But . . .” “But what?” “But surely we should do something for her. After all, isn’t she the most famous pirate in the land? It wouldn’t do to fall out with her; it wouldn’t do at all.”“Do you think I’m frightened of Grace O’Malley? Humph! Tell her to clear off and stop standing there shaking in your socks! Now, let me enjoy my meal in peace.” With that, the lord picked up his knife and started to carve a juicy side of beef for himself. The poor servant scuttled nervously back to the front door. He knew how dangerous Grace could