| Many mythologies have stories of deities coming to Earth in disguise, approaching a destitute family, receiving wonderful hospitality, blessing the poverty-stricken but friendly folk, and merrily returning to home -- be it Heaven, Olympus, or Asgard -- to their merry godly life.
Why is this recurring theme present in almost every mythos? Perhaps because mortals can never give true courtesy to a god. And the courtesy given by a god to a mortal is too ephemeral. So gods sojourn amongst mortals in disguise, to attempt to find honest civility, not the enforced servitude or sycophancy their power inspires in the masses.
And, so long as gods can act without fear of retribution, they themselves can gain little respect. What respect they are granted is for their power, the courtesy enforced by fear. | 
