The Tale of the Magical Self-Cooking Stew Pot
Once upon a time, in a small, quiet village surrounded by rolling hills and green forests, there lived a poor but kind-hearted man named Tom. Tom didn’t have much—just a small wooden house, a tiny garden where he grew vegetables, and an old pot he used for cooking. Although his life was simple, Tom always had a smile for everyone in the village. He was well-loved because he often helped his neighbors, even when he had very little himself.
One cold winter evening, Tom was sitting by the fire, stirring a watery vegetable soup in his old pot. His cupboards were almost empty, and he didn’t have much to make a proper meal. Just as he was wondering how he would get through the winter with so little food, something unusual happened. There was a knock on his door.
Tom opened the door to find an old woman standing in the snow. She looked tired and hungry, her clothes ragged and worn. Without hesitation, Tom invited her inside to warm up. He offered her the little bowl of soup he had, even though it wasn’t much.
The old woman accepted the soup with a kind smile. After finishing the meal, she placed the pot back on the table and said, “You have a good heart, Tom. Your kindness deserves a reward.” Surprised, Tom watched as the old woman pulled out a small pouch from her worn jacket and sprinkled some sparkling powder into his pot.
“What are you doing?” Tom asked, confused.
The old woman chuckled softly. “I’m giving you a gift—this pot will now cook stew on its own, and it will never run out of food. But remember this: only those who share its bounty will see it work. Greed will ruin its magic.”
Before Tom could ask her more questions, the old woman disappeared into the snowy night as mysteriously as she had arrived.
Tom stood in his kitchen, staring at the old pot. “What does she mean—‘self-cooking’?” he wondered aloud. Then, something amazing happened. The pot started to bubble and steam, as if it had already been placed over a fire. He lifted the lid and saw thick, hearty stew boiling inside—a rich blend of meat, potatoes, carrots, and spices. The smell was delicious, and it made his mouth water. Tom couldn’t believe his eyes.
That night, Tom ate the best meal he’d had in years. He felt warm and full, but he hadn’t even eaten half the stew. The pot was still full, as if he had never touched it! He couldn’t wait to share this magical miracle with others.
Word Spreads Quickly
The next day, Tom invited his neighbors over for lunch. He put the pot on the table, but before he could explain its magic, it started bubbling again. Everyone was amazed as they watched Tom scoop out bowl after bowl of stew. “Eat as much as you’d like! There’s plenty for everyone!” Tom announced with joy.
The word spread through the village—Tom had a magical stew pot that never ran out of food. People began visiting him every day. Families who were struggling to feed their children came to his house, and Tom always welcomed them with a smile. Travelers passing through the village stopped by, drawn by the delicious aroma of the stew. No one left Tom’s house hungry.
Tom felt happy. The pot had changed his life, not because he suddenly had endless food, but because it allowed him to help others in his village. They began calling his house “The Stew Haven.”
A Test of Greed
For many weeks, the magic pot brought joy to the whole village. But one day, greed tested its magic.
A wealthy merchant heard about Tom’s self-cooking stew pot and decided he wanted it for himself. He visited Tom and said, “I’ll pay you a fortune for this pot. I’ll give you gold, silver, and jewels—a life of wealth!”
Tom shook his head and replied, “This pot isn’t for selling. It was given to me as a gift, and it can only work if I use it to help others. Greed will destroy its magic.”
The merchant didn’t believe Tom’s words. Late that night, the greedy man snuck into Tom’s house and stole the pot while he slept. He ran back to his mansion, laughing to himself, dreaming of all the stew he’d have for his fancy parties.
The next day, he placed the pot in the middle of his grand kitchen and waited for it to work. But the pot stayed silent. No bubbling, no delicious smell, no stew. Angry, the merchant shook the pot and yelled at it, but nothing happened. The magic was gone.
Many days later, embarrassed and ashamed, the merchant quietly returned the pot to Tom’s house. “I was wrong,” he admitted. “I shouldn’t have stolen it.”
Tom forgave the merchant but reminded him, “No magic can survive greed. This pot only works when it’s used to help others.”
A Village of Kindness
Years passed, and Tom’s pot continued to feed the villagers. It became a symbol of kindness and sharing. Inspired by Tom’s generosity, the people learned how to look after one another, even if they didn’t have a magical pot to give endless stew.
Though Tom grew old, his legacy lived on. The village became known throughout the land for its warm-hearted people, where no one ever went hungry.
And as for the magical pot? It remained on Tom’s table, bubbling happily, forever fueled by kindness and the spirit of sharing.
