The Tale of the Enchanted Pie Plate
Once upon a time, in a small, peaceful village surrounded by rolling hills and meadows, there lived a kind old woman named Granny Mabel. Granny Mabel was known for her excellent baking skills. Her pies were the pride of the village — apple, cherry, and pumpkin pies, all baked to perfection. People from neighboring towns would travel just to taste her delicious creations.
Granny Mabel had a secret. She had a special pie plate that she used whenever she baked. The plate was plain to look at; it was silver with some scratches and dents from years of use. However, this wasn’t just any ordinary pie plate — it was enchanted. You see, Granny Mabel had inherited the pie plate from her grandmother years ago, and along with it came a peculiar tale.
Legend said the pie plate would always make pies so wonderful that anyone who tasted them felt happier. Whether the eater was sad or angry, one bite of a pie baked in the enchanted pie plate would lift their spirits. Granny Mabel loved using the plate, not just for her own baking joy, but also because it brought happiness to the village.
One sunny day, Granny Mabel decided to bake an apple pie for the town’s harvest festival. She worked hard peeling the apples, sprinkling cinnamon, and rolling out the flaky crust. She placed the pie into the enchanted pie plate and popped it into the oven. Not long after, the smell of sweet apples and spices filled her kitchen. She smiled, knowing it was going to be another perfect pie.
When the festival began, Granny Mabel proudly placed her pie on the table at the village square. The pie looked amazing. Its golden crust shimmered in the afternoon sunlight, and the villagers couldn’t wait to try it. Little Tom, the baker’s apprentice, was the first to take a bite. His eyes grew wide, and a big smile spread across his face. “It’s the best pie I’ve ever eaten!” he exclaimed.
Soon, the entire pie was gone, and every villager who ate a slice had a spring in their step and joy in their hearts. People couldn’t stop chatting about how magical her pies were. Granny Mabel simply smiled and said, “It’s all in the love you put into it.”
But there was someone in the village who wasn’t happy. Walter, the innkeeper, had always envied Granny Mabel’s pies. He had tried many times to bake pies as good as hers, but no matter how hard he tried, his pies were always a little too crusty or a little too sour. When Walter heard about Granny Mabel’s pie plate, his envy grew stronger.
Late one night, when the village was quiet, Walter sneaked into Granny Mabel’s house. He carefully tiptoed into her kitchen and took the enchanted pie plate from the counter. He carried it back to his inn, thinking, “Now I can bake the best pies in the land!”
The next morning, Walter used the enchanted plate to bake a plum pie. He followed a recipe closely and was sure the pie would be perfect. Once it was done baking, he proudly served it to his guests. The first person to taste it frowned slightly. “It’s… okay,” they said hesitantly. Walter was confused. Wasn’t the pie plate supposed to be magical? Why didn’t the pie turn out amazing?
Granny Mabel soon discovered her pie plate was missing. She wasn’t angry; instead, she visited Walter at the inn to ask him about it. When Walter admitted he had taken the pie plate, he looked embarrassed but still confused. “Why didn’t it work for me?” he asked.
Granny Mabel smiled kindly. “The pie plate is enchanted, yes, but it doesn’t work on its own. It isn’t about the plate itself; it’s about the love you put into baking. You can follow a recipe perfectly, but if you bake with jealousy in your heart, the pies won’t bring happiness — no matter what pie plate you use.”
Walter realized this was true, and he apologized for taking the pie plate. Granny Mabel forgave him and said, “You’re welcome to use the plate, but remember: baking is about sharing joy, not competition. Bake with kindness, and your pies will be magical too.”
From that day forward, Walter started baking with a new attitude. He wasn’t trying to outdo anyone, but instead wanted to make pies that made his guests happy. And, slowly but surely, his pies started tasting better.
Granny Mabel’s pie plate continued to spread joy throughout the village, but Granny Mabel always reminded everyone that the real magic wasn’t in the plate. It was in the baker’s heart.
And so, the tale of the enchanted pie plate became a lesson. It taught the villagers that kindness and love were the best ingredients of all. Whether baking pies or simply living your life, doing things with a warm heart made all the difference.
The end.
