The Tale of the Enchanted Pie Tray
Long ago, in a small, peaceful village surrounded by green hills and colorful flowers, there lived a humble baker named Ellis. He was known all around for his delicious pies. People traveled from faraway towns just to taste his apple pies, cherry tarts, and berry treats. Ellis loved his work and took great pride in bringing joy to people through his baking.
One afternoon, while wandering through the forest to collect wild berries for his pies, Ellis came across something unusual. It was an old, rusted pie tray lying on the floor of the forest. The tray wasn’t like anything Ellis had ever seen before—it shimmered faintly in the sunlight, though it was covered in dirt and scratches. Something about the tray felt magical.
Curious, Ellis picked it up and decided to take it home. He cleaned it gently and placed it on his kitchen counter. “Maybe it’s just a normal tray,” he thought. But as soon as he decided to bake with it, something extraordinary happened.
That evening, Ellis prepared a batch of his special apple pie and poured the filling into the enchanted tray. He slid it into the oven and waited patiently for the scent of cinnamon and warm apples to fill the air. But when he opened the oven door, he gasped in surprise.
The pie was glowing softly, and it looked absolutely perfect—better than any pie Ellis had ever baked before. The crust was golden and flaky, the filling bubbled beautifully, and the smell was richer and sweeter than usual. He couldn’t believe his eyes!
Ellis served the glowing pie at the village square the next morning. The villagers were astonished. “This is the best pie I’ve ever tasted!” one farmer said with wide eyes. Another woman declared, “Ellis, you’ve outdone yourself! How did you make this?”
Ellis smiled and shrugged. He didn’t want to mention the enchanted pie tray just yet. Instead, he said, “I suppose I’ve had a little extra luck.”
Day by day, Ellis began using the tray for all his baking. Every pie he made using the magical tray turned out perfect—flaky, sweet, and irresistible. The news of Ellis’s pies spread far and wide. Soon, people from neighboring towns began arriving in the village, standing in line for hours just to get a taste of his creations.
But as business grew, Ellis found himself getting tired. Baking pies all day was hard work, and the endless lines of customers left him with little time for himself. He didn’t enjoy quiet walks in the forest anymore, nor did he have evenings to relax with his family. Baking, which had once been his passion, was quickly becoming stressful.
One evening, as Ellis scrubbed his counters and washed his oven, he glanced at the enchanted pie tray. “I wish I knew your secret,” he said softly. The tray seemed to glimmer faintly, almost like it had understood him. Suddenly, Ellis heard a mysterious voice—gentle and melodic—fill the air of his little kitchen.
“Your pies are special because you bake with love,” the voice said. “I may help them shine, but the magic comes from you.”
Ellis froze, startled. “Who’s there?” he asked.
The voice replied, “I am the spirit of the enchanted pie tray. I was created long ago to help the baker with the purest heart. You are that baker, Ellis. But remember, true magic comes from your care and kindness—not from my glow.”
The spirit’s voice faded away, leaving Ellis in silence. He sat down and thought deeply about the message. It was true—he had always loved baking pies because it made people happy. It wasn’t about fame or praise but about sharing something wonderful with others.
However, Ellis also realized he had been working so hard that he no longer felt joyful about baking. He decided it was time for a change.
The next day, Ellis announced that he would only bake pies once a week. “I want each pie to be made with love and care,” he told the villagers. “I’ll bake fewer pies, but they’ll still be as special as always.”
At first, people grumbled and complained. They didn’t want to wait. But when they tasted Ellis’s pies made with extra attention and heart, they understood. “These pies are worth waiting for,” one villager said.
Ellis smiled to himself. He still used the enchanted tray from time to time, but now he understood its true purpose. The tray didn’t make the pies magical—it simply reminded him to put love into everything he baked.
Over time, life in the village returned to normal. Ellis found time to enjoy the quiet forest and spend evenings with his family again. He was happy, and so were the villagers. Every week, people gathered in the square, not just to taste Ellis’s pies but to share stories, laughter, and moments of joy.
The enchanted pie tray stayed with Ellis for many years, a simple reminder that magic wasn’t just about glowing pies. It was about love, passion, and the happiness we create by sharing what we cherish most.
And so, the tale of the enchanted pie tray was passed down through the villagers, teaching everyone that true magic lives inside our hearts.
