The Tale of the Magical Cooking Pot
Once upon a time, in a small and peaceful village near a great forest, there lived a kind and hardworking girl named Lily. She was loved by everyone in the village because she always helped those in need and shared whatever she had. Lily lived in a tiny cottage with her mother, who had become ill and could no longer work. Times were tough, and many days, they didn’t have enough to eat.
One day, while Lily was walking through the forest in search of berries, she met an old woman sitting under a tall tree. The woman had a warm smile and wore a long green dress that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. She looked tired, so Lily shared her small basket of berries with her.
“Thank you, dear,” said the old woman. “You are very kind. Not everyone would share their food with a stranger. I would like to give you something in return.”
Lily was surprised. She hadn’t expected anything for her kindness. She said, “Oh, no need. I’m happy to help you.”
The old woman chuckled and held out a small, shiny pot. It looked ordinary at first glance, but when Lily picked it up, it felt magical.
“This is a magical cooking pot,” the old woman explained. “If you ever need food, say the words, ‘Cook, little pot, cook,’ and it will make a delicious meal for you. When you’ve had enough, say, ‘Stop, little pot, stop,’ and it will stop cooking.”
Lily couldn’t believe her ears. She thanked the old woman, who disappeared into the trees, leaving no trace behind. Lily hurried back home with the magical pot and told her mother all about it.
That evening, they decided to try the pot. Lily placed the pot on their small wooden table and said, “Cook, little pot, cook.” To her amazement, the pot began to bubble and steam, and before long, it was full of warm, creamy porridge. The smell was heavenly, and Lily and her mother ate until their bellies were full. Then Lily said, “Stop, little pot, stop,” and the pot stopped cooking instantly.
From that day on, Lily and her mother never went hungry. Whenever they needed food, they used the magical pot, and they always had plenty to share with their neighbors. Word of the wonderful pot spread, and soon the villagers came to Lily’s cottage when they were in need. Lily was happy to help everyone, and the whole village began to live more comfortably.
However, as with all tales of magic, things didn’t stay perfect forever. One day, Lily had to go to the forest to gather firewood, leaving her mother alone at home. Her mother wasn’t feeling well and decided to use the pot to make some porridge.
“Cook, little pot, cook,” she said, and the pot began making porridge just as it always did. But when the pot was full and her mother wanted it to stop, she couldn’t remember the special words Lily had taught her. Instead, she said, “Stop, pot, stop,” but the pot didn’t listen. She tried other words like “Halt!” and “Enough!” but the pot just kept cooking. Porridge spilled over the sides of the pot, flowed onto the table, and started spreading across the floor.
Soon, the entire cottage was filled with porridge, and it began to flow out the door, creeping into the street. The villagers saw the stream of porridge and rushed to Lily’s house to find out what was happening. Lily returned from the forest just in time to see the river of porridge spreading into gardens and fields.
“Oh no!” she cried as she ran inside. She spotted the magical pot bubbling furiously and quickly shouted, “Stop, little pot, stop!” Instantly, the pot stopped cooking, and the bubbling porridge came to a halt.
Everyone in the village laughed and cheered at Lily’s quick thinking. They brought bowls, cups, and buckets to collect the porridge, ensuring none of it went to waste. For days, they enjoyed the delicious porridge, sharing it with everyone, even travelers passing through the village.
After the mishap, Lily took extra care to teach her mother the proper words to control the magical pot. The villagers also promised to always be careful whenever they used magic. From then on, Lily, her mother, and the village continued to live happily, sharing their magical gift and looking after each other.
And so, the tale of the magical cooking pot reminds us of the importance of kindness, sharing, and being mindful with the gifts we’re given. It also teaches us that even magical objects need a little responsibility and care.
The end.
