Ernest, The Humble Baker
Once upon a time, in a grand old city surrounded by verdant forests and crystal-clear streams, there lived a humble baker named Ernest. For generations, Ernest's family had been synonymous with tasty bread in the city. The secret of their baking skills, passed down from generation to generation, was a closely guarded family secret. Not even the city's local royalty knew the secret to it, despite having tried everything they could to know it.
Ernest was the epitome of cheerfulness. Every morning he would rise before dawn to knead the dough, add the secret ingredients with a twinkle in his eye and bake the bread to perfection. Children and adults alike would throng his bakery by the time morning rays painted the city golden. Ernest's warm personality and cheerfulness added additional flavour for the customers.
One fine day, as the sun was setting and casting long shadows on the city, a royal decree was announced. The king announced a grand feast to celebrate his son’s birthday and invited bakers from across his kingdom to bake for the event. The best among them would get a chance to be the royal family's personal baker. To sweeten the pot, the king offered his royal ring, encrusted with rare gems, as a reward. The news sent a current of excitement through Ernest. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.
The day of the feast arrived. Bakers from every nook and corner of the kingdom presented their bread to the king. Ernest, humble and calm, offered his bread with a genuine smile. The first bite that the king took, he closed his eyes to savour the exquisite taste. The room filled with a deafening silence. As the king opened his eyes, he couldn't help but express his satisfaction with a thunderous applause. It was Ernest's bread that won the king's heart.
True to his word, the king invited Ernest to be their personal baker. But neither the honour of being the royal baker nor the ring with rare gems tempted Ernest. He loved his daily routine, his customers, their smiling faces when having his baked goods, and the quiet, yet fulfilling life in his corner of the city.
Ernest declined the king’s offer politely, humbly requesting one wish - to let his bakery remain the way it was, untouched by the authority of the king and his men, a sanctuary to those who found joy in the simplicity of fresh baked bread. Touched by Ernest's humility and dedication, the king granted his wish.
Earnest returned to his life, his bakery by dawn and his peaceful dreams by twilight. His story, however, carried him beyond the boundaries of the city. Through travellers, his story reached the farthest corners of the kingdom, inspiring those who heard about the humble baker who valued joy over riches.
Ernest lived and died in his beloved city, continuing to bring smiles on the faces of people with his bread. His story, however, echoed through the kingdom even after centuries, reminding everyone about the lasting impact of simplicity, humility and true passion. The humble baker of the city, indeed, baked not just bread, but also an immortal legacy.