The Baker's Golden Coin
Long ago, in a tiny town nestled between colossal mountains and shrouded by the dense forest, there was a humble but outstanding baker, Francis. His bakery, 'Heavenly Glaze,' was a culinary sanctuary for the townsfolk, treasuring it more than the ancient cathedral at the marketplace. Francis was famous for his legendary doughnuts, which, according to the locals, were so divine that they could coax an earthly smile from a grumpy God.
One clear morning, a shadow fell over Francis's bakery. A stranger, wrapped in a cobalt cloak, stepped inside the bakery. His eyes sparkled like shards of sapphire, and his gentle voice caused chills to run down Francis’s spine. The stranger requested a dozen doughnuts, offering a golden coin that shimmered strangely. Curiosity peaked but setting it aside, Francis fried his finest doughnuts.
The stranger received his order with an appreciative nod, left one gold coin, and said, 'Be careful, baker. Gold is not what it seems.' And with that, he disappeared, leaving Francis utterly perplexed.
The peculiar golden coin captured the attention and admiration of the entire town. Not knowing what to do with it, Francis kept it as a good luck charm. But with each passing day, the town started experiencing strange occurrences. Crops started wilting, the once crystal-clear spring turned murky, and a sense of unease spread among the townsfolk.
Francis, now riddled with guilt and anxiety, decided to consult Esther, the town's elderly wise woman. He took the peculiar golden coin to her. With a gasp, Esther revealed that it was an enchanted coin, spreading a curse throughout their once peaceful land.
'Only a sacrifice of something equally enchanting can break the curse,' Esther stated. An idea sparked in Francis's mind. The 'enchanting doughnuts'! Without wasting a moment, Francis rushed back to his bakery.
With trembling hands and a hopeful heart, Francis prepared a batch of his finest doughnuts, pouring all his love, skill, and secret ingredients. The sweet, comforting aroma wafted through the town, providing a sense of ease for the first time in days.
He took the warm, glazed doughnuts to the center of the town where he placed the coin and offered up the doughnuts, praying silently. Suddenly, the town bathed in a radiant golden light as the coin absorbed the doughnuts, a gust of warm wind swept across, and then silence.
One by one, the townsfolk started to notice changes. The wilting crops sprang back to life, the spring water glistened, and a harmonious aura settled over the town.
There was jubilation amidst the people. They praised Francis for his courage and selflessness, and from that day forward, the town flourished, and so did 'Heavenly Glaze.' Francis continued to bake with a newfound vigor, cherishing the consistent reminder that not all gold glitters and that love and selflessness hold the power to triumph over greed and curses. And so, the tale of the baker and his enchanting doughnuts became a heartening lore in his town, recounted fondly through many generations.