The Fruit Vendor and the Golden Harvest🔊

Once upon a time, in a bustling town named 'Lienz', nestled at the foot of divine mountains and beside a gleaming river, there lived a humble fruit vendor named 'Alten'. He was known for his luscious, aromatic, and vibrant fruits which were loved by everyone in town, young and old alike. Alten's modest fruit cart was a myriad of nature's candies that reflected hues of sunshine yellow, blush red, and heart-warming orange.

One day as Alten was arranging his fruits, a bruised, timid little boy named 'Ben' came up to his cart, eyes wide with desire. Ben belonged to a poor family and witnessing fresh fruits was a luxury for him. Noticing the longing in Ben's eyes, Alten offered him a shiny apple. Ben's face lit up like the morning sun.

This turned into a routine. Everyday, Alten would keep aside the finest fruit for Ben. One day, Ben asked, 'You have been so kind to me. Can I help you in return?' Alten simply smiled and said, 'Boy, your happiness is my greatest reward.'

A few days later, an unfamiliar ebony stone appeared among Alten's fruit. The stone was peculiar and unlike anything he had ever seen. He showed it to Ben and in their curiosity, they opened it to find a strange seed inside. Alten decided to plant this curious little seed, watering it and tending to it with sheer love and dedication. Ben, too, helped in his small ways. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and the seed grew marvelously into a magnificent, radiant tree.

Then came the day when the tree bore its first fruit – a tantalizingly golden, dew-kissed, and plump fruit, unlike any other. Alten and Ben curiously tasted it and were astounded. It had an intoxicating sweetness which was beyond any fruits they had tasted. Word spread in Lienz, and soon, the tree became the town’s pride.

However, prosperity invited envy and greed leading some townsmen to try and steal the fruit at night. Alten was heartbroken by these actions but remained patient and forgiving. 'The fruit of this tree is for everyone,' he would declare every morning.

One fine day, ailing King Maurice heard of this miraculous fruit. He commanded his men to bring Alten and the fruit to the castle. Seeing the old fruit vendor's genuine disposition and learning about his generosity, King Maurice tasted the magical fruit. To his surprise, it rejuvenated him, reducing his ailments.

In gratitude, King Maurice offered Alten riches and honor. However, Alten, the humble man that he was, humbly declined and asked simply for a plot of land to expand his fruits business and to keep providing for the town's people, especially the children.

Time passed, and Alten not only cultivated more fruit trees from the magical seeds, but also shared his knowledge with others, turning Lienz into the 'Fruit Capital'. The town flourished and Alten's fruits healed many. His generosity and humility stood as a testament of kindness in Lienz, inspiring many, especially little Ben, who grew up to be as kind and humble as the old fruit vendor.

Alten's kindness marked the beginning of a fruitful era in Lienz, showing everyone the strength in humility, joy in giving, and the potent magic enclosed in kindness.