The Hardworking Baker
A long time ago, in a small town, lived Mandi, a baker whose sweets and cakes were known throughout the town, especially her strawberry and chocolate muffins.
A Successful Bakery
Mandi opened her bakery early in the morning and sold only fresh cakes, made with the best ingredients. If any cakes remained unsold at the end of the day, she would give them away for free to children, and the next day she would make fresh ones. People flocked to buy from her bakery.
— Mandi, seriously, your muffins are so good! My son only wants cakes from you for his birthday. — Thank you so much! And here, two extra muffins for you, for your birthday. Happy Birthday! — Thank you, Auntie!
The Jealous Rival
Across from her bakery was Barney's bakery. Barney was lazy. He watched as customers gathered for Mandi's cakes and grew jealous.
— If she keeps doing better and better, no one will come to me anymore. I have to do something!
So Barney thought of a plan to win more customers.
— Two muffins for the price of one! Two muffins for the price of one!
A few of Mandi's customers went to Barney's bakery, but they soon returned to Mandi.
— Two muffins for the price of one! — Barney, it seems the taste of your muffins isn't as good as Mandi's. Even if they're much cheaper, your muffins aren't fresh. I'm sorry.
The Special Order
One day, a nobleman came to Mandi's bakery.
— Are you the famous baker Mandi? — Yes. How can I help you? — My son ate your chocolate muffins at a friend's birthday and insists he wants the same for his birthday. — That would be an honor, sir! It's best if you taste the cakes and see if you like them. — Ah, that would be wonderful! Mmm, they're delicious! I want them for the party! — How wonderful! How many do you want and when is the child's birthday? — The party is on Saturday, in three days. Can you send 100 cakes to my house? — The cakes will be at your house by Saturday at 3 o'clock.
Mandi worked hard and prepared 100 muffins. On the other hand, Barney had heard about the huge order Mandi received and decided to spoil her joy.
— If the nobleman from the king's court likes her cakes, no one will come to my bakery anymore. I must ruin her order!
So that night, when Mandi had prepared all the cakes,
— Finally, I've finished all 100 cakes. I'll take them to the nobleman's house tomorrow morning. — You'll send them in the morning only if they still exist! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
A New Idea
The next morning, when Mandi arrived at the bakery, she was shocked to see that mice had eaten all the cakes.
— Oh, dear! How could this have happened? What will I do now? I have to deliver the cakes in three hours!
Mandi was very worried, and then Barney came along too.
— What's wrong, Mandi? Why are you so worried? — You! You never open so early. What are you doing here? — I have to deliver 100 cakes to the nobleman's house. — Ah, I knew you stole my cakes from the bakery! — Everything is fair in business! He he he he he!
Now Mandi was very upset. She didn't want to let Barney get away with it, but what could she do? Immediately an idea came to her. She quickly went into the kitchen and after three hours, this was her idea.
— Look, Mom! A cake that looks like a castle! A castle cake! I want one too! — Wow, what a wonderful cake! Did you really make it yourself? — Yes!
The Success of Innovation
So Mandi brought to the nobleman's house a cake like no one there had ever seen.
— What a wonderful cake! — Thank you! I know you wanted muffins, but I thought I'd make you something special for your birthday. — I love it!
So now Mandi was known not only for her muffins but also for the beauty of her cakes, and she began to receive even more orders than before.
In a difficult situation, Mandi didn't lose her calm and, by being creative, she turned the situation into a positive one to achieve even greater success than before.
