The Baker's Dozen
Baker Fin and His Reputation
Once upon a time, in a small town called Anapotamia, lived a baker named Fin. He made cakes, pies, cookies, and everyone in town came to buy from him.
He was an honest person and a very precise baker, who often checked his scales and made sure he gave his customers exactly what they paid for. So, people loved to buy from Fin's bakery, because everything he made was delicious, and the fact that he was precise made him trustworthy.
— I'd like a pound cake, please! — Certainly! — Perfect! Here you go! Have a good day!
His bakery was always full, especially on Saint Nicholas Day. There were lots of people waiting to buy his delicious Saint Nicholas cookies.
The gingerbread cookies, with sweet red and white icing, looked like Saint Nicholas, with a white and red hat and a long red cloak. The captivating aroma of the gingerbread cookies spread throughout the town, drawing people towards his bakery.
On the morning of Saint Nicholas Day, as soon as the door opened, people started coming in to get the cookies.
— Oh, I can't wait to get some of those wonderful cookies! — Yes, they're so good. I can't wait for my turn. I'm going to get a whole dozen. Come on, let's go!
People from all over town gathered at Fin's bakery to buy his famous Saint Nicholas cookies. But a certain customer was about to change Fin's life forever.
The Curse of the Dozen
— Excuse me, sir! — Yes? Huh? — Excuse me, please! I'm here! — Oh, sorry, young lady! I didn't see you. How can I help you? — I would like a dozen Saint Nicholas cookies, please. — Right away!
Fin took the tray and brought 12 cookies, then put them in the box. He wrapped the box and gave it to the girl.
— Excuse me, please! I asked for a dozen, but I received 13 cookies. — Uh, yes, because a dozen means 12 pieces. — But... My mother told me it means 13 pieces. Could I have one more, please? — I'm sorry, my child. I always give customers exactly what they pay for. Nothing more, nothing less. — But... but... aaaaaa! — Hey, don't cry, little girl! It'll be fine! Why don't you give her one more? — Everyone knows a dozen means 12 pieces, which is what I gave her. — I say it means 13. Give her one more to make her happy. — I can't! — Then, Mr. Baker Fin, perhaps you are an honest man, but you have a small heart. You will fall and you will rise. And then you will learn to count.
Saying that, she left the bakery, followed by the little girl.
— Ha! How strange!
The Bakery's Decline
From that day on, nothing went right. The dough rose too much, and the pies were tasteless.
— Ugh, this cake is blah! — And my cookie isn't good at all. — I'm never coming here again.
Soon, people started to see how bad the food was and stopped coming to him. From being one of the most sought-after bakers in town, he ended up with no visitors.
— What am I to do? I think that lady cursed me.
Fin started selling and baking less and less. People rarely came by to buy anything, and in the evening, he went home sad.
A year passed, and it was the day before Saint Nicholas Day, and Fin was alone in the bakery, with no one coming to buy his good Saint Nicholas cookies. That evening, sad and disappointed, he closed his bakery, went home, and went to bed.
— It's almost done. — Huh? How did it burn again? Oh, Saint Nicholas, help me!
The Dream and the Revelation
As soon as he said that, he found himself in a room full of children, and in the middle of them was Saint Nicholas, giving them gifts. No matter how many gifts he offered, the pile of gifts did not decrease. On the contrary, it grew.
— Wow! What a pleasant feeling it is to give! Everyone seems happy! — Hey! Look what I got! — Wow, good! — Huh, how did that happen?
Fin transformed into a boy who was amazed when Saint Nicholas offered him a gift. It was one of his famous Saint Nicholas cookies.
— Thank you, Saint! You are... — Yes, Fin, I am Evanora. I believe you have learned your lesson. Now wake up, for you will make good food, and every cookie will warm people's hearts.
He woke up immediately, as the moonlight shone through the window, and began to think.
— I always gave customers goods for what they paid. But why not more? It's a joy to give! You spread so much happiness!
A New Dozen, A New Life
On Saint Nicholas Day, first thing in the morning, Fin went to the bakery and started making cookies, mixing the ingredients with a big smile on his face. He kneaded the gingerbread dough, cut out the shapes, then baked them.
— And now, the icing!
He spread red and white icing over the cookies and made them look exactly like Saint Nicholas. He was very pleased with how the cookies looked, better than ever!
— Super! They look fantastic!
As soon as he finished, Evanora came in and walked up to him.
— I would like a dozen Saint Nicholas cookies, please.
Seeing Evanora inside, he smiled and immediately started counting 12 cookies, then added one more, then gave them to Evanora.
— Here you go! From now on, in my bakery, a dozen means 13. — Hmm, you've learned to count well. You will surely be rewarded for your generosity.
Saying that, she thanked him and left. What she predicted was true, for the news that Fin considered a dozen to be 13 pieces spread quickly, and people from all over town came to get a dozen of his tasty cookies.
— I want a dozen. — Me too! — And me!
Soon, he became so rich that he decided to offer free food to the poor every weekend, which made even more people from the town and its surroundings come to him.
Thus, he learned that honesty and generosity are important for spreading joy throughout the world.
