The Magic Porridge Pot

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled between rolling hills and lush forests, there lived a kind-hearted little girl named Ella. Ella lived with her mother in a tiny cottage at the edge of the village. They were poor, but they were happy, for they had each other and the beauty of nature surrounding them. However, there were days when the cupboards were bare, and the pangs of hunger gnawed at their bellies.

One day, as Ella wandered through the forest in search of wild berries, she heard a faint, melodious humming coming from deeper within the woods. Curiosity piqued, she followed the sound until she came across an old woman sitting by a sparkling brook. The old woman had a kind face, wrinkled with age but warm with wisdom.

"Hello, dear," the old woman greeted Ella with a gentle smile. "What brings you so deep into the forest?"

"I'm looking for berries, ma'am," Ella replied politely. "My mother and I are very hungry."

The old woman nodded, understanding the girl's plight. "You are a good and caring child, Ella. I have something special for you." She reached into her tattered cloak and pulled out a small, unassuming pot. It was made of simple clay, with no decorations or markings, but it had a certain glow about it.

"This is a Magic Porridge Pot," the old woman explained. "It will help you and your mother in your times of need. All you have to do is say, 'Cook, little pot, cook,' and it will fill with delicious, warm porridge. When you have enough, simply say, 'Stop, little pot, stop,' and it will cease cooking. But remember, use it wisely and never let greed take over."

Ella's eyes widened with wonder. She thanked the old woman profusely and hurried back to her cottage, clutching the pot tightly to her chest. When she arrived home, her mother was sitting by the fire, looking weary and sad.

"Mother, look what I found!" Ella exclaimed, holding up the Magic Porridge Pot. She explained what the old woman had told her, and her mother's eyes filled with hope and disbelief.

"Could it really be true?" her mother whispered.

"Let's find out!" Ella said eagerly. She placed the pot on the table and, with a clear voice, said, "Cook, little pot, cook."

To their amazement, the pot began to bubble and steam. In just moments, it was brimming with creamy, golden porridge that smelled heavenly. Ella and her mother were overjoyed. They each took a bowl and filled it with the delicious porridge, savoring every bite. It was the most satisfying meal they had ever had.

When they had eaten their fill, Ella remembered the old woman's instructions and said, "Stop, little pot, stop." Immediately, the pot stopped bubbling, and the porridge settled.

From that day on, Ella and her mother were never hungry again. Whenever they needed food, they simply used the Magic Porridge Pot. Word of their miraculous pot spread through the village, and the once-struggling pair became known for their generosity, always willing to share their porridge with neighbors in need.

One day, while Ella was out gathering firewood, a greedy and envious woman from the village came to visit her mother. She had heard of the Magic Porridge Pot and was determined to have it for herself. Pretending to be concerned about Ella, she sweetly asked to see the pot.

Ella's mother, who was trusting and kind, showed the woman the pot and explained how it worked. The greedy woman feigned admiration but was secretly plotting to steal it.

That night, under the cover of darkness, the greedy woman snuck into Ella's cottage and took the Magic Porridge Pot. She rushed home, eager to fill her house with endless porridge. She placed the pot on her table and, with a greedy grin, commanded, "Cook, little pot, cook."

The pot began to bubble and steam, filling with porridge just as it had for Ella and her mother. But the greedy woman was so excited by the sight of the porridge that she forgot the words to stop it. She continued to watch as the porridge rose higher and higher, spilling over the edges of the pot.

Soon, the porridge overflowed onto the table, then the floor. The woman tried to stop it, but she didn't know the magic words. The porridge kept cooking, flooding her house and pouring out the door.

Panicked, the woman ran through the village, screaming for help. The villagers, curious and alarmed, followed her back to her house, only to see it buried under a mountain of porridge. They tried to think of a way to stop it, but no one knew the magic words.

Meanwhile, Ella, returning from the forest, saw the commotion and hurried to the scene. She immediately understood what had happened. With a calm and clear voice, she shouted, "Stop, little pot, stop!"

At once, the pot stopped bubbling, and the flood of porridge ceased. The villagers were amazed by Ella's bravery and wisdom. As they looked at the mess of porridge covering the greedy woman's house, they couldn't help but laugh.

The greedy woman, realizing her mistake, apologized to Ella and her mother. She returned the Magic Porridge Pot and promised never to be greedy again. Ella and her mother, ever kind and forgiving, accepted her apology and even shared the remaining porridge with the villagers.

From that day on, the village was filled with joy and laughter. The story of the Magic Porridge Pot became a legend, teaching everyone the value of kindness, generosity, and the dangers of greed. Ella and her mother continued to live happily, always ready to share their magical porridge with those in need, knowing that true wealth lies not in what we have but in how we use it to help others.

And so, the Magic Porridge Pot remained in their little cottage, a symbol of the magic that kindness and love can bring into the world.