Folktales On Generosity

Folktales on Generosity and Appreciation

Come December, the nip in the air becomes almost palpable and the season of celebration starts in full glory. The long vacation during Christmas and New Year is a time for us to be with our friends and family, to appreciate our lives and to show gratitude, kindness and generosity to others. As we indulge in the lavish feasts, we also find this time an excuse to hoard on gifts for our children. Although we buy gifts in their best interest, having too many toys is counter-productive for children. According to a study conducted by the University of Missouri, children who had too many toys grew into adults with compulsive behaviours like excessive shopping, debt and gambling. Such children also tend to

What will he wish for if a fairy would grant him a wish?
4. Why is King Midas wrong?

2. Generosity
Time and again, many studies have proven that there is more happiness in giving than receiving. Show the joy of giving to your child with the Baker's Dozen which tells the tale of a baker who learns that generosity not only gives him more pleasure but also more profits.

The Baker’s Dozen
There lives a man named Van Amsterdam in a Dutch settling in North America. Van Amsterdam's Saint Nicholas cookies are the rave of the town. He is diligent in his work and uses the best ingredients. As an honest man, he exactly gives his customers what they pay for.

On a busy day, when Van Amsterdam is baking his famous cookies, an old day comes and orders a dozen cookies. He meticulously counts the cookies and places them in a pack. The old day takes a look and reprimands him for not giving a dozen cookies. Boasting of his high work ethic, he tells her that there are twelve cookies in the pack. She insists that a dozen means thirteen in her book. Van Amsterdam adamantly refuses to add another cookie. Warning him that he has a small heart, she leaves. Soon, things start to go south in the bakery. No matter how hard he tries, the bread falls flat, the cakes come chewy and the cookies get burnt. He starts to lose his customers. In about a year, he becomes very poor. He prays to Saint Nicholas to save his bakery. That night, he has a dream. He is in a market as a young child. He sees Saint Nicholas with his bag full of presents. Saint Nicholas is distributing gifts to the children in the market. Van Amsterdam is startled to find that Saint Nicholas's bag is always full regardless of taking gifts from