The Golden Bread: A Tale of Beauty and Humility
Once upon a time in a tiny village, there lived a woman named Marion with her only daughter, Narcissa. Marion was known for her humility and sweetness, while Narcissa, on the other hand, possessed an unparalleled beauty. She was like a living doll, but what made her unique was her excessive self-admiration. Narcissa loved herself to no end, believing she was deserving of only the grandest things in life.
However, Narcissa's vanity became a significant obstacle in her relationship with her mother. Marion would often ask her daughter for help with simple tasks like baking bread or planting seeds, but Narcissa would dismiss these requests with disdain. She believed that such menial work could dull her bright and sparkly eyes or ruin her delicate fingers and face.
As Narcissa grew older, many suitors came from far and wide, drawn to her beauty. However, she rejected them all, displaying her rudeness without remorse. Marion, concerned about her daughter's future, couldn't understand why Narcissa would send away men who seemed genuinely kind and interested in her. But Narcissa's response was always dismissive, focusing on superficial flaws such as small eyes or a large nose.
One day, Marion couldn't hold her frustration any longer. She confronted Narcissa about her behavior, urging her to consider that beauty isn't everything. But Narcissa scoffed at her mother's words, insisting that she deserved someone as extraordinary as a prince or a knight.
To Marion's surprise, that night, Narcissa laughed in her sleep. It was a joyous laughter that filled the room. Marion watched her daughter, wondering what could be so amusing in her dream.
The next morning, Narcissa woke up with a wide smile and a sense of excitement. Eagerly, Marion asked her about the dream that brought her such joy. Narcissa recounted a magical dream in which a prince appeared before her, expressing his desire to marry her. In her dream, he arrived in a golden carriage, dressed head to toe in exquisite gold attire. Narcissa found herself in a magnificent golden wedding dress, stealing the attention of everyone around her.
Marion listened to Narcissa's dream with a mix of concern and bewilderment. She tried to explain that dreams like those were egotistical and lacked true substance. But Narcissa, blinded by her own desires, couldn't comprehend her mother's perspective.
Driven by her dream, Narcissa became fixated on the idea of bread made of gold. She yearned for something grander than the ordinary food they had at home. In her mind, gold bread would match her elevated status and exquisite taste.
Witnessing her daughter's longing for extravagant things, Marion became increasingly worried about Narcissa's well-being and future. Marion's concern caught the attention of two old friends, Melly and Terry, who paid her a visit.
Melly and Terry had been friends with Marion for ages, sharing a secret that Marion was unaware of—they were magical beings. Sensing Marion's distress, they listened intently as she poured her heart out about Narcissa's obsession with grandeur and her dream of golden bread.
Terry, who bore a resemblance to the angel Terence, smiled at Melly. They both understood that Narcissa needed a lesson in humility and perspective. However, they kept their plan secret
, exchanging knowing looks.
That night, as Narcissa and Marion stood in their garden, a breathtaking golden carriage approached them. Studded with gems and diamonds, it emanated an irresistible charm. Out stepped a handsome man, his presence captivating Narcissa's attention.
Confused yet intrigued, Marion questioned the stranger, wanting to understand who he was and how he knew Narcissa's name. The man introduced himself as Terence, the angel of good fortune, explaining that Narcissa's beauty and name were renowned throughout the world.
Terence, presenting Marion with a gift, asked for Narcissa's hand in marriage. Overwhelmed by the allure of wealth and beauty, Narcissa eagerly accepted his proposal without considering the consequences. She saw this as an opportunity to fulfill her dreams of grandeur.
Without saying goodbye to her mother, Narcissa entered the golden carriage, embarking on a journey beyond her imagination. As they traveled, the carriage passed through a magical portal, immersing Narcissa in a stormy, turbulent ride. Fear gripped her as the carriage bumped and swayed uncontrollably.
Terence reassured her, promising that everything would soon be over. True to his word, the carriage emerged from another portal, arriving at the driveway of a majestic golden castle. Narcissa's eyes widened in awe as she took in the resplendent beauty surrounding her.
Overwhelmed by the grandeur, Narcissa believed her dreams had come true. She thought her life would be filled with endless riches, magnificent dresses, and delectable food. However, her excitement quickly turned to disappointment.
In the dining room, Narcissa was presented with a feast like no other. The jams glistened like rubies, the salads sparkled like emeralds, and there, on the table, was the legendary golden bread. But when she took a bite, she realized it was as hard as stone. She couldn't eat it.
Confused and disheartened, Narcissa expressed her dissatisfaction. She pleaded with Terence for something edible, something that resembled normal bread. But he dismissed her request, asserting that she deserved only the finest, even if it meant inedible food.
Frustrated and hungry, Narcissa couldn't hold back her tears. The realization dawned upon her—her desires for grandeur had blinded her to the simple joys of life. She yearned for the warmth of her mother's home and the simplicity of a meal that satisfied not just the eyes but also the heart.
In a desperate plea, Narcissa expressed her desire to return home to her mother, renouncing the golden castle and the unpalatable golden bread. Terence and Melissa exchanged a knowing glance, understanding that their plan had worked.
Granting Narcissa's wish, Terence took her back to her mother's house. During the carriage ride, Narcissa's thoughts wandered, contemplating the choices she had made and the person she had become.
When they arrived, Narcissa ran into her mother's arms, tears of remorse streaming down her face. She confessed her newfound understanding and appreciation for the deeper meaning of life. Marion, overwhelmed with joy, embraced her daughter, knowing that she had learned a valuable lesson.
From that day forward, Narcissa embarked on a journey of self-improvement. Though it was challenging at first, she gradually shed her self-centeredness and embraced humility and kindness.
Some time later, Melly and Terry visited Marion once again, curious about Narcissa's transformation. Marion shared the story of her daughter's realization and subsequent change in demeanor. They marveled at the transformative power of life experiences and the impact they can have on a person's character.
As the story came to a close, Marion couldn't help but wonder if Narcissa's longing for golden bread
had been a mere dream or a magical intervention. The mystery remained, but the moral of the story was clear—the pursuit of external beauty and material wealth pales in comparison to the virtues of humility and treating others with kindness.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1Q: What lesson does "The Golden Bread" teach us?
- A: "The Golden Bread" teaches us the importance of humility and kindness over external beauty and material wealth. It emphasizes that true happiness and fulfillment come from genuine connections with others rather than superficial desires.
2. Q: Did Narcissa eventually find true love?
- A: While Narcissa's initial desire for grandeur led her astray, she ultimately realized that true love and happiness lie in humility and genuine connections with others. Whether she found a romantic partner or not is not explicitly mentioned in the story, but her transformation suggests a shift in priorities.
3. Q: How did Melly and Terry help Narcissa?
- A: Melly and Terry played a crucial role in helping Narcissa realize her vanity and change her ways. Through their magical intervention, they orchestrated the experience with the golden castle and the inedible golden bread, teaching Narcissa a valuable lesson about the emptiness of material possessions.
4. Q: Was Terence a real angel?
- A: Terence's identity as an angel of good fortune is left open to interpretation in the story. The mention of his resemblance to Terry, a magical being, adds a touch of mystery and magic to the narrative.
5. Q: What happened to the golden castle and the golden bread?
- A: After realizing the futility of her desires, Narcissa returned home, leaving behind the golden castle and the inedible golden bread. Their existence was merely a temporary illusion to teach her a lesson.
