A Baker's Dozen Story in English | Stories for Teenagers | @EnglishFairyTales

Summary

Finn, an honest and precise baker in the town of Anapatemia, faces a mysterious curse after a little girl requests 13 cookies instead of the usual dozen. As his bakery suffers, Finn learns the importance of generosity after a visit from Angel Nikolai. Realizing that giving more brings joy, Finn starts offering 13 cookies as a dozen, which leads to his bakery's revival and newfound prosperity. He becomes a beloved figure in the town, spreading happiness by giving food to the less fortunate every weekend, learning that honesty and generosity go hand in hand.

Takeaways

• 😀 Finn is a skilled and honest baker in the town of Anapatemia, known for his precise measurements and high-quality baked goods.
• 🍪 Finn’s bakery is famous for his angel nikolai cookies, gingerbread treats decorated with red and white icing resembling Angel Nikolai.
• 🎄 On Angel Nikolai Day, Finn's bakery sees a rush of customers eager to buy his delicious cookies, making his shop very popular.
• 🙁 A little girl requests 13 cookies instead of 12, based on what her mother told her, but Finn insists that a dozen means 12.
• 👵 An older woman tells Finn that his heart is small and predicts his downfall, hinting that he will 'fall' and learn to count.
• ⚖️ After the encounter with the woman, Finn’s baking begins to suffer—bread rises too much, pies turn sour, and people stop visiting his shop.
• 💔 Finn’s business declines over the year, and he becomes discouraged, closing his bakery on the eve of Angel Nikolai Day.
• 🌟 Finn has a dream where he meets Angel Nikolai, who shows him the joy of giving and the importance of generosity in baking.
• 🍩 Inspired by his dream, Finn decides to bake his cookies with extra care, adding one more cookie to each dozen to spread happiness.
• 🎁 Finn changes his approach to business, deciding that a dozen is now 13 cookies, which delights his customers and revives his bakery.
• 💖 With the increased success of his bakery, Finn becomes wealthy and begins giving food to the poor every weekend, further growing his popularity.

Q & A

Why is Finn considered a trustworthy baker in the town?

Finn is considered trustworthy because he is precise in his baking and always ensures he gives customers exactly what they pay for, never more or less.

What makes the angel nikolai cookies so special?

The angel nikolai cookies are special because they are gingerbread cookies topped with sugary red and white icing, designed to resemble angel nikolai with a red and white hat and a long red cloak. Their aroma also attracts people from all around.

How does the little girl change Finn's fate?

The little girl challenges Finn’s definition of a dozen, claiming it should be 13 instead of the usual 12. When Finn refuses to give her the extra cookie, a mysterious woman curses him, causing his bakery products to fail and his shop to lose customers.

What is the significance of the woman’s warning to Finn?

The woman warns Finn that he will fall and learn how to count, implying that Finn’s strict adherence to precision and his lack of generosity will lead to his downfall and eventual lesson in the importance of giving.

What happens to Finn’s bakery after the curse is cast?

After the curse, Finn’s bakery products start to fail—bread rises too much, pies are too sour, and cookies are not baked properly. His shop becomes less popular, and eventually, people stop visiting altogether.

What role does Angel Nikolai play in Finn’s redemption?

Angel Nikolai appears in Finn’s dream, showing him the joy of giving. Through this experience, Finn learns that generosity spreads happiness, and he decides to change his ways by giving more than what customers pay for, starting with the angel nikolai cookies.

What does Finn do differently when he bakes the angel nikolai cookies after his dream?

After his dream, Finn bakes the angel nikolai cookies with a joyful spirit and adds an extra cookie, making the dozen 13 instead of 12, reflecting his newfound understanding of generosity and the joy it brings.

How does Finn’s decision to give an extra cookie impact his business?

When Finn starts giving an extra cookie, people from all over the town flock to his bakery. The news spreads quickly, and his bakery becomes popular again. His generosity leads to increased sales and greater success.

What lesson does Finn learn throughout the story?

Finn learns that honesty and generosity are important. His initial focus on being precise and giving only exactly what was paid for made him successful but also led to his downfall. By embracing generosity, he spreads joy and rebuilds his business.

What does Finn do with his wealth after his bakery becomes successful again?

After his bakery becomes successful again, Finn decides to give food to the poor every weekend for free, further spreading joy and attracting even more people to his bakery.