Storia: Magic Bread

Once upon a time, there was a boy that came into a poor family. His name is Kevin. He is the oldest among his siblings. His father’s salary as a factory worker is not enough for their family with five children while his mother is only a housewife taking care of his little brothers and sisters.

As the oldest, he wants to help his father at least a little. At night and during his free time, he works as a baker in a bakery at the town square. Baking is his talent so it’s not a problem to him at all and his salary is enough to cover his expenses in his studies.

It’s hard for him to work and study at the same time. Though he still got an average grades in his studies. His parents were proud of him that he can help his father in a way that it doesn’t affect his studies.

There are times that he gets late at work because also as the oldest, he is responsible for his little siblings in going to school.

One day he was called in his classroom. His youngest brother got sick. He rushed to his little brother’s classroom and brought him to the hospital. There they diagnosed that his brother has a dengue fever. Quickly, he said it to his parents who got worried so much. He didn’t noticed that he is already an hour late for his work. So he left the hospital the time his mother came.

As he goes in the bakery, his boss got mad at him.

“Kevin! You’re late again! And what alibi will you excuse this time?”

“I’m sorry sir, I brought my little brother in the hospital and he was diagnosed to have a dengue fever.” Kevin said.

“One more late and I will fire you! Even though you are a good baker, what I need is profits in my bakery. I’ll deduct your late hours on your salary! Now go to work!”

Kevin just ignored what have just said by his boss. He just continued his work for he need the money.

As he got home an hour before midnight, he saw his father and his mother talking.

“We need a lot of money for our little Ben.” His mother said.

“My salary is still at the end of the month and I just borrowed a money from my boss last week.” His father replied.

“Dad, mom” Kevin joined their conversation. “Let me have this, I’ll try to borrow money from my boss tomorrow since its Saturday, I’m going to work overtime. “

“You’re a really good boy, I’m proud to have a son like you” His mom hugged him.

The morning comes; he came very early to work after visiting his little brother.

“Wow you’re early today. I hoped you’re always doing that every day you come here” his boss said.

“Sir, can I ask a favor? I need to borrow money for my brother’s expenses in the hospital. I promise I’ll pay it as my dad received his salary.” Kevin asked sadly.

“You’re going to borrow again? Your last debt was not yet fully paid! Pay it first before I’ll lend another money to you.” The boss angrily said.

“But sir I really need the money for my little brother. He needs to buy his medicines.” Kevin pleasingly said. “I’ll work overtime today and until tomorrow if you want.”

“Let’s see. You’re going to work here seven days straight and I let you have the money.” The boss greedily said.

Kevin couldn’t do anything but to accept his boss offer.

He didn’t come to school to work at the bakery for seven days straight.

One day an old woman came to the bakery asking for a bread. She said that she haven’t eaten yet for more than a week.

The greedy owner of the bakery dragged the poor old woman away at the bakery.

Kevin saw what happened. He get ten slices of bread he just baked and rushed to the old woman as his boss madly returned to his room.

“Granny, are you okay? Forgive my boss for he’s always like that to others. Here, I just baked it.” Kevin said as he gave the bread to the old woman.

“Thank you dear, you’re really kind.” The old woman is happy while eating the bread he baked. “But why are you so sad?”

“It’s just my little brother is in the hospital and we need money for his expenses. I borrowed money from my boss and his consequence is I’ll work here for seven days.” Kevin told the whole story to the old woman. “How’s the bread?”

“It’s delicious. You are a good baker and a good son and older brother.” The old woman said. “You deserve a reward.”

Suddenly his boss called him.

“Kevin! Where are you?” “What are you doing there? Your work is not done!”

“Sorry sir, it’s just…” as he looked beside him, the old woman is gone and there he found a baker’s hat. “Did the old woman left it?” He asked himself.

His seven days work is done. He got the money that he borrowed from his boss. The money is used for the expenses of the little brother in the hospital.

One day Kevin’s father talked to him.

“Kevin, I know you still want to work but you’re not able to go school because of that work. I suggest you quit that job as I will pay our debt to your boss.”

“But dad I want to help you and mom. I can study and work at the same time.” Kevin said.

“I know you can, and I know you really like baking. I was able to loan money from the bank. I want to use it to start our own bakery. You bake before you go to school and your mom will be the one to sell it.” His father said while smiling.

Kevin is very happy that time as he also remembered the old woman who gave her a baker’s hat. He always wears that hat as he bakes bread.

Their bakery is now one of the best in their town because of the delicious breads baked by Kevin. He is popularly known as the Magic Baker with his Magic Bread.

He later saw a note inside the hat saying “You are a good boy, a good son and a good brother to your siblings. Wear this hat and you will be what you’ve dreamt of- the best baker.”