The Magic Cask

A farmer digging his field found a large earthenware cask buried beneath the soil. He rolled it carefully onto a cart and brought it home, wondering whether it might hold grain or water.

His wife began cleaning the cask with a brush. When she set the brush inside, another appeared beside it, then another. Soon the bottom was full of brushes, though she had brought only one.

The farmer carried the brushes to market. Neighbours bought them for painting and careful cleaning, and the family could afford good meals. They put the cask in a sheltered corner of the courtyard.

One afternoon, a coin slipped from his pocket into the cask. The brushes vanished, and coins began appearing in their place. The farmer stared, then hurried to fetch baskets for the unexpected treasure.

At first, he used the coins sensibly, mending the house and buying seeds. But soon he wanted more and more. Instead of visiting friends, he spent his days counting and filling baskets.

He asked Grandfather to help sort the coins at a low table. Grandfather worked for a while, then needed rest. The farmer kept asking for another basket, forgetting how tired his grandfather looked.

As Grandfather put down his work, one soft glove fell into the cask. Instantly, the coins disappeared. Gloves poured up instead, tumbling over the rim and filling every basket in the crowded courtyard.

The farmer tried lifting the heavy cask to stop the rush. Its worn side cracked, and the magic ended. He sat down among the gloves, finally noticing that Grandfather needed care, not more work.

He apologised and brought Grandfather a warm meal. With his wife, he gave the extra gloves to neighbours who needed them. The remaining coins paid for repairs, but no magic replaced their daily work.

The family returned to the field, leaving time each evening to sit together. Grandfather told stories while the others listened. Their house held fewer baskets of coins, and much more kindness than before.