The Tale of the Magic Pot

Good evening my dear boys and girls, as well as their parents and grandparents.

There are many different and interesting stories out there in the world, and I am about to tell you yet another one. Whether this really happened, I am not sure, nor am I sure, where I heard it. It could have all been a dream. However this happened, I will begin my story.

A long time ago, in a kingdom far, far away, lived an old King. He wasn’t young; he wasn’t tall or very bright. Nor was he nice or mean. But he ruled his kingdom with love. The people in his country were hardworking, good people that mind their own business and kept to themselves. Every morning the rings of their axes and hammers raised the family roasters in the villages. Before the rise of the sun, the flute of the shepherd evoked the cows, sheep and goats to meet in a joyful herd. All of the people in the kingdom are busy with their daily routine. Word spread of the craftsmanship and quality of the goods that these people produced.

Like in many other countries, when the last of the seeds were picked from the fields, and all the barns were stocked with fruits and vegetables by the order of the king, the harvest festivals begin.

The people of the kingdom and their guests would gather in the center square. They set up tents/ markets for the people to set their fresh produce and goods. They sold their products, shared and exchanged their produce to one another. Games and events were held for prizes and laughs.

Even the king would receive gifts. Each person would present the king with a gift in order to impress him. Every evening, when the sun sets, the festival begins. The people of the kingdom would sing loud beautiful songs, dance and be merry. The day after the festival, all of the men were invited to join the king for the royal hunt. The women saw their men off for the hunt, giggling amongst themselves while the little boys with their wooden swords and guns, chase after the men with their dogs by dogs by their sides to the kingdom gates.

The hunters rode to the nearest forest and through the forest a few more miles, to the open meadows where the to the overgrown swamp sits. This was the hunter’s favorite spot; they called it the Meaty Swamp. Waters springs created the overgrown swamp and many forest animals came through for a drink of water. Legends formed due to its bad reputation, it was ugly and frightening. Tales of mythical creatures were told to roam its dark waters. No later than a month ago, men and women that plow the fields nearby claim, they have heard these creatures pull in, innocent souls in the depths of the swamp. Maybe it was animal or a traveler that got lost in the thick fog, to which the creatures of the pond the musically celebrated their catch. (Sounds of frogs and loud animals). Even the fog danced above the dark waters of the swamp. Everyone that’s heard and saw this event says that the hair on the back of their necks stood up. What a fright! Every year, in this area people and livestock went missing (disappeared). The king declared a law, “it is forbidden to walk this area alone. If this path is necessary, then only shall a group of people go together and all must keep on an eye on one another.”