The Price of Greed – A Cursed Tale of Fortune and Folly

Once upon a time, in a quiet village surrounded by rolling hills and thick woods, there lived a humble young couple named Elias and Maren. They worked hard on their modest farm, yet despite the warmth in their hearts and the love they shared, one sorrow overshadowed their happiness—they were childless.

For many years, they prayed to the stars, visited wise women, and whispered their wishes to the wind, but no child came. Every cradle remained empty, and every hopeful season passed in disappointment. That was, until one fateful stormy night.

Thunder rumbled and rain battered their tiny cottage when a knock echoed on their wooden door. Maren, startled, exchanged a glance with her husband before Elias cautiously opened the door. There stood a tiny old man, hunched under a soaking cloak, with a beard as white as snow and eyes bright with mischief and wisdom.

“Please,” croaked the old man, “may I warm myself by your fire? The storm has nearly swallowed me whole.”

Despite his appearance, the couple felt pity for the poor soul and welcomed him inside. They offered him a seat by the hearth, where flames danced merrily against the gloom.

As the old man dried himself, his nose twitched at the scent of stew bubbling on the stove.

“Could I trouble you for a bowl of that hearty stew?” he asked, patting his belly. “I’ve traveled long and far with nothing to fill my stomach.”

The couple, ever generous, happily obliged, presenting him with a steaming bowl of stew and a cup of their best wine. As the old man ate, he noticed Elias preparing his pipe.

“Kind sir, might I have a pinch of your tobacco to soothe my weary mind after such a meal?” the man requested.

Elias, with a smile, shared his pouch and pipe without hesitation. Once the old man had finished his meal, he stood, his eyes twinkling.

“You have been most kind, and kindness never goes unrewarded,” he declared. “Therefore, I shall grant you what your hearts desire most. By the next full moon, Maren shall carry a child, and prosperity will rain upon your household.”

With those words, the old man vanished into the storm.

True to his promise, Maren soon found herself expecting. Crops grew richer, livestock flourished, and Elias’s ventures brought in more coin than ever before. Their home, once humble, now brimmed with abundance and gilded decorations. The villagers whispered of the couple’s sudden fortune, but none knew the true reason behind it.

Months passed, and the time for Maren to give birth drew near. Then, on a clear night under a silver moon, another knock echoed on their door. There, as if untouched by time, stood the same little old man.

“It seems fortune has been generous to you,” he said with a sly grin. “May I rest again by your fire?”

But something in the couple had changed. Greed and pride had bloomed within them. They hesitated, eyeing the old man with suspicion, their minds more on their riches than on gratitude. Reluctantly, they let him in, but the warmth of their welcome was gone.

“Such wealth you’ve gathered,” the old man remarked, glancing around at the silver goblets, plush tapestries, and marble trinkets. “Might I have a simple meal to ease my hunger?”

Elias fetched a dry crust of bread, a scant handful of berries, and a glass of water—far from the feast they could have provided. The old man stared at the pitiful offering.

“Is this how you repay the one who gave you fortune and life yet to come?” His voice was soft but heavy with disappointment. “Such meanness of heart for those blessed beyond measure.”

He stood, making for the door, but before he left, he turned with a gaze sharp as a blade.

“You act like swine, so swine you shall bear.”

With that, he vanished into the night, leaving the couple staring after him in dread.

Three nights later, under the glow of the full moon, Maren went into labor. The cries of the midwife soon filled the village, but not with joy—they were cries of horror.

Maren had not birthed a human child, but a piglet—pink, squealing, and healthy as any swine, but unmistakably a pig. The villagers, hearing of the grotesque birth, whispered that the couple’s greed had turned their blessing into a curse.

No matter what healer or holy man they summoned, the child remained a piglet, though Maren swore she saw in its eyes the spark of a human soul, trapped by the curse of their own making.

Moral of the Story:

Gratitude is a treasure greater than gold. When kindness is met with greed, blessings can swiftly turn to curses. Cherish generosity, for what is given freely must be honored in return.