The Silver Pine Cones

29 The Silver Pine Cones Long ago, there lived a man with his wife and children. Misfortune came to the family when the man fell ill and could not work. Soon, there was hunger in the house. To make matters worse, they had no wood for fire to warm their house. One day, the wife announced that she was going to the forest to search for pine cones. She dreamed of gathering enough to sell at the market and buy food for her family. With a basket in hand, she began to gather cones. Thinking about her misery, she began to cry. Suddenly, a small man with white hair and a beard appeared. “ Who are you?" he asked with anger. “ And why are you stealing my pine cones?" The wife fell to her knees and apologized to the strange little man. “ I am so sorry, " she exclaimed. “ I should not be stealing your cones. " She explained the cause of her sadness. The man listened and gently said, “ You must leave my cones here, but go further to the next grove of trees. The pine cones there are much better. "

The woman did as she was told. When she got there, she was tired and sat to rest a moment. Suddenly, pine cones fell from the trees, filling her basket to the brim. The frightened woman ran all the way home, the basket growing heavy as she ran. Upon arriving home, she discovered why. The pine cones had turned to silver! The woman went to the market and sold some of the precious silver cones. She purchased food and everything the family needed. The children ate well, but her sick husband could not eat. The woman returned to the forest, found the little man, and thanked him with all her heart. " It is my pleasure, " replied the man. Then, he gave her a leaf from a forest plant. “ Cook this and give it to your sick husband, " he instructed. The woman did as she was told, and her husband soon became healthy. The family had all they needed for the rest of their lives. In honour of the strange little man's kindness, they kept one of the silver cones. And every day, they thanked him for his kindness.