A Bakers Dozen Review

Running head: A Bakers Dozen Review

A Bakers Dozen Review

Donald R. Foulk

Kaplan University

Abstract

A Bakers dozen is the story of a Baker who thrifty as he is refuses to follow the custom of giving 13 cookies (A Bakers Dozen) to customers. One evening at closing a lady orders a dozen ‘St. Nicholas’ cookies. When she receives only twelve she complains. The baker explains that a dozen is twelve and not thirteen and tells the lady she can take the twelve or leave. The lady opts to leave. Immediately the baker’s luck changes for the worse. After a few weeks the baker sees the personification of St. Nicholas who speaks with him. As St. Nicholas leaves the baker hears the door and knows it is the old lady again. Immediately he gets 13 of his freshly baked St. Nicholas cookies to give to her. As she exits the shop she replies, “The spell is broken” (Schlosser). And the bakers prosperity returns.

The Bakers Dozen Review

In the telling of The Bakers Dozen a baker is taught a lesson in generosity. In the story, told in first person, the baker recounts how lucky he was having a successful bake shop, a plump wife, and a big family. He goes on to admit “I was a happy Man.” (Schlosser)

His luck is soon to change however as he is visited by an old lady one night right at closing time. The lady asks for a dozen of his St. Nicholas cookies. When he gives her only twelve she responds “Only twelve?” (Schlosser). Immediately the baker knows what she expects and explains to her that a dozen is twelve and not thirteen as is the local custom. After a brief exchange the lady takes the option to leave without her cookies.

Immediately thereafter the bakers luck takes a turn for the worse. His cakes are stolen, the bread won’t rise for the first week, and rises too much the second week.

At this moment he realizes he has been “bewitched”. This second week the old lady returns to the shop asking for a dozen cookies. The baker in anger cursed her loudly and she leaves....