Gula

“The aroma of these apples is driving me mad. I must have one,” said Gula.

Duke Gula had once been a man, but that was long ago. There are rumors of a witch denied scraps while the Duke stuffed his face with the finest morsel one could imagine.

“Yes, quite sumptuous, I must have more,” muttered Gula as the juices ran down his swollen face.

Having refused the woman even the smallest crumb, the Duke threw her into the cold night.

“You will crave the tiniest morsel, and be in hunger night and day,” cried the witch as she faded before his eyes.

Within days, the Duke became obsessed with every kind of food imaginable. He ordered wagonloads of meat, fruit, and bread.

“More, I must have more of these apples,” ordered Gula.

“I’m afraid there are none to be had, my lord,” said his cook.

The court began to notice the change in his appearance after a week.

“He takes on the appearance of a demon,” came the whispers of the help.

True enough, the man was once handsome, but now he had grotesque features. His size had doubled in a matter of days.

“I want pies then, bring all you have and make as many more as you have flour,” cried the Duke.

Word of his transformation reached the King. Having noticed the Duke’s gluttony during a previous court visit. The King proclaimed his fate was with the angels.

“Ah, the flavor of berry pie, more I must have more,” shouted Gula.

The Duke ate day in and day out. One day, the witch returned. She took a pin from her hair and poked the Duke.

Survivors of the cataclysm recount an explosion so fierce that it obliterated the outer walls.

Nothing remained of the Duke, not even a toenail. The building stands empty now, with villagers fearing even to pass by its broken gates.

As for the witch? Word spread of her deed, and henceforth she attended every banquet and ate in a seat of honor.

To think all this trouble came about over a few scraps of meat.

“Remember, kindness is always a reward. Gluttony is a punishment in itself,” said the witch at the royal banquet.

“Words to live by,” remarked the King with a wry smile.

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