The Full Belly Bowl

Dear Friend, the tiny note reads,

In appreciation of your kindness and generosity,

I leave you this Full Belly Bowl.

You need never know hunger again.

Use it wisely or it will be a burden.

To empty, pour it out.

When not in use, store it upside down and out of reach of children.

"What on earth is a Full Belly Bowl?" the very old man wonders -- but he soon finds out. No matter how much he eats from it, the bowl magically refills itself. For the first time in a long time, the old man isn't hungry. Then he discovers that the bowl can refill itself with other things -- even his one copper coin -- and now it looks like he'll never want for anything again!

His excitement makes him careless, however, and as he hurries off to spend some of his new wealth, he leaves the bowl right side up. And who can say what might get into the Full Belly Bowl in his absence?

Fully realized in Wendy Halperin's beautiful and intricate illustrations, Jim Aylesworth's whimsical folktale will delight readers while striking a note of caution.