The Forbidden Door

Prince Arven pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped into the castle's grand kitchen. Copper pots gleamed from every shelf, and the stone hearth crackled with warmth. The head cook, Master Finn, stood chopping vegetables with swift, practiced movements.

"Your Highness!" Master Finn dropped his knife and bowed quickly. "You shouldn't be down here."

Arven's bright blue eyes sparkled as he watched the cook work. "I want to learn how to make food. It smells amazing!"

Master Finn shook his gray head. "Cooking is servants' work, my prince. Your father would not approve."

But Arven was already reaching for a wooden spoon, his small hands eager to help. "Please? Just one recipe?"

The Flying Flour

Master Finn sighed and handed Arven the wooden spoon. "Very well, Your Highness. We'll start with simple bread."

Arven bounced on his toes as Master Finn measured flour into a large bowl. "Can I pour it?"

"Slowly," Master Finn warned.

Arven grabbed the heavy flour sack with both hands and tilted it. White powder exploded everywhere like a snowstorm. Flour covered the stone floor, the wooden table, and both of them from head to toe.

"Oh no!" Arven coughed through the floating cloud.

Just then, a small brown sparrow flew through the open window. It chirped in surprise and flapped wildly, sending even more flour spinning through the air.