The Fisherman and His Wife

Long ago, in a small fishing village by the sea, there lived a humble fisherman. He and his wife were happy with their simple life. Every day, the fisherman would set out to sea, casting his net and hoping for a good catch to provide for their family.

One sunny morning, as the fisherman was casting his net, he felt a powerful tug. When he hauled it in, he found an unusual and colorful fish with bright, shimmering scales. To his astonishment, the fish spoke to him, saying, "Please, kind fisherman, release me back into the sea, and I will grant you a wish as a token of your mercy."

The fisherman, a good-hearted man, carefully returned the magical fish to the water. As the fish swam away, it said, "If ever you or your wife need a wish, just call my name, and I will come to your aid."

Excited, the fisherman hurried home to tell his wife about the magical fish. They decided to save the wish for a time when they truly needed it. They went on with their simple life, grateful for each other and the bounties of the ocean.

One day, as they sat together in their cozy cottage, the wife said, "We have a small home, and it's getting crowded. I wish for a bigger house where we can live comfortably."

Remembering the fish's promise, the fisherman called out, "Fish of the sea, in the waters so deep, my wife wishes for a house where we can sleep."

In an instant, the little cottage transformed into a grand and spacious house. The wife was delighted, and they enjoyed their new home. But the more they had, the more the wife wanted. She soon grew dissatisfied and wished for even more grandeur.

The fisherman hesitated but, seeing his wife unhappy, he called out again, "Fish of the sea, in the waters so deep, my wife wishes for a palace, her dream to keep."

Once more, the fish granted their wish, and they found themselves in a magnificent palace with servants at their beck and call. The wife was thrilled, but her desires knew no bounds. She wished for more riches, and then for power, until she wished to be a queen, and finally, even a ruler of the sea.

With each wish, the fish complied, but the more the wife received, the more she craved. She was never satisfied. One day, as she gazed out at the endless sea, she wished to the ruler of the land and sea.

At once, their splendid palace vanished, and they found themselves back in their small cottage by the sea, just as they were before the fish's first wish.

The fisherman was relieved to be free from the never-ending demands of his wife. They both realized the importance of being happy with what they had and living a simple, happy life.

And so, my dear child, this is the story of the fisherman and his wife, a tale of greed and the consequences of never being satisfied with what you have. It's a reminder that true happiness can be found in simplicity and contentment. Now, as you drift off to sleep, may your dreams be filled with gratitude and happiness. Goodnight.

Follow-up questions:

• What do you think the fisherman and his wife learned from their wishes and the consequences of their desires?

• How do you think the fisherman felt when his wife made endless wishes, and why?

• What lessons can we take from this story about the importance of being content and satisfied with what we have?

Share with loved ones