The Fisherman and the Goldfish

If someone could grant you one wish—any wish—what would you wish for?

Long, long ago, there was a fisherman who caught a talking goldfish. The goldfish pleaded bitterly, speaking in a human voice. "Kind old man, please release me back into the sea. I will give you a precious reward. To buy back my freedom, you may ask for anything."

The old man was astonished and a little frightened. He had fished for thirty-three years and had never heard of a fish that could speak. He released the goldfish and even said a few kind words to her. "God bless you, goldfish! I do not want your reward. Go into the deep blue sea and swim freely there."

The old man returned to his old wife and told her of this tremendous marvel. Pointing at him, she scolded, "You fool, you senile old idiot! You did not dare take the goldfish's reward! You should at least have asked for a wooden tub. Ours is already broken beyond repair!"

So the old man went to the blue sea and saw small ripples upon its surface. He called out to the goldfish, and that foolish fish actually appeared.

The old woman was never satisfied. She made one demand after another of the little goldfish. At first, she had only a broken wooden tub. Then she asked the fish for a new one. Soon after, she began asking for money, a mansion, youth, and beauty.

Her endless pursuit became greed. From her initial poverty, she went on to possess splendor and prosperity.

She acquired a grand house, wore an expensive black sable vest, a richly embroidered headdress, strands of pearls around her neck, gem-set gold rings on both hands, and red leather boots on her feet. Yet her true nature was revealed. She