The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish

Once upon a time, in a small coastal village, there lived an old fisherman and his wife in a humble little hut by the sea. Every day, the old man would go out to the ocean to cast his nets and catch fish to sustain their simple life. One day, despite casting his nets several times, he caught nothing. The first haul brought up only mud, and the second contained nothing but seaweed. On his final attempt, however, he caught a tiny golden fish.

To his astonishment, the fish spoke, crying out, "Old man, please release me back into the sea, and I will grant you any wish you desire in return." Surprised but compassionate, the fisherman freed the golden fish and said, "Go, swim freely in the ocean. I ask for nothing and desire nothing." Returning home, he recounted the extraordinary encounter to his wife.

His wife scolded him harshly. She complained, "You fool! Why didn't you ask the fish for something? Could you not have at least asked for a new trough for the pigs? Ours is nearly broken!" Yielding to her insistence, the fisherman went back to the calm sea and called for the golden fish. The fish appeared and asked kindly, "Old man, what do you wish for?" The fisherman explained, "My wife is upset and constantly complaining. She wants a new pig trough because the old one is broken."

The golden fish reassured him, "Do not worry. Go home, and it will be done." When the fisherman returned, a brand-new trough awaited them. However, his wife was not satisfied. She demanded more, insisting that a mere trough was not enough and that they needed a proper house. Reluctantly, the fisherman returned to the sea once again. This time, the ocean was calmer, and the golden fish appeared, promising, "Do not be concerned. You will have a beautiful, spacious house."

Back at home, the old man was stunned to see a magnificent house with a large mahogany gate, bright interiors, a functioning fireplace, freshly whitewashed walls, and his wife sitting by the window. Yet, her dissatisfaction only grew. She berated him further, claiming that a house was not enough and that she now wished to be a high-ranking noblewoman.

Once more, the fisherman went to the sea. The waves had grown turbulent, but he called for the golden fish, explaining, "My wife has become unreasonable again. She does not want to be a simple noblewoman; she demands to be a first-rank noblewoman." The golden fish once again assured him, "Do not worry. Your wish will be granted." Returning home, he found a grand palace, and his wife was dressed in luxurious furs, pearls around her neck, gold rings on her hands, and red shoes on her feet. Servants bustled about, attending her every need. Yet she continued to scold and demand more, instructing him to clean the stables.

A few weeks later, her ambition grew further. She ordered the fisherman to ask the golden fish to make her queen, surrounded by royal guards, fine wine, and exquisite foods. The fisherman, fearful of defying her, obeyed and ventured to the sea. The stormy ocean raged as he called out for the golden fish, explaining her latest demand. But the fish did not respond, diving deep into the waters. The fisherman returned home to a shocking sight. The palace had vanished, the grand house and luxurious life disappeared, and in its place stood their old, dilapidated hut. His wife was once again sitting by the broken pig trough, just as she had been before.

The story ends as a powerful lesson about greed and the dangers of ungratefulness. Even when given extraordinary gifts, the wife’s insatiable desire brought them back to poverty, showing that true happiness comes from contentment, not endless ambition.