The Golden Fish

Once upon a time, on an island, an old man and his wife lived in a small, wornout hut. The old man cast his net into the sea every day, trying to catch fish. Whatever he caught was just enough for them to survive.

One day, he threw his net into the sea, and when he tried to pull it back, it felt heavy. With great effort, he pulled it out, only to find a small fish. But this was no ordinary fish it was a golden fish.

The fish spoke in a human voice, saying, Old man, please dont take me away. Let me go back into the deep blue sea. I will be useful to you. Whatever you ask, I will do for you.

The old man thought for a while and then said, I dont need anything from you. Go, swim back into the sea. He released the golden fish and went home.

When he told his wife about it, she scolded him, saying, You got such a great chance to change your fate, and you wasted it If nothing else, you could have at least asked for some bread. We dont even have a piece of dry bread to eat.

Feeling helpless, the old man went back to the sea and called for the golden fish. The fish swam up to him and asked, What do you need, old man

He replied, My wife is angry with me and sent me to ask for some bread.

The fish said, Go home, and you will have enough bread to eat.

When he returned, his wife had plenty of bread but complained, Now my washtub is broken, and I cant wash clothes. Go back and ask the golden fish for a new one.

The old man returned to the sea, called the golden fish, and asked for a new washtub. The fish assured him he would find one at home.

But when he got home, his wife was still not satisfied. She said, Now ask for a new house We cant live in this shaky hut anymore

The old man hesitated but returned to the sea and told the golden fish about his wifes demand. The fish said, Go home, and you will find your new house.

When he reached home, instead of their old hut, there was a beautiful wooden house with intricate carvings on the roof. But his wife was still not happy.

You fool Is this all you could ask for Go and tell the fish that I no longer want to be a fishermans wife. I want to be a noblewoman so that people bow before me

The old man went back and conveyed her wish to the golden fish, which again told him to go home. This time, he found a grand stone house with servants running around and his wife dressed in fine clothes, giving orders. But when he called her, she scolded him, saying, How dare you address me as your wife Take this old fool to the stables and whip him forty times

The old man was beaten and forced to work as a stable cleaner. Even the slightest mistake would result in further punishment.

But after some time, his wife grew tired of being a noblewoman. She called the old man and ordered him to go back to the golden fish. Now I want to be a queen

Once again, the old man went to the sea and asked the golden fish. When he returned, he saw a grand palace with golden rooftops, soldiers standing guard, and a vast army marching in front of it. His wife, now a queen, was standing on the balcony, inspecting the troops.

But after a while, even being a queen was not enough for her. She ordered the old man to go back to the fish one last time. Tell the golden fish that I no longer want to be a queen. I want to be the ruler of the seas I want all the fish and sea creatures to obey me

The old man pleaded with her not to be so greedy, but she threatened to have him executed if he didnt listen. So, unwillingly, he went to the sea and called for the golden fish.

This time, the sea was no longer calm and blue it had turned dark and stormy. The golden fish appeared and asked, What does your wife want now, old man

With great sorrow, he said, She is no longer happy as a queen. Now she wants to rule the seas and command all the creatures in them.

The golden fish did not say a word. It simply disappeared into the depths of the sea.

The old man waited, but the fish never returned.

When he turned back towards his home, he was shocked. The grand palace was gone. In its place was the same old, brokendown hut. His wife, now dressed in tattered clothes, was sitting inside, just as before.

And so, they went back to living their simple life, and though the old man continued to fish, the golden fish never appeared again.