Once upon a time, in a small coastal village, there lived a humble fisherman named Tom. One day, while fishing in the shimmering sea, he caught a magical fish that shimmered like a rainbow. To his surprise, the fish spoke, saying, “Thank you for saving me! I can grant you three wishes. What do you desire?”

Excited, Tom hurried home to share the news with his wife, Martha. However, Martha was never satisfied with what they had. “I want a bigger house!” she exclaimed. With a wave of the fish’s tail, their simple cottage transformed into a spacious home filled with beautiful furniture.

But it wasn’t enough for Martha. “I want a castle!” she demanded. The fish granted her wish, and they found themselves living in a grand castle with towers and gardens. Yet, Martha still felt something was missing.

“I want to be queen!” she shouted one day. With this wish, the fish granted her the title and power of royalty. But instead of making her happy, Martha became more demanding and greedy. She wanted more and more—wealth, power, and prestige.

With each wish, their lives grew more chaotic, and they found themselves increasingly unhappy. The castle, once a dream, felt like a prison, and they became isolated from the village. In a moment of realization, Tom turned to his wife and said, “We had a simple life before, and we were content. Now, we have everything but are miserable.”

Eventually, they used their last wish to return to their humble cottage. When they found themselves back in their cozy home, they breathed a sigh of relief. They looked at each other, realizing that their true happiness came from being together and appreciating what they had.

From that day forward, Tom and Martha lived happily, grateful for their simple life and each other.

Moral:

Be content with what you have.

Parenting Tip: Encourage your child to practice gratitude by appreciating the small things in life. The story highlights the importance of contentment and the joy of valuing what you already have.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

• If you caught a magical fish, what would your three wishes be?
• Why do you think Martha wasn’t happy even after getting her wishes?
• How did Tom feel when their simple life changed?
• What does the story teach us about wanting too much?
• Do you think the fish was wise in granting their wishes? Why or why not?
• What’s something small in your life that makes you really happy?
• How would you thank a magical fish if it helped you?
• If you could live in a castle, what would it look like?
• How can being thankful for what you have make you happier?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Fishing and Wishes!

1. Many cultures have stories about talking or magical fish. In Chinese mythology, the koi fish is a symbol of perseverance and transformation!
2. Fishing is one of the oldest human activities, dating back over 40,000 years.
3. Fish like the parrotfish and wrasse display vibrant, shimmering colors, making them look almost magical.
4. The idea of granting three wishes appears in many tales worldwide, symbolizing balance and decision-making.
5. Did you know that ancient fishing nets were made from natural materials like flax or grass? Today, they’re made from strong synthetic fibers.
6. Why fish glimmer: The shiny scales of fish reflect light, helping them blend into the water and avoid predators.

Activity Idea:

“Design Your Dream Wish Jar”

1. Materials: A glass jar, paper, crayons, glitter, and stickers.
2. Instructions:
   • Write or draw three wishes your child would make if they met a magical fish.
   • Decorate the jar with stickers, glitter, and colorful designs.
   • Keep it as a “wish jar” for fun reminders about what’s truly important to them.

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!