As a English Folk Story

ORIENTATION

Poor fisherman who lived by the edge of the sea in a tumbledown old cottage. He lived with his wife, who was always grumbling.

One evening he threw the nets out for one last try before it grew dark. But when he hauled them in there was only one tiny fish lying at the bottom.

Complication

“Please throw me back into the sea.” Said the fish. “ I am so small, I would not make much of a meal for you.”

“even though you are small I cannot throw you back. My wife would not be pleased if I came home empty handed”

“I will grant you first three wishes made in your cottage if you let me go,” said the fish, “ but I should warn you that wishes do not always give you what you really want.”

Complication

“Trust you to believe such a thing! Whoever heard of talking fish, you must be daft husband,” and she slammed down a plate in front of the poor fisherman

“I wish this was a plate of fine sausages, I am so hungry.” Said the fisherman wistfully.

RESOLUTION

The fisherman and his wife pulled and pulled at the sausages.

“ I wish the sausages would disappear,” said the poor fisherman sadly, and they did in a flash

Wishes do not always give you what you really want.

New Words

tumbledown old cottage : Pondok tua yang renyot

Grumbling: menggerutuNets: jalaIt grew dark. : hari akan malamastonishment : terkejutexcitement : kegembiraandaft husband : suami bodohNo sooner : tidak lama kemudianchests of gold : batangan emas