The Fisherman and His Wife
The Fisherman and His Wife — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
In a harbor town where ships sailed rivers of starlight lived a humble fisherman named Marius and his ambitious wife, Elara. Marius, content with their simple life, fished the shimmering waters, while Elara dreamed of more. A magical talking fish offered a chance to escape their poverty, but whispered promises hinted at a deeper cost. The story of Marius and Elara is a testament to desires that, unchecked, can swallow even the brightest stars.
Page 2
Marius cast his net into the luminous river. Days turned into weeks, his catch meager as always. "Perhaps today will be different," he sighed, echoing a hopeful mantra. Suddenly, a large, shimmering fish leaped from the water, its scales like captured starlight. "Fisherman, release me, and I shall grant you a wish!" it pleaded, its voice surprisingly gentle.
Page 3
Startled, Marius recoiled. "A talking fish?" he muttered. The fish insisted, promising wealth beyond imagination. He remembered Elara's endless yearning for more than they had. "I cannot simply take your freedom," Marius said, his conscience warring with his desire to please his wife. He released the fish, watching it disappear into the starlit depths.
Page 4
Elara met him at the door, her face etched with worry. "Did you catch anything?" she asked, her voice sharp. Marius hesitated, then told her the tale of the talking fish. "You let it go?" she cried. "You could have wished for anything! A bigger house, finer clothes... at least wish for a new wash tub!". Ashamed, Marius trudged to the riverbank the next day.
Page 5
"Oh, fish, if you are there," Marius called, "my wife says I should have wished for something. She wants a new wash tub." The fish appeared, its eyes knowing. "Your wish is granted," it said, then vanished. Returning home, Marius found Elara ecstatic, scrubbing clothes in a gleaming new tub. "But why stop there?" she mused, her eyes gleaming. "Why not a stone house?"
Page 6
The fish granted the wish. A grand stone house replaced their humble cottage. Yet Elara's desires continued to swell, demanding finer furniture, servants, and grander clothes. Each wish the fish granted only fueled her insatiable hunger. "Now I want to be Queen!" she declared, her voice echoing with ambition, "Go and tell the fish!"
Page 7
Marius, weary and heartbroken, returned to the river. "Fish," he croaked, "my wife wants to be Queen." The fish emerged, its face troubled. "Go home," it sighed, "she is Queen." Marius found Elara on a jeweled throne, ruling over their small town, but her face was still twisted in dissatisfaction. "Now I want to control the sun and the moon!" she shrieked, "Tell that fish that I want to be God!"
Page 8
Terrified, Marius stumbled back to the riverbank. "Please," he begged, "I cannot ask this!" The fish appeared, its voice now a mournful whisper. "As Friedrich Nietzsche said, 'He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.' You have given her too much power. What happens next is not my fault." He disappeared, leaving Marius in darkness. A storm rolled in.
Page 9
Rushing home, Marius found no palace, no throne, no queen. Their humble cottage stood as it had before, battered by wind and rain. Elara sat inside, scrubbing clothes in the old wash tub, her face a mask of confusion. The golden opportunities had vanished, leaving only the simple life they had scorned.
Page 10
Marius helped her with the washing. The starlight in the rivers dimmed. The fish was never seen again. And they lived out their days in quiet obscurity. For the endless pursuit of more often leaves you with less than you began with.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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