The Three Wishes
Once upon a time, at the edge of a deep forest ringing with cheerful birdsong, there lived a poor woodcutter. This humble woodcutter and his smiling wife gave thanks for their lot every evening, even though they lived on very little. One evening the man set out to fell a magnificent oak tree whose trunk was wrapped in centuries-old ivy. The moment he raised his axe, a tiny forest fairy, sparkling and shining, suddenly appeared from the hollow of the tree. The fairy promised the woodcutter that, in return for sparing her life, the first three wishes he made would come true. Flying with joy, the woodcutter took the road home and gave the good news to his wife at once.
The two companions thought long and hard about how to use this unique chance that would completely change their lives. But when supper time came, the man saw the plain soup on the table and grew terribly hungry. Acting without thinking, he cried out, "I wish we had a delicious sausage on our table, smelling wonderful!" At that moment, along with a bright light appearing in the air, a warm sausage fell right into the middle of the table. His wife, angry that such a precious wish had been spent on so simple a food, scolded her husband. The woman, boiling at her husband's thoughtlessness, shouted, "I wish that sausage would stick to your nose!"
The second wish was granted at once as well, and the huge sausage stuck fast to the tip of the man's nose. However hard the man struggled, he could not get rid of the tasty but shameful sausage on his nose. The couple, who had dreamed of great wealth, did not know what to do before this unexpected misfortune. The helpless husband and wife understood that they had no other remedy than to use their last wish properly. The woodcutter begged, "Please let this sausage fall from my nose and let us return to our former state." As soon as the last wish was said, the sausage vanished from sight, and the couple drew a deep breath of relief. Hasty decisions made in anger and greed destroy the great opportunities a person holds in his hands. A man who is not content with little will find nothing with much.