The Fish That Built a House

A very poor fisherman could never catch enough to feed his family. One day, he cast his net and caught only one tiny, colorful fish. He was about to throw it back in despair when the fish spoke. "Do not throw me back," it said. "Take me home and put me in a pot of seawater." The fisherman did as he was told. The next morning, he awoke to find that his small hut had been replaced by a large, sturdy house. The tiny fish had built it for him during the night. The fisherman's wife, however, was not satisfied. "A big house is good," she said, "but ask the fish for fine clothes." The fisherman asked, and the next day they had fine clothes. Then the wife demanded servants, then cattle, and then she wanted to be the queen of the entire land. Each time, the fisherman reluctantly asked the fish, and each time the wish was granted. Finally, the wife demanded to become a god with power over the sea itself. The fisherman went to the pot and told the fish his wife's final wish. The fish was silent for a moment, then said, "Go back to your home." When the fisherman returned, the grand house, the clothes, the servants, and the cattle were all gone. He and his wife were back in their original tiny, poor hut. The fish had taught them a lesson about greed: those who are never satisfied with the gifts they receive will eventually lose everything.