SHORT FAIRY TALES
SHORT FAIRY TALES
This collection of Short Fairy Tales will attract the young readers and develop reading habits in them.
A SERIES OF SHORT FAIRY TALES
PRICELESS FISH
Once there lived a fisherman. He was very poor. There was a river, a little away from their house. The fisherman caught fish from that river and somehow passed his days. On days when he caught a couple of big fish, he used to sell them in the market. And then he earned some money. But on days when he could not catch any fish, he suffered a lot. Due to shortage of money he and his wife had to starve.
A FISHERMAN’S STORY IN SHORT FAIRY TALES
One day, the fisherman waited the whole day but could not catch any fish. There was not a single fish in the whole river! The fisherman thought he was definitely going to suffer a lot that day.
POOR FISHERMAN IN SHORT FAIRY TALES
At last just before evening a tiny fish fell in his fishing net. The fisherman thought, he could at least sell this fish in the market. After all he need not go home empty-handed.
THE SPEAKING FISH
Just then the fisherman jumped up. The tiny fish spoke in a human voice. “Please don’t kill me fisherman. I’ll make you wealthy.” The fisherman then said, “You’re just an ordinary fish. How can you make me rich?”
FISH SPEAKS IN SHORT FAIRY TALES
Fish replied, “I’m not an ordinary fish. I’m a cursed deity. When the time comes, I’ll leave this river and go back to heaven. Believe me. Ask what you want?”
FISHERMAN ASKS FOR MONEY IN SHORT FAIRY TALES
The fishermen said, “Then, give me a thousand rupees.” Fish replied, “Alright go home. You’ll find a bag full of thousand rupees. And whenever you need something come to the riverside and call me – ‘Queen Fish’. I’ll give you whatever you wish for.”
HAPPY FISHERMAN
The fisherman then happily let the fish go back to the river and he returned home. On returning home he found there was really a bag full of thousand rupees! He told everything to his wife, the fisherwoman. His wife was happy too. Then both of them spent a lot of money for a few days.
FISHERMAN CALLS THE FISH IN SHORT FAIRY TALES
But gradually the thousand rupees came to an end. The fisherwoman then told her husband, “Go to the fish and tell her to give us more money.” The fisherman agreed and again went to the riverside. He then called, “Queen Fish, Queen Fish, where are you? I’m the fisherman. I’m calling you ardently.”
FISHERMAN WANTS MORE IN SHORT FAIRY TALES
At once the fish appeared on the river surface. Queen fish asked, “Tell me what you want?” The fisherman said, “I need ten thousand rupees.” Queen Fish replied, “As soon as you return home you’ll find a bag full of ten thousand rupees.” The fisherman returned to his house and found in his room a bigger sized bag full of money. They both were happy.
A BRICK HOUSE
But the next morning fisherwoman said, “I’ve something to tell you. This house is old and crumbling down. Hence, it is not safe for keeping so much money. So you tell the fish to give us a brick house.” The fisherman said, “Alright.”
A GIVING FISH IN SHORT FAIRY TALES
That day he again went to the riverside. Again he called – “Queen Fish.” When Queen Fish came the fisherman said, “We have problem staying in our old crumbled hut. So Queen Fish please give us a brick house.” Queen Fish said, “Alright.”
A NEW HOUSE
On returning home the fisherman found that his old house was no more there. In it’s place stood a beautiful brick house. At last he gathered courage and shouted, “Fisherwoman! Fisherwoman!” His wife came out of the house. She was full of smiles. She said, “No more to worry, we shall live happily now.”
GREEDY FISHERWOMAN IN SHORT FAIRY TALES
The fisherman however, was not very pleased with such showoff. But he remained quiet. It was enough for him if his wife was happy. But the very next morning his wife again said, “This much won’t do for me. I need jewellery and furniture and more money. You go to Queen Fish and bring all this.” The fisherman had no other option but to go to the fish.
THE QUEEN FISH
Queen Fish came to the fisherman and said, “What happened, what you want now?” Fisherman said, “My wife has asked for jewellery, furniture, and more money.” Queen Fish replied, “Alright, you’ll go home and find everything.” The fisherman returned home and saw his wife wearing a beautiful saree and jewellery. He even saw beautiful furniture all over the house. The fisherman was happy.
A PALACE
The next morning, the fisherwoman again said, “You’re so foolish. In spite of having such good opportunity, you asked only for some ordinary things! You could have asked for a palace and a treasury full of wealth like the king. Along with these ask for lots of maids and servants. Go just now to the fish and ask for all these.” Reluctantly the fisherman went to the riverside.
FISHERWOMAN BECOMES QUEEN IN SHORT FAIRY TALES
Queen Fish said, “Fisherman, what else do you want now?” The fisherman said, “Queen Fish, my wife wants a palace, a treasury full of wealth and lots of servants.” Queen Fish replied, “Alright.” The fisherman returned home but he could no longer recognize his house. A huge palace stood in place of it. Servants were moving around. Then he saw the fisherwoman dressed up like a queen.
FISHERMAN IS SAD
The servants did not allow the fisherman to enter as he was in ordinary clothes. So he said, “How can you stop me? I’m the owner of this house.” The fisherwoman came and said, “You too change your dress. Otherwise how can others recognize you?” But the fisherman did not want to indulge in such luxuries like his wife. He knew it was a mere illusion. He went into a small room and lied down. At one time he fell asleep. Nobody called him to have his food. Even his wife forgot all about him. She was busy enjoying herself.
FISHERMAN WANTS HIS OLD LIFE IN SHORT FAIRY TALES
With a heavy heart, the fisherman again went to the riverside. Queen Fish said, “Fisherman, what do you want?” The fisherman replied, “This time I don’t want anything. I only want some peace. I want to be what I was before I met you.” Queen Fish said, “As you wish. At last you’ve renounced your greed and have become a true human being. You’re no longer greedy now.” Saying this Queen Fish took the form of a deity. She said, “Now I’m free from my curse and can return back to heaven.”
