8. THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE

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Poor fisherman caught a large Flounder.
The Flounder said it was an enchanted Prince. The fisherman let it go.
His wife said he should have asked for a wish first.
He called to the fish, and the fish granted his wish: a nice cottage.

After a few weeks the wife wanted a castle instead.
The husband protested, but asked, and got it.
(Each time the sea water looked worse. Darker, smellier.)

The wife was still not content.
The castle had lots of land. She wanted to be the king of the land.

She got it. But wanted to be emperor.
Again the husband protested. But she insisted.

After this, she wanted to be Pope.
(Each time her palaces grew more majestic. By this time emperors queued up to kiss her feet.)

After this she wanted to be like God.
The husband tried to refuse, but she flew into a rage.
He asked the flounder to make her like God.
And as a result they were back in their filthy hovel.