Then the woman cried joyfully, “What more can you want, my dear?” and
they sat down, and ate and drank together. When they had had enough,
the woman said, “But husband, whence come all these riches?” “Alas,”
answered he, “do not question me about it, for I dare not tell you
anything; if I disclose it to any one, then all our good fortune will
fly.” “Very good,” said she, “if I am not to know anything, then I do
not want to know anything.” However, she was not in earnest; she never
rested day or night, and she goaded her husband until in his impatience
he revealed that all was owing to a wonderful golden fish which he had
caught, and to which in return he had given its liberty. And as soon as
the secret was out, the splendid castle with the cupboard immediately
disappeared, they were once more in the old fisherman’s hut, and the
man was obliged to follow his former trade and fish. But fortune would
so have it, that he once more drew out the golden fish. “Listen,” said
the fish, “if you will throw me back into the water again, I will once
more give you the castle with the cupboard full of roast and boiled
meats; only be firm, for your life’s sake don’t reveal from whom you
have it, or you will lose it all again!” “I will take good care,”
answered the fisherman, and threw the fish back into the water. Now at
home everything was once more in its former magnificence, and the wife
was overjoyed at their good fortune, but curiosity left her no peace,
so that after a couple of days she began to ask again how it had come
to pass, and how he had managed to secure it. The man kept silence for
a short time, but at last she made him so angry that he broke out, and
betrayed the secret. In an instant the castle disappeared, and they
were back again in their old hut. “Now you have got what you want,”
said he; “and we can gnaw at a bare bone again.” “Ah,” said the woman,
“I had rather not have riches if I am not to know from whom they come,
for then I have no peace.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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