The Ridiculous Wishes
by Charles Perrault · from Tales of Mother Goose
Original Story
The Ridiculous Wishes
In days long past there lived a poor woodcutter who found life very
hard. Indeed, it was his lot to toil for little guerdon, and although
he was young and happily married there were moments when he wished
himself dead and below ground.
One day while at his work he was again lamenting his fate.
"Some men," he said, "have only to make known their desires, and
straightway these are granted, and their every wish fulfilled; but it
has availed me little to wish for ought, for the gods are deaf to the
prayers of such as I."
As he spoke these words there was a great noise of thunder, and
Jupiter appeared before him wielding his mighty thunderbolts. Our poor
man was stricken with fear and threw himself on the ground.
"My lord," he said, "forget my foolish speech; heed not my wishes, but
cease thy thundering!"
"Have no fear," answered Jupiter; "I have heard thy plaint, and have
come hither to show thee how greatly thou dost wrong me. Hark! I, who
am sovereign lord of this world, promise to grant in full the first
three wishes which it will please thee to utter, whatever these may
be. Consider well what things can bring thee joy and prosperity, and
as thy happiness is at stake, be not over-hasty, but revolve the
matter in thy mind."
Having thus spoken Jupiter withdrew himself and made his ascent to
Olympus. As for our woodcutter, he blithely corded his faggot, and
throwing it over his shoulder, made for his home. To one so light of
heart the load also seemed light, and his thoughts were merry as he
strode along. Many a wish came into his mind, but he was resolved to
seek the advice of his wife, who was a young woman of good
understanding.
He had soon reached his cottage, and casting down his faggot:
"Behold me, Fanny," he said. "Make up the fire and spread the board,
and let there be no stint. We are wealthy, Fanny, wealthy for
evermore; we have only to wish for whatsoever we may desire."
Thereupon he told her the story of what had befallen that day. Fanny,
whose mind was quick and active, immediately conceived many plans for
the advancement of their fortune, but she approved her husband's
resolve to act with prudence and circumspection.
"'Twere a pity," she said, "to spoil our chances through impatience.
We had best take counsel of the night, and wish no wishes until
to-morrow."
"That is well spoken," answered Harry. "Meanwhile fetch a bottle of
our best, and we shall drink to our good fortune."
Fanny brought a bottle from the store behind the faggots, and our man
enjoyed his ease, leaning back in his chair with his toes to the fire
and his goblet in his hand.
[Illustration: "A LONG BLACK PUDDING CAME WINDING AND WRIGGLING
TOWARDS HER"]
"What fine glowing embers!" he said, "and what a fine toasting fire! I
wish we had a black pudding at hand."
Hardly had he spoken these words when his wife beheld, to her great
astonishment, a long black pudding which, issuing from a corner of the
hearth, came winding and wriggling towards her. She uttered a cry of
fear, and then again exclaimed in dismay, when she perceived that this
strange occurrence was due to the wish which her husband had so rashly
and foolishly spoken. Turning upon him, in her anger and
disappointment she called the poor man all the abusive names that she
could think of.
"What!" she said to him, "when you can call for a kingdom, for gold,
pearls, rubies, diamonds, for princely garments and wealth untold, is
this the time to set your mind upon black puddings!"
"Nay!" answered the man, "'twas a thoughtless speech, and a sad
mistake; but I shall now be on my guard, and shall do better next
time."
"Who knows that you will?" returned his wife. "Once a witless fool,
always a witless fool!" and giving free rein to her vexation and
ill-temper she continued to upbraid her husband until his anger also
was stirred, and he had wellnigh made a second bid and wished himself
a widower.
"Enough! woman," he cried at last; "put a check upon thy froward
tongue! Who ever heard such impertinence as this! A plague on the
shrew and on her pudding! Would to heaven it hung at the end of her
nose!"
No sooner had the husband given voice to these words than the wish was
straightway granted, and the long coil of black pudding appeared
grafted to the angry dame's nose.
Our man paused when he beheld what he had wrought. Fanny was a comely
young woman, and blest with good looks, and truth to tell, this new
ornament did not set off her beauty. Yet it offered one advantage,
that as it hung right before her mouth, it would thus effectively curb
her speech.
So, having now but one wish left, he had all but resolved to make good
use of it without further delay, and, before any other mischance could
befall, to wish himself a kingdom of his own. He was about to speak
the word, when he was stayed by a sudden thought.
"It is true," he said to himself, "that there is none so great as a
King, but what of the Queen that must share his dignity? With what
grace would she sit beside me on the throne with a yard of black
pudding for a nose?"
In this dilemma he resolved to put the case to Fanny, and to leave her
to decide whether she would rather be a Queen, with this most horrible
appendage marring her good looks, or remain a peasant wife, but with
her shapely nose relieved of this untoward addition.
[Illustration: "TRUTH TO TELL, THIS NEW ORNAMENT DID NOT SET OFF HER
BEAUTY"]
Fanny's mind was soon made up: although she had dreamt of a crown
and sceptre, yet a woman's first wish is always to please. To this
great desire all else must yield, and Fanny would rather be fair in
drugget than be a Queen with an ugly face.
Thus our woodcutter did not change his state, did not become a
potentate, nor fill his purse with golden crowns. He was thankful
enough to use his remaining wish to a more humble purpose, and
forthwith relieved his wife of her encumbrance.
[Illustration]
The Moral
_Ah! so it is that miserable man,
By nature fickle, blind, unwise, and rash,
Oft fails to reap a harvest from great gifts
Bestowed upon him by the heav'nly gods._
[Illustration]
Donkey-skin
[Illustration]
[Illustration: "ANOTHER GOWN THE COLOUR OF THE MOON"
(page 145)]
Story DNA
Moral
Humans are often fickle, blind, unwise, and rash, failing to benefit from great gifts bestowed upon them by divine powers.
Plot Summary
A discontented woodcutter is granted three wishes by Jupiter. He rushes home to tell his wife, and they agree to be prudent. However, the woodcutter carelessly wishes for a black pudding, which immediately appears. His wife, Fanny, scolds him furiously, and in a fit of anger, he wishes the pudding onto her nose. With only one wish left, they realize the absurdity of becoming royalty with Fanny's disfigured face. Ultimately, they use the final wish to remove the pudding, returning to their original state, having learned a lesson about the dangers of thoughtless desires.
Themes
Emotional Arc
hope to frustration to resignation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Charles Perrault's tales were often written for the French court, blending folk elements with classical allusions and moral instruction, reflecting the societal values and literary tastes of 17th-century France.
Plot Beats (12)
- A poor woodcutter, Harry, complains about his difficult life and wishes for his desires to be granted like others.
- Jupiter appears in a thunderclap, chastises Harry for his complaints, and grants him three wishes.
- Harry, overjoyed, rushes home to tell his wife, Fanny, about their newfound power, and they agree to plan their wishes carefully.
- While relaxing by the fire, Harry casually wishes for a black pudding.
- A black pudding immediately appears, winding its way from the hearth, startling Fanny.
- Fanny becomes enraged at Harry's thoughtless wish, scolding him for wasting a wish on something so trivial when they could have had riches or kingdoms.
- Harry, angered by Fanny's incessant nagging, impulsively wishes the black pudding would hang from her nose.
- The black pudding instantly attaches itself to Fanny's nose, much to her dismay and Harry's immediate regret.
- Harry considers using the last wish to become a king, but then imagines his queen with a black pudding for a nose and realizes the absurdity.
- He consults Fanny, who, despite dreaming of a crown, chooses to have her beauty restored over being a queen with an ugly appendage.
- Harry uses the final wish to remove the black pudding from Fanny's nose.
- The couple remains in their original poor state, having gained nothing but a lesson in prudence.
Characters
Harry ★ protagonist
Poor woodcutter, toils for little guerdon.
Attire: Simple woodcutter's attire, implied to be humble.
Lamenting, thoughtless, easily swayed, ultimately pragmatic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young male protagonist, around 16 years old, with messy brown hair and bright green eyes, wearing a weathered leather tunic over a white linen shirt, brown trousers, and sturdy boots. He has a determined expression, standing tall with hands on his hips, looking confidently forward. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Fanny ◆ supporting
Comely young woman, blest with good looks.
Attire: Simple peasant dress, appropriate for a woodcutter's wife.
Quick-minded, active, prudent, vexed, ill-tempered, vain.
Image Prompt & Upload
A kind-faced woman in her mid-forties with gentle brown eyes and laugh lines. Her warm, chestnut hair is neatly braided and coiled atop her head. She wears a practical, earthy-green woolen dress with a white linen apron, sturdy leather boots, and a soft, cream-colored shawl draped over her shoulders. She stands with a straight but relaxed posture, one hand resting on a woven basket filled with fresh herbs and wildflowers, her expression welcoming and serene. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Jupiter ◆ supporting
Appears before the woodcutter.
Attire: Implied classical god attire, possibly a toga or similar.
Powerful, sovereign, generous (initially), somewhat didactic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A majestic, mature male figure with a thick, silver-white beard and long flowing hair. He wears ornate, layered robes of deep crimson and gold, with celestial patterns embroidered on the fabric. A simple golden crown rests upon his brow. His expression is stern yet wise, his posture powerful and regal as he stands with one hand resting on a tall, ornate staff. The background suggests a cosmic realm with faint nebulae and stars. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Black Pudding ○ minor
A long black pudding, winding and wriggling.
N/A (acts as a magical object)
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, dark pudding-like creature with a glossy black surface, resembling a young child in form. It has large, innocent eyes and a slight smile. Wearing a tiny, tattered brown cloak. Standing on two stubby legs, with arms slightly outstretched in a playful pose. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Woodcutter's Working Spot
A place in the woods where the woodcutter toils, likely surrounded by trees and undergrowth.
Mood: desolate, weary, then suddenly awe-inspiring and fearful
Jupiter appears to the woodcutter and grants him three wishes.
Image Prompt & Upload
Early morning in a dense, sun-dappled forest clearing. Thick oak and birch trees surround a small, muddy work area. A large, freshly cut tree stump sits center, with a well-used axe resting on its surface. Piles of split logs and scattered wood chips litter the ground. Lush ferns and undergrowth press in from the edges, wet with morning dew. Soft, golden light filters through the canopy, cutting through gentle mist. The air feels cool and damp. Deep greens, rich browns, and golden highlights. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Woodcutter's Cottage Interior
A humble, cozy cottage interior with a fireplace, a chair, and a place to store faggots and bottles.
Mood: initially hopeful and celebratory, then quickly descends into domestic squabble and absurdity
The woodcutter and his wife make their first two foolish wishes, leading to the black pudding incident.
Image Prompt & Upload
Evening in a humble woodland cottage, warm firelight flickering from a large stone fireplace casting dancing shadows on rough-hewn wooden walls and low ceiling beams. A worn, sturdy armchair sits on a woven rug before the hearth. Neatly stacked firewood fills a corner alcove beside rows of dark glass bottles on a simple shelf. Dust motes float in the amber glow, illuminating the cozy, lived-in space. Soft, cool twilight filters through a small window, contrasting with the interior warmth. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
