<<渔夫和金鱼的故事>>的读后感.怎么写
漆黑的天空，有几点的星光，那是提着智慧之灯。
而人间也有这样一盏智慧之它便是——《伊索寓言》。
《龟兔赛跑》，《农夫与蛇》，《乌鸦喝水》，《狐狸和葡萄》……这些令人耳熟能详的寓言，已被我细细品味过十几遍了。
在字里行间，我总能感悟到许多人生的哲理。
我曾读到这样一篇寓言，《骡子的故事》，故事是这样的：一只骡子不慎掉进一口枯井里，农夫救不了它，只得将骡子埋葬在井里。
骡子感到绝望时，本能地将身上的土抖掉，再踩踏几下。
没想到，它竟因此逃离了枯井，获得了新生。
农夫的那一铲铲土，本是用来埋葬它的，然而，骡子却利用它一步步走出了枯井。
面对困境，我们本能的反应是恐慌，是痛苦，是怨天尤人，甚至是逃避，是放弃。
如果我们能拒绝这一切，以平和的心情和乐观的态度去面对，那么，那些看起来将要埋葬我们的不幸，往往可能是一种潜在的力量和财富，会给事情带来转机，会给我们带来意想不到的收获。
农夫与鱼的故事观后感
观后感不是应该自己“观”后的感想么。
找人要的应该叫抄后感吧
农夫和金鱼的故事告诉我们一个什么样的道理
这个故事是说，做人一定要分清善恶，只能把援助之手伸向善良的人。
对那些恶人即使仁至义尽，他们的本性也是不会改变。
寓意:讽刺了那些恩将仇报的恶人和帮助恶人的伪善的人。
告诫我们要学会辨认是非，不要被美好的事物蒙蔽了双眼，因为狐狸也会哭泣、蛇也有落难的时候，所以这则寓言告诫我们要明辨是非。
农夫与鱼故事的简要概述
从前，有个渔夫，他和妻子住在海边的一所肮脏的小渔舍里。
渔夫每天都去钓鱼，他总是钓啊钓的，不愿休息有一天，他拿着钓竿坐在海边，两眼望着清澈的海水，竟就这样望啊望的，坐在那里一直发呆。
忽然，钓钩猛地往下沉，沉得很深很深，都快沉到海底了。
等他把钓钩拉上来时，发现钓上来一条很大的比目鱼。
谁知比目鱼竟对他说：“听着，渔夫，我恳求你放我一条生路。
我并不是什么比目鱼，我是一位中了魔法的王子，你要是杀死我，对你又有多大好处呢
我的肉不会对你的口味的。
请把我放回水里，让我游走吧。
”“哎，”渔夫说，“你不必这么费口舌。
一条会说话的比目鱼，我怎么会留下呢
”说着，他就把比目鱼放回清澈的水里。
比目鱼立刻就游走了，身后留下一条长长的血痕。
随后，渔夫回到他的小屋，走到他妻子的身边。
“喂，当家的，”他妻子问道，“今天你什么也没钓到吗
”“钓到了，”他回答说，“怎么说呢，我钓到了一条比目鱼，可他说他是一位中了魔法的王子，我就把他放了。
”“难道你没有提什么愿望吗
”妻子问。
“没有，”丈夫回答说，“我该提什么愿望呢
”“唉，”妻子说，“住在我们这样一间肮脏的小房子里，实在是受罪。
你该提希望得到一座漂亮的小别墅呀。
快去告诉他我们要一幢小别墅，我肯定，他会满足咱们的愿望的。
”“可是，”丈夫说，“我怎么好再去哪
”“唉，”妻子说，“你捉住了他，又放走了他。
他肯定会满足咱们的愿望的，快去吧。
”渔夫还是不太愿意去，可又不想惹他妻子生气，于是，就去了海边。
他来到海边时，海水绿得泛黄，也不像以往那样平静。
他走了过去，站在海岸上说：“比目鱼啊，你在大海里，恳请你好好听我说仔细，我捉你放你没提愿望，老婆对此却不饶又不依。
”那条比目鱼果真朝他游了过来，问道，“她想要什么呀
”“嗨，”渔夫说，“刚才我把你逮住了，我老婆说，我应该向你提出一个愿望。
她不想再住在那个小屋子里了，她想要一幢小别墅。
”“回去吧，”比目鱼说，“她已经有一幢小别墅啦。
”渔夫便回家去了，他妻子已不再住在那个破破烂烂的渔舍里，原地上已矗立起一幢小别墅，她正坐在门前的一条长凳上。
妻子一见丈夫回来了，就拉着他的手说：“快进来看一看。
现在不是好多了吗
”随即，他们进了屋。
小别墅里有一间小前厅，一间漂亮的小客厅，一间干干净净的卧室、卧室里摆放着一张床还有一间厨房和食物贮藏室，里面摆放着必备的家具，锡制铜制的餐具一应俱全。
还有一个养着鸡鸭的小院子，和一片长满蔬菜水果的小园子。
“瞧，”妻子说，“不漂亮吗
”“漂亮。
”丈夫回答说，“咱们就住在这儿，快快乐乐地过日子吧。
”“这个嘛，咱们还要想一想，”妻子说。
他们随后吃了晚饭，就上床休息了。
他们就这样生活了一两个星期。
有一天，妻子突然时：“听着，当家的，这房子太小了，院子和园子也太小了。
那条比目鱼可以送咱们一幢更大一些的。
我要住在一座石头建造的大宫殿里。
快去找比目鱼，叫他送咱们一座宫殿。
”“唉，老婆，”丈夫说，“这别墅不是够好的了嘛
咱们干嘛非得要住在宫殿里呢
”“胡说，”妻子回答说，“你只管去找比目鱼好啦，他会完全满足咱们的愿望的。
”“不行啊，老婆，”丈夫说，“比目鱼刚刚送给咱们一幢别墅，我实在不想再去找他，他会不高兴的。
”“去吧，快去吧，”妻子大声说，“他办得到，也乐意这么办。
快去吧。
”渔夫心情很沉重，本来是不想去的。
他低声地反反复复地自言自语道：“这不应该呀。
”可他还是去了。
他来到海边时，海水不再是绿得泛黄，已变得混浊不清，时而暗蓝，时而深紫，时而灰黑，不过仍然很平静。
渔夫站在岸边说：“比目鱼啊，你在大海里，恳请你好好听我说仔细，我捉你放你没提愿望老婆对此却不饶又不依。
”“那么，她想要什么呀
”比目鱼问。
“唉，”渔夫说，心里有几分害怕，“她想住在一座石头建造的宫殿里。
”“回去吧，”比目鱼说，“她现在正站在宫殿门前呢。
”渔夫于是往回走，心里想着快点儿到家吧。
走到了原来的地方一看，那儿真的矗立着一座石头建造的宫殿，非常宏伟壮观。
他老婆站在台阶上，正准备进去，一见丈夫回来了，就拉着他的手说：“快，快跟我进去。
”他和他老婆走了进去，只见宫殿里的大厅铺着大理石；众多的仆人伺候在那里，为他们打开一扇又一扇的大门；宫中的墙壁色彩艳丽，精美耀眼；房间里摆放着许多镀金桌椅；大厅所有的房间都铺了地毯；桌子上摆满了美味佳肴和各种名贵的东西。
屋后还有一个大院子，院子里设有马厩牛棚，有不少马匹和母牛，一辆富丽堂皇的大马车就停在那儿；除了院子，还有一座美丽的大花园，花园里开满了万紫千红的花朵儿，生长着不少名贵的水果树；还有一座占地有两英里多长的公园，里面有鹿啊，野兔啊等等，凡能想象出来的里面都有。
“喏，”妻子说，“不漂亮吗
”“漂亮，当然漂亮啦，”丈夫回答说，“这足够好啦。
咱们就好好地住在这座美丽的宫殿里吧，总该心满意足啦。
”“这个嘛，咱们还要想一想，”妻子说，“不过，现在可该上床休息了。
”说完，他们就上床休息了。
第二天早晨，妻子先醒了，这时正是黎明时分，她坐在床上看得见眼前的田野，富饶美丽，一望无际。
她用胳膊肘捅了捅丈夫的腰，然后说，“当家的，起床吧，快点儿跟我到窗前来。
瞧啊，咱们难道不可以当一当这个国家的国王吗
快去找比目鱼，说咱们要当国王。
”“哎呀，老婆呀
”丈夫说，“咱们干吗要当什么国王呢
我才不想干这个。
”“喂，”妻子说，“你不想当，我可想当。
快去找比目鱼，告诉他说我必须当国王。
”“唉，老婆呀，”丈夫嚷嚷着说，“你干吗要当什么国王呢
我跟他说不出口的呀。
”“为什么说不出口呢
”妻子反驳说，“你给我快点儿去，我非当国王不可。
”渔夫只得走了出去。
一想到老婆非要当国王，心里就感到特别担忧。
“这不应该呀，这实在不应该呀。
”他打定主意想不去了，可他还是去了。
他来到海边时，海水一片灰黑，波涛汹涌，从海底翻涌上来的海水散发着恶臭。
他站在海边说：“比目鱼啊，你在大海里，恳请你好好听我说仔细，我捉你放你没提愿望，老婆对此却不饶又不依。
”“她想要什么呀
”比目鱼问。
“唉，”渔夫回答说，“她要当国王。
”“回去吧，”比目鱼说，“她的愿望已经实现了。
”渔夫于是回家去了。
来到宫前时，他发现宫殿大了许多，增加了一座高塔，塔身上有漂亮的雕饰。
一排警卫守卫在宫殿门口，附近还有许多士兵，门前还有一支乐队，敲着锣打着鼓。
他走进宫殿，只见样样东西都是金子和大理石做成的；桌椅上铺着天鹅绒，垂挂着很大的金流苏。
一道道的门忽地打开了，整座王宫处处体现着富丽堂皇。
他的老婆就坐在镶嵌着无数钻石的高大的金宝座上，头戴一顶宽大的金冠，手握一根用纯金和宝石做成的王仗。
在宝座的两旁，六名宫女一字排开，一个比另一个矮一头。
渔夫走上前去对她说：“喂，老婆，你现在真的当上了国王吗
”“是的，”妻子回答说，“咱现在就是国王啦。
”他站在那里上上下下地打量着妻子，过了一会儿说：“哎，老婆，如今你当了国王，多么称心如意啊，往后咱们就不用再要什么了吧
”“当家的，那可不行，”妻子回答说，情绪开始烦躁起来，“我已经感到无聊得很，再也无法忍受了。
快去找比目鱼，告诉他说我要当皇帝。
”“哎呀，老婆，”丈夫说，“你干嘛要当皇帝呢
”“当家的，”妻子说，“快去找比目鱼。
说我要当皇帝。
”“哎，老婆，”丈夫回答说，“比目鱼没法使你当皇帝，我也不想对他提出这个愿望。
整个帝国就一个皇帝呀，比目鱼哪能随便使谁当皇帝呢
他确实不能。
”“你说什么
”妻子大声喝道，“我是国王，你不过是我的丈夫而已。
你去不去
给我马上去
他既然可以使我当上国王，他也能使我当皇帝。
我一定一定要当皇帝，马上给我去
”渔夫不得不去了。
他走在路上时，心里感到非常害怕，边走边想，“这不会有好下场的。
要当皇帝
脸皮真是太厚啦
到头来，比目鱼就会恼怒啦。
”他就这样一边想着一边走，来到了海边。
只见海水一片墨黑，混浊不清，不仅汹涌翻腾，泡沫飞溅，而且旋风阵阵，令渔夫感到心惊胆战。
不过，他还是站在海岸上说：“比目鱼啊，你在大海里，恳请你好好听我说仔细，我捉你放你没提愿望，老婆对此却不饶又不依。
”“她想要什么呀
”比目鱼问。
“唉，”渔夫回答说，“她要当皇帝。
”“回去吧，”比目鱼说，“她已当上了皇帝。
”于是，渔夫往回走，到家时一看，整座宫殿都由研磨抛光的大理石砌成，石膏浮雕和纯金装饰四处可见。
宫殿门前，士兵们正在列队行进，号角声，锣鼓声，震耳欲聋。
在宫殿里，男爵、伯爵走来走去，个个一副奴才相。
纯金铸造的房门为他一道道打开，他走进一看，妻子正坐在宝座上，宝座用一整块金子锻造而成，有数千英尺高。
她头戴一顶宽大的金冠，足有三码高，上面镶嵌着无数珠宝；她一只手里握着皇仗，另一只手托着金球。
在她的两侧，站着两列侍从，一个比一个矮，最高的看上去像个巨人，最矮的是个小侏儒，还没有他的手指大。
她的面前侍立着不少王孙贵族。
渔夫走了过去，站在他们的中间，说道：“老婆，你这回真的当皇帝啦
”“是的，”她回答说，“我真的当皇帝了。
”渔夫往前移动了几步，想好好看看她。
看了一会儿，他说：“哎，老婆，你当上了皇帝，真是太妙啦
”“喂
”她对渔夫说，“你还站在这里发什么呆
我现在当上了皇帝，可是我还想当教皇。
快去找比目鱼告诉他。
”“哎呀，老婆，”渔夫说，“你到底想当什么呀
你当不了教皇。
在整个基督教世界教皇只有一个呀，比目鱼无法使你当教皇。
”“我的丈夫呀，”她说，“我要当教皇。
快去吧
我今天就要当教皇。
”“不行呀，老婆，”渔夫回答说，“我可不想再去告诉比目鱼这个啦，那不行，那太过分啦。
比目鱼无法让你当教皇的呀。
”“好啦，别再胡说八道啦
”她说，“他既然能让我当上皇帝，他当然也就能够让我当教皇了。
马上去
我是皇帝，你只不过是我的丈夫而已，你马上就去
”渔夫胆战心惊，只得去了。
他走在路上，感到浑身发软，两腿哆嗦。
颤抖不止，海岸边的山上狂风呼啸，乌云滚滚，一片昏黑。
树叶沙沙作响，海水像开锅了似地汹涌澎湃，不断拍打着他的鞋子。
他远远地看见有些船只在狂涛中颠簸跳荡，燃放着求救的信号。
天空一片火红，并且越来越红，只露出中间一点儿蓝色，好像一场暴风雨即将来临。
渔夫站在那里，浑身颤抖，说道：“比目鱼啊，你在大海里，恳请你好好听我说仔细，我捉你放你没提愿望，老婆对此却不饶又不依。
”“她想要什么呀
”比目鱼问。
“唉
”渔夫回答说，“她要当教皇。
”“回去吧，她已当上了教皇。
”比目鱼说。
于是，渔夫往回走，到家时一看，一座大教堂矗立在那里，周围是几座宫殿。
人们正潮水般拥挤着往里走。
大教堂里燃着上千支蜡烛，照得四处通明雪亮，他老婆浑身上下穿戴着金子，坐在更高更大的宝座上，头上戴着三重大金冠。
教会中的众多显贵簇拥在她的周围，她的两侧竖立着两排大蜡烛，最大一根大得就像一座高大的宝塔，而最小的一根则跟普通的蜡烛差不多。
天下所有的皇帝和国王都跪在她的面前，争先恐后地吻她的鞋子。
“老婆，”渔夫看着她说，“你现在真的是教皇了吧
”“是的，”她回答说，“我是教皇。
”说着他凑上前去，好好打量了一番，感觉她像耀眼的太阳一般，光辉灿烂。
看了一会儿之后，他说：“老婆，你当了教皇，这可真是太了不起啦
”可她呢，坐在那里泥雕木刻一样，一动不动。
接着他又说：“老婆，你已经当上了教皇，这回可该满足了，不可能还有比这更高的什么啦。
”“这个嘛，我还得想一想，”妻子回答说。
说完，他们就上床休息了。
可是，她还是感到不满足，她的野心在不断地膨胀，贪欲使她久久不能入睡，她左思右想，想自己还能成为什么。
丈夫因为白天跑了那么多的路，睡得又香又沉，可妻子呢，在床上辗转反侧，不停地考虑着自己还能成为什么，却怎么也想不出来了，所以整整一夜没能睡着。
这时，太阳快要出来了，她看见了黎明的曙光，一下从床上坐起身来，望着窗外。
透过窗口，她看见一轮红日冉冉升起，忽然产生了一个念头：“哈哈
我难道不该对太阳和月亮发号施令吗
”“当家的，”她用胳膊肘捅了捅丈夫的腰，说道，“快起来，去找比目鱼去，告诉他我要控制太阳和月亮。
”丈夫睡得迷迷糊糊的，一听她这话，吓得从床上滚了下来。
他以为是自己听错了，就揉了揉眼睛，大声地问：“老婆，你说什么来着
”“当家的，”她说，“要是我不能对太阳和月亮发号施令，要他们升他们就升，要他们落他们就落，我就没法活了。
我要按自己的意愿要他们什么时候升起，不然我就难以有一刻的安宁。
”她极其凶狠地瞪着丈夫，吓得他不寒而栗。
“快去
”她喊叫起来，“我要成为太阳和月亮的主人。
”“哎呀呀，我的老婆呀
”渔夫跪在她面前说，“比目鱼办不到这个呀，他只能使你成为皇帝和教皇。
好好想一想，我求求你啦，就当教皇算啦。
”一听这话，她勃然大怒，脑袋上的头发随即飘荡起来。
她撕扯着自己的衣服，朝着丈夫狠狠地踢了一脚，冲他吼叫道：“我再也无法忍受啦
我再也无法忍受啦
你给我快去
”渔夫赶紧穿上衣服，发疯似的跑了出去。
外边已是狂风呼啸，刮得他脚都站不住了。
一座座的房屋被刮倒，一棵棵大树被吹翻，连山岳都在震颤着身子，一块块的岩石滚落在大海中。
天空雷鸣电闪，一片漆黑，大海掀起滚滚的黑色巨浪，浪头有山那么高，浪尖上翻涌着白沫。
渔夫嘶声力竭地喊道：“比目鱼啊，你在大海里，恳请你好好听我说仔细，我捉你放你没提愿望，老婆对此却不饶又不依。
”“那么，她到底想要什么呀
”比目鱼问。
“唉，”渔夫回答说，“她想要当太阳和月亮的主人。
”“回去吧，”比目鱼说，“她又重新住进了那个破渔舍。
”就这样，他们一直在那儿生活到今天。
稻草人玫瑰和金鱼30字读后感
《稻草人》读后感 稻草人是用稻草扎成的一个草人。
插在庄稼地里，用来驱赶叼稻子的麻雀。
他虽然不能动，也不能说话，但是心肠很好，一心想帮助那些受苦受难的人。
在一个漆黑的夜晚，稻草人亲眼目睹了三件令人十分伤感的事。
稻草人的主人是一个老太太。
她的丈夫和儿子都得了重病死去了。
老太太老眼昏花，根本看不清东西，只有靠种稻田养活自己。
每年庄稼都闹灾荒，年年收成不好。
今年好不容易等来了风调雨顺，稻子却被虫子吃了个精光。
稻草人担心主人承受不住一年又一年的伤心，急得自己恨不得全身扑上去赶走虫子，但是却一动也不能动。
一名渔妇坐着一艘小船，带着一个大约三四岁的孩子捕鱼，想给生病的孩子熬鱼粥喝。
孩子口渴了，渔妇就用碗从河里舀起一碗河水灌进孩子嘴里。
孩子咳嗽得更厉害，只剩下喘气，后来就没声了。
即使孩子生了重病，渔妇也没有空闲和时间去照料他，不得不硬着心肠把生病的孩子扔下不管。
小孩子多可怜啊。
稻草人恨不得自己去作柴火给孩子煮茶喝。
可是，稻草人没有办法，心里虽然很悲痛，也只能一面叹气一面哭，像树木一样定在泥土里，连半步也不能动。
小荷作文网 另一位妇女更伤心。
因为孩子死了，丈夫赌钱把家全败光了，就连她也要被丈夫卖掉。
心里别提多难过了。
来到这河岸要投河自尽。
稻草人着急死了，想救她，拉住这位妇女，阻止她寻死。
但是它办不到。
它恨自己，认为见死不救是自己这一生最大的罪孽
稻草人的心地非常善良，和人差不多。
它非常同情受害者，为了扑灭主人的仇敌——蛾子，他愁眉不展，像害了病似的，伤心极了；为了能让生病的孩子有一口茶喝，他宁可自己烧为灰烬，也在所不惜；为了挽救那名悲伤妇女的生命，他的心像玻璃一样碎了，昏倒在田地中间。
稻草人是一个富有同情心，不怕牺牲自己，一心想去帮助别人的好心人。
他多想用自己的心去温暖他人，但连这他都做不到。
他恨自己对每一件事情都无能为力。
但愿我们世间多一些像稻草人这样的好心人，人人都献出一点爱，世界将变成美好的人间
渔夫和金鱼的故事(英文版)
The Fisherman and His Wife There was once on a time a Fisherman who lived with his wife in a miserable hovel close by the sea, and every day he went out fishing. And once as he was sitting with his rod, looking at the clear water, his line suddenly went down, far down below, and when he drew it up again he brought out a large Flounder. Then the Flounder said to him, Hark, you Fisherman, I pray you, let me live, I am no Flounder really, but an enchanted prince. What good will it do you to kill me? I should not be good to eat, put me in the water again, and let me go. Come, said the Fisherman, there is no need for so many words about it —— a fish that can talk I should certainly let go, anyhow, with that he put him back again into the clear water, and the Flounder went to the bottom, leaving a long streak of blood behind him. Then the Fisherman got up and went home to his wife in the hovel. Husband, said the woman, have you caught nothing to-day? No, said the man, I did catch a Flounder, who said he was an enchanted prince, so I let him go again. Did you not wish for anything first? said the woman. No, said the man; what should I wish for? Ah, said the woman, it is surely hard to have to live always in this dirty hovel; you might have wished for a small cottage for us. Go back and call him. Tell him we want to have a small cottage, he will certainly give us that. Ah, said the man, why should I go there again? Why, said the woman, you did catch him, and you let him go again; he is sure to do it. Go at once. The man still did not quite like to go, but did not like to oppose his wife, and went to the sea. When he got there the sea was all green and yellow, and no longer so smooth; so he stood still and said, Flounder, flounder in the sea, Come, I pray thee, here to me; For my wife, good Ilsabil, Wills not as I'd have her will. Then the Flounder came swimming to him and said, Well what does she want, then? Ah, said the man, I did catch you, and my wife says I really ought to have wished for something. She does not like to live in a wretched hovel any longer. She would like to have a cottage. Go, then, said the Flounder, she has it already. When the man went home, his wife was no longer in the hovel, but instead of it there stood a small cottage, and she was sitting on a bench before the door. Then she took him by the hand and said to him, Just come inside, look, now isn't this a great deal better? So they went in, and there was a small porch, and a pretty little parlor and bedroom, and a kitchen and pantry, with the best of furniture, and fitted up with the most beautiful things made of tin and brass, whatsoever was wanted. And behind the cottage there was a small yard, with hens and ducks, and a little garden with flowers and fruit. Look, said the wife, is not that nice! Yes, said the husband, and so we must always think it, —— now we will live quite contented. We will think about that, said the wife. With that they ate something and went to bed. Everything went well for a week or a fortnight, and then the woman said, Hark you, husband, this cottage is far too small for us, and the garden and yard are little; the Flounder might just as well have given us a larger house. I should like to live in a great stone castle; go to the Flounder, and tell him to give us a castle. Ah, wife, said the man, the cottage is quite good enough; why should we live in a castle? What! said the woman; just go there, the Flounder can always do that. No, wife, said the man, the Flounder has just given us the cottage, I do not like to go back so soon, it might make him angry. Go, said the woman, he can do it quite easily, and will be glad to do it; just you go to him. The man's heart grew heavy, and he would not go. He said to himself, It is not right, and yet he went. And when he came to the sea the water was quite purple and dark-blue, and grey and thick, and no longer so green and yellow, but it was still quiet. And he stood there and said —— Flounder, flounder in the sea, Come, I pray thee, here to me; For my wife, good Ilsabil, Wills not as I'd have her will. Well, what does she want, then? said the Flounder. Alas, said the man, half scared, she wants to live in a great stone castle. Go to it, then, she is standing before the door, said the Flounder. Then the man went away, intending to go home, but when he got there, he found a great stone palace, and his wife was just standing on the steps going in, and she took him by the hand and said, Come in. So he went in with her, and in the castle was a great hall paved with marble, and many servants, who flung wide the doors; And the walls were all bright with beautiful hangings, and in the rooms were chairs and tables of pure gold, and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and all the rooms and bed-rooms had carpets, and food and wine of the very best were standing on all the tables, so that they nearly broke down beneath it. Behind the house, too, there was a great court-yard, with stables for horses and cows, and the very best of carriages; there was a magnificent large garden, too, with the most beautiful flowers and fruit-trees, and a park quite half a mile long, in which were stags, deer, and hares, and everything that could be desired. Come, said the woman, isn't that beautiful? Yes, indeed, said the man, now let it be; and we will live in this beautiful castle and be content. We will consider about that, said the woman, and sleep upon it; thereupon they went to bed. Next morning the wife awoke first, and it was just daybreak, and from her bed she saw the beautiful country lying before her. Her husband was still stretching himself, so she poked him in the side with her elbow, and said, Get up, husband, and just peep out of the window. Look you, couldn't we be the King over all that land? Go to the Flounder, we will be the King. Ah, wife, said the man, why should we be King? I do not want to be King. Well, said the wife, if you won't be King, I will; go to the Flounder, for I will be King. Ah, wife, said the man, why do you want to be King? I do not like to say that to him. Why not? said the woman; go to him this instant; I must be King! So the man went, and was quite unhappy because his wife wished to be King. It is not right; it is not right, thought he. He did not wish to go, but yet he went. And when he came to the sea, it was quite dark-grey, and the water heaved up from below, and smelt putrid. Then he went and stood by it, and said, Flounder, flounder in the sea, Come, I pray thee, here to me; For my wife, good Ilsabil, Wills not as I'd have her will Well, what does she want, then? said the Flounder. Alas, said the man, she wants to be King. Go to her; she is King already. So the man went, and when he came to the palace, the castle had become much larger, and had a great tower and magnificent ornaments, and the sentinel was standing before the door, and there were numbers of soldiers with kettle-drums and trumpets. And when he went inside the house, everything was of real marble and gold, with velvet covers and great golden tassels. Then the doors of the hall were opened, and there was the court in all its splendour, and his wife was sitting on a high throne of gold and diamonds, with a great crown of gold on her head, and a sceptre of pure gold and jewels in her hand, and on both sides of her stood her maids-in-waiting in a row, each of them always one head shorter than the last. Then he went and stood before her, and said, Ah, wife, and now you are King. Yes, said the woman, now I am King. So he stood and looked at her, and when he had looked at her thus for some time, he said, And now that you are King, let all else be, now we will wish for nothing more. Nay, husband, said the woman, quite anxiously, I find time pass very heavily, I can bear it no longer; go to the Flounder —— I am King, but I must be Emperor, too. Alas, wife, why do you wish to be Emperor? Husband, said she, go to the Flounder. I will be Emperor. Alas, wife, said the man, he cannot make you Emperor; I may not say that to the fish. There is only one Emperor in the land. An Emperor the Flounder cannot make you! I assure you he cannot. What! said the woman, I am the King, and you are nothing but my husband; will you go this moment? go at once! If he can make a King he can make an emperor. I will be Emperor; go instantly. So he was forced to go. As the man went, however, he was troubled in mind, and thought to himself, It will not end well; it will not end well! Emperor is too shameless! The Flounder will at last be tired out. With that he reached the sea, and the sea was quite black and thick, and began to boil up from below, so that it threw up bubbles, and such a sharp wind blew over it that it curdled, and the man was afraid. Then he went and stood by it, and said, Flounder, flounder in the sea, Come, I pray thee, here to me; For my wife, good Ilsabil, Wills not as I'd have her will. Well, what does she want, then? said the Flounder. Alas, Flounder, said he, my wife wants to be Emperor. Go to her, said the Flounder; she is Emperor already. So the man went, and when he got there the whole palace was made of polished marble with alabaster figures and golden ornaments, and soldiers were marching before the door blowing trumpets, and beating cymbals and drums; and in the house, barons, and counts, and dukes were going about as servants. Then they opened the doors to him, which were of pure gold. And when he entered, there sat his wife on a throne, which was made of one piece of gold, and was quite two miles high; and she wore a great golden crown that was three yards high, and set with diamonds and carbuncles, and in one hand she had the sceptre, and in the other the imperial orb; and on both sides of her stood the yeomen of the guard in two rows, each being smaller than the one before him, from the biggest giant, who was two miles high, to the very smallest dwarf, just as big as my little finger. And before it stood a number of princes and dukes. Then the man went and stood among them, and said, Wife, are you Emperor now? Yes, said she, now I am Emperor. Then he stood and looked at her well, and when he had looked at her thus for some time, he said, Ah, wife, be content, now that you are Emperor. Husband, said she, why are you standing there? Now, I am Emperor, but I will be Pope too; go to the Flounder. Alas, wife, said the man, what will you not wish for? You cannot be Pope. There is but one in Christendom. He cannot make you Pope. Husband, said she, I will be Pope; go immediately, I must be Pope this very day. No, wife, said the man, I do not like to say that to him; that would not do, it is too much; the Flounder can't make you Pope. Husband, said she, what nonsense! If he can make an emperor he can make a pope. Go to him directly. I am Emperor, and you are nothing but my husband; will you go at once? Then he was afraid and went; but he was quite faint, and shivered and shook, and his knees and legs trembled. And a high wind blew over the land, and the clouds flew, and towards evening all grew dark, and the leaves fell from the trees, and the water rose and roared as if it were boiling, and splashed upon the shore. And in the distance he saw ships which were firing guns in their sore need, pitching and tossing on the waves. And yet in the midst of the sky there was still a small bit of blue, though on every side it was as red as in a heavy storm. So, full of despair, he went and stood in much fear and said, Flounder, flounder in the sea, Come, I pray thee, here to me; For my wife, good Ilsabil, Wills not as I'd have her will. Well, what does she want, then? said the Flounder. Alas, said the man, she wants to be Pope. Go to her then, said the Flounder; she is Pope already. So he went, and when he got there, he saw what seemed to be a large church surrounded by palaces. He pushed his way through the crowd. Inside, however, everything was lighted up with thousands and thousands of candles, and his wife was clad in gold, and she was sitting on a much higher throne, and had three great golden crowns on, and round about her there was much ecclesiastical splendour; and on both sides of her was a row of candles the largest of which was as tall as the very tallest tower, down to the very smallest kitchen candle, and all the emperors and kings were on their knees before her, kissing her shoe. Wife, said the man, and looked attentively at her, are you now Pope? Yes, said she, I am Pope. So he stood and looked at her, and it was just as if he was looking at the bright sun. When he had stood looking at her thus for a short time, he said, Ah, wife, if you are Pope, do let well alone! But she looked as stiff as a post, and did not move or show any signs of life. Then said he, Wife, now that you are Pope, be satisfied, you cannot become anything greater now. I will consider about that, said the woman. Thereupon they both went to bed, but she was not satisfied, and greediness let her have no sleep, for she was continually thinking what there was left for her to be. The man slept well and soundly, for he had run about a great deal during the day; but the woman could not fall asleep at all, and flung herself from one side to the other the whole night through, thinking always what more was left for her to be, but unable to call to mind anything else. At length the sun began to rise, and when the woman saw the red of dawn, she sat up in bed and looked at it. And when, through the window, she saw the sun thus rising, she said, Cannot I, too, order the sun and moon to rise? Husband, she said, poking him in the ribs with her elbows, wake up! go to the Flounder, for I wish to be even as God is. The man was still half asleep, but he was so horrified that he fell out of bed. He thought he must have heard amiss, and rubbed his eyes, and said, Alas, wife, what are you saying? Husband, said she, if I can't order the sun and moon to rise, and have to look on and see the sun and moon rising, I can't bear it. I shall not know what it is to have another happy hour, unless I can make them rise myself. Then she looked at him so terribly that a shudder ran over him, and said, Go at once; I wish to be like unto God. Alas, wife, said the man, falling on his knees before her, the Flounder cannot do that; he can make an emperor and a pope; I beseech you, go on as you are, and be Pope. Then she fell into a rage, and her hair flew wildly about her head, and she cried, I will not endure this, I'll not bear it any longer; wilt thou go? Then he put on his trousers and ran away like a madman. But outside a great storm was raging, and blowing so hard that he could scarcely keep his feet; houses and trees toppled over, the mountains trembled, rocks rolled into the sea, the sky was pitch black, and it thundered and lightened, and the sea came in with black waves as high as church-towers and mountains, and all with crests of white foam at the top. Then he cried, but could not hear his own words, Flounder, flounder in the sea, Come, I pray thee, here to me; For my wife, good Ilsabil, Wills not as I'd have her will. Well, what does she want, then? said the Flounder. Alas, said he, she wants to be like unto God. Go to her, and you will find her back again in the dirty hovel. And there they are living still at this very time.
