"The Fisherman and the Golden Fish" is a Russian fairy tale collected by Alexander Afanasyev. It tells the story of an old fisherman who catches a golden fish that grants wishes in exchange for its freedom. The fisherman's wife repeatedly makes extravagant demands, but each time, the fish grants her wishes out of sympathy for the fisherman's kindness. However, her insatiable greed leads to her downfall as she continues to ask for more and more, until the fish decides to revoke all her wishes and return them to their original impoverished state. The tale explores themes of greed, humility, and the consequences of abusing generosity and power, offering a cautionary lesson about the perils of unchecked ambition and the importance of contentment.
