The Magic Fish

Alek and Ivan live by the sea until Alek catches a magic fish, but Ivan wishes for more and more, leading to his downfall.

Format: Board book
Length: 20 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd

Once upon a time, in a peaceful coastal village, two friends named Alek and Ivan lived a simple and contented life by the sea. They spent their days fishing, exploring the nearby beaches, and enjoying the tranquil beauty of their surroundings.

One day, as Alek was out fishing, he caught a magical fish. The fish was unlike any other he had ever seen, with shimmering scales and a mesmerizing glow. Alek was amazed by its beauty and decided to bring it back to Ivan to share his discovery.

Ivan was thrilled when he saw the fish and couldn't believe his luck. He had always dreamed of having more, and more, and more, and he saw this as an opportunity to make his wishes come true. He started making wishes left and right, without thinking about the consequences or the impact on their lives.

At first, Ivan's wishes seemed to come true. He wished for wealth, fame, and power, and they seemed to materialize before his eyes. He bought a grand mansion, drove a fancy car, and wore expensive clothes. But as time went on, Ivan began to realize that his wishes were not bringing him the happiness he had hoped for.

He wished for more friends, but instead of bringing him closer to people, he found himself isolated and lonely. He wished for success in his career, but instead of earning respect and admiration, he became stressed and overworked. He wished for a loving family, but instead of finding true love, he created a toxic environment that hurt those around him.

As Ivan's wishes continued to multiply, he became consumed by greed and selfishness. He forgot about the importance of simplicity, kindness, and gratitude, and he became obsessed with acquiring more and more. He started to neglect his friends and family, and he became distant and cold.

One day, Ivan had a realization. He realized that his wishes had not brought him the happiness he had sought, and that he had been chasing after something that was not real. He decided to stop making wishes and to start living a simpler life.

He sold his mansion and car and returned to his coastal village. He spent his days fishing, exploring the beaches, and spending time with his friends and family. He learned to appreciate the small things in life, like the warmth of the sun on his face, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, and the love of those around him.

As time passed, Ivan's life became more fulfilling than he had ever imagined. He had found true happiness, not through material possessions or success, but through the simple pleasures of life. He realized that true wealth comes from within, from the love and kindness we share with others, and from the connections we make with the world around us.

In the end, Alek and Ivan learned a valuable lesson about the power of wishes and the importance of living a simple and contented life. They realized that greed and selfishness can lead to isolation and unhappiness, while simplicity and gratitude can bring us true joy and fulfillment.

From that day on, Alek and Ivan lived by the sea, but they did so with a newfound appreciation for the world around them. They continued to fish, explore, and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings, but they did so with a sense of humility and gratitude for the gifts they had been given.

And so, the story of Alek and Ivan serves as a reminder that true happiness comes from within, from the connections we make with others, and from the simple pleasures of life. It is a story that reminds us to be grateful for what we have, to live in the present moment, and to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

Weight: 152g
Dimension: 151 x 153 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781801312455