The Fisherman and the Genie

Once upon a time, on a sandy beach by a sparkling blue sea, lived a poor, old Fisherman. He was hardworking, but he often caught very little fish. One afternoon, he cast his heavy net into the water. “Please, let me catch something good today,” he prayed. When he pulled the net up, it felt very heavy. “Aha!” he thought. “A big fish!” But when he dragged it to the shore, he found no fish. Instead, buried in the seaweed, was an old, dusty copper lamp (some say it was a jar sealed with lead).

The Fisherman picked it up. “Well, I can sell this to the coppersmith for a few coins,” he said. He took his sleeve and began to rub the dirt off the lamp to see if it was worth anything. Rub… Rub… Rub… Suddenly, the lamp began to shake! Smoke poured out of the spout—thick, purple smoke that twisted and turned until it formed a gigantic shape. A Genie! The Genie was huge, with eyes like burning coals and a voice like thunder. He looked down at the trembling Fisherman.

“Finally!” roared the Genie. “I am free! Who are you, little man?” “I am just a fisherman,” stuttered the old man. “I… I released you?” “Yes,” boomed the Genie. “And for that, I grant you a reward. I will let you choose how you want to be turned into stone!”

The Fisherman was terrified. “What? Turn me to stone? But I saved you!” The Genie crossed his massive arms. “Listen to me,” he rumbled. “I was trapped in that lamp for a thousand years. For the first hundred years, I promised to make my rescuer rich. No one came. For the second hundred years, I promised to make him a King. No one came. After that, I got angry. I swore that whoever released me, I would punish them for making me wait so long! So, prepare yourself!”

The Fisherman was scared, but he was also clever. He knew he couldn’t fight the giant. He had to use his brain. “O mighty Genie,” said the Fisherman, bowing low. “Before you turn me to stone, may I ask one simple question?” “Ask!” shouted the Genie impatiently.

“Well,” said the Fisherman, scratching his head. “You are so big… huge like a mountain! And this lamp is so tiny. I just don’t believe you were really inside it. It looks impossible.” “Impossible?” roared the Genie. “I am a powerful Genie! I can do anything!” “I don’t know…” said the Fisherman, shaking his head. “I won’t believe it unless I see it with my own eyes.”

The Genie was furious. “Watch this, you foolish man!” The Genie turned himself back into smoke. The purple cloud swirled and swirled, getting smaller and smaller, until—WHOOSH!—it sucked itself right back into the narrow spout of the lamp.

As soon as the last wisp of smoke went in, the Fisherman quickly grabbed the lead stopper and plugged the jar tight! “Let me out!” muffled a voice from inside. “Let me out! I won’t hurt you! I promise!” “No, no,” said the Fisherman. “You are too dangerous. You stay in there.”

The Genie begged and pleaded. “I learned my lesson! Please! I will really make you rich this time!” The Fisherman thought about it. “Do you swear?” “I swear on my magic!” cried the Genie.

The Fisherman carefully pulled the stopper. The Genie came out again. But this time, he bowed respectfully. “Thank you,” he said humble. “You taught me that anger is foolish.” True to his word, the Genie tapped the ground, and a chest of gold coins appeared. He then vanished into the clouds, never to harm anyone again. The Fisherman lived happily and comfortably for the rest of his days.

Moral of the Story: Intelligence is stronger than might. Anger leads to foolish promises, but wisdom leads to safety.