A hard-working woodcutter lived near a forest with his wife. Every morning, he went into the forest to cut trees and would sell the chopped wood in the village. One morning, when he swung his axe at a large old oak tree, he heard a sound as if someone cried out in pain. “Oh, stop!” it said. The woodcutter stopped and gazed in wonder at a fairy that emerged from the tree. “Please spare this tree,” pleaded the fairy. The woodcutter looked dumbstruck for a while and then said, “No, I won’t cut it down!” He went towards another tree when the fairy called out, “Thank you! In return for your kindness, whatever are your next three wishes shall be granted to you!” The simple fellow smiled and forgot all about it. He finished his day’s work and returned home tired and hungry. He washed and settled down near the fire for his meal.
The Wishes
“Is the supper ready, my dear?” he asked his wife. “Not yet,” she said, “It’ll take some time,” The woodcutter sighed, “I’m so hungry! I would love to eat a black pudding right now!” There was a loud noise in the chimney and through it came black pudding on a platter, straight into his lap! The woodcutter and his wife simply looked at it in amazement. Then, he remembered the fairy’s parting words and told his wife all about the incident. She glared at him! “You are so dumb! Why couldn’t you tell me earlier?” she said, “You deserve to have the pudding pasted on your nose!” And the pudding flew up and stuck to his nose! “Oh, dear!” he said. “I wish this would come off!” And that was the third wish, all wasted! “But at least, we have this delicious black pudding for supper!” he said happily.
