Once upon a time, in a tiny village by a sunny lake, there lived a kind girl named Ella. Every day, she and her father went fishing. One afternoon, she hooked a very peculiar fish. It was golden, not only in color but also in a magical way. It begged her to release it and promised that if she did, it would grant her three wishes. Ella, being kind-hearted, set the fish free. In return, she asked that her father never go hungry and that the village remain happy.
Soon, Ella discovered that her father’s fishing net was always full and the village thrived. People were puzzled by Ella’s fortune and started visiting her father to solve their problems. Even as villagers stayed for meals, they found somehow there was enough food. This miracle continued as long as Ella remained kind and helpful.
Months later, a nasty storm hit, and a villager grew ill, threatening to spread disease. Ella worked tirelessly to aid everyone, but fatigue overwhelmed her. Overtaken by exhaustion, she neglected her father’s needs, and one unfortunate day, he fell ill too. Distraught, Ella rushed to the lake to plead with the golden fish.
Ella called, “Golden Fish, appear! Please help my father and protect my village!”
The golden fish answered, “Dear child, I am here! You wished for your father’s welfare and the village’s joy. Yet, selfless acts can tire even the strongest heart. You have used your wishes wisely but remember the most important wish of all.”
Confused, she asked for guidance. In a gentle voice, the fish replied, “The richest treasures are those that come from caring for each other.” With renewed determination, Ella returned to her father’s side and cared for him day and night.
Moved by her dedication, the sick villager’s family came to help and found strong roots of friendship in their shared work. That same evening, the sun shone again, and slowly the village returned to its serene pace. And from that day forth, fishermen and villagers would often find golden scales upon the lake’s banks—a reminder of a kind girl with a golden heart.
They might have thought these were merely fish scales, but they knew better. Ella had forever changed their understanding of kindness and happiness—lessons worth more than gold.