In this classic French fairy tale, a poor woodcutter and his wife are granted three wishes by a magical being. The woodcutter's wife is eager to use the wishes to become wealthy, but the woodcutter is more cautious and advises her to think before she speaks. The woodcutter's wife ignores his advice and wishes for a sausage, which the magical being grants. The sausage then proceeds to chase the woodcutter and his wife around the house. The woodcutter's wife then wishes for a rat, which the magical being grants. The rat then proceeds to chase the sausage around the house. The woodcutter's wife then wishes for a cat, which the magical being grants. The cat then proceeds to chase the rat and the sausage around the house. The woodcutter's wife then realizes the error of her ways and wishes for the sausage, rat, and cat to be turned into gold coins. The magical being grants her wish and the woodcutter and his wife become wealthy. The moral of the story is to think before you speak, as the woodcutter's wife's hasty wishes caused her more trouble than good. The story also teaches the importance of being content with what you have and not wishing for more than you need.
By Dorset and Leprince de Beaumont · First published 1810 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature