The Best Wish: the Story of Three Brothers and a

Name: The Best Wish: the Story of Three Brothers and an Angel
Author: Parker Fillmore

Three brothers possess only a pear tree, taking turns guarding it. An Angel, disguised as a beggar, tests their hearts by asking for pears. The oldest and second brothers each give away a pear, claiming ownership of only what they can give. The Angel then leads them to a river, granting each a wish. The oldest wishes for the river to turn into wine, and the second wishes for pigeons to become sheep. The youngest brother, however, wishes for a truly pious wife. The Angel informs him that such a woman is rare, but agrees to help him pursue a princess. They present themselves to the king, who decides the suitor through a grapevine test. The youngest brother's branch blossoms, and he marries the princess. A year later, the Angel returns to see how the brothers fare. The oldest brother, now wealthy, refuses to help a beggar, leading to his downfall. The second brother, also prosperous, similarly neglects the beggar and loses his fortune. In contrast, the youngest brother and his wife, living in poverty, welcome the beggar and share their meager meal. The Angel rewards their kindness by transforming their humble home into a palace filled with riches. The story concludes with the lesson that true wealth comes from generosity and compassion towards others. The youngest brother and his wife remain happy and prosperous, having learned to remember the less fortunate.

By Parker Fillmore · First published 1948 · Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Moral Fiction · 1,763 words

First lines

There were once three brothers whose only possession was a pear tree. They took turns guarding it. That is to say while two of them went to work the third stayed at home to see that no harm came to the pear tree.

Now it happened that an Angel from heaven was sent down to test the hearts of the three brothers. The Angel took the form of a beggar and approaching the pear tree on a day when the oldest brother was guarding it, he held out his hand and said:

What this Textopian page supports

The Best Wish: the Story of Three Brothers and an Angel is listed on Textopian as a short story by Parker Fillmore, dated 1948 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Parker Fillmore
Date: 1948 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Moral Fiction, Adventure, Religious Fiction
Length: 1,763 words
Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fantasy — The presence of an angel and magical transformations of objects highlight the fantastical elements of the story.
Fairy Tale — The narrative structure, moral lessons, and archetypal characters align with traditional fairy tale conventions.
Moral Fiction — The story emphasizes moral lessons about generosity, humility, and the consequences of one's actions.
Adventure — The journey of the brothers and their encounters with the angel provide an adventurous plot.