Read "The Three Wishes" by Oliver Herford online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Once to a man a goblin came / And said to him, "If you will name / Three wishes, whatsoe'er they be, / They shall be granted instantly.
Think of three things you deem the best, / Express your wish -- ‘_we do the rest_. " / "O Goblin! " cried the man, "indeed / You're just the kind of a friend I need.
Hunger and Want I've known thus far, / I fain would learn what Riches are. " / "Then," cried the Goblin, "learn it well, / _Riches are title deeds to Hell_!
Now wish again."
"Alackaday! " / Exclaimed the man. "I've thrown away, / And all for naught, a chance immense; / I only wish I had some sense! " / The Goblin waved his hand -- the Dunce / To his surprise was wise for once.
And being wise, he laughed, and said: / "I am a fool -- would I were dead!"
"Granted! " the Goblin yell'd "it's plain / You'll never be so wise again. "