Do I Need It?

A fisherman named Goppu lived by the sea with his wife, Asha. Every morning Goppu went to sea, and threw his nets into the water. There were days when Goppu caught nothing. But when the wind blew to the shore, the fish came in from the deep and swam into swam into his nets. He took them to the market and sold them.

On his way home, he bought some rice and vegetables for Asha to cook. Goppu was happy with his simple life but Asha was greedy. She wanted silk saris, jewelry and a beautiful house to live in.

"You ae a good for nothing man!" she would often say to Goppu. "We will remain poor all our lives because of your laziness".

One evening, when Goppu went to sea, his net was so heavy that he could not pull it  into the boat, "What have I caught? Have I caught all the fish in the sea?" Goppu said to himself.

He heard someone laugh from inside the net. Goppu unfolded the net and saw that a little sea monster was sitting inside it. He said to Goppu, "Don't be afraid. I know you are a good man. I have come to help you. Ask for whatever you want and your wish will be granted, Goppu! I have magical powers."

Goppu thought for a while. He didn't need anything at all! He decided to ask for something that would make Asha happy, We are very poor. I can hardly provide two square meals a day for my wife. Can you grant her a nice cottage to live in? And some money to buy food and clothes?"

The monster quietly listened to Goppu's request. He smiled and disappeared into the water.

That night, when Goppu went home, his wife was standing at the door of a lovely cottage. She was very happy. She cooked a tasty meal that night. At night, Goppu told her everything about the monster and his blessings.

A few days went by. Asha started complaining again. "My friend, Radha, bought a fine silk sari yesterday. Look at the coarse saris that I have to wear! And Parvati, the landlord's wife, buys gold jewelry every month. I, too, want to wear fine silks and jewels. Get me more money!, she said.

The next morning, when Goppu went to sea, the monster came into his net again. Goppu was glad to see him. The monster asked him for another wish. He said, "I have nothing to ask for myself. But, will you please give my wife some more fine silks and jewels?"

"Okay!" said the monster.

When Goppu went home that night, his wife was looking beautiful in fine silks and gold ornaments. Goppu was happy for his wife. But he was sad that she was so greedy for a good life. He knew that there was no end to greed. He believed that one should be content with what one has.

Quietly, he left his home and came to the seashore. It was a beautiful night! Goppu saw the moonlight shining on the waves. The cool breeze touched Goppu's face and he smile. "Can there be anything more beautiful than this!" he thought. He spent the night by the seaside, thinking of his life.

The next morning, when he was at sea, Goppu was sad. Asha had started asking for a palace now. She was not happy with her cottage anymore. Suddenly, Goppu felt a familiar tug at his net. The monster was sitting inside it again. When Goppu saw the monster, he thought of his wife's wish. He folded his hands and said, "Thank you, dear friend, for everything you have given us. My wife is never happy with whatever we have got. She wants a finer home and more luxury. Can you give my wife a palace and enough money to last her a lifetime?" The monster smiled and disappeared.

When he went home that night, Goppu saw Asha sitting under a tree and cooking on a clay oven. She was in her old, tattered clothes. The cottage had vanished, and along with it all her silk and jewelry. Goppu felt sorry for her but he knew why the monster had done this. He realized that it was time Asha was taught a lesson for her greed.

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