The Three WishesThe Three Wishes

bybyRicardo E. AlegriaRicardo E. Alegria

ReviewReview

1.1. ““The Three Wishes” is a folk The Three Wishes” is a folk tale from Puerto Rico. tale from Puerto Rico. According to the story, what According to the story, what do Puerto Ricans value most?do Puerto Ricans value most?

LoveLove

2. Describe the life of the 2. Describe the life of the woodsman and his wife before woodsman and his wife before they make the three wishes. they make the three wishes.

They are poor, but They are poor, but they are happy, they are happy, generous, and loving.generous, and loving.

3. Why are the husband and wife 3. Why are the husband and wife given three wishes? given three wishes?

They are always willing to share.They are always willing to share.

4. How does the couple use the 4. How does the couple use the first two wishes? first two wishes?

The wife wishes that her husband was at home, The wife wishes that her husband was at home, and the husband wishes that the wife would and the husband wishes that the wife would grow donkey ears.grow donkey ears.

5. Why is the woodsman angry with 5. Why is the woodsman angry with

his wife? his wife?

She wasted the first wish.She wasted the first wish.

6. How does the behavior of the 6. How does the behavior of the couple change after they are couple change after they are given the opportunity to make given the opportunity to make wishes? wishes?

They change from They change from being generous and being generous and loving to being greedy loving to being greedy and angry.and angry.

7. What does the husband’s final 7. What does the husband’s final wish show? wish show?

He is sorry for what he has done and He is sorry for what he has done and wants to be happy again.wants to be happy again.

8. What does the old man mean 8. What does the old man mean when he tells the couple they will when he tells the couple they will

receive the “greatest happiness receive the “greatest happiness a married couple could know? a married couple could know? The greatest happiness a married couple The greatest happiness a married couple

could know is a baby.could know is a baby.

9. Why is the couple rewarded at 9. Why is the couple rewarded at the end of the story? the end of the story?

They have learned their lesson.They have learned their lesson.

10. What is a theme? 10. What is a theme?

A message or lesson about life.A message or lesson about life.

11. What important lesson does 11. What important lesson does this story teach? this story teach?

The story teaches The story teaches that we should be that we should be content with what we content with what we have.have.

12. What is a universal theme?12. What is a universal theme?

A message about life that is expressed A message about life that is expressed regularly in many cultures and time regularly in many cultures and time periods. periods. Examples include the importance of courage, Examples include the importance of courage,

the power of love, and danger of greed.the power of love, and danger of greed.

13. How do you find a universal 13. How do you find a universal theme in a literary work? theme in a literary work?

By examining the story’s conflict and the actions By examining the story’s conflict and the actions of the main character. of the main character.

In addition, notice the changes he or she In addition, notice the changes he or she undergoes and the effects of these changes.undergoes and the effects of these changes.

14. What is the universal theme 14. What is the universal theme in this story? in this story?

Happiness comes from love, not from Happiness comes from love, not from riches.riches.

15. hardly 15. hardly

scarcelyscarcely

16. clasped in the arms to show 16. clasped in the arms to show affection affection

embraced embraced

17. enviousness; desire for what 17. enviousness; desire for what

another has another has covetousnesscovetousness

18. selfish desire for more 18. selfish desire for more

greed greed

19. regret19. regret

repentancerepentance

The EndThe End