2007 Printable Manual - Texas State Library and Archives ...

2007 Texas Reading Club Manual
FISHERMAN: But, Helga dear, this house is already larger than we need. I hate to ask for more.
WIFE: Oh, Hans, don’t you love me? If you really loved me, you would not deny me. (Starts to
cry.)
FISHERMAN: Don’t cry, my love. I will do as you ask.
(Fisherman goes to the fishing pier stage right)
FISHERMAN: Prince of the sea, please listen to me.
Majestic fish, grant my wish.
My loving spouse wants a bigger house.
(Fish appears)
FISH: How nice to see you, fisherman. Does your wife like her new house?
FISHERMAN: Well, your royal fishness, she did like it – at first. But now she says to be a fine
lady, she needs a mansion.
FISH: A mansion! Very well. Go home, my friend. Your wish is granted.
(Fish dives back into the sea.)
(Fisherman returns stage left)
WIFE: Hans! Hans! Look! Look at our mansion! It has a living room, a drawing room, a
ballroom, 10 bedrooms, servants’ quarters, stables for horses, and a formal garden. I feel like a
queen! Now our children will live like princes and princesses!
FISHERMAN: (to audience) Do you think that is the end of the story? My wife now had a
mansion and servants. She didn’t have to cook or clean or sew or tend the garden. She wore
beautiful clothes and gave lavish parties. She was happy for a while, but, alas, not for long. Soon
she became dissatisfied again.
WIFE: Husband! Husband! When we first got this mansion, I thought it was wonderful. I felt
like a queen. But now, I realize this house is too small. To be a real queen, I need a palace. Then
our children will be real princes and princesses. Go back and tell the fish I need a magnificent
palace.
FISHERMAN: No, Helga. I cannot do that. The fish gave us a beautiful house and then he gave
us a fabulous mansion. I cannot ask him for a palace. It is too much.
WIFE: (starting to cry) Oh, Hans, you do not love me. I want to be a queen. I have to be a queen.
I need a palace.
FISHERMAN: But, dear….
50