Slide 1 The Three Wishes A Tale from France How would you feel if whatever you wished for came true? What would be your first wish? There was once a poor woodcutter named Philippe, who lived with his wife, Marie, in a cottage deep in the forest. One day, as Philippe walked home, he met an old woman clutching a small bundle of sticks. “I have been gathering sticks all day,” said the woman. “I must build a fire to keep my old bones warm.” “Here, take my wood,” offered Philippe. “I can always chop more tomorrow.” “You are very kind, dear sir,” said the old woman. “It is a tradition with my people to repay a kindness with three wishes. So I now grant you three wishes. The next three things you wish for will come true.” “Three wishes!” cried Philippe. “Thank you! Thank you! I must go tell my wife the good news.”

Slide 2 The Three Wishes A Tale from France (Cont.) “Marie! Marie!” called Philippe, as he came running through the door to his home. “A kind woman gave me three wishes, and they will all come true!” “How wonderful!” said Marie. “We must be sure to make three good choices. We must think carefully.” Now, although the two were very poor, they always enjoyed a simple supper together. And while they ate they always talked and laughed about their day. But today nothing was the same as always. “I think we should wish for a farmhouse in the country with many animals,” said Philippe. “I think we should wish for a castle in a kingdom filled with gold,” said Marie. As they ate, the husband and wife went on and on, arguing about how to use the three wishes. Finally, Philippe stopped. He noticed that there was no bread on their menu. “I do wish we had some fresh rolls to dunk into our stew,” said Philippe. And instantly a basket of fresh rolls appeared on the table.

Slide 3 The Three Wishes A Tale from France (Cont.) They were just about ready to devour the rolls when Marie realized what had happened. “You foolish man!” cried Marie. “We could have had gold, but instead you wished for fresh rolls! What a silly wish!” Philippe did not know what to say. There was no excuse for such a poor choice. But Marie could not stop talking about his mistake. Finally, without thinking, Philippe blurted out, “I wish you had a roll on your nose!” And instantly one of the rolls attached itself to Marie’s nose. “You foolish man!” mumbled Marie. “You wasted our second wish! What a silly, silly wish!” She tried to pull the roll off her nose but it would not come off. Then she began to cry. “Please don’t cry,” begged Philippe. He did not know what else to do or say.

Slide 3 The Three Wishes A Tale from France (Cont.) Now there was only one wish left. Philippe looked at the roll that was stuck to Marie’s nose. “I do not need a farmhouse in the country with many animals,” said Philippe. “And I do not need a castle in a kingdom fi lled with gold,” said Marie. “There is only one thing we really need,” said Marie and Philippe. So the husband and wife held hands and together they said, “We wish for our life to stay the same as always.” And instantly the roll disappeared from Marie’s nose. Happily, the two finished their supper. Philippe and Marie ate the delicious stew as they talked and laughed—the same way they always did. Unit 4, Week 3 1. How does a dog beg for food? 2. Why is it better to think before you speak instead of blurting things out? 3. What does a bird use to clutch a worm? 4. What is the most delicious food you have ever had? 5. If you skipped breakfast, would you devour or nibble your lunch? Why? 6. Where would you get fresh flowers for your table? 7. When you send a letter in the mail, does it arrive instantly or does it take a few days to get there? 8. If you were planning a breakfast menu, what would be on it? 9. What is your family’s favorite holiday tradition?