1. The Three Wishes by Ricardo E. Alegria
Review

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

3. 2. Describe the life of the woodsman and his wife before they make the three wishes.
They are poor, but they are happy, generous, and loving.

4. 3. Why are the husband and wife given three wishes?
They are always willing to share.

5. 4. How does the couple use the first two wishes?
The wife wishes that her husband was at home, and the husband wishes that the wife would grow donkey ears.

6. 5. Why is the woodsman angry with his wife?
She wasted the first wish.

7. 6. How does the behavior of the couple change after they are given the opportunity to make wishes?
They change from being generous and loving to being greedy and angry.

8. 7. What does the husband’s final wish show?
He is sorry for what he has done and wants to be happy again.

9. 8. What does the old man mean when he tells the couple they will receive the “greatest happiness a married couple could know?
The greatest happiness a married couple could know is a baby.

10. 9. Why is the couple rewarded at the end of the story?
They have learned their lesson.

11. 10. What is a theme?
A message or lesson about life.

12. 11. What important lesson does this story teach?
The story teaches that we should be content with what we have.

13. 12. What is a universal theme?
A message about life that is expressed regularly in many cultures and time periods.
Examples include the importance of courage, the power of love, and danger of greed.

14. 13. How do you find a universal theme in a literary work?
By examining the story’s conflict and the actions of the main character.
In addition, notice the changes he or she undergoes and the effects of these changes.

15. 14. What is the universal theme in this story?
Happiness comes from love, not from riches.

16. 15. hardly
scarcely

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

18. 17. enviousness; desire for what another has
covetousness

19. 18. selfish desire for more
greed

20. 19. regret
repentance

21. The End