The Three Wishes (Fantasy and Horror Classics)

<p>This brief but influential piece of short fiction by William Carleton (1794-1869) is a classic example of Irish folklore infused with the dark humor and moral realism characteristic of his work. While Carleton is celebrated for his authentic portrayal of rural life (<em>Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry</em>) his fiction often dips into the supernatural to highlight human folly.</p><p>A poor but honest peasant is granted three magical wishes by a supernatural being. The wishes are invariably squandered through a fit of impatience anger or petty hunger.</p><p>This story's appeal lies in its sharp immediate moral lesson: the greatest gifts can be destroyed by the most trivial human weaknesses: greed impulse and domestic squabble. It transitions from light comedy to a somber reflection on lost opportunity fitting it perfectly into the Fantasy and Horror Classics series by illustrating the material and moral ruin that comes from a lack of foresight.</p>