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In this reimagining of a classic fairy tale, a fisherman catches a fish who is really an enchanted French prince. However, due to his poor hearing, the prince has been rejected by the king. In exchange for his release, the prince promises to grant the fisherman three wishes over the next three days. When the fisherman relates the encounter to his greedy wife, she asks for a cottage. The fish mishears this wish and gives them a croissant instead. The mistranslated second wish for $1,000 results in a chien (dog). Then, the fish mishears the third wish for an armoire and grants l’amour (love) to the fisherman’s wife. Freed from the wife’s greed, the couple becomes closer and are both grateful for their lives. Their love for the enchanted prince breaks his spell, leading to his rise as the crowned Prince of the Sea. Everyone lives happily ever after.
Reinterpreted fairy tales are fun to read, not only because they harken back to older retellings but also because they can take them in fresh directions. Here, there are the same general story beats as in the original: a fisherman is given three wishes by a magical fish, and a wife makes demands that wouldn’t ultimately bring the couple happiness. However, this version has a fun, bilingual edge in having the wishes misunderstood by the fish due to his poor hearing during the translation of English into French. It is a clever way to teach young readers a few words in the French language and introduce them to the interactions between different languages while imparting a powerful lesson about being grateful for their blessings. This fairy tale would make for a fun read in such places as daycares and libraries, especially supported by its beautifully done illustrations. It is truly a magical read.