The Tale of the Golden Fish (Cerita Ikan Mas) is a popular Indonesian folktale that has been

passed down for generations. It is a story about kindness, gratitude, and the consequences of
greed.

The Story

Once upon a time, there was a poor old man and his wife who lived in a small village. They
were kind and hardworking, but they struggled to make ends meet. One day, while the old
man was fishing in the river, he caught a magical golden fish. The fish spoke to him and
pleaded for its life, promising to grant him any wish he desired.

The old man, being a simple and honest man, was content with his life and had no need for
riches. He gently released the fish back into the river and continued on his way home.

When his wife heard about the golden fish, she was disappointed that he had not asked for
anything. She scolded him for his foolishness and insisted that he return to the river and ask
for riches.

Reluctantly, the old man returned to the river and caught the golden fish again. This time, he
asked the fish for a large house, fine clothes, and plenty of money. The fish granted his wish
and disappeared into the depths of the river.

In an instant, the old man's life was transformed. He and his wife found themselves living in a
grand house, adorned with luxurious furnishings. They were no longer poor and could afford
anything they desired.

However, as their wealth grew, so did their greed. They became arrogant and dismissive of
others, forgetting their humble beginnings. They no longer found joy in simple things and
were constantly seeking more and more wealth.

One day, the old man's wife decided that she wanted to be a queen. She instructed her
husband to return to the river and ask the golden fish to make her queen.

The old man, despite his reservations, obeyed his wife's wishes. He went to the river and
caught the golden fish, but this time, the fish was angry. It reminded the old man of his
previous request and warned him of the dangers of greed.

The old man pleaded for forgiveness, but the fish was unmoved. It told him that their greed
had destroyed their happiness and that they would soon lose everything they had. With that,
the fish disappeared.

As the old man returned home, he felt a sense of dread. His fears were soon realized when
their wealth vanished, their grand house crumbled, and they were once again poor and
destitute.

The old man and his wife were left with nothing but their regrets. They had learned a harsh
lesson about the dangers of greed and the importance of contentment. They spent the rest of
their lives living in poverty, but they were grateful for the simple things they had and for the
valuable lesson they had learned.