“I will throw it just one more time,” said he. Then he cast the net for the last time into the sea. This time he was sure it had caught a large quantity of fish, for he drew it in with great difficulty.
On examining it he found he had caught no fish, but inside the net was an old copper jar. The mouth of the jar was closed with lead on which there was the impression of a seal. The fisherman examined the jar on all sides. The seal on the cover made him think there must be something of value inside. He shook it but could hear nothing. With his knife he opened it, and turned it upside down, but to his surprise nothing came out.
The fisherman set it down before him and stood off a little distance. While he was looking and wondering a thick smoke came out of the jar. The smoke ascended almost to the clouds and settled over the water and the shore. When it had all come out, it collected, became solid, and took the shape of a genie of gigantic size.
The fisherman trembled with fear to see the great giant before him. Then the genie began to scold and grew angry. He said he was going to kill the poor fisherman. When he threatened to kill the fisherman, the fisherman reminded him that he had let him out of the jar. This did not seem to appease the genie’s wrath. He told the fisherman to get ready to die. The fisherman was greatly alarmed, but he said to the genie:
“Before you kill me I want to know one thing truly. Did you really come out of that jar or not? I would like to be sure about it, and then you can kill me.”
The genie told the fisherman he did, but the fisherman would not believe it. The genie said he would show him. So he changed back into smoke, went up to the clouds and then down to the stream and slowly entered the jar. The fisherman then quickly clapped on the top and the genie could not get out.
The giant begged the fisherman to let him out. He promised to make him rich if he would open the jar again. But the fisherman would not listen. He threw the jar back into the sea, and warned all fishermen not to open the jar if by any chance they caught it in their nets, and it may be there to this very day.
THE GIRL WHO WANTED EVERYTHING
When one begins wishing, it is hard to know when he has enough.