So the little old woman had pity on the little fish, and threw it into the water.
But hardly had she done so before the water began to bubble and a little fairy stood beside her. “My good woman,” she said, “I am the little fish you threw into the water, and, as you were so kind to me when I was in trouble, I promise to give you anything that you wish for.”
Then the little old woman thanked the fairy very much, but said she did not want for anything. She lived in a nice little vinegar-bottle with a ladder to go up and down, and had all she wished for.
“Well,” said the fairy, “if at any time you want anything, you have only to come to the waterside and call ‘Fairy, fairy,’ and I shall appear, to answer you.”
So the little old woman went home, and she lay awake all night trying to think of something she wanted. And the next morning she went to the waterside and called “Fairy, fairy”; and the water bubbled, and the little fairy stood beside her.
“What do you want, good woman?” she said.
And the little old woman answered: “You were so kind, ma’am, as to promise that you would give me anything I wished for, because I threw you into the water when you were but a little fish. Now, if you please, ma’am, I should like a little cottage. For you must know I live in a vinegar-bottle, and I find it very tiresome to have to go up and down a ladder every time I go in and out of my house.”
“Go home and you shall have one,” said the fairy.
So the little old woman went home, and there she found a nice whitewashed cottage, with roses climbing round the windows.
She was very happy, and thought she would never want anything more; but after a while she grew discontented again.