The Best Wish

The Best Wish

Once three brothers were given one wish each.

The two older brothers loved counting money, although they had very little of it.

The youngest, whom everyone called Boot, preferred listening to people and noticing things others missed.

The eldest did not hesitate.

“I wish that every time I put my hand into my pocket, I find money!”

The second cried:

“I want exactly the same!”

Boot thought for a while.

“I wish people would see not my clothes or wealth, but the heart with which I come to them. And if I treat them kindly, may they want to answer with kindness.”

His brothers laughed.

“You cannot buy anything with kindness!”

They reached into their pockets and pulled out silver coins. Again, and more coins appeared.

“Now that is a real wish,” said the eldest.

Soon the brothers set out traveling. The older two bought a fine cart and new clothes and began presenting themselves as important gentlemen. They made Boot stand at the back with the luggage.

At the first inn, the older brothers ordered the best dinner and left Boot outside.

The innkeeper’s wife saw him.

“Why are you sitting alone?”

“My brothers decided it this way. Do not worry, I have some bread.”

He spoke without bitterness and helped her lift a basket she had dropped.

She thought, “His cloak is old, but his heart is good.”

“Take these little scissors. Snap them in the air and they will cut whatever cloth is needed for clothing.”

Boot thanked her.

At the next inn, he helped carry sacks, watered a tired horse, and repaired a child’s wooden toy.

The innkeeper gave him a magical tablecloth.

“Spread it out, and good food will appear for anyone who is hungry.”

At the third inn, he received a small silver tap.

“Turn it, and it will pour whatever drink is suitable: water, milk, berry juice, apple juice, or warm honey drink.”

Boot was amazed.

“I never asked for any of these gifts.”

“Perhaps that is why you received them.”

At last the brothers reached a royal palace.

The older brothers displayed their fine clothes and endless coins and were given beautiful rooms.

Boot, in his simple clothing, was mistaken for a poor traveler and sent to a small island where homeless people and penniless wanderers were kept away from grand celebrations.

Boot looked around. Someone wore a torn shirt. Children shivered near the old pier. A family shared its last piece of bread.

“Well,” he said, “now I know why I received these gifts.”

Snip-snap went the magical scissors.

Warm shirts, trousers, dresses, cloaks, hats, and mittens appeared.

Then Boot spread the tablecloth.

Hot bread, vegetable soup, baked apples, berry porridge, and pies filled it.

Finally he turned the silver tap.

Sweet berry drink flowed for the children, cool water for others, and warm fruit drink for the elderly.

The gloomy island filled with laughter.

The next morning palace servants arrived with a small breakfast and found everyone already fed and warmly dressed.

News reached the king’s daughter.

“Who did this?”

“The young man in the old cloak.”

The princess invited Boot to the palace.

“They say you have magical scissors. Will you sell them?”

“No. But I can show you what they are for.”

He snapped the scissors and warm blue cloth appeared.

“The best thing about them is not that they make beautiful clothes. It is that no one has to freeze while we can help.”

The princess thought about this.

Over the following days she saw the tablecloth and silver tap too.

Boot offered a different bargain.

“Let the people from the island come to the city, learn trades, work, and sit at the same tables as everyone else. Then these magical things will truly be useful.”

The princess agreed.

Soon the sad island became a welcoming place where travelers could rest, eat, find work, or ask for help.

The princess visited often. She saw how Boot listened to people and never boasted about magic.

Boot saw that the princess could change her mind when she realized an old rule was unfair.

They became friends. Much later, when both knew they wanted to remain together, they chose to marry.

Meanwhile, the older brothers kept pulling coins from their pockets. They bought expensive things and bragged until the palace learned they were not the important gentlemen they claimed to be.

They were deeply embarrassed.

Boot did not punish them.

“Your money will remain. Now try using it for something that makes people grateful for more than your expensive buttons.”

The eldest bought tools for a workshop. The second helped repair the bridge to the island.

One evening the three brothers sat beside a fire.

“Whose wish was best?” Boot asked with a smile.

The eldest jingled a coin.

“Once I would have said mine.”

The second shook his head.

“Coins are useful only when you know what to do with them.”

Boot looked at the scissors, folded tablecloth, and silver tap.

“I think the best wish is the one that makes life better for more than just yourself.”

This time his brothers did not argue.

May this story leave a little light in your heart ✨