What of This Goldfish Would You Wish? Summary and Themes

What of this goldfish would you wish? This question drives Etgar Keret’s short story about a young filmmaker named Yonatan who knocks on doors in Israel to record people’s answers for a documentary. He asks strangers what they would choose if a talking goldfish granted three wishes. Responses vary from world peace to personal gains, revealing deep human desires. The plot shifts when Yonatan meets Sergei, a reclusive Russian immigrant who owns a real magic goldfish. Sergei fears losing his companion and reacts strongly, leading to conflict and a tough choice. The tale blends magical realism with everyday life, exploring isolation and connection. Readers see how wishes reflect inner struggles and relationships.

Quick Answer

What of this goldfish would you wish? In Etgar Keret’s story, a filmmaker asks people this to uncover their dreams via a hypothetical magic goldfish. One man, Sergei, has a real one and uses his final wish to revive the filmmaker after an accident, prioritizing compassion over keeping his friend. The narrative highlights themes of loneliness and moral decisions.

Table of Contents

• Theme-Inspired Wishes For Anyone
• Short One-Line Wishes
• Wishes About Using Your Last Wish Wisely
• Wishes For Kindness Between Neighbors
• Wishes For Second Chances
• Wishes For Filmmakers & Creators
• Wishes For Immigrants & New Neighbors
• Wishes For Friendship & Trust
• Wishes For Honesty & Hard Choices
• Wishes For Healing After Mistakes
• Wishes For Curiosity & Listening
• Wishes For Teachers & Students
• Wishes For Family Ties
• Wishes For Personal Growth
• Wishes For Holidays & Gatherings
• Photo/Caption Lines Inspired By The Story

TL;DR

• Lead with kindness and restraint.
• Keep each wish simple and specific.
• Avoid spoilers; echo the theme.
• Prefer listening over assumptions.
• Let hard choices honor people.

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Theme-Inspired Wishes For Anyone

These lines capture empathy, dignity, and careful choices for everyday notes.

• I wish your next choice honors people more than outcomes.
• May patience walk with you when answers feel urgent.
• I wish you questions that open doors, not wounds.
• May compassion guide what you want and how you ask.
• I wish your hopes grow kinder as they grow clearer.
• May your strength include the courage to change your mind.
• I wish timing meets you with mercy and good sense.
• May you see the story behind every stranger’s face.
• I wish your wish includes the well-being of others.
• May restraint feel like wisdom, not loss.
• I wish your progress never costs someone’s dignity.
• May the right thing arrive before the easy thing.

Short One-Line Wishes

Bite-size lines for captions, notes, and sticky-backs.

• One wish, well chosen, can heal more than three.
• Ask gently; people carry invisible oceans.
• Choose care before clever.
• Let patience rewrite the ending.
• See the person, not the plot.
• Kindness is the strongest magic.
• Listen first; wish later.
• Protect people; question impulses.
• Mercy is never wasted.
• Let your heart proof-read your wish.
• Curiosity saves conversations.
• Be the safe neighbor today.

Wishes About Using Your Last Wish Wisely

When resources are limited, values matter most.

• I wish you wisdom when you feel down to one option.
• May your last wish protect someone who can’t ask.
• I wish your priorities line up before pressure arrives.
• May empathy weigh more than fear at decision time.
• I wish you counsel that steadies shaking hands.
• May you trade perfection for what helps right now.
• I wish the cost of each wish is clear to you.
• May love decide when logic can’t.
• I wish your choice keeps doors open for tomorrow.
• May you notice who benefits—and who pays.
• I wish you courage to do the needed thing.
• May quiet conviction drown out quick relief.

Wishes For Kindness Between Neighbors

Bridge differences with care and clear words.

• I wish your knock is answered with trust, not worry.
• May your questions come wrapped in respect.
• I wish shared language finds you both halfway.
• May patience translate what words cannot.
• I wish you see humanity before headlines.
• May your block be brave, not loud.
• I wish help arrives without strings attached.
• May small favors outnumber small fears.
• I wish your street learns each other’s names.
• May misunderstandings end with coffee, not corners.
• I wish your doorbell brings good news.
• May you leave every doorstep gentler than you found it.

Wishes For Second Chances

Repair is hard; hope anyway.

• I wish your apology lands where it can work.
• May truth arrive kindly, even if late.
• I wish bridges rebuild stronger than before.
• May you forgive without forgetting the lesson.
• I wish time offers space to make it right.
• May humility open the locked rooms.
• I wish your next try honors the hurt you caused.
• May grace meet honest effort halfway.
• I wish stubborn hope for better endings.
• May repaired trust feel worth the wait.
• I wish courage to admit the full story.
• May second chances change both sides for good.

Wishes For Filmmakers & Creators

Create with empathy, not just vision.

• I wish your lens loves the people it frames.
• May consent be your best production value.
• I wish questions that listen, not lead.
• May edits protect dignity before pace.
• I wish quiet rooms where truth feels safe.
• May your credits include the gratitude you feel.
• I wish funding that never bends your ethics.
• May feedback sharpen craft, not dull compassion.
• I wish stories that stay honest under pressure.
• May you hear what your subjects hope you’ll hear.
• I wish courage to cut clever, keep kind.
• May your premiere honor every voice you borrowed.

Wishes For Immigrants & New Neighbors

Welcome lines that respect journeys.

• I wish you paperwork that moves and doors that open.
• May helpers appear in the right language.
• I wish safety today and stability soon.
• May your skills be seen and your name pronounced.
• I wish fair chances to start again.
• May neighbors become friends at your pace.
• I wish officials who listen with care.
• May new streets grow familiar and kind.
• I wish work that respects your past.
• May homesickness ease without fading memories.
• I wish protection from those who would misuse power.
• May your courage be met with welcome.

Wishes For Friendship & Trust

Hold space, even when it’s messy.

• I wish your friends ask before they assume.
• May hard talks end with tenderness.
• I wish secrets kept and boundaries honored.
• May loyalty choose empathy over gossip.
• I wish laughter returns after the lesson.
• May your group chat be a safe place.
• I wish quick forgiveness and slow judgment.
• May you be believed when it matters most.
• I wish friends who knock kindly and wait.
• May honesty travel with gentleness.
• I wish reunions after rough chapters.
• May trust grow taller than fear.

Wishes For Honesty & Hard Choices

Truth with care protects everyone.

• I wish your truth arrives without cruelty.
• May you choose integrity when shortcuts glitter.
• I wish your “no” is respected the first time.
• May facts stay steady under feelings.
• I wish mentors when stakes feel heavy.
• May you decline what harms, even if helpful.
• I wish courage to ask the harder question.
• May you keep people above projects.
• I wish clarity before commitment.
• May your standards hold when no one watches.
• I wish a conscience you can sleep with.
• May kindness guide every reveal.

Wishes For Healing After Mistakes

Accountability is a gift you give the future.

• I wish you steps that repair, not defend.
• May empathy shape every apology you make.
• I wish you listen longer than you speak.
• May consequences teach without breaking you.
• I wish wise counselors and patient friends.
• May you give others space to heal, too.
• I wish progress charts, not perfect days.
• May better habits anchor your change.
• I wish the courage to face what happened.
• May forgiveness find you when you’ve earned it.
• I wish gratitude for anyone who stayed.
• May tomorrow see the difference clearly.

Wishes For Curiosity & Listening

Good questions save stories.

• I wish curiosity that honors, not intrudes.
• May your first question be “How are you, really?”
• I wish ears that don’t chase headlines.
• May silence give you fuller answers.
• I wish follow-ups that invite truth.
• May you hear what fear tries to hide.
• I wish you learn someone’s context before conclusions.
• May nuance win against neat narratives.
• I wish patience with accents and pauses.
• May your notes protect, not expose.
• I wish stories you’re trusted to keep.
• May listening become your favorite skill.

Wishes For Teachers & Students

Literature as a bridge, not a test.

• I wish discussions that protect people while probing ideas.
• May spoilers be handled with care and purpose.
• I wish assignments that humanize characters and classmates.
• May grades reward empathy alongside insight.
• I wish classrooms where questions feel safe.
• May context matter as much as craft.
• I wish multiple ways to show understanding.
• May silence count as thoughtful, not lazy.
• I wish schoolwork that changes real habits.
• May stories widen kindness, not just vocab.
• I wish feedback that builds, not bruises.
• May you leave class seeing neighbors differently.

Wishes For Family Ties

Choose each other, even in conflict.

• I wish patience for old debates and new starts.
• May home be a refuge, not a verdict.
• I wish protection that never smothers choice.
• May elders feel heard and kids feel safe.
• I wish disagreements that end in hugs.
• May chores share fairly and love loudly.
• I wish boundaries respected without drama.
• May holidays hold space for everyone.
• I wish jokes that don’t cut to the bone.
• May phone calls bring peace, not pressure.
• I wish teamwork when trouble knocks.
• May forgiveness be the family tradition.

Wishes For Personal Growth

Small moves, big meaning.

• I wish you the pause that changes outcomes.
• May you trade impulse for intention.
• I wish daily acts that match your values.
• May courage arrive before excuses.
• I wish mentors who tell you the hard truth.
• May your plans include other people’s good.
• I wish new habits that outlast moods.
• May humility keep you teachable.
• I wish you notice when you were wrong.
• May you celebrate growth without grandstanding.
• I wish rest that restores your kindness.
• May you become the neighbor you needed.

Wishes For Holidays & Gatherings

Keep it light, kind, and inclusive.

• I wish tables where every voice feels welcome.
• May toasts honor people more than punchlines.
• I wish safe rides, soft landings, warm lights.
• May gifts be thoughtful and pressure be low.
• I wish traditions that grow with your family.
• May invitations reach the folks on the margins.
• I wish conversations that heal old rifts.
• May your doorbell ring with good timing.
• I wish photo moments you’ll actually frame.
• May cleanup be quick and gratitude be loud.
• I wish neighbors who pop by with kindness.
• May your season trade haste for heart.

Photo/Caption Lines Inspired By The Story

Punchy lines for posts or project stills.

• Wish small, love big, choose carefully.
• A question first; a wish maybe.
• Kindness edits the ending.
• One last wish? Make it human.
• See the neighbor, not the headline.
• Choose care over cleverness.
• Ask better; hear more.
• Mercy is the plot twist.
• Doorstep choices matter.
• Let restraint be heroic.
• Dignity over drama.
• Wishes that protect people.

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FAQs

What is “What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?” about?

It’s a short story by Etgar Keret about wishes, choices, and the cost of a final wish, often taught in English classes and discussed through a three-wishes folklore lens. www.slideshare.net+1

Who are the main characters?

A young documentarian seeks people’s wishes, and a private man with a magical goldfish must confront what a last wish should be—raising questions about trust, empathy, and sacrifice. www.slideshare.net

How does it connect to the three-wishes motif?

The plot echoes the classic three-wishes pattern found in folklore, where limited wishes test values and judgment. Wikipedia

Do these wishes contain spoilers?

No. They’re theme-inspired lines that avoid plot specifics while capturing ideas of restraint, kindness, and hard choices. (Context derived from lesson summaries.) www.slideshare.net

Where can I read the story or teach it?

Schools often use classroom PDFs and slide decks; the story appears in Keret’s 2012 collection Suddenly, a Knock on the Door. Check legitimate classroom resources or the collection itself. Mr. Walblay’s Site+1

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Conclusion

What of this goldfish would you wish? Etgar Keret’s story uses this central idea to examine human fears, regrets, and the value of companionship. Sergei sacrifices his last wish to save a stranger, showing growth beyond isolation. The goldfish symbolizes unspoken needs and the cost of choices. Through simple yet powerful events, the tale reminds readers that true fulfillment often lies in empathy and letting go. Consider your own response to the question. Share your three wishes below.