The Universality of Three Wishes

1. The Universality of Three Wishes The Motif of Three In Literature

2. Motif in Literature A motif is a theme in literature. A single motif can be found in many stories across the world. What stories have the motif of things in “threes?”

3. Think back to childhood stories “The Three Little Pigs” “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”

4. Stories with the Motif of “Three” “The Third Wish” by Joan Aiken

5. Stories with the motif of “Three” “King Midas and the Golden Touch”

6. Effects of Having Three Wishes In “The Third Wish” and in “King Midas and the Golden Touch,” what are the effects of having three wishes granted?

7. Critical Thinking Skill: Prediction Now that we have some background knowledge about the motif of three wishes, we can make a prediction. What can we predict about any story that we read in the future which has three wishes in the plot?

8. Three Wishes Relate to Fate People called fatalists believe in the idea of fate, or that what happens in life is determined by an outside force. palm readers astrology and horoscopes

9. Speaking of Superstition Superstitious people believe that outside forces can affect fate. Some believe in charms which bring luck. A fakir is a holy man from India who begs for money and gives people charms that may grant three wishes.

10. What is a talisman? A talisman is something that is said to bring luck. Superstitious people may keep one on their person.

11. The charm, or talisman in “The Monkey’s Paw”