The Third Wish by Joan Aiken is a play based on the fairy tale structure where a character is granted three wishes, and things wind up going very wrong. In this delightful twist of a three-wish tale, Mr. Peters saves the Forest King, who happens to be in the form of a swan, and is granted wishes as a reward.
Student Activities for The Third Wish
Essential Questions for The Third Wish
- Which is more important to you: being happy or having your loved ones happy?
- If you were granted three wishes, what would you wish for? Why?
The Third Wish Summary
Mr. Peters is out driving along a pond when he hears a horrible splashing and crying sound. He decides he must help whatever or whoever is making the racket. It turns out to be a large swan caught up in some thorny bushes. Mr. Peters frees the majestic bird and is surprised when it magically transforms into a mean-looking little king. Mr. Peters feels that since this is a magical being which he has freed, he deserves to be rewarded with three wishes, no more and no less.
The Forest King grants him his request and hands him three leaves. He says that all he needs to do is to release the leaf and make a wish. He also warns him that men often don’t have very good luck with wishes. Mr. Peters contemplates his wishes very carefully, remembering stories of wishes granted gone horribly wrong. He sets aside two of the leaves in his briefcase. He make his first wish for a beautiful wife, and then he goes to sleep in the woods. When he awakes, he finds a gorgeous woman who says she is to be his bride. They marry.
Time passes, and Mr. Peters and Leita are happy. They live by a river, and Leita spends more and more time by its bank. Leita loves Mr. Peters very, very much, but she is desperately sad. She eventually tells Mr. Peters that she was once a swan and that she misses the water, but even more, she misses her sister, another swan. More time passes, and Leita spends more time crying by the riverbank. One night, Mr. Peters sees Leita at the water, hugging a large swan and crying. He decides then and there, despite how much he loves having her as his wife, he is going to use his second wish to undo his first. When Leita goes to bed that night, he takes a leaf from his briefcase and lets it free out the window. He wishes for Leita to be a swan again.
Lieta, lying in their bed, takes the form of a swan. Mr. Peters gently carries her, sleeping, to the river and places her in the water. He wakes her and she lovingly lays her head on his shoulder, then flies off into the woods. The mean Forest King appears behind Mr. Peters to heckle him and his wasted wishes. Mr. Peters says that he will not use his third wish because he wants to remain faithful to his wife, but swans should be swans and humans, human.
Mr. Peters lives out the rest of his life quietly. He is always visited by two lovely swans. On the night that he dies, the whole town can hear the sad song of two mournful swans.
How Tos about The Third Wish by Joan Aiken
How can I help students analyze theme in 'The Third Wish' using group discussion?
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a key theme from the story, such as happiness versus sacrifice or the consequences of wishes. Encourage each group to use evidence from the text to support their ideas. Facilitate a whole-class share-out so students learn from each other's insights.
Guide students to find evidence that supports major themes.
Ask students to highlight or note specific lines and moments in the story that connect to the assigned theme. Model how to cite textual evidence for clarity. This helps students build strong reading and analytical skills.
Encourage students to connect the story’s themes to their own lives.
Invite students to reflect on personal experiences or other stories that relate to the themes. Use open-ended questions to spark meaningful discussion and deeper understanding.
Create a visual organizer for theme analysis.
Have students use graphic organizers (like Venn diagrams or T-charts) to compare how different characters respond to the story’s main themes. Visual tools make abstract ideas accessible for all learners.
Wrap up with a quick class reflection or exit ticket.
Ask students to write one sentence summarizing what they learned about the story’s themes. This checks understanding and helps you plan future lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Third Wish by Joan Aiken
What is the main theme of The Third Wish by Joan Aiken?
The main theme of The Third Wish is the complexity of happiness and sacrifice. The story explores wish fulfillment, selflessness, and the consequences of desires, showing how true happiness often means putting others first.
How can teachers use The Third Wish in a classroom lesson?
Teachers can use The Third Wish to teach theme, character development, and fairy tale structure. Activities might include discussion questions, creative writing prompts, and comparing it to other wish stories, helping students analyze decision-making and empathy.
What are some creative activities for teaching The Third Wish?
Creative activities include storyboarding key scenes, role-playing, writing alternate endings, and exploring essential questions like the value of personal happiness versus loved ones' happiness. These engage students in critical thinking and empathy.
Why does Mr. Peters choose not to use his third wish?
Mr. Peters refuses his third wish to remain faithful to Leita and accept the natural order. He believes swans should be swans and humans should be humans, showing his selflessness and respect for Leita's true identity.
What is the difference between The Third Wish and traditional wish fairy tales?
The Third Wish offers a twist on traditional wish tales by highlighting consequences and selflessness rather than selfish gains. Unlike classic stories, Mr. Peters learns that wishes can't solve all problems, emphasizing empathy and sacrifice.
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