Once upon a time, there lived a poor woodman in a village. He would go every day into the forest to chop and collect wood to sell in the village. His wife would give him a loaf of bread and a pitcher of water when he went.
That morning, the woodman had decided to cut down a large oak that stood in the forest thinking he could make some good planks from it. Putting down his food bag, he set himself to swing the axe.
Suddenly, a voice cried out, “Oh, please woodman, don’t cut it down!” Startled, he looked around and saw a beautiful fairy, dressed all in green and brown, hovering near him. The fairy begged him not to cut down the magnificent tree, for it was the home of so many little innocent creatures.
The woodman was a kind fellow and he readily agreed. The fairy decided to reward him for his kindness.
“Whatever three things you wish for next shall be granted to you,” she said, “Make sure you wish well!”
The woodman returned home rather pleased with himself. He told his wife all about meeting the fairy and what had happened.
“You are a simple man, Sam!” said his wife, who was cooking the dinner, “You believe everyone!”
The woodman stretched out comfortably in his old chair and said, “I do wish I had a large slice of black forest cake!”
And lo! There was a large slice of black forest cake that came floating down the chimney and landed on the kitchen table!
“I hope it sticks to your nose!” said his wife, laughing.
And the cake actually got stuck on the woodman’s nose. The woodman and his wife tried every means to get it off and were really worried. The cake wouldn’t come off. His wife brought a knife to cut it off.
“I wish the black forest cake would come off my nose!” said the woodman.
And it fell off onto the plate.
“Oh, dear!” said the woodman, “That was the third wish. I’ve wasted all my three wishes.”
“That is true!” said his wife, “I could have asked for riches and clothes and a carriage! And now we only have a slice of cake!”
“At least, we have some delicious cake!” said the woodman, as they sat down to dinner.
