There was once a boy named John who lived by a quiet lake. He loved to spend his free time by the lake, watching the ducks and listening to the soft sound of the water.

One day, while John was sitting by the lake, he saw something shiny and golden glimmering in the water. He reached out and carefully picked it up.

To his amazement, it was a tiny goldfish with gleaming scales. John couldn't believe how beautiful it was. He had never seen such a dazzling fish before.

Suddenly, the goldfish turned to John and spoke. It thanked him for saving its life. The fish was trapped and John had set it free.

The goldfish then revealed that it was a magical fish. As a thank you for rescuing it, the goldfish offered to grant John three wishes.

John was surprised but delighted. He thought for a few moments about his first wish. With a smile, he decided he wanted a very large chocolate ice cream.

No sooner did he make his wish than a huge chocolate ice cream appeared in his hands. His eyes widened with delight as he started to savor the sweet treat.

After finishing his ice cream, he pondered about his second wish. With a sparkle in his eyes, John wished for a fun new toy to play with.

Just as before, a toy immediately appeared next to him. It was an amazing toy robot that could walk, talk, and even dance. John was overjoyed.

He spent the rest of the day playing with his new toy robot. From battling imaginary enemies to dancing along with it, John enjoyed every moment.

As the day turned to dusk, John remembered he still had one final wish left. He considered this carefully, as this would be his last wish.

John looked at the golden fish and then at the calm lake. An idea popped into his mind. With a determined look, he made his final wish.

"I wish that you, my golden fish friend, have the freedom to swim in this lake without any fear of being caught again," he said sincerely.

The goldfish's eyes gleamed with joy and gratitude. "Thank you, John," the fish said, before it happily swam away into the depths of the lake.

John smiled as he watched his new friend swim away. He felt a sense of contentment and peace. He knew he had made the right decision.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. John continued his routine of spending time by the lake, often hoping to catch a glimpse of his golden friend.

One sunny day, John spotted a familiar glimmer in the water. It was the goldfish, looking even more radiant and healthy than before.

The goldfish thanked John again for his kindness and told him how happy it was, swimming freely in the beautiful lake. John felt a warm happiness filling him.

From that day onwards, the goldfish would often come to the surface to greet John. They would play, talk, and enjoy each other's company.

As time went by, John grew older but the bond between him and the goldfish remained strong. He never forgot the day he made his golden wish.

The story of John and the golden fish spread throughout the village. Everyone came to know about the magical encounter and John's selfless wish.

John became a beloved figure in his village, admired for his kindness and thoughtfulness. His story became a treasured village fable, passed down through generations.

Even years later, people would see the golden fish swimming in the lake and remember the boy who wished for its freedom rather than his own gain.

The lake became a symbol of wonder and magic, all thanks to a boy named John and his golden fish friend. The lake was forever known as the 'Lake of the Golden Wish.'

So, John's tale was not just about three wishes but of kindness and friendship too. And all this started from a quiet lake where a boy named John used to sit and dream.