Once upon a time,

The fish that used to be a prince

Wallowed in his watery prison

Cursing his incompetence.

---

Once upon a time,

He caught his sights upon a lure.

Lo and behold, he was reeled in,

The sight giving him a stir.

---

Once upon a time,

His pinprick eyes met her wide ones.

“Please ma'am let me be,

I am a person just as my sons.”

---

Once upon a time,

The girl that longed for something more, spoke aghast,

“Don’t worry sir,

This breath will not be your last.”

---

Once upon a time,

The gracious fish, feeling obliged,

Granted her a wish,

New generosity he derived.

---

Once upon a time,

She answered without missing a beat,

“I want to create

And achieve an incredible feat.”

---

Once upon a time,

They parted ways---

Not in confidence---

Only for her to return within the next few days.

---

Once upon a time,

The girl cried, “Mister Fish!

I couldn’t believe it, but I did it!

Look what you helped me accomplish!”

---

Once upon a time,

The fish replied “I’m glad for you.

Is there anything in this world

That you cannot do?”

---

Once upon a time,

She said, “Well here’s the thing.

Success is great and all,

But I don’t have enough zing.”

---

Once upon a time,

The prince allowed another wish,

But little did he know

Her greed would not diminish

---

Once upon a time,

Her demands kept stacking.

Every time she came

Her dreams were more nerve-wracking.

---

Once upon a time,

She wanted money and fame.

Now that she had it, all she wanted was

Solitude and acclaim.

---

Once upon a time,

He counted by the days;

He hadn’t seen her face

Since her gluttonous craze.

---

Once upon a long time later,

She finally emerged

With one final wish;

She wasn’t deterred.

---

Once upon that same time,

She said, “This is gonna sound sappy

But now all I want in this world

Is to be happy.”

---

“Consider it done, lady of sorrow,” said the fish

With a final reprieve.

She blinked and she was back home,

A sense of peace she could never conceive.