I have always liked this story for several reasons. First, I like the irony. The son finally convinces his father to wish for money, only to lose his life at work in order for his father to get the money in the form of compensation. Second, I like the power of suggestion. In the final scene, where the mother has wished for her son's return and the son, presumably, is pounding on the door, we can only imagine what is really out there on the front step. How mutilated is he from his accident? What intentions does he have? We never know, though, because the father uses the final wish to get rid of whatever was on the front porch. Yet, we are left wondering just what was out there. Finally, I like the famous quote, "He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow." This reveals a theme in the story: fate vs. freewill. How many of us would love to have the chance to wish for something and have it granted. But at what price? Maybe we should be happy with the things we are blessed with instead of trying to manipulate fate.
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