I like to think of myself as having modest desires, but this story does a good job of making me wonder: am I the fisherman or the wife? I don't want a palace, but I wouldn't want a filthy shack either. Which of my desires, for myself or for others, are truly reasonable? I'd be fine with health and happiness, but none of us is entitled to those by birthright.

It's easy to read this story and think "Hah! Look at that greedy wife, I would not keep asking for more." But... would you ask for anything at all, then? And if you did and got it, would you be satisfied forever? All of history suggests that it is human to keep ratcheting it up.

And on the other hand, is it really "better" to be the fisherman? He may be satisfied with living in a filthy shack, but hey, he's out fishing every day. She's living in it. Is he really in a position to judge his wife for wanting something better?