Plot & Setting
Where does the story take place?
Tel Aviv, Israel
Describe Yoni in one word
Ambitious, curious, idealistic, etc.
What is one of the central themes of the story?
The consequences of isolation, the danger of misunderstanding, the value of human connection, etc.
What does the goldfish symbolize in general fairytales?
Magic, wishes, and the fulfilment of desire
What is the story's point of view?
3rd person limited
To create a documentary interviewing people about what they would wish for if they found a magic goldfish
Why is Sergei isolated from other people?
He distrusts others after past experiences in Russia and prefers solitude
How does the story explore the idea of wishes and their cost?
Each wish has deep emotional consequences, showing that power can isolate rather than help
How is Keret's goldfish different from the traditional fairytale one?
It speaks with sarcasm and reluctance, symbolizing moral complexity
How does Keret use flashbacks?
To reveal Sergei's past wishes and develop his emotional depth
Why does Sergei hit Yoni?
He panics when Yoni comes into his house unexpectedly and assumed he's being threatened
What does the goldfish represent to Sergei?
His only friend and link to the magical choices he's made; a symbol of control in his own life
What does the story suggest about communication?
Miscommunication can lead to tragedy; empathy is necessary
The sea appears or is referenced repeatedly in the story- what might it represent?
Freedom, emotional depth, or the vast unknown
What tone does Keret create through the dialogue between Sergei and the fish?
A mix of dark humor and melancholy
What happens immediately after Sergei hits Yoni?
Sergei realizes Yoni is dead and must decide if he wants to use one of his last wishes to bring him back
How does Yoni's attitude toward his film subjects contrast with Sergei's worldview?
Yoni sees people as content for his project, while Sergei values privacy and genuine emotion over fame or recognition
How might the story critique modern media or journalism?
Through Yoni's project, it critiques how media can exploit others stories for entertainment rather than understanding
What might Sergei's apartment represent?
His self-imposed isolation from the outside world
Why does Keret include Yoni's camera footage in the narrative?
To comment on perspective and how stories are framed or distorted through media
How does the story end ambiguously?
We don't know Sergei's final decision directly- though the fish hints that Sergei uses his last wish to help Yoni
How does the fish act as both a character and a conscience?
It speaks, gives advice, and voices Sergei's inner conflict, reflecting his mortality and loneliness
What does Sergei's final action suggest about redemption?
It implies that forgiveness and human connection are possible- even after significant mistakes
How does the fish's limited number of wishes deepen the story's symbolism?
It creates tension between selfishness and compassion, mirroring life's limited chances for redemption
How does the author bend realism with fantasy?
By grounding a magical premise (talking magical goldfish) in a gritty, modern setting with real-world consequences