The theme of "The Third Wish" by Joan Aiken is that true happiness comes from helping others. When Mr. Peters first thought about which wish to use he decided upon a wish that would better his own life. As he grew in spiritual morality from his new wife (the result of his wish) he was able to see that she wasn't happy and so he returned her to where she would live the life she needed to live. Mr. Peters helped her he then found true happiness as he lay at his deathbed with a smile on his face and a feather and leaf in hand.
