What is a central idea of "The Three Brass Pennies"? When a magician rewards a man with the gift of knowledge, he becomes a great mathematician. Two men end a friendship when one tells the other how he really feels about him. A man frees a bee that is trapped in a spider web and brings it back to his home. When man's wishes for power disappoint him, he learns that true happiness comes from within.

When man's wishes for power disappoint him, he learns that true happiness comes from within.

Explanation:

The story of "The Three Brass Pennies" is an ancient Chinese tale retold by Augusta Huiell Seaman. The story revolves around Ah Fo and a magician that he rescued who gave him three wishes.

Ah Fo is a student who wishes to get knowledge of everything. He encountered the Magician and rescued him from the evil magician. In gratitude for the rescue, the Magician gave him three brass pennies that will help bring his wishes to come true. But Ah Fo returned the three brass pennies upon the realization that one's happiness comes from one's own work, stating "What most is to be content and to succeed through my own hard work".

Thus, the central theme of the story is that man's wishes for power disappoint him and also that true happiness comes from within.