Storytelling with Conditionals

[jack]

I have included the story incase you need to refer to it.

A Bedtime Story
by Gilles Pinette

1 Many moons ago, as Nanabush was ice fishing on the Great Spirit Lake, he caught a very special fish. This fish was clear like the cool water and would not be seen at all if it were not for two golden eyes. And even these eyes were not visible when the fish closed her eyelids.

2 As Nanabush pulled the invisible fish from the water, she spoke to him.

3 “Oh great Nanabush, spare me for I am nothing but a stinky clear fish and my body tastes like the inside of a bear’s intestine. If you grant me freedom, I shall bestow two wishes on you.”

4 Nanabush considered this for a moment and after remembering his experience with eating bear’s intestine, decided to give the fish her freedom. His two wishes were very simple. A companion to share life with and an ice fishing shack with a heater.

5 However, Nanabush wanted to have proof of his remarkable catch, so he cut the eyelids off the fish and then let her go. That is why to this day, fish have no eyelids.

6 The transparent fish was angered by this act of dishonour, but was wise beyond most mortals. She decided to remind Nanabush and the rest of mankind of the qualities they lacked. She released a great spirit to make mankind giving, caring, loving, compassionate, and kind every year around the time she was caught. That day was the twenty-fifth of December and that released spirit was the Spirit of Christmas.

I don't get this part. What kind of conditional is this? Is this a type 2 conditional? Why use this one? How do you know which one to use?

This fish was clear like the cool water and would not be seen at all if it were not for two golden eyes.

Why did they use a type 2 conditional? Why not type 3?

1. This fish was clear like the cool water and would not have been seen at all if it had not been for two golden eyes.

What do these mean?
2. This fish was clear like the cool water and would not be seen at all if it were not for two golden eyes.
3. This fish was clear like the cool water and would not have been seen at all if it had not been for two golden eyes.

Thanks.