Vishnu Sharma
|
India

Tale of the Three Fishes

Three fish lived in a lake, but when fishermen planned to catch them, the two left while the laid-back one stayed and was caught.
Friendship
Wisdom
Choice
Panchatantra Fables - Tale of the Three Fishes
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a beautiful lake, there lived three fish who were great friends. The fish were different in their personalities, but they still enjoyed each other's company.

One day, the most perceptive of the three overheard some fishermen talking near the lake. They were discussing how the lake was teeming with fish and how they would return the next day to catch them all. Alarmed, the perceptive fish swam back to its friends to share the news.

"We must leave this lake immediately," it told them. "I have overheard some fishermen planning to come here tomorrow and catch all the fish. It's not safe for us to stay."

The second fish, who was also wise, agreed. "Yes, I believe we should leave this place at once. There is no time to waste," it said.

However, the third fish, who was more laid-back, did not see the urgency. "Why are you so worried?" it asked. "We have lived in this lake for so long without any trouble. I am sure we can outsmart the fishermen if they come. There is no need to leave our home."

Despite the third fish's objections, the first two fish decided to leave the lake. They swam away to a nearby river, while the third fish chose to stay behind, confident in its ability to escape the fishermen.

The next day, as planned, the fishermen arrived at the lake with their nets. They cast their nets into the water and began catching the fish. The third fish, realizing the danger it was in, tried to escape but was ultimately caught in one of the nets. The fishermen pulled their nets out of the water, delighted with their large haul of fish.

Meanwhile, the first two fish, who had swum to safety, were spared from the danger. They lived out their lives in the safety of the river, grateful for their timely escape.

Once upon a time, there was a jackal named Chandarava. He lived in a big forest. One day, he went to a village looking for food. The village dogs saw him and started to chase him. Chandarava was very scared and ran fast to hide.

He found a big pot of blue dye that people used to color clothes. He jumped into the pot to hide. When he came out, he was blue all over. The dogs did not recognize him and stopped chasing him.

Chandarava looked at his blue fur in a puddle. He had an idea. He went back to the forest and pretended to be a special animal.

The other animals were surprised and scared when they saw him. They had never seen a blue animal before. Chandarava said, "I am sent by the gods to be your king. You must listen to me and I will take care of you."

The animals believed him. They brought him food and took care of him. Chandarava enjoyed being their king and lived a good life.

But one day, he heard other jackals howling. He forgot his trick and howled back. The animals heard him and realized he was just an ordinary jackal. They were angry and chased him away.

Chandarava was alone again, walking in the forest.

In a big lake, there are three fish. They are best friends. They like to swim and play together.

One day, one fish hears some men near the lake. The men say they will come back tomorrow to catch fish. The fish swims to tell its friends.

"We must go now," it says. "The men will come tomorrow to catch all the fish. It is not safe here."

The second fish agrees. "Yes, we need to go now," it says.

But the third fish says, "Why are you worried? We are safe here. We can hide from the men."

The first two fish swim to a river. The third fish stays in the lake.

The next day, the men come back. They throw their nets into the water. The third fish tries to swim away, but it gets caught in a net. The men are happy to catch many fish.

The first two fish are safe in the river. They are happy they left the lake. They live in the river and are safe.

Once upon a time, there was a jackal named Chandarava. He lived in a big forest. One day, he went to a village looking for food. The village dogs saw him and started to chase him. Chandarava was very scared and ran fast to hide.

He found a big pot of blue dye that people used to color clothes. He jumped into the pot to hide. When he came out, he was blue all over. The dogs did not recognize him and stopped chasing him.

Chandarava looked at his blue fur in a puddle. He had an idea. He went back to the forest and pretended to be a special animal.

The other animals were surprised and scared when they saw him. They had never seen a blue animal before. Chandarava said, "I am sent by the gods to be your king. You must listen to me and I will take care of you."

The animals believed him. They brought him food and took care of him. Chandarava enjoyed being their king and lived a good life.

But one day, he heard other jackals howling. He forgot his trick and howled back. The animals heard him and realized he was just an ordinary jackal. They were angry and chased him away.

Chandarava was alone again, walking in the forest.

Once upon a time in a sparkly lake, three fish buddies were doing their thing: swimming in circles, blowing bubbles, and having a grand old time.

Now, the first fish—let's just say he's the one who always knows what's going on—heard some fishermen talking near the lake. "We'll come back tomorrow and catch all these fish," they said.

Zooming back to his friends, Fish One blurted, "Hey, you won't believe this! Those fishermen are planning a big fish-catching party tomorrow, and guess who's invited? Us! We gotta get outta here!"

Fish Two, the smart one, piped up, "You heard the man, let's go! No time to waste!"

But Fish Three, always cool as a cucumber, just floated there. "Really? Why worry? We've always been fine. I say we stay and outsmart those fishermen."

Fish One shook his head. "Outsmarting fishermen is not like playing tag, you know. It's more like... being in a really tough game where you don't want to be 'it.'"

Fish Two chimes in, "He's got a point, you know. No time for games!"

Ignoring Fish Three's chill vibes, Fish One and Fish Two swam away as fast as their fins could take them, straight to a cozy river nearby.

Fish Three? Well, he stayed right where he was, until the next day when—splash!—the nets came flying in. "Oh no, this isn't good," thought Fish Three, as he got scooped up into a net.

Meanwhile, Fish One and Fish Two, chilling in their new river home, gave each other a little high-fin. "That was close!"

"Yeah, too close! We dodged that one, didn't we?"

And so, they lived happily ever after in their new home, swimming in circles and blowing bubbles, just like old times.

Three fishy friends in waters blue,
Lived happily as friendships grew.
Though each was different, fin to scale,
Together they would laugh and tale.

When Fish One, keen of ear and sight,
Heard fishermen talk one fine night.
"Tomorrow we will cast our nets,
And fill our boats with fish, no threats!"

Quick as a flash, he told his pals,
"We've got to leave before this galls!
Fishermen plan to net us all,
We must escape or else we'll fall!"

Fish Two, wise in thought, agreed,
"There's no debate, we must proceed."
But Fish Three simply scoffed and grinned,
"Why leave the home we've always been?"

First and Second made their choice,
Heeding that warning voice.
They swam away to river's bend,
Their tale was safe, but not the end.

Fish Three stayed, so self-assured,
Thinking he'd escape, undeterred.
But nets came down, both far and near,
And soon he found himself in fear.

Fishermen cheered at their grand haul,
As nets lifted, capturing all.
Fish Three regretted his stubborn stand,
As he flapped and flopped on foreign land.

Now One and Two, in river free,
Gave thanks for their swift decree.
Safe in waters, fast and clear,
They swam together, year by year.

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Word Finder

  1. Careful

    Thinking about danger and being very cautious.

  2. Fishermen

    People who catch fish for a living.

  3. Sensible

    Having good judgment and making smart decisions.

  4. Relaxed

    Not worried, calm, and at ease.

  5. Warned

    Told about the danger to keep safe.

  6. Convinced

    Made someone believe something is true.

  7. Avoid

    Stay away from something dangerous.

  8. Nearby

    Very close in distance to a place.

  9. Realizing

    Becoming aware of something important.

  10. Escaped

    Got away from a place or situation.

Understanding Questions

  1. What did the careful fish hear the fishermen saying near the lake?
  2. How did the second fish respond to the careful fish's warning?
  3. Why did the third fish decide not to leave the lake with its friends?
  4. What happened to the third fish when the fishermen came to the lake?
  5. Where did the first two fish go after they decided to leave the lake?

Word Finder

  1. Lake

    A big place with water.

  2. Together

    With each other in one place.

  3. Tomorrow

    The day after today.

  4. Catch

    To get something that moves.

  5. Safe

    Not in danger or hurt.

  6. Agrees

    Says yes to something.

  7. Worried

    Feeling afraid something bad might happen.

  8. Hide

    To go where you cannot be seen.

  9. Nets

    Things used to catch fish or other animals.

  10. Happy

    Feeling good and smiling.

  1. Careful

    Thinking about danger and being very cautious.

  2. Fishermen

    People who catch fish for a living.

  3. Sensible

    Having good judgment and making smart decisions.

  4. Relaxed

    Not worried, calm, and at ease.

  5. Warned

    Told about the danger to keep safe.

  6. Convinced

    Made someone believe something is true.

  7. Avoid

    Stay away from something dangerous.

  8. Nearby

    Very close in distance to a place.

  9. Realizing

    Becoming aware of something important.

  10. Escaped

    Got away from a place or situation.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where do the three fish live?

    1. In a river
    2. In a pond
    3. In a big lake
    4. In a small pool
  2. What do the three fish like to do?

    1. Fly and jump together
    2. Swim and play together
    3. Eat and sleep together
    4. Run and hide together
  3. What do the men plan to do?

    1. Swim in the lake
    2. Catch fish
    3. Clean the lake
    4. Feed the fish
  4. What do the first two fish decide to do after hearing the men?

    1. Stay in the lake
    2. Hide in the lake
    3. Swim to a river
    4. Play with the men
  5. What happens to the third fish?

    1. It swims to the river.
    2. It gets caught in a net.
    3. It hides from the men.
    4. It finds a new friend.
  1. What did the careful fish hear the fishermen saying near the lake?
  2. How did the second fish respond to the careful fish's warning?
  3. Why did the third fish decide not to leave the lake with its friends?
  4. What happened to the third fish when the fishermen came to the lake?
  5. Where did the first two fish go after they decided to leave the lake?
  1. What did the cautious fish overhear the fishermen discussing near the lake?
  2. How did the prudent fish react to the cautious fish's warning about the fishermen?
  3. Why did the third fish decide to stay in the lake despite the warning?
  4. What happened to the third fish when the fishermen returned to the lake?
  5. How did the first two fish feel after moving to the river, and why?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did the first two fish decide to leave the lake?
  2. How do you think the third fish felt when it realized it was trapped and couldn't escape from the fishermen?
  3. Can you think of a time when you or someone else didn't listen to a warning and something bad happened as a result?
  4. What does this story teach us about the importance of paying attention to dangers and acting quickly?
  5. How can we apply the lessons from this story in our lives, particularly when we're warned about a potential problem?

Fable Quotes

True friendship means looking out for one another, even when the waters get rough.
Wisdom is recognizing danger and making the right choices to ensure safety and well-being.
Choices shape our fate, and the consequences we face serve as reminders of their weight.
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