The Clever Fish – A Timeless Tale of Wit
One sunny morning, an old fisherman set out to the river, humming a tune. He cast his net into the shimmering water, dreaming of the fortune he’d make selling fish at the market.
After a while, he felt a tug. His heart raced—“A big catch!” he thought. But when he pulled the net up, all he saw was a single, tiny fish flopping helplessly.
Just as he sighed in disappointment, the little fish gasped:
“Oh kind fisherman, please let me go! I’m too small to sell. But if you spare me, I promise—I’ll bring all my friends here tomorrow! Then you’ll catch dozens of fish!”
The fisherman scratched his head. “Hmm… one fish today or a hundred tomorrow?” Greed clouded his judgment.
“Fine, little one,” he said, dropping the fish back into the river. “But don’t forget your promise!”
The fish darted away, laughing to itself. The next day, the fisherman returned—but not a single fish was waiting. He had been tricked!
Moral of the Story
💡 “Clever thinking can save you from even the toughest situations!”
This story teaches kids:
✔ Wisdom beats strength – The tiny fish used brains, not size, to escape.
✔ Think before you act – The fisherman’s greed cost him everything.
✔ Promises aren’t always true – Not everyone keeps their word!
Fun Discussion Questions for Kids
- What would you do if you were the fish?
- Was the fisherman right to believe the fish? Why or why not?
- Can you think of a time when being clever helped you?
