The Golden Fish: A Turkish Tale of Friendship and Gratitude

Summary: A Turkish folk tale about a fisherman who saves a golden fish and learns how kindness and gratitude can change lives for the better. A story with a deep moral for children.

By a large lake lived a poor fisherman named Mustafa. Every day he went out fishing to feed his family. One day, his nets remained empty until late in the evening. Disheartened and tired, Mustafa cast his net one last time. When he pulled it out, he saw a shimmering golden fish caught inside.

Mustafa had never seen such a fish before. The fish spoke in a human voice: “Fisherman, release me back into the lake, and I will grant you three wishes.”

Mustafa was astonished but did not hesitate to free the fish. “I cannot force you to stay in my net if you ask for freedom. I don’t need wishes; just swim and live.” The fish looked at him gratefully and said, “You are a kind man, Mustafa. For your kindness, I will still help you. Come to the lake tomorrow morning, and you will see how your life changes.”

The next morning, Mustafa woke up and went to the lake. There, he found three baskets filled with gifts: one with gold coins, one with fish, and one with seeds that could grow in any season. The fish appeared again and said: “You deserve this for your kindness. But remember: use the gifts wisely and always help those in need.”

Mustafa returned home. Using the seeds, he grew abundant crops and helped many people in the village. The gold coins allowed him to build a new house for his family. And the fish from the second basket, he shared with those who were hungry.

The story of Mustafa and his generosity spread across the land. People admired him for his kindness, and he never forgot that it all began with a small golden fish he had set free. Every evening, he returned to the lake to say, “Thank you.”

Moral of the story: This tale teaches that kindness and selflessness are always rewarded. Gratitude for what we receive makes the world a better place.

Questions about the story:

• Why did Mustafa decide to release the golden fish?
• What gifts did the fish give to the fisherman?
• How did Mustafa use the gifts to help others?