The Three Fishes in the Pond – An Indian Tale from the Panchatantra

Description: This Indian story tells of three fishes, each reacting differently to an approaching danger. The tale highlights the importance of wisdom, caution, and the readiness to face challenges.

Deep in a forest, surrounded by tall trees, lay a quiet pond. Three fishes lived there, all good friends, but each with a distinct personality.

The first fish was wise and always thought ahead. She observed her surroundings and prepared for any eventuality. The second fish was cautious but not as foresighted as the first. She acted only when she perceived an immediate threat. The third fish was lazy and carefree, believing there was no need to worry about the future and relying on fate.

One morning, the wise fish noticed two fishermen standing by the pond. They were discussing how to catch the fishes in the pond. The wise fish immediately recognized the danger and decided to act quickly. She gathered her friends and said, “We are in danger. The fishermen will return soon with nets to catch us. We must leave this pond immediately.”

The cautious fish thought for a moment and replied, “You may be right. But unless the fishermen actually start catching fish, I will stay here and wait. If the danger becomes real, I will figure something out.”

The lazy fish laughed: “You always worry about nothing. This pond is our home, and no one will harm us here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Without wasting any more time, the wise fish swam out of the pond through a small stream that connected it to a large river. She found herself a safe place to live.

The next day, the fishermen returned with their nets. They began casting them into the pond to catch fish. The cautious fish saw the nets approaching and decided to play dead. When she was caught in the net, she held her breath and stayed completely still. The fishermen thought she was already dead and tossed her onto the shore. Once on the ground, she quickly leaped back into the water and swam to safety.

The lazy fish, however, made no effort to save herself. She was caught and became the fishermen’s catch. Her fate was a sad one because she had ignored the wise fish’s advice and failed to prepare for the danger.

Moral: Wisdom and caution can save lives. Never postpone preparing for challenges, and learn to act in time.

Questions for Kids:

• Why did the wise fish decide to leave the pond?
• How did the cautious fish escape the fishermen?
• Why did the lazy fish end up in trouble?