THE THREE FISH
by Lida B. McMurry · from Fifty Famous Fables
Adapted Version
In a quiet, green pond, lived three fish. They were all not the same. One fish was the Wise Fish. It always thought well. A second fish was the Clever Fish. It thought a little. The third fish was the Careless Fish. It never thought. They lived well there.
One day, two men walked by the pond. The First Man saw the big fish. He liked the big fish. He told The Second Man. "Let us get our nets," he said. "We can catch these fish. They are very good fish." They went home very fast.
The Wise Fish heard the men. It thought very fast. It knew danger was near. It saw a small stream. The stream led to a big river. The Wise Fish swam into the stream. It swam very, very fast. It went to the big river. It was safe there.
The men came back. They had big nets. The First Man looked in the pond. The Second Man looked too. They saw only two fish. The Wise Fish was not there. It was gone.
The men blocked the small stream. They put rocks there. Now no fish could swim out. The Clever Fish was stuck. The Careless Fish was stuck too.
The Clever Fish saw the men. It was scared. It thought very hard. It had a clever idea! It swam to the top of the water. It turned on its back. It stayed very, very still. It looked like a dead fish. It did not move at all.
The First Man saw the 'dead' fish. He picked it up. He looked at it. "This fish is no good," he thought. He threw it back in the water. The Clever Fish swam away fast.
The Careless Fish did not move. It did not think. It just stayed at the bottom. It did not try to escape. It did not swim away. The men saw it there. The First Man put his big net in. The Second Man helped him. The net went down. They simply caught the Careless Fish. It was very easy to catch.
Wise Fish was safe. Clever Fish was safe. But the Careless Fish was caught. Think ahead and act fast to be safe! The fish showed us to be smart.
Original Story
THE THREE FISH
Three large fish lived very happily in a pond which few people ever passed.
One of these fish was always wise, the second was wise sometimes, but the third was never wise.
One day two men who were passing by the pond saw the fish.
One of them said, "Let us hurry home and get our nets. Those fish are too fine to lose." So they hurried away.
The three fish were very much frightened. The first one thought a moment, then swam through the outlet of the pond into the river.
When the men came back with their nets, there were only two fish to be seen. They found the outlet of the pond and made a dam across it.
The second fish now began to think; he came to the top of the water and floated on his back. One of the men picked him up in his net, but he seemed dead, so he threw him back into the water.
The fish that never thought sank to the bottom of the pond and was easily caught.
[Footnote: Adapted from "The Three Fish" in The Tortoise and the Geese, published by Houghton, Mifflin Co]
Story DNA
Moral
It is wise to think ahead and act promptly to avoid danger, as procrastination can lead to ruin.
Plot Summary
Three fish of differing wisdom live in a pond. When two men discover them and plan to return with nets, the wise fish immediately escapes through an outlet. The men return, dam the outlet, and begin fishing. The sometimes-wise fish feigns death to be thrown back, but the never-wise fish is easily caught, illustrating the consequences of their individual choices.
Themes
Emotional Arc
peace to fear to varied outcomes
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is an adaptation of an ancient Indian fable from the Panchatantra, a collection of animal fables in Sanskrit verse and prose.
Plot Beats (8)
- Three fish, one wise, one sometimes wise, and one never wise, live happily in a quiet pond.
- Two men passing by discover the fish and decide to return with nets to catch them.
- The wise fish, upon hearing the men's plan, immediately swims through the pond's outlet into the river and escapes.
- The men return with their nets and find only two fish remaining.
- They dam the outlet to prevent further escape.
- The sometimes-wise fish, seeing no other option, floats on its back, pretending to be dead.
- One of the men picks up the seemingly dead fish but throws it back into the water.
- The never-wise fish sinks to the bottom of the pond, making no attempt to escape, and is easily caught by the men.
Characters
The Wise Fish ★ protagonist
A large, sleek fish, likely a carp or similar freshwater species common in ponds, with iridescent scales that shimmer with deep greens and golds. Its body is robust and powerful, built for swift movement through water. It has clear, intelligent eyes.
Attire: N/A (fish)
Wants: To ensure its own survival by anticipating danger and acting swiftly.
Flaw: None apparent in the story; its wisdom prevents any clear weakness from emerging.
Remains consistently wise, demonstrating the value of foresight and quick action by successfully escaping the danger.
Wise, proactive, quick-thinking, decisive, self-preservative.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, robust freshwater fish, possibly a carp, with shimmering green and gold scales. It is depicted mid-swim, facing forward, with its body slightly angled as if in motion. Its fins are spread, and its eyes are alert and intelligent. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Sometimes Wise Fish ◆ supporting
A large fish, similar in size to the Wise Fish, but perhaps slightly less vibrant in its scales, suggesting a less robust constitution or a more hesitant nature. Its form is still strong, but its movements might be less fluid.
Attire: N/A (fish)
Wants: To escape danger, but only after the threat is imminent.
Flaw: Its delay in thinking and acting, which puts it in greater peril.
Learns to think and act under duress, demonstrating that even delayed wisdom can lead to survival, though with greater risk.
Hesitant, resourceful (when prompted), adaptable, reactive.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large freshwater fish, possibly a carp, with slightly muted, silvery-green scales. It is depicted floating on its back at the water's surface, completely still, with its fins relaxed and eyes half-closed, appearing lifeless. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Never Wise Fish ○ antagonist (to itself)
A large fish, perhaps slightly plumper or less agile than its companions, with scales that might appear duller or less cared for, reflecting its lack of foresight. Its movements are likely sluggish.
Attire: N/A (fish)
Wants: To continue its comfortable existence without effort or thought.
Flaw: Its complete lack of foresight and inability to think or react to danger.
Remains consistently foolish, serving as a cautionary tale of what happens when one fails to think or act.
Foolish, oblivious, passive, unthinking, complacent.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, somewhat dull-scaled freshwater fish, possibly a carp, with a slightly plump body. It is depicted sinking slowly towards the bottom of the water, its fins barely moving, with a vacant or unconcerned expression in its eyes. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The First Man ○ minor
A sturdy, practical man, likely a local villager or fisherman. His hands are probably calloused from labor, and his build suggests a life of physical work. He is observant and quick to recognize opportunity.
Attire: Simple, functional peasant clothing common in a rural setting, such as a coarse linen tunic or shirt, sturdy wool trousers, and practical leather boots. Colors would be earthy tones like brown, grey, or undyed linen.
Wants: To catch the large fish for food or profit.
Flaw: Perhaps overconfidence in his ability to catch the fish, underestimating their intelligence.
Remains consistent in his goal, successfully catching one fish but being outsmarted by the others.
Observant, opportunistic, decisive, practical, eager.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy adult man, facing forward, with a weathered and tanned face, keen dark eyes, and short, practical brown hair. He wears a coarse undyed linen tunic, sturdy grey wool trousers, and practical brown leather boots. He holds a large, woven fishing net in his hands, ready for use. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Second Man ○ minor
A sturdy man, similar in build to the First Man, suggesting they are likely partners in labor. He is also practical but perhaps slightly less vocal or leading than his companion.
Attire: Similar simple, functional peasant clothing to the First Man, perhaps in slightly different earthy tones, such as a dark green tunic and brown trousers, with sturdy leather shoes.
Wants: To assist in catching the fish, sharing the potential reward.
Flaw: Less independent in thought compared to the First Man, relying on his companion's initiative.
Remains consistent in his role, assisting in the attempt to catch the fish.
Supportive, practical, diligent, follows instruction.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy adult man, facing forward, with a practical, unadorned face, short dark hair, and a short beard. He wears a dark green coarse linen tunic, sturdy brown wool trousers, and practical leather shoes. He carries a large, rolled-up fishing net over his shoulder. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Secluded Pond
A tranquil, freshwater pond, likely nestled in a quiet, natural setting, with an outlet connecting it to a larger river. The water is clear enough for large fish to be seen from the bank.
Mood: Initially peaceful and safe, becoming fearful and dangerous.
The three fish live happily here; the men discover the fish; the wise fish escapes; the second fish feigns death; the foolish fish is caught.
Image Prompt & Upload
A serene, freshwater pond, its surface reflecting a clear blue sky, surrounded by lush, verdant reeds and wildflowers. A narrow, gently flowing outlet stream can be seen disappearing into a dense, temperate forest in the background. The water is still and clear, with glimpses of submerged aquatic plants. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
River
A larger body of flowing water connected to the pond by an outlet. It serves as a safe haven for the wise fish.
Mood: Safe, free, and flowing.
The wise fish escapes into this river.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, meandering river with gently flowing currents, its banks lined with mature willow trees whose branches dip into the water. The riverbed is stony and clear, visible through the shallow parts. In the distance, rolling hills covered in a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees frame the horizon under a soft, diffused daylight sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
