The Three Fish and the Danger of Not Adapting to Change

The Three Fish: A Panchatantra Story | Adaptation and Survival

The Three Fish and the Danger of Not Adapting to Change

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful lake. The water was clear and blue, and tall green trees grew all around it. Birds sang sweet songs every morning, and soft wind touched the water gently. Many small plants grew under the water, and the lake was full of life.

In this lovely lake lived three big fish. They were best friends, but they were very different from each other.

The first fish was very wise. He always thought carefully before doing anything. He believed in planning ahead and making smart choices. Other fish respected him and often came to him for advice.

The second fish was very clever and resourceful. He was good at solving problems quickly. He believed that if trouble came, he could use his mind to escape. He was brave and confident.

The third fish believed strongly in fate. He thought that whatever was written in destiny would happen. He did not like to plan or worry. He often said, “What is meant to happen will happen.”

Every day, the three fish swam together. They played in the water, talked about life, and enjoyed the beauty of the lake.

One morning, the sun was bright, and the water sparkled like diamonds. The three fish were swimming close to the shore. Suddenly, the wise fish stopped.

“Be quiet,” he whispered. “I hear something.”

The other two fish listened carefully. From behind the bushes, the wise fish heard two men talking. They were fishermen.

One fisherman said, “This lake is full of big fish. Let us come tomorrow morning with our net.”

The other fisherman laughed and said, “Yes! Tomorrow we will catch many fish and sell them in the market.”

The wise fish felt afraid, but he stayed calm. As soon as the fishermen left, he swam fast to his friends.

“We are in danger!” the wise fish said seriously. “I heard fishermen talking. They will come tomorrow to catch us.”

The resourceful fish frowned. “That sounds bad,” he said. “But this is our home.”

The wise fish replied, “We must leave this lake tonight and find another lake. If we stay, we may die.”

The third fish shook his head slowly. “I don’t believe in running away,” he said. “I was born in this lake. If it is my fate to die, then I will die.”

The resourceful fish smiled confidently and said, “I am not scared. I am smart. When the fishermen come, I will find a way to save myself.”

The wise fish looked at his friends with worry. “Please think again,” he said gently. “Sometimes leaving is the best choice.”

But the other two fish did not listen.

The wise fish sighed and said, “I care about both of you, but I will not take this risk.” He added, “Goodbye, my friends. I hope you stay safe.”

That very night, the wise fish swam away and found a new lake far from danger.

The next morning, the fishermen arrived early. They threw their big net into the lake.

Splash! Splash!

The fish in the lake became scared. The resourceful fish quickly said to himself, “I must act fast.”

He lay still inside the net and whispered, “I will pretend to be dead.”

When the fishermen pulled the net out, one fisherman said, “Look, this fish is dead.”

“Yes,” said the other fisherman. “Throw it back. It is useless.”

The fishermen threw the resourceful fish back into the water. As soon as he touched the water, he swam away happily.

“I am safe because I used my brain,” he said with a smile.

But the third fish panicked. He did not know what to do. He jumped and flipped inside the net.

One fisherman noticed him and said, “This one is alive!”

With one hard hit, the fisherman killed the fish.

The resourceful fish felt sad. “If only he had listened,” he said quietly.

Far away, the wise fish was swimming peacefully in his new lake. He thought, “I am glad I planned ahead.”

THE END

This kids moral story teaches us an important lesson. Change is a part of life. When danger comes, we must be ready to change and act wisely.

The wise fish teaches us the value of planning and thinking ahead.
The resourceful fish teaches us the power of intelligence and quick action.
The fish who believed in fate teaches us that doing nothing can be dangerous.

Moral of the Story

Those who do not adapt to change may suffer.
Those who think, plan, and act wisely can save themselves.


Comprehension Questions and Answers for Kids

1. How many fish lived in the lake?

Answer: Three fish lived in the lake.

2. What kind of place was the lake?

Answer: The lake was beautiful, clean, and surrounded by green trees.

3. What were the three fish known for?

Answer: One fish was wise, one fish was clever and resourceful, and the third fish believed in fate.

4. Who heard the fishermen talking?

Answer: The wise fish heard the fishermen talking.

5. What were the fishermen planning to do?

Answer: They planned to come the next day and catch fish.

6. What did the wise fish suggest?

Answer: The wise fish suggested leaving the lake immediately.

7. Why did the resourceful fish stay in the lake?

Answer: He believed he could save himself using his intelligence.

8. Why did the third fish refuse to leave the lake?

Answer: He believed everything happens by fate.

9. What did the wise fish do in the end?

Answer: He left the lake and went to a safer place.

10. How did the resourceful fish save himself?

Answer: He pretended to be dead, so the fishermen threw him back into the lake.

11. What happened to the fish who believed in fate?

Answer: He was caught and killed by the fishermen.

12. Which fish survived and why?

Answer: The wise fish and the resourceful fish survived because they acted smartly.

Moral and Thinking Questions

13. What is the moral of the story?

Answer: We should adapt to change and make wise decisions.

14. Why is planning important in life?

Answer: Planning helps us stay safe and avoid danger.

15. What happens if we do nothing during danger?

Answer: We may face bad results or harm.

16. Which fish do you like the most and why?

Answer: (Open-ended — encourages children to think and speak)

17. What lesson does the wise fish teach us?

Answer: Think ahead and act early.

18. What lesson does the resourceful fish teach us?

Answer: Use intelligence and creativity to solve problems.

19. What lesson does the third fish teach us?

Answer: Only believing in fate without action can be dangerous.

20. Can you think of a real-life situation where this story helps you?

Answer: (Open-ended — helps connect the story to real life)

Bonus Activity Questions

21. What would you do if you were one of the fish?

Answer: (Child’s personal answer)

22. Write one sentence about adapting to change.

Answer: Example: “Adapting to change helps us stay safe and succeed.”

23. Draw the three fish and label their qualities.

Answer: (Activity-based learning)




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