Tag Archives: THE THREE FISHES

347. The Three Fishes

Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, there lived in the river three fishes, named Over thoughtful, Thoughtful, and Thoughtless. And they came down stream from the wild country to where men lived. Now, Thoughtful said to the other two, “This is a dangerous place, where fishermen catch fish with nets and basket traps. Let us go to the wild country again.”

107. THE THREE FISHES


In a certain pond, there lived three fishes. One day some fishermen were passing by They saw this pond and said to each other, “We have never investigated this particular pond. It’s full of fishes! But since we already have a good catch today, and it’s evening, so let’s go home and come back here tomorrow.”

So the fishermen left. When the first fish heard this, he was dumbfounded as if struck by a thunderbolt, and he called all the fishes together and said to them, “Did you hear what the fishermen said just now? Let’s leave immediately for some other pond. I think the fishermen will return tomorrow morning and then they will start killing all of us. So it’s not wise to stay here a moment longer.”

When the secound fish heard this, he said, “You’re right! Let’s us go somewhere else!”

But the third fish laughed loudly and said, “Oh, I don’t agree with you! Would it be right to give up this pond, that belonged to our forefathers, just because of the talk of fishermen! And in any case, if it’s time for us to die, death will certainly not spare us, wherever we are. So, I won’t come with you. Do as you think best.”