The Talking Fish - An Exceptional Fish Moral Story

The talking fish story describes the condition of poor people who toil hard to meet their ends. It starts with one of the workers who while returning back home got a new job opportunity as a fisherman’s helper, he happily accepts the job and starts catching the fish for his boss. This story also expresses the hard work all people with good hearts do and what they get in return. Also, how rewards for good works are given sometime. 

The same is described in a worker’s life. His nature, work, and the reward for meeting his ends is also expressed in the story.

So, this story is overall a moral story that concludes with a good deed. Now, let us start the story.

The Story of a Talking Fish

The Talking Fish

One day, while performing daily chores, a poor worker got a new job as a fisherman’s helper. By his work, he was paid a few fish a day that managed the survival of him and his wife. What happened one day was this worker caught a pretty little fish. As he saw this fish, he was shocked to see a marvellous fish, and suddenly, the fish spoke to him in a human voice.

"See here, brother man! Some time ago, I was playing with my friends, and I got caught in your net. Now I'm suffering and probably dying! My parents and my playmates must be looking for me and very anxious about my well being". Now the talking fish was gasping. Please show humanity and throw me back into the water!"

The worker started wondering and thought, could it be true? Was it possible that a fish lives a life filled with joys and sorrows, just like us? He quickly threw the fish back into the water. "All right, my pretty little fish, you are free to go along and play again -- I don't want your parents and friends to worry for you anymore!"

When the worker's fisherman saw this, he got very angry.

"You idiot!" he yelled to the employee. "I hired you to capture fish, not to throw them back into the water! You're a worthless fool! Begone with you - I do not ever want to see you again!"

And the poor worker walked lamentably home. "What shall I tell my wife?" he wailed, dreading what would happen to them without his job.

He was walking alongside the street plunged in his sad thoughts, while all at once he noticed a Monster in human form coming toward him. The Monster was driving a very fine cow before him.

"Good day, brother," stated the Monster. "Why do you seem so sad?"

The worker conveyed the story to him.

"See here, my friend," stated the Monster. "I'm going to do you a favour. Do you see this cow? I'll let you preserve her for 3 years. She'll come up with plenty of good milk each day, and also you and your spouse will never go hungry. But you should keep this condition in mind: When 3 years have passed, I will come and ask certain questions of you. If you answer them correctly, the cow will be yours. But in case you do not, then I'll take each of you along with the cow, and do something I want with you. So, do you accept it?"

The worker thought, "I assume it is better to take the cow now than to head hungry. At least we're going to be able to sell the milk and stay for 3 years, after which we'll see what happens. 

Maybe we're going to be fortunate enough to reply to those questions." So he accepted the terms, took the cow, and went home relieved and happy.

Indeed, the cow gave lots of good milk, sufficient for the worker and his spouse to drink and to sell, and in this way, provided the necessities of life.

In the evenings, the worker and his spouse might often sit collectively at their door, thinking about the Monster. They tried to think about what the solutions would possibly be. But as they'd no clue about what kind of questions the Monster might ask, they would always quit their sessions with a sigh and go to bed with bothered hearts. Day by day, the end of the 3 years grew closer and closer.

One evening, a good-looking youth came up to them.

"Good evening!" he stated. "I am so tired, and it's getting dark. If you please, may I also spend the night under your roof?"

"Of course, you may, but you should know that something horrible is going to happen to us tonight! Three years ago, we took a cow from a Monster. He informed us we could preserve the cow for 3 years, however, at the end of that time, he could come and ask us a few questions. If we solve the questions correctly, then the cow will be ours to keep, however, if we can't then we will become his prisoners forever. So in case you live with us tonight, be cautious that no harm comes to you!"

"I see," stated the youth. "Well, if it's alright with you, I'd just as soon stay the night." And so he did.

Exactly at midnight, a knock was heard on the door.

"Who's there?"

"It is I, the Monster! Three years have passed. The time has come to answer my questions!"

"We'll by no means be able to answer them!" wailed the poor worker and his spouse, clutching at each other's shoulders.

Suddenly, the youth stepped toward the door. He said to them, "Don't worry, I'll answer for you."

"I'm right here, waiting!" growled the Monster outside.

"And I'm right here also," replied the youth behind the door.

"Very well, then," stated the monster. "Where are you from?"

"I'm from the other side of the sea."

"How did you get right here?"

"Riding a lame flea!"

"Then the sea must have been very small?"

"Not at all. Even an eagle could not fly through it!"

"Then that eagle must have been a fledgling?"

"Not at all. The shadow of his wings would cover a whole town!"

"Then the town must have been very small?"

"Not at all. A hare could not run from one end to the other."

The Monster was speechless. It did not recognize what different questions to ask. He stood there silently at the door for some time, then disappeared into the darkness.

The poor worker and his spouse were overjoyed. They and the youth celebrated till dawn.

When sunrise was breaking, the youth said it was time for him to take his leave.

"Oh, no, we can't let you go!" cried the couple. "You saved our lives. Tell us what we can do to thank you." "You don't need to thank me," answered the youth. "I need to be on my way." "At least inform us who you are!" begged the worker.

"If you must know," stated the youth, "A kindness is never lost, even if you throw it into the water. I am that little talking fish which you threw back into the sea!"

Having said those words, he disappeared.

The Theme of the Story - Kindness Pays!

From the story of talking fish, we can see that kindness comes as a reward someday, all we need to have is patience, and kindness pays off.