The Story
In the Quiet Pond
In a clear pond, among green hills, lived three small fish: Mira, Luna, and Fiona. The pond was close to a big river, but far from houses, so no one came to fish there. Mira was very smart, and Luna was a little smarter. As for Fiona, she was nice, but she was afraid when there was danger.
Unexpected Danger
One day, two fishermen passed by the pond. They saw many fish swimming happily. One of them said: "What a lot of fish! We will come back tomorrow and catch everything in the pond!" The other one agreed, and they left. The fish heard what the fishermen said. They got scared and started thinking about how to save themselves.
Mira's Quick Plan
Mira was the first to act. She swam quickly toward a small opening where the river's water came in. She got out of the pond and into the river. She was safe!
Luna's Clever Trick
Luna, however, hesitated a little. When she tried to get out, she found the opening was blocked! She said to herself: "I was too late... but I won't give up!" She thought for a long time and then had a smart idea! She pretended to be dead and floated on top of the water. One of the fishermen saw her. He thought she was dead, so he threw her onto the bank, between the pond and the river. In a quick moment, Luna jumped into the river. She was saved by her cleverness!
The End of Fiona, the Hesitant
As for Fiona, she remained scared, moving forward once, then backward once... She couldn't make up her mind. The two fishermen saw her and caught her with their net...
Lessons Learned
- The one who thinks quickly and acts wisely in danger is saved.
- Don't put off a crucial decision, as hesitation can lead to failure.
- Even if you miss the first chance, don't lose hope. Smart thinking can create a new opportunity.
- Courage and intelligence are sometimes more important than speed.
Discussion Questions
- Who are the three fish and what are the characteristics of each one?
- What did the fish hear from the fishermen that made them feel in danger?
- How did Mira act immediately to save herself?
- What was the clever trick Luna used to escape?
- Why couldn't Fiona save herself like her two friends?
- Which of the three fish characters did you like the most? Why?
Suggested Activities
- Draw the pond and the three fish, then draw two different endings for the story: one happy for Fiona, and one sad.
- With your friends, role-play the three fish and the fishermen.
- Think of a difficult situation you might face (like being lost in a crowded place) and write two plans to escape: a quick plan and a smart plan.