Welcome back!

Log in or sign up to like, bookmark or add fables to playlists.

Loading...

The Fisherman Pipes to the Fish

A fisherman plays his pipe to lure fish but realizes hard work with a net catches more.

A fisherman playing a pipe by the water, waiting for fish that never come

Audio available for B1 version

Text Version
Basic (A1)Intermediate (B1)Advanced (C1)

Once upon a time, there was a fisherman who went to a pond. He brought his pipe and played music, hoping the fish would come to him. He played and played, but no fish came.

The fisherman felt sad. He stopped playing his pipe and picked up his fishing net. He threw the net into the pond and waited. After a while, he pulled the net back and was very happy to see many fish inside.

The fisherman understood that working hard and being patient helped him catch the fish. He decided to always use his net to catch fish and not just rely on his music.

From then on, the fisherman used his net to fish, and he always caught lots of fish because he worked hard and was patient.

Once upon a time, a fisherman stood by the edge of a pond, ready to conquer the world of fish with his pipe. "Come on fishies, don't be shy! Let's groove to some tunes!" he said with a wiggle of his hips.

He played his pipe, jiving and twisting, hoping the fish would join the underwater dance party. He played a rock riff, a jazz melody, even a bit of disco, but the fish? They just weren't biting.

"Oh, come on!" the fisherman huffed, his face turning as red as a tomato. "It's like trying to get a cat to take a bath!"

Frustrated, he plopped down his pipe and picked up his net, muttering, "Fine! If you won't dance, you'll get the net!"

With a swish and a swoosh, he cast the net into the pond and settled down, twiddling his thumbs, wondering if the fish were perhaps hosting their own dance party without him. Then, he looked down at his reflection in the water and said, "Fish, fish, in the pond, who's the grooviest one of all? Not you, clearly! You wouldn't know a good tune if it danced up and bit you on the fin!"

After some time, he began to pull in the net, and surprise, surprise, he found a great number of fish caught in it! His eyes sparkled, and he danced a silly jig. "Ah-ha! Who's got the moves now, eh?"

Realizing that his hard work and patience had brought him the catch, the fisherman resolved to use his net in the future to catch fish. "Sorry, pipe, but it's netflix and chill from now on. Literally!"

And so, the fisherman continued to fish using his net, tossing in the occasional one-liner and cheesy joke. His hard work paid off, and he always had a bountiful catch, proving that while music may soothe the soul, it doesn't necessarily fill the dinner plate.

By the pond's shimmering blue,
A fisherman, known by few,
Played his pipe with all his might,
Hoping fish would come in sight.

He played and played the whole day through,
But not one fish swam into view,
So he picked up his net with a sigh,
"I'll try something new," said he with a sly.

Into the pond, the net was cast,
He waited with hope, forgetting the past.
And soon enough, what did he see?
A net full of fish, as happy as can be!

"No more pipe," he thought with glee,
"My net and patience are the key!"
And from that day, by sun or rain,
His hard work brought fish again and again.

Share

Feedback

Word Finder
  1. Fisherman

    A person who catches fish for food.
  2. Pond

    A small, still body of water.
  3. Pipe

    A musical instrument that you blow into.
  4. Patient

    Able to wait without getting upset.
  5. Net

    A tool made of string for catching fish.
  6. Relied

    To depend on someone or something for help.
  7. Understanding

    Knowing something clearly after thinking about it.
  8. Music

    Sounds that are made to be enjoyed.
  9. Working

    Doing something to achieve a result or goal.
  10. Threw

    To send something through the air with force.
  1. Conquer

    Successfully overcome or gain control of something.
  2. Groove

    To enjoy or move to the rhythm of music.
  3. Jiving

    Dancing or moving to lively music with energy.
  4. Melody

    A series of musical notes that are pleasant to hear.
  5. Frustrated

    Feeling upset because of failure or challenges.
  6. Twiddling

    Moving your fingers in a nervous or bored way.
  7. Reflection

    The image of something seen in a mirror or water.
  8. Sparkled

    Shining brightly with flashes of light or excitement.
  9. Resolved

    Decided firmly to do something after careful thought.
  10. Bountiful

    Having a large amount; plenty of something.
  1. Shimmering

    Shining with a soft, unsteady light.
  2. Fisherman

    A person who catches fish for work or fun.
  3. Sight

    Something that can be seen clearly.
  4. Sigh

    A long breath showing tiredness or sadness.
  5. Sly

    Clever in a tricky or sneaky way.
  6. Cast

    To throw something, like a fishing net.
  7. Patience

    The ability to wait without getting upset.
  8. Glee

    Great happiness or excitement.
  9. Key

    Something important that helps to solve problems.
  10. Again

    Repeating something that has already happened.
Understanding Questions
  1. Where did the fisherman go to catch fish?
  2. What did the fisherman do first to try to catch the fish?
  3. How did the fisherman feel when no fish came to him while he played his pipe?
  4. What did the fisherman use to catch the fish after he stopped playing his pipe?
  5. What lesson did the fisherman learn after he used his net to catch the fish?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the fisherman initially tried to attract the fish with his pipe?
  2. How do you think the fisherman felt when he saw that playing the pipe didn't work?
  3. How did the fisherman's approach to catching fish change after using the net?
  4. Can you think of a time when you worked hard and patiently to achieve something, like the fisherman did with his net?
  5. What does this story teach us about the value of hard work and patience?
Fable Quotes

Patience is the key that unlocks the rewards of perseverance and resourcefulness.

The key to success lies in the determination to keep trying, even when faced with initial failure.

Resourcefulness is the key that unlocks the door to success when one adapts and utilizes available tools and strategies