The Huntsman and The Fisherman
Huntsman and fisherman swap catches, finding excitement in new flavors, but a wise neighbor warned them of the fading novelty.
Once upon a time, a tired huntsman walked out of the forest with a bag full of animals he had caught. At the same time, a fisherman was coming back from the river with a basket full of fish. When they saw each other, they both felt curious about what the other had.
"Let's trade," said the huntsman, who wanted to try the fish. The fisherman agreed because he also wanted to taste the wild animals. So, they swapped what they had caught. They were both happy and enjoyed trying the new food.
Every day after that, they continued to trade, and it became a regular habit. But after a few weeks, they started to feel less excited about it. A wise neighbor noticed and decided to talk to them.
"If you keep trading every day, you might get bored," the neighbor said. "You might even miss the food you used to catch yourself."
The huntsman and the fisherman listened to the neighbor’s advice. They thought about how much they enjoyed their own work and what they caught themselves.
Audio available for B1 version
Once upon a time, a tired huntsman walked out of the forest with a bag full of animals he had caught.
At the same time, a fisherman was coming back from the river with a basket full of fish.
When they saw each other, they both felt curious about what the other had.
"Let's trade," said the huntsman, who wanted to try the fish.
The fisherman agreed because he also wanted to taste the wild animals.
So, they swapped what they had caught.
They were both happy and enjoyed trying the new food.
Every day after that, they continued to trade, and it became a regular habit.
But after a few weeks, they started to feel less excited about it.
A wise neighbor noticed and decided to talk to them.
"If you keep trading every day, you might get bored," the neighbor said.
"You might even miss the food you used to catch yourself."
The huntsman and the fisherman listened to the neighbor’s advice.
They thought about how much they enjoyed their own work and what they caught themselves.
Something went wrong. Please try again.
Word Finder
Huntsman
A person who catches animals in forests.Fisherman
A person who catches fish in rivers or lakes.Curious
Wanting to know or learn about something.Trade
To give something and get something else.Swapped
Exchanged one thing for another.Habit
Something you do regularly or often.Excited
Feeling very happy or interested in something.Wise
Smart from learning and life experience.Neighbor
A person who lives nearby or close.Advice
Suggestions to help someone make a decision.
Understanding Questions
- What did the huntsman catch in the forest?
- Why did the huntsman and the fisherman trade their food?
- How did they feel after trading every day for a long time?
- What did the wise neighbor say to them?
- What did the huntsman and fisherman think about their own work in the end?
Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the huntsman and the fisherman decided to swap their catches in the first place?
- How did the huntsman and the fisherman feel after they swapped their catches for a few weeks?
- Can you think of a time when you wanted something that someone else had, but then realized you missed what you originally had?
- What does this story teach us about the value of our own work and efforts?
- How can we apply the lesson from this story in our own lives when we start desiring what others have?
Fable Quotes
Find joy in what you have, before seeking the thrill of what you don't.
Value your own harvest, for in longing for another's, you may overlook the true blessings of your labor.
Wisdom is the neighbor that reminds us of the worth of our own catch.
Just One More Fable
- Courage
- Problem-Solving
A Hunted Beaver
In a forest, a beaver's tail was sought for its healing power, but the beaver escaped by sacrificing its own tail.
- Trickery
- Greed
Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock
Curious spider Anansi finds a magical rock that puts animals to sleep; he tricks them but is eventually outsmarted.
- Respect
- Identity
Butterfly and Snail
A proud butterfly looks down on a snail, only to be reminded of its humble beginnings as a caterpillar.
- Honesty
- Friendship
The Wolf and The Horse
A wolf tries to deceive a horse with a feast of oats but fails, learning that honesty is better to build friendships.