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The Tale of Two Fish and a Frog

Two fish ignore frog's warning of danger from fishermen and get caught, while the frog moves to a safer place.

Two fish swimming past a frog's warning about approaching fishermen

Audio available for B1 version

Text Version
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In a small pond, there are two fish and a frog. They are best friends. They like to swim and play every day. The pond is their home, and they are happy.

One day, the frog hears some men talking. The men say, "We will catch fish tomorrow." The frog is worried. He goes to tell the fish.

"The men want to catch fish," says the frog. "We must leave the pond."

The fish laugh. "We are safe," they say. "We do not need to leave."

The frog is sad. "Please listen to me," he says.

But the fish do not listen. They keep playing.

The next day, the men come with nets. They catch the two fish. The fish cannot get away. The frog is sad. He goes to a new pond. He is safe there.

The frog misses his friends. He wishes they listened to him.

Once upon a time, in a small, peaceful pond, there lived two fish and a frog. They were best friends and enjoyed swimming, playing, and having fun together. The pond was their home, and they were happy with their simple lives.

One day, the frog overheard some fishermen talking nearby. They were planning to return the next day to catch fish with their nets. Worried about his friends, the frog quickly swam back to warn them.

The frog told the fish about the danger, but they did not take him seriously. They were too busy playing and did not believe they were in any real danger. They thought the fishermen might not come or that they could easily escape the nets. However, the frog kept telling them to leave the pond for a safer place.

Despite the frog's warnings, the fish stayed playful and ignored his advice.

The next day, just as the frog had warned, the fishermen returned. They threw their nets into the pond and caught the fish one by one. The two fish, who had ignored the frog's warning, were caught. They tried hard to get free, but it was too late.

Meanwhile, the frog had already moved to a different pond, where he was safe from the fishermen. From a distance, he sadly watched as his friends were caught and taken away.

In a tranquil pond, there were two fish and a frog who were the best of friends. They enjoyed swimming and playing together every day. Their pond was a serene place, and they were content with their peaceful lives.

One day, the frog overheard fishermen talking nearby. They planned to return the next day with their nets to catch fish. Alarmed by this, the frog swiftly swam back to the pond to warn his friends about the impending danger.

The frog told the fish about the fishermen's plan, urging them to leave the pond for their safety. However, the fish did not take his warning seriously. They were too busy playing and did not believe they were in any real danger. They thought they could easily evade the nets or that the fishermen might not even show up. Despite the frog's persistent warnings, the fish continued to ignore his advice and remained in the pond.

The next day, just as the frog had foreseen, the fishermen returned. They cast their nets into the pond and started catching the fish one by one. The two fish, who had dismissed the frog's warning, found themselves trapped in the nets. They struggled desperately to escape, but it was too late.

Meanwhile, the frog had already moved to a different pond, far from the reach of the fishermen. From a safe distance, he watched with a heavy heart as his friends were captured and taken away.

Once upon a time, in this teeny-tiny puddle of a pond, lived two fish and a frog. They were like the "Three Musketeers" of the splash world. Gliding about, splashing like they were having a big pool party, and having the time of their lives. "Fish without the fries!" the frog would exclaim, and they'd all giggle like it was the best joke ever. Life? Well, it was a hoot!

So, one day, Mr. Frog—he wasn't really a mister, but play along—heard a couple of fishermen chattering. "Yeah, buddy, we’ll catch some big ones here tomorrow," they bragged, showing off their fish-catching tools like they were the coolest toys ever.

Whoa! Mr. Frog thought. He swam back to his pals, quick as a rabbit chasing a carrot.

"Guys, listen!" said the frog, trying to be all grown-up sounding. "I heard the fishermen talking, and they’re coming back tomorrow. Imagine a game where they try to catch us and... we don't want to be caught!"

The fish looked at each other and giggled. "Fishermen? Really? What's next? A cat that sings in the woods?"

"That would be one cool cat," the frog daydreamed, "but we should really move to a new spot!"

The fish just waved him off. "Don't worry, Mr. Frog. We're super-fast swimmers. We're like the superheroes of this pond!"

The frog gave them a look that said, 'Okay, but you're gonna regret it!' "Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Bright and early the next day, the fishermen were back, nets in hand. Swoosh went the nets, and up came the fish, wiggling like they were doing the funniest dance ever.

"This isn't the dance-off we thought it would be!" shouted one fish as they got lifted from the water.

Over at another pond, Mr. Frog just sighed. He saw his buddies getting scooped up, and his heart sank. "Oh, fish nuggets," he mumbled. The once lively pond was now so, so quiet. Mr. Frog felt a big 'I-told-you-so' coming on.

The two fish? Well, they probably had a new adventure, though not the kind they'd like. As for Mr. Frog, he had a bunch of new stories to share, hoping the new fishy neighbors would listen better.

Two fish and a frog, by a pond they did dwell,
Together they played, and all was quite swell.
Swimming and splashing, days full of cheer,
In their watery home, they held very dear.

One sunny day, the frog heard a sound,
Fishermen chatting, their plans quite unbound.
"They'll return tomorrow, with nets in their hand,
To capture the fish, from this lovely land."

Back to his pals, the frog swiftly swam,
Warning the fish of the impending jam.
But the fish just laughed, and brushed him aside,
"Those fishermen won’t catch us," they replied.

The frog pleaded, "Please, let's find a new place!"
But the fish just shrugged, showing no haste.
"We're fast and we're nimble; we'll slip through with grace,"
Said the fish, as they smiled, in the frog's worried face.

The very next morning, the sun barely high,
Fishermen arrived, with the hope of a big fry.
One by one, in their nets, the fish were ensnared,
Their laughter and confidence, now turned to despair.

A nearby pond, the wise frog had chosen,
Safe from the nets, in peace he was dozin'.
But he looked back in sorrow, at the quiet pond's shore,
Wishing his friends had heeded him more.

Now the pond sits silent, the splashes all gone,
A lesson learned, as life carries on.
Listen to friends, when warnings they tell,
For sometimes they see dangers, where we cannot dwell.

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Word Finder
  1. Friends

    People or animals you like a lot.
  2. Home

    Place where you live and feel safe.
  3. Worried

    Feeling afraid something bad might happen.
  4. Catch

    To get something that moves.
  5. Leave

    To go away from a place.
  6. Laugh

    Make happy sounds with your mouth.
  7. Safe

    Not in danger or hurt.
  8. Listen

    To hear and think about what is said.
  9. Nets

    Things used to catch fish or other animals.
  10. Misses

    Feels sad because someone is not here.
  1. Overheard

    Heard something not intended for you.
  2. Fishermen

    People who catch fish for a living.
  3. Planning

    Thinking about what to do next.
  4. Warn

    Tell someone about a possible danger.
  5. Danger

    The chance of something bad happening.
  6. Seriously

    In a way that is not joking.
  7. Escape

    Get away from a place or situation.
  8. Despite

    Without being affected by something.
  9. Advice

    Suggestions about what someone should do.
  10. Ignored

    Paid no attention to something or someone.
  1. Tranquil

    Calm and quiet, no noise or trouble.
  2. Serene

    Very calm and peaceful, no worries or noise.
  3. Content

    Happy and satisfied with what you have.
  4. Overheard

    Accidentally hear something not meant for you.
  5. Swiftly

    Moving quickly, with speed and urgency.
  6. Impending

    About to happen soon, coming very soon.
  7. Easily

    Without difficulty, simple to do or achieve.
  8. Persistent

    Continuing firmly despite difficulties or opposition.
  9. Desperately

    With extreme urgency, needing something badly.
  10. Captured

    Taken and held, not able to escape.
  1. Exclaim

    To say something loudly and suddenly.
  2. Chattering

    Talking quickly and continuously.
  3. Bragged

    To talk proudly about what you can do.
  4. Giggle

    Laugh in a light, silly way.
  5. Swoosh

    A fast, sweeping movement.
  6. Daydreamed

    To imagine while awake, especially nice things.
  7. Scooped

    To pick up quickly with a sweeping motion.
  8. Wiggling

    Moving with quick, twisting motions.
  9. Musketeers

    Group of close friends, like in a famous story.
  10. Hoot

    Something very funny and enjoyable.
  1. Dwelled

    Lived in a specific place for a while.
  2. Splashing

    Making water move and scatter around playfully.
  3. Unbound

    Not tied up, free to move or act.
  4. Impending

    Something bad that is about to happen soon.
  5. Pleaded

    Begged someone seriously to do something.
  6. Nimble

    Able to move quickly and easily.
  7. Ensared

    Caught or trapped in a net.
  8. Despair

    Feeling of being very unhappy and without hope.
  9. Dozin'

    Short form for dozing, means sleeping lightly.
  10. Heeded

    Paid attention to and followed advice.
Understanding Questions
  1. Who are the best friends in the pond?
    1. Two fish and a frog
    2. Two frogs and a fish
    3. Three fish
    4. A frog and a bird
  2. What do the friends do every day?
    1. Fly
    2. Play and swim
    3. Run
    4. Hide
  3. What do the men want to do?
    1. Swim in the pond
    2. Catch fish
    3. Catch the frog
    4. Play with the fish
  4. How do the fish feel about the frog’s warning?
    1. They laugh and do not listen.
    2. They get scared and leave.
    3. They cry.
    4. They tell the frog to leave.
  5. What happens to the fish at the end of the story?
    1. They leave the pond.
    2. They get caught by the men.
    3. They hide from the men.
    4. They go to a new pond.
  1. Who were the best friends living in the small, peaceful pond?
  2. What did the frog overhear the fishermen talking about?
  3. Why did the frog warn the fish?
  4. How did the fish respond to the frog's warning?
  5. What happened to the fish when the fishermen returned the next day?
  1. What did the frog overhear the fishermen discussing, and how did he react to this information?
  2. How did the fish respond to the frog's warning about the fishermen's plans?
  3. What happened to the fish the next day when the fishermen returned to the pond?
  4. How did the frog ensure his safety after warning the fish?
  5. What emotions did the frog experience as he watched the events unfold from a distance?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the fish didn't listen to the frog's warning?
  2. How do you think the frog felt when his friends ignored his advice?
  3. Can you think of a time when you didn't listen to someone's advice and wished you had?
  4. What does this story teach us about the importance of heeding warnings and valuing advice from our friends?
  5. How can we apply the lessons from this story in our own lives when it comes to listening to advice or warnings?
Fable Quotes

Ignorance is the bait that catches the unwary.

Listen to the wisdom of others, for their insight may save you from unseen perils.

Choosing to ignore warnings can lead to dire consequences.