Exploring the value of trust through an old folktale called The Three Fishes.
The video
OMAR: Hello, I'm Omar and this is the fascinating story of The Three Fishes.
Once there were three fishes called Anang, Pratyam, and Yadhva.
Good day!
They lived in a pond and loved to swim around all day long with their friends.
Wee!
But one day, Anang heard two fishermen talking.
"Hey, check it out, I've never seen this pond before."
"Me neither, and look at all the fish! Let's definitely come back here with our nets and catch as many fish as we can."
"Yeah."
"Oh no, I've got to warn my friends. Hey, Pratyam, fishermen are coming. We've got to get to the other side of the pond as soon as we can. We'll be safe from the fishermen there!"
"Are you sure, because my friends and I, we really like this part of the pond, don't we? And we don't want to move."
"I'm sure. I heard them with my own ears. You have to trust me, because if we stay, we'll be caught."
"Okay, I trust you. Come on, everybody, let's go!"
"Hey, Yadhva, fishermen are coming. We've got to swim to the other side of the pond."
"Why should I believe you? It could be a trick. You probably want us to leave so that you can have this side all to yourself. Sorry, I'm not going anywhere."
"But you have to trust me or you'll get caught!"
"I don't trust you. I'm not moving."
So, Anang and Pratyam moved to the other side of pond with all their friends and family, but Yadhva stayed behind.
"Wee… Wee… Uh-oh, a little help here, guys."
Poor Yadhva. He should have trusted Anang. Pratyam was very grateful for Anang's advice and very pleased that he had trusted him. Life on the other side of the pond wasn't that bad after all.
That was an old story from India. Thanks for helping me tell it. See you next time. Bye!
This story is an old Indian folktale about the value of trust.
There are three fish in a pond, Anang, Pratyam and Yadhva. Anang overhears some fishermen who have observed that this part of the pond is full of fish and so would be a good location for fishing. Anang warns Pratyam and Pratyam trusts Anang, so the two of them move to the other side of the pond. Yadhva doesn't trust Anang and stays where he is. Later Yadhva is among the fish caught by the fishermen.
Pratyam has a number of important qualities: he trusts Anang and recognises wise advice when he hears it; he is also flexible enough to embrace change when faced with Anang’s information.
Duration: 3' 15"
Final words: 'See you next time. Bye!'
Video questions
- What are the names of the three fish (Anang, Pratyam and Yadhva)
- The three fish are happy living in their part of the pond. What happens to change this? (Anang overhears fishermen)
- What does Anang do? (He tells Pratyam and Yadhva they must move to the other side of the pond)
- What do Pratyam and Yadhva say about moving? (Pratyam agrees to go but Yadhva refuses - he thinks Anang might be trying to have the space all to himself)
- What happens to Yadhva? (He is caught by the fishermen)
Teacher Notes
This video could be used to identify similarities in beliefs or to retell moral stories. You could help the children to create their own simple fish puppets using lolly sticks, card and blue fabric for the pond. Encourage groups to retell the story using their props and take photos or videos.
The children might reflect on their own and others’ ideas, feelings and experiences. Use discussion time in the classroom to think of people that the children believe are trustworthy and create paper plate portraits of them. They could be people they know personally or people they have heard about and admire.
Think about the different things that combine to build trust - eg honesty, keeping promises, being a good friend, being kind. Write these words and phrases on labels and stick them to large wooden blocks. With the children, build a trust wall and model, balancing something securely on top of the wall. Then start removing a brick or two. Reflect with the children on whether we are confident that the trust wall will be strong with gaps in it.
Curriculum Notes
This short film will be relevant for teaching KS1 Religious Education in England and Northern Ireland, the Curriculum for Wales (particularly RVE as part of Humanities), and Early and 1st Level Religious and Moral Education in Scotland.
Further resources
