Three Fish and the Fishermen

In a peaceful pond, far from any village, lived three fish who had been friends since they were young. The first was named Foresight, for he always planned ahead. The second was named Quick-Wit, for he thought fast in the moment and acted just as fast. The third had no particular name, for he was known simply for putting things off — always certain that tomorrow would be time enough.

One evening, two fishermen passed by the pond on their way home. "Look how full of fish that little pond is," one said to the other. "Let's come back tomorrow with our nets."

Foresight, resting near the surface, overheard every word. He gathered the other fish at once. "We must leave tonight," he told them, "through the narrow stream that connects this pond to the river. By morning it may be too late." Many of the fish followed him, and by dawn, Foresight and his companions were safely away in open water.

Quick-Wit had not been present to hear the warning, and by the time he learned of the danger, it was already morning — the fishermen's boats were approaching, and the stream that led to safety was already blocked by their nets. But Quick-Wit did not panic. Thinking fast, he flipped himself onto his side and floated perfectly still at the surface, exactly as a dead fish would. The fishermen, seeing him bobbing lifelessly, tossed him aside without a second glance — and the moment they turned away, he flicked his tail and swam to freedom.

The third fish, however, had heard the very same warning that Foresight gave the night before, and had thought to himself, "There is still time — I will leave in the morning, after I've rested." But when morning came, he thought, "There is still the afternoon." By the time the nets closed in around the pond, he had run out of tomorrows to wait for, and was caught along with all the fish who had lingered beside him.