The Fisherman Piping

Story Summary
A skilled fisherman, hoping to attract fish with his flute, finds his melodic efforts fruitless as the fish remain unresponsive. Frustrated, he casts his net without music and catches a great number of fish, which begin to leap joyfully. This short moral story highlights the irony of how the fish chose to dance only after he stopped playing, reflecting the theme often found in moral stories for class 7 about the unpredictability of behavior and the nature of desire.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that relying solely on charm or entertainment may not yield results, and sometimes taking direct action is necessary to achieve one's goals.
Historical Context
This story echoes themes found in Aesop's Fables, particularly the idea of effort versus reward and the folly of expecting results from passive actions. The tale reflects cultural beliefs in ancient Greece about the interplay between nature and human endeavor, illustrating that while music and art have their place, practical actions often yield more tangible results. The moral underscores the futility of relying on charm alone to achieve one's goals, a lesson resonating across various cultures and retellings throughout history.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the importance of action over waiting for opportunities to come to us, a lesson that resonates in modern life where individuals often rely on passive approaches rather than proactive efforts. For instance, a job seeker who endlessly updates their resume but neglects to network or apply for positions may find themselves frustrated, much like the fisherman waiting for fish to respond to his music instead of casting his net.
You May Also Like

The Huntsman and the Fisherman
In this short moral tale, a Huntsman and a Fisherman delight in exchanging their catches, finding joy in each other's bounty. However, a wise neighbor warns them that such frequent exchanges may diminish their enjoyment, suggesting they should abstain to fully appreciate their own pursuits. This story serves as a reminder that sometimes, enjoying what we have is more fulfilling than seeking constant variety.

The Fly and the Draught Mule
In this moral-based storytelling, a fly mocks a draught mule for its slow pace, threatening to sting it into moving faster. The mule, however, teaches a valuable lesson from moral stories for personal growth by explaining that it only responds to its driver's commands, highlighting the importance of knowing one's true source of strength and direction in life. This real-life story with moral emphasizes the significance of resilience against unwarranted criticism.

A Flourishing Industry
In "A Flourishing Industry," a foreign traveler asks a local about American industries, only to discover that the man's business is thriving in an unexpected way—he manufactures boxing gloves for verbal sparring rather than physical fights. This humorous twist highlights the heartwarming moral that competition can be both playful and uplifting, making it a meaningful story with moral lessons about creativity and resilience.
Other names for this story
Melody of the Sea, The Piping Fisherman, Harmonies of the Ocean, Fisherman's Tune, Dance of the Fish, Notes by the Shore, The Flute and the Net, Musical Catch
Did You Know?
This story illustrates the theme of the futility of relying on passive methods to achieve one's goals; the fisherman discovers that action and effort, rather than mere persuasion or artistry, lead to success, as the fish only dance after he stops playing.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.