The Fisher and the Fished
The story follows a fisherman named Jack who spends his days on the ocean, searching for the perfect catch. One day, he hooks a large fish that turns out to be a magical creature, capable of granting wishes. Jack wishes for wealth and fame, but soon realizes that these things do not bring him the happiness he truly desires. In the end, he wishes for the ability to live simply and contentedly, surrounded by the things and people he loves.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1890 · Genre: Fiction, Adventure, Drama · 101 words
First lines
A Fisherman who had caught a very small Fish was putting it in his basket when it said:
"I pray you put me back into the stream, for I can be of no use to you; the gods do not eat fish."
"But I am no god," said the Fisherman.
"True," said the Fish, "but as soon as Jupiter has heard of your exploit, he will elevate you to the deitage. You are the only man that ever caught a small fish."
What this Textopian page supports
The Fisher and the Fished is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Drama
- Length: 101 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fisher and the Fished by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Fisher and the Fished?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Jupiter And The Birds by Ambrose Bierce
- The Royal Jester by Ambrose Bierce
- Hercules And The Carter by Ambrose Bierce
- A Joke by Anton Chekhov
- A Forfeited Right by Ambrose Bierce
- The Lassoed Bear by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fiction — The narrative surrounding the characters suggests a fictional plot.
- Adventure — The character's roles as a fisher and the hunted imply an adventurous undertone.
- Drama — The dynamics between predator and prey and the life-or-death circumstances suggest elements commonly found in drama.
Tags
fantasy · adventure · short story · humor · irony · satire · allegory · symbolism · surreal · absurd · whimsical · imaginative