The Fisherman and the Fish
The story revolves around a fisherman who catches a large fish that speaks to him. The fish tells the fisherman about his life and how he has been caught by many people before. The fisherman is moved by the fish's words and decides not to kill it, instead releasing it back into the water. As the days pass, the fisherman becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea of catching the fish again in order to hear its story once more. He spends all his time fishing for the fish, but it continues to evade him. The fisherman's obsession eventually leads to his downfall as he neglects his family and his livelihood suffers. In the end, the fisherman is left alone, realizing too late that he has lost everything due to his fixation on catching the fish. The story explores themes of greed, obsession, and the consequences of one's actions.
By Leo Tolstoy · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Philosophical · 87 words
First lines
A Fisherman caught a Fish. Said the Fish:
"Fisherman, let me go into the water; you see I am small: you will have little profit of me. If you let me go, I shall grow up, and then you will catch me when it will be worth while."
But the Fisherman said:
"A fool would be he who should wait for greater profit, and let the lesser slip out of his hands. "
What this Textopian page supports
The Fisherman and the Fish is listed on Textopian as a fable by Leo Tolstoy, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Allegory, Philosophical, Literary Fiction, Children's Literature
- Length: 87 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fisherman and the Fish by Leo Tolstoy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Fisherman and the Fish?
- How does this fable by Leo Tolstoy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Lion And The Fox by Leo Tolstoy
- The Ant And The Dove by Leo Tolstoy
- The Duck And The Moon by Leo Tolstoy
- There Is A Difference by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Lion The Wolf And The Fox by Leo Tolstoy
- The Gnat And The Lion by Leo Tolstoy
Genres
- Fable — The narrative conveys a moral lesson through a simple story involving anthropomorphized characters.
- Allegory — The story represents deeper meanings about greed and the consequences of choices.
- Philosophical — The themes provoke thought about human nature and decision-making.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style emphasizes character development and thematic depth.
Tags
Fable · Allegory · Moralism · Philosophy · Literary Fiction · Short Story · Russian Literature · 19th Century Literature · Tolstoyan Themes · Existentialism · Absurdism · Satire