BR 2-11: The Fish that Talked

This book was written by Graham Philpot.

Long ago, in India, there was a young man named Manu. One day, he was wading in a stream. The fish sparkled with a silvery light. And it could talk. Manu cupped his hands and carried the fish home. He put the fish into a jar of water and fed it with crumbs. The fish grew until it was too big for the jar. So Manu fed it with bread. Then it grew until it was too big for the well. It is interesting. Manu carried the fish to the river. He didn't feed it, but it still grew and grew and grew. Manu couldn't believe his eyes because the fish was enormous.

"Please take me to the sea," begged the fish. But, Manu thought that the fish weight a ton. But amazingly, the fish was as light as air. Manu threw the fish into the sea. The fish appreciated him. So Manu built a huge boat and filled it with plants and animals. Soon, dark clouds filled the sky. Then, the rain came. He peered into the dark.  He saw a silvery light. It was the talking fish. After a long time, they reached a great mountain. Suddenly, the fish changed. It was a powerful god who called Brahma. He is a very kind god.

Brahma vanished in a flash of silvery light. Manu never saw him again. After the flood, he worked hard to rebuild to the world. And he ruled wisely and well for the rest of his days.

This story comes from an ancient India poem. In some versions, it is the Hindu god Vishnu who takes the form of the fish saved the world.

286 words

Philpot, Graham. (2008). The Fish that Talked
London, England: Usborne

London, England: Usborne