Long ago, when the world was young, the sea god ruled the waters. He gave each creature its place. Turtles swam slowly, dolphins leapt with joy, and fish glided beneath the waves.
But three fish brothers were restless. Their silver scales shone, and their fins flashed like blades. They often gazed at the sky and longed to fly like the birds.
“Why must we stay below?” asked the eldest.
“Yes, I want to feel the wind!” said the second.
The youngest stayed quiet but dreamed of the same.
One morning, when the sea was calm, the brothers swam hard and leapt out of the water. For a moment, they flew! Their fins spread like wings, and the air cooled their scales. They laughed in triumph.
But the sea god rose from the waves. His voice shook the ocean. “Foolish sons! You broke my law. Fish belong to the sea, not the sky. For this rebellion, you are cursed. You may leap above the waves, but never soar like birds. Your flight will last only a breath before you fall back.”
He struck the sea with his trident, and the waves dragged them down.
From that day, flying fish could glide for only moments before returning to the ocean. Even now, fishermen see them leap, remembering the daring of the three brothers and the judgment of the sea god.
Moral of the Story
Breaking rules may bring excitement, but it often brings lasting consequences.
Word Helper
- Rebellion – refusing to follow rules.
- Soar – fly high in the sky.
- Trident – a three-pointed spear.
- Glide – move smoothly without effort.
- Descendants – children, grandchildren, and those who come after.
Summary for Parents/Teachers
The folktale Three Flying Fish Brothers and the Sea God comes from the Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It explains both a natural phenomenon (why flying fish leap above the waves) and teaches a moral lesson about rules and consequences.
In the story, the sea god establishes order among his creatures. Every animal has its place, and this balance keeps the ocean safe. The three fish brothers, however, are not content. They envy the freedom of the birds and defy the sea god’s command. Their leap into the sky is both thrilling and dangerous. For their rebellion, they are cursed. Though they can still leap above the water, they can never soar like true birds.
This story is valuable for children because it combines wonder with wisdom. It shows that rules are often made for balance and safety. When the brothers disobey, they face a punishment that lasts for all their descendants. Parents and teachers can use this story to talk about self-control, respecting boundaries, and the importance of listening to guidance.
At the same time, the folktale provides an opportunity to explore natural science. Flying fish are real, and their brief glides above the ocean waves are a fascinating adaptation. This makes the tale a bridge between storytelling, culture, and science.
By sharing this folktale, children learn that courage and curiosity are valuable, but when they lead to reckless choices, consequences follow. The story also opens up discussion on how cultures explain natural wonders through imagination and tradition.
Discussion Time
Want to discuss this with your child? Here are some questions:
- Why did the three fish brothers want to fly like birds?
- How did the sea god punish them for breaking his rule?
- What lesson can we learn about following rules from this story?
- Have you ever wanted to do something exciting even though you were told not to? What happened?
Classroom Activity
Flying Fish Drawing:
Ask children to draw a picture of a flying fish leaping above the waves. Encourage them to include both the sea and the sky, showing that the fish belongs to the ocean but can still glide briefly.
