Section 47
The Fisherman and the Sprat explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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A Fisherman cast his net into the sea, and when he drew it up again it contained nothing but a single Sprat that begged to be put back into the water. "I'm only a little fish now," it said, "but I shall grow big one day, and then if you come and catch me again I shall be...
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Public-domain original
A Fisherman cast his net into the sea, and when he drew it up again it
contained nothing but a single Sprat that begged to be put back into
the water. "I'm only a little fish now," it said, "but I shall grow
big one day, and then if you come and catch me again I shall be of
some use to you." But the Fisherman replied, "Oh, no, I shall keep you
now I've got you: if I put you back, should I ever see you again? Not
likely!"
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A small fish asks to be released until it grows, but the fisherman keeps what he has.
Why this scene matters
This fable values a sure small gain over a promised larger one.
Characters in this scene
- Fisherman: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Sprat: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A fisherman catches a tiny fish. The fish promises more value later, but the fisherman keeps today’s catch.