Goldy, a Friendly Fish

Nagapattnam, a place in Tamil Nadu is a coastal area. Most people do fishing for their survival. Early morning, fishermen get ready with their fishing rod, big wired nets, baskets, and other accessories which are needed for fishing. They also pack some food and drinking water as they don’t know when they will be back to home.

In a small village in Nagapattam, there lived a fisherman named Mattu. Mattu was a tall, strong and dark man with short curly hair. He wears colorful dhoti and a white vest with a munda (a piece of cloth) tied as a turban to his head.

By 3.00 am, he packed his things and left for fishing in deep sea. That day, the sea was very violent and stormy. Big waves raised up the yatch. His yatch was almost about to drown. He shouted for help, being in the middle of the sea. None could hear him in that strong wind.

Mattu’s Yatch drowned. He held a piece of wood from the yatch and was floating.

Back in the village, Liloo, Mattu’s daughter was worried that her father has not returned home.

She went to the sea shore sat there and started crying “Appa! Appa!” Hearing her cry, a Gold fish with shiny gold scales, big tail and sharp fins appeared in front of her.

Goldy Fish started speaking “Girl! Why are you crying?” Liloo was shocked to see a fish speak.

Liloo in a shivering voice said “myyyyy…appa went for fishing, but he didn’t come back, I don’t know how to find him?”

The fish said “Don’t cry, I will go to the deep sea and find your father for you, until I come back please stay here”. The Goldy fish disappeared.

Goldy fish found Liloo’s father floating on the sea holding a log. The fish put him on his back and swam to the nearest island. Few minutes later, Liloo’s father gained consciousness. He was surprised to see that he was alive, sitting on a sea shore in an unknown island.

To his surprise, the island was filled with gold coins, gems, gold vessels, sculptures and precious jewelry. Goldy fish said to Liloo’s father “I have been watching you for a very long time. You are very honest and sincere in your work. As a gift, I wanted you to take as much as gold things you need”.

Liloo’s father gleamed with smile and took only the amount of gold he needed for his family.

Goldy put Liloo’s father on his back and took him back to the sea shore. Seeing her father, Liloo was very happy and thanked Goldy for his precious gifts and timely help.

Liloo and her family bought their own ship, built a house and lived happily.

The news reached the village head, Panchu and he became very greedy and jealous. He also wanted to become very rich. One morning, Panchu took his boat and went in search of the Golden Island. And he never came back.

Moral: Hard work takes time to pay. Keep doing your work sincerely. One day you’ll be paid off by surprise.