Comprehension: Time for a story (1) the Discontented Fish (page 34)

1. Once upon a time, some little fishes lived in a quiet pool near a river. Almost all of them were pleasant, friendly fish and lived and played very happily together. But one fish was different. He was not a big fish, but he was the biggest fish in the pool. He was proud of this and refused to be friendly with the other fish.

“Stop playing!” he would say, “It’s time for my afternoon rest. Go away!”

2. The older fish began to get annoyed.

“Let him go away and leave us in peace!” said one.

“That’s a good idea,” said the oldest fish. “I’ll go and talk to him.” So the oldest fish swam to the biggest fish and said,

“That pool is too small for you and we’re all small too. Why stay here? Go and join the big fish in the river.”

3. The biggest fish decided to take the advice of the oldest fish. So the next day, he swam down to the river. When he reached it, he said to himself, “Now I must make friends with the other big fish.” Suddenly, the water around him began to sway about. He looked up and saw four fish passing over his head. They were much bigger than he was.

“I must hurry and join them,” he thought. But one of them looked down. “Out of my way, little fish!” he said in an angry voice. “This water is ours.” Then they drove him away.