Long ago when the world was still young and the ocean stretched endless and unbroken, the fish lived under the watchful eye of the sea god. He ruled the waters with calm authority and gave every creature its place. The turtles were told to swim with patience, the dolphins to leap with joy, and the fish to glide only beneath the waves. This order kept the seas balanced and every creature safe.
Among the countless fish who swam in the Indian Ocean there were three brothers who could not accept their lot. Their scales shimmered silver in the sun and their fins flashed like blades as they darted through the water. They were swift and daring, known among the shoals for their restlessness. Yet their hearts burned with envy whenever they looked to the surface and saw birds soaring in the sky.
Why should we always remain below while the birds rule the air one brother complained. We are fast enough and strong enough. Why not claim the sky as ours too. The second brother agreed. Every day we swim and circle the reefs. I long for something more. I long to leap higher than the waves and feel the wind upon my scales. The third brother remained quiet but in his silence there was determination. He too desired to break free of the rules laid down by the sea god.
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One bright morning when the sea lay smooth as glass, the three brothers swam together near the surface. Above them frigate birds wheeled and dipped, their wings spread wide in freedom. The eldest brother spoke boldly. Today we defy the sea god. Today we will leap into the sky and prove that fish can fly. Without hesitation they gathered speed, their tails whipping the water, and burst through the surface with a force that glittered in the sunlight.
For one glorious moment they soared. The air rushed against their scales, cool and thrilling. They spread their fins like wings and glided, hearing the cries of the birds above as if in greeting. They laughed together in triumph. The sky was theirs, if only for an instant. But as they began to fall back toward the sea a shadow darkened the water beneath them. The waves stirred, the surface trembled, and the sea god himself rose in fury.
His voice rumbled like thunder across the waves. Foolish sons of the ocean, you have broken the order I gave. Fish are bound to the sea, not the sky. For your rebellion you shall be punished. You may leap above the waves but never shall you soar freely like the birds. Your flights will last only for a breath before the ocean drags you back.
The three brothers tried to protest but the sea god’s anger was final. He struck the waters with his trident and a great wave swept them down. From that day onward the brothers and their kind were cursed. They could leap and glide above the waves but only for moments before falling back into the depths. The ocean was their home and no matter how high they flew they would always return to it.
The other fish learned from this punishment. They remained content within the boundaries of the sea, whispering warnings to their young about the folly of rebellion. Yet the three brothers did not vanish. Their descendants live on, flashing silver against the surface of the water, taking brief flights across the waves. Fishermen in Seychelles still see them today, calling them flying fish. They say that each leap is a reminder of the ancient defiance of the three brothers and the unbreakable judgment of the sea god.
Moral Lesson
The moral of the Three Flying Fish Brothers is that defiance against natural order brings lasting consequences. The story reminds us that freedom must be tempered with respect for boundaries and that rebellion without wisdom can lead to eternal struggle.
Knowledge Check
What is the main lesson in the Three Flying Fish Brothers folktale from Seychelles?
Answer The story teaches that rebellion without respect for rules brings punishment and lasting consequences.Why did the three fish brothers want to leap into the sky?
Answer They envied the freedom of birds and wanted to feel the wind against their scales by soaring above the ocean.How did the sea god punish the three fish brothers?
Answer He allowed them to leap above the water but cursed them to never remain in the sky, forcing them to always fall back into the sea.What natural phenomenon does the folktale of the Three Flying Fish Brothers explain?
Answer It explains why flying fish can glide briefly above the waves but cannot stay in the air like birds.How do Seychellois fishermen connect the story to their daily lives?
Answer They say the sight of flying fish leaping reminds them of the ancient brothers who defied the sea god.What cultural values are reflected in the Three Flying Fish Brothers folktale?
Answer The story reflects Seychellois values of respect for natural order, acceptance of limits, and awareness of consequences when rules are broken.
Source :Seychellois folktale. Included in Lee Haring’s Indian Ocean Folktales 2002.
