The Fisherman Who Forgot

The Fisherman Who Forgot

Long ago, beside a great river, lived a poor fisherman. Every morning before sunrise, he took his old nets, climbed into his small boat, and rowed to the quietest places on the water. He knew the river well: where fish liked to hide, where the current was strong, and where stones lay beneath the surface. But one year, luck seemed to turn away from him. Day after day, his nets came back nearly empty. One evening, the fisherman sat on the bank and looked at the water. “Will my life always be like this?” he wondered sadly. “I work from morning until night, and sometimes there is not even enough rice for supper.” Just then, a large black crow settled on a branch nearby. It was no ordinary bird. Punya In, the spirit of wisdom, had come down to earth in the form of a crow. The crow tilted its head and spoke in a human voice. “Fisherman, would you like to change your life?” The man was so startled that he nearly dropped his nets. “Of course I would!” he said. “I am tired of waking every day afraid that tomorrow there may be nothing to eat.” “Far from here,” said Punya In, “there is a province without a leader. The people need someone who knows the worth of hard work and remembers how ordinary families live. I can help you go there. But first you must promise one thing.” “What is it?” “Do not forget the kindness shown to you. And if you are given power, do not look down on those whose life was once your own.” The fisherman placed a hand over his heart. “I will never forget,” he said. “I promise.” At once, the crow grew before his eyes. Its wings widened until they seemed able to cover the sun. “Climb onto my back,” it said. The fisherman held on tightly, and together they flew over the river, fields, and mountains. By evening, a large city appeared far ahead. Punya In brought the fisherman before the people, who were discussing whom they should choose to lead their province. The wise spirit helped them see that this unknown man understood work, hunger, and patience. So the fisherman became the new chao, the leader of the province. At first, he ruled well. He remembered how hard it was to earn every handful of rice. He made sure fishermen could reach the river, farmers could work their fields, and travelers could find a safe place to sleep. People said, “Our chao understands ordinary folk.” One year passed. Then another. Then many more. The fisherman had a large house, servants, fine clothes, and storerooms full of grain. He no longer needed to rise before dawn or mend wet nets by lamplight. Little by little, he forgot who he had been. One day, he saw a flock of crows in a rice field. “Drive them away!” he ordered. “I do not want those noisy birds near my fields.” His servants chased the crows away. The next day, the chao ordered that they be chased from every garden. Then he said, “Let there be no crows at all in my province.” At that moment, an old black crow landed on the windowsill of his palace. “Have you truly decided this?” it asked. The chao looked closely, but he no longer recognized the friend who had helped him long ago. “Yes,” he said. “What use are they to me?” The crow was silent for a moment. “Would you like to see a place where there are no worries, no commands, and no endless work?” it asked. “Very much!” said the chao. “Take me there.” “Climb onto my back.” The crow grew large again, lifted the former fisherman, and carried him over mountains and rivers. The chao imagined a palace, gardens, and soft cushions. But when they landed, he saw a familiar riverbank. Before him stood his old hut. The same nets lay by the door. His little boat rocked upon the water. “But this is my old home!” he cried. Punya In took on his true form. “Exactly,” said the spirit of wisdom. “I gave you a chance to change your fate, and I asked only that you remember kindness. You forgot not only me. You forgot yourself.” The former chao lowered his head. He wanted to argue, but he could find no words. “May I go back?” he finally asked. “First learn to value what you have again,” Punya In replied. “Wisdom begins by remembering kindness.” With those words, the spirit became a crow and flew into the sky. The fisherman remained beside his old home. The next morning, he woke before sunrise, took up his nets, and went to the river. This time, when a black crow landed on the edge of his boat, he did not chase it away. He smiled and placed a few grains of rice beside it. For he remembered at last that a gift may be great or small, but gratitude should not vanish when life becomes easier.

May this story leave a little light in your heart ✨