The Three Fish

In a certain pond lived three fish named Anagatavidhata (the planner, who prepared for the future), Pratyutpannamati (the quick-witted one, who relied on presence of mind), and Yadbhavishya (the fatalist, who simply let things happen as they would).

One day, some fishermen passed by the pond. Noticing it was full of fish, they said to one another, "This pond is teeming with fish. Let's come back tomorrow with our nets." Then they left.

Anagatavidhata overheard this conversation and immediately understood that danger was coming. She told her two companions, "We must leave this pond at once, before the fishermen return, and find somewhere safer."

Pratyutpannamati replied, "It isn't the right time to panic yet. When the fishermen actually arrive, I will rely on my quick wits to find a way to escape." She chose to stay in the pond.

Yadbhavishya paid no attention at all. "Whatever is meant to happen will happen," she said. "There's no point worrying about it now." She, too, remained in the pond, continuing with her daily routine.

The next day, the fishermen returned exactly as they had said, carrying their nets. Anagatavidhata had already left for a safer river the day before, so she remained completely safe.

When the fishermen cast their nets, Pratyutpannamati used her quick thinking — she floated to the surface and lay still, pretending to be dead. The fishermen, believing she was already dead, tossed her back into the water, and she swam away safely.

But Yadbhavishya, who had neither planned ahead nor acted quickly when the moment came, was caught in the net and taken away by the fishermen.

Moral: It is always wisest to be alert and prepared for danger ahead of time. But if the moment arrives unexpectedly, quick thinking can still save you. Those who neither plan nor think quickly suffer the greatest losses of all.