Скачать или смотреть The Three Minnow Sisters' Clever Escape | Illustrated Fairy Tales

In the crystal-clear waters of Lake Shimmer lived three young minnow sisters. Before they left their mother's watch, she pulled them close among the water lilies and warned, "My darlings, the deep waters hide many dangers. Stay near the protective reeds, and never trust a stranger's advice about 'better waters' elsewhere."

The sisters – Pearl, practical and patient; Silver, swift but careless; and Flash, the youngest and most adventurous – set off to find their own territories in the lake.

Pearl spent days carefully weaving reeds and water plants together, creating a dense, protective shelter near a bed of pebbles. Silver darted about, quickly settling for a hideout beneath a fallen branch. Flash, enchanted by the glittering open waters, chose a pretty but exposed spot near floating lilies.

One morning, a massive shadow glided through the depths – the Great Pike, whose teeth were sharp as broken shells. He watched the sisters and crafted a plan.

He approached Flash first, disguising his voice. "My dear, I know of a wonderful spot where water bugs are plentiful. Follow me, and I'll show you."

Flash, remembering her mother's warning, replied, "I thank you, but I must decline."

The Pike swam to Silver's branch shelter. "The storm season approaches," he warned, "and this branch will surely wash away. Come with me to safer waters."

Silver, noticing the Pike's shadow was too large and angular for any friendly fish, darted through a gap in the branches, racing to Pearl's reed fortress.

Finding Flash had also sought shelter with Pearl, the Pike circled the woven reed home. "Little minnows," he called in his gentlest voice, "your mother sent me to guide you to warmer waters before the cold sets in."

But Pearl had built her shelter with care, weaving the reeds so tightly that even the Pike's keen eyes couldn't spot a way in. The three sisters huddled together as the Pike rammed against the reeds, but the flexible plants merely bent and swayed with each attack.

The Pike's commotion attracted a patrol of brave sunfish who guarded the shallows. Seeing them approach, the Pike fled to the dark depths, never to bother the sisters again.

From that day forward, the three minnow sisters lived together in Pearl's reed shelter, which they continued to strengthen and expand. Silver learned the value of patience in building safe spaces, and Flash discovered that sometimes the prettiest spots aren't the wisest choices.

They would often gather with other young fish to share their story, teaching them that mother's wisdom, sisterly unity, and careful preparation were the best defenses against the dangers that lurked in deep waters.

And so, whenever you see minnows darting through the reeds in tight-knit groups, remember the three sisters who outwitted the Great Pike by heeding their mother's warning and sticking together.