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The fish that couldn’t swim

Have you ever heard of a fish that can’t swim?

Suggested age: 4–6岁 · Reading level L2 · 14 illustrated pages

The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 1, English text included

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This book can be read page by page, heard with synthetic Voice 7 narration, downloaded and printed. Enable JavaScript for the interactive reader, or open the story pages below.

Have you ever heard of a fish that can’t swim?

Read all 14 story pages
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 1, English text included
The fish that couldn’t swim
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 2, English text included
There once was a boy who could run and jump and climb. He could even make a noise like a seagull. But he couldn't swim. And oh, how he wanted to.
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 3, English text included
Then one day... ...he noticed a fish that couldn't swim either.
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 4, English text included
He wanted to help the fish.
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 5, English text included
So he put it in the water...
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 6, English text included
...and the fish came alive!
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 7, English text included
But the boy also wanted to learn to swim.
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 8, English text included
So the fish showed the boy how to put his mouth in the water and blow.
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 9, English text included
What fun they had!
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 10, English text included
The next day, the boy remembered what the fish had taught him.
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 11, English text included
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 12, English text included
And so the boy who could run and jump and climb, and even make a noise like a seagull learned to swim like a fish.
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 13, English text included
The fish that couldn’t swim — original illustrated page 14, English text included

Creators and open license

Written by
Sarah Gaylard
Illustrated by
Thulisizwe Mamba
Created by
Thulisizwe Mamba (Illustrator); Ingrid Nye (Editor); Sarah Gaylard (Writer); Gisela Strydom (Designer)

Source: Book Dash
Original: The fish that couldn’t swim from Book Dash
License: CC BY 4.0

Original illustrated spreads and embedded English story text preserved; website layout and printable PDF assembled by Little Leaf. Age, level, theme and recommendation are editorial suggestions. Web and printable layout adapted by Little Leaf. Age and reading-level suggestions are editorial. Original stories and artwork belong to their credited creators. Website narration uses the selected synthetic Voice 7.